Ed Sheeran's Tour Support Acts Quit After Macklemore Dropped
All four supporting acts left Ed Sheeran's US tour after Macklemore was removed for pro-Palestinian remarks, with Sheeran blaming promoters.
By Isabel Navarro · First published 14 Sept 2026
In brief
- Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's US tour after making pro-Palestinian comments during recent performances.
- Robert Kraft allegedly organized a boycott among venue owners that led to Macklemore's removal from the tour.
- Ed Sheeran stated that the decision to drop Macklemore was made by the tour promoters, not himself.
- All four supporting acts, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga, quit the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
- The tour now faces uncertainty and potential disruption as a result of the controversy and mass walkout.
Timeline · 8 moments
Venues refuse to host Macklemore after pro-Palestine remarks
World ↗Macklemore officially dropped from Ed Sheeran's U.S. stadium tour
Stereogum ↗Media highlight backlash and venue objections to Macklemore's comments
New York Post ↗Macklemore publicly defends his pro-Palestine stance
Forbes - Business Business & Economy ↗Robert Kraft publicly defends blocking Macklemore from tour
Arab News ↗Macklemore issues statement on Kraft's role and their relationship
Daily Mail ↗Ed Sheeran says promoters dropped Macklemore, not him
Al Jazeera ↗All supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran tour in protest
Middle East Eye ↗Update 16 Sept 2026, 7:46 am UTC
Since Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's US tour, all four of Sheeran's supporting acts have quit in protest, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga. Ed Sheeran has publicly stated that the decision to drop Macklemore was made by the tour promoters, not by him.
Update 15 Sept 2026, 2:38 pm UTC
Robert Kraft has publicly defended his decision to block Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium, confirming his role in pressuring organizers. Macklemore released a statement acknowledging Kraft's involvement and commented on the impact to their personal relationship.
Update 14 Sept 2026, 11:07 pm UTC
New reports confirm Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour after making pro-Palestinian comments at a New Jersey concert. Macklemore continues to claim that Robert Kraft and other NFL stadium owners pressured organizers to remove him, and the controversy has led to accusations of antisemitism and calls for his removal on social media.
Update 14 Sept 2026, 8:07 pm UTC
Macklemore now claims that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, organized a boycott among stadium owners to have him removed from Ed Sheeran's tour. Macklemore publicly blamed Kraft and described himself as being silenced for his pro-Palestine stance, saying he has lost money, sponsorships, and relationships as a result.
How it started
Macklemore joined Ed Sheeran's U.S. stadium tour as an opening act. During his performances, he made comments in support of a 'Free Palestine' movement. These remarks quickly drew attention both in the media and among concertgoers. The comments sparked strong reactions, particularly from some venues and stakeholders involved with the tour.
How it unfolded
After Macklemore's onstage remarks, several venues informed the tour promoter that they would not host concerts with Macklemore on the lineup, according to World. This put the tour in jeopardy, with the possibility of cancellations affecting many fans.
On September 14, multiple outlets reported that the decision was made to remove Macklemore from the rest of the tour. Stereogum and TMZ both noted that his removal was directly connected to his statements about Israel and Palestine.
The New York Post reported that the venues objected to what they described as 'anti-Israel rants' by Macklemore. Meanwhile, Forbes highlighted Macklemore's public defense of his statements. He said that wanting all humans to be treated equally should never be controversial.
In a further twist, Consequence of Sound reported that pressure from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft played a role, as his threat to stadium owners influenced their decision to exclude Macklemore. Macklemore later addressed his removal on Instagram, describing the experience as impactful for raising awareness, according to Telegraaf.
Where it stands
Macklemore is no longer part of Ed Sheeran's U.S. stadium tour. The decision was made after venues refused to host concerts with him on the lineup, leading organizers to drop him to avoid further disruption. Fans are now waiting to see how this affects the remaining tour dates and whether any shows will be canceled or rescheduled as a result.
What to watch
It remains to be seen how the tour will handle possible ticket refunds or changes to the lineup. There may also be broader discussions in the music industry about the consequences of artists' political statements and the influence of venue stakeholders on tour lineups.
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