I’m a Mess: Ed Sheeran Loses Entire Opening Lineup and Backing Band Amid Macklemore Controversy

Ed Sheeran’s “Loop” tour is facing a mass exodus. Every remaining supporting act — Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe — along with his backing band, Beoga, has withdrawn from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, who was dropped from his opening slot after making pro-Palestinian comments on stage.The controversy began on September 5, when Macklemore shouted “Free Palestine!” during a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey while introducing his protest song “Hind’s Hall.” Days later, he announced on Instagram that he had been removed from the tour, claiming venues had rallied against him at the urging of Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots.Mr. Kraft, who is Jewish, confirmed the decision in his own statement, citing Macklemore’s comments and “a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.”Mr. Sheeran — who has lost 300,000 Instagram followers since the controversy emerged — addressed the fallout in a lengthy Instagram post on Tuesday, insisting the decision was out of his hands. “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine,” he wrote. He added that he “spoke with the venues at length all week to try to build a bridge,” including direct conversations with Mr. Kraft, but that “the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final.”The British singer has long avoided political statements, and he defended that stance in his post: “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care.” He pointed to the presence of “young people, often children” at his concerts as a reason for his neutrality, adding, “I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.”That explanation wasn’t enough for his fellow performers. Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and collaborator, wrote on Instagram, “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” adding, “I stand with Palestine and its people.”Irish musician Aaron Rowe was similarly resolute: “As Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children.” He closed his statement with “free Palestine.”Danish duo Lukas Graham echoed the sentiment, writing, “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.” The band ended their post with three watermelon emojis, a symbol widely associated with Palestinian solidarity.Irish folk band Beoga, who had been performing several co-written songs with Mr. Sheeran mid-set, said they were leaving “over the silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies,” adding, “We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people.”With his entire supporting lineup gone, Mr. Sheeran’s tour resumes Saturday in Philadelphia, with stops planned at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AT&T Stadium in Texas, and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis still on the schedule.

I’m a Mess: Ed Sheeran Loses Entire Opening Lineup and Backing Band Amid Macklemore Controversy

I’m a Mess: Ed Sheeran Loses Entire Opening Lineup and Backing Band Amid Macklemore Controversy

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