{
  "id": 7729874,
  "title": "Ed Sheeran tour loses four acts after Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheeran-tour-loses-four-acts-after-macklemores-pro-palestinian",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T07:04:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/entertainment/music/2026-09-16-ed-sheeran-tour-loses-four-acts-after-macklemores-pro-palestinian-comments/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour saw four acts depart due to rapper Macklemore's pro-Palestinian comments. The group's departure comes after Macklemore was dropped from the tour for his remarks while performing. Sheeran has denied involvement in the decision, stating the promoter was responsible. Macklemore, who performed on the tour, shouted \"Free Palestine!\" at a New Jersey venue and asserted that Palestinians are not forgotten. The promoter, Messina Touring Group, ended Macklemore's contract. Sheeran had previously discussed his stance on political topics, saying he doesn't comment publicly on them, but understands Macklemore's stance. Finneas, also a member of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, criticized the silencing of Macklemore. Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, as well as Lukas Graham, also left the tour due to their commitment to Palestinian justice.",
  "summary": "Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham have withdrawn from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after Macklemore was removed from the line-up following pro-Palestinian remarks.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 12,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran tour exodus: Finneas and three more acts quit after Macklemore axing over pro-Palestine remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheeran-tour-exodus-finneas-and-three-more-acts-quit-after",
        "published": "2026-09-16T01:03:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran's tour in trouble after opening acts drop out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheerans-tour-in-trouble-after-opening-acts-drop-out-in-solidarity",
        "published": "2026-09-16T01:16:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran’s Tour in Trouble after Opening Acts Drop out in Solidarity with Rapper Macklemore",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheerans-tour-in-trouble-after-opening-acts-drop-out-in-solidarity-7687776",
        "published": "2026-09-16T02:39:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "All support acts on Ed Sheeran’s US tour quit after Macklemore dropped",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/all-support-acts-on-ed-sheerans-us-tour-quit-after-macklemore-dropped",
        "published": "2026-09-16T02:51:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says it wasn’t his call to drop Macklemore over ‘Free Palestine’ remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheeran-says-it-wasnt-his-call-to-drop-macklemore-over-free",
        "published": "2026-09-16T03:30:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KBC",
        "title": "All support acts on Ed Sheeran’s US tour quit after Macklemore dropped",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/all-support-acts-on-ed-sheerans-us-tour-quit-after-macklemore-dropped-7707437",
        "published": "2026-09-16T03:34:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Khaosod English",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran’s tour in trouble after opening acts drop out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheerans-tour-in-trouble-after-opening-acts-drop-out-in-solidarity-7716088",
        "published": "2026-09-16T05:22:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Unpacking the 12 days that threw Ed Sheeran's tour into chaos",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/unpacking-the-12-days-that-threw-ed-sheerans-tour-into-chaos",
        "published": "2026-09-16T06:09:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Opening acts quit Ed Sheeran’s tour as Macklemore dropped over pro-Palestine remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/opening-acts-quit-ed-sheerans-tour-as-macklemore-dropped-over-pro",
        "published": "2026-09-16T06:15:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran's tour in trouble after opening acts drop out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheerans-tour-in-trouble-after-opening-acts-drop-out-in-solidarity-7725583",
        "published": "2026-09-16T06:41:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran's support acts quit US tour after Macklemore dropped for pro-Palestinian comments",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheerans-support-acts-quit-us-tour-after-macklemore-dropped-for",
        "published": "2026-09-16T07:07:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}