Sep 16, 2026 12:07pm IST
Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham and Backing Band Beoga Pull Out of Ed Sheeran’s Tour After Macklemore’s Removal
Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour is facing an urgent crisis. After the singer claimed that his promoter decided to drop Macklemore from the remainder of his US tour for the American star’s recent remarks on Palestine, the remaining openers for his shows have announced that they are no longer going to be part of the gigs, in solidarity with the rapper.
Among these, Aaron Rowe, Finneas and Lukas Graham each released separate statements announcing their decisions to step away from the tour. Rowe wrote, “I have made the decision to withdraw as a support act for Ed Sheeran’s ‘The Loop’ North American Tour.” The Irish singer, who opened for Sheeran’s Australian portion and returned for the North American leg. “I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices,” he added.
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Finneas, who was slated to open for Sheeran on South American dates, will not be appearing at any of the six stops, as per his latest social media update, “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran.”
“We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them. (...) Money doesn't give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody's bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we're allowed to acknowledge,” Graham’s statement read.
“I love Ed, and I’m grateful for everything we’ve shared. That hasn’t changed. But I can’t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand,” it continued, adding, “I’m sorry we won’t be there. This is a difficult decision, but it’s one I need to stand by.”
Lastly, Sheeran’s backing band, which plays a short set alongside him for his shows, also decided to step away, expressing their gratitude to the English singer over their 10-year friendship, “We are a traditional Irish band who never saw ourselves playing in stadiums of that size and that opportunity is not lost on us,” Beoga wrote.
Any replacement opening acts are yet to be announced.
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