A series of support acts have pulled out of Ed Sheeran’s current US tour following the decision to remove rapper Macklemore from the lineup. Among those who announced their departure are Finneas, Danish band Lukas Graham, Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, and the folk band Beoga.
The controversy stems from performances by Macklemore, born Benjamin Haggerty, at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month. During his sets, the rapper called for a "free Palestine" and displayed footage of the conflict in Gaza. These actions prompted backlash from groups including the Israeli American Council, leading to pressure on tour promoters from various venues.
Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium, confirmed he barred Macklemore from performing at his venue, citing concerns over "hate speech" and the rapper's history of rhetoric. Messina Touring Group, the tour's promoter, stated that several venues threatened to block Macklemore’s performances, which risked the cancellation of the entire tour.
Ed Sheeran addressed the situation on Instagram, clarifying that the decision to drop Macklemore was made by the promoters, not him. He emphasized his desire to keep his concerts free of political debate, stating, "I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary." He added that he remains committed to his crew and the fans who purchased tickets.
The departing artists expressed disagreement with the silencing of political discourse. Finneas stated that "artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed," while Lukas Graham remarked that "nobody's bank balance should decide who gets to speak."
Macklemore, in his own statement, acknowledged the difficult position Sheeran faced but maintained that there is "no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed."
Source: BBC News
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