4 Opening Acts Quit Ed Sheeran Tour After Macklemore Is Dropped Over Pro-Palestinian Remarks
Updated
Updated · CNN · Sep 15
4 Opening Acts Quit Ed Sheeran Tour After Macklemore Is Dropped Over Pro-Palestinian Remarks
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Sep 15
Summary
Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham withdrew from Ed Sheeran’s tour on Tuesday after Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates.
Macklemore said he was dropped after telling New Jersey stadium crowds “Free Palestine,” with Robert Kraft barring him from 2 Gillette Stadium shows and Sheeran saying venues threatened to cancel if he stayed.
Kraft said Macklemore’s recent stage material and broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery crossed a line, while Macklemore blamed stadium owners and argued Gaza’s death toll mattered more than offended listeners.
The fallout has widened beyond the lineup: Ms. Rachel criticized Sheeran’s neutrality, while free-speech advocates warned the cancellation could chill artists as Macklemore had been set to open 7 more U.S. stadium dates.