Ed Sheeran is facing backlash for removing rapper Macklemore from his tour (Image via Getty) Pop star Ed Sheeran is the new face of controversy after his tour management’s decision to throw a supporting act under the bus for supporting Palestine on stage has led to widespread criticism, and all four of his other supporting acts have dropped out of his tour in North and South America. Sheeran’s tour is in complete chaos as of Tuesday, September 15, 2026. It all began with rapper Macklemore shouting “Free Palestine!” during the September 5, 2026, concert at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium while introducing his protest song “Hind’s Hall” during his performance. “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you,” he said during the concert. Hours after Sheeran posted on social media about Macklemore’s removal from his concert and attributed the decision to the tour’s promoters, Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas announced on Instagram that they were leaving the tour. According to the Associated Press, Rowe and Lukas Graham had been scheduled to replace Macklemore on Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates. Meanwhile, Beoga had been performing several songs with Sheeran around the middle of each set, including songs that the Irish folk band had co-written. Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, was scheduled to join Sheeran’s tour in South America later this year. Their departures have created uncertainty around the remaining tour plans and scheduled supporting performances. “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas said on Instagram. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.” Ed Sheeran attempts to shift the blame for Macklemore’s removal Ed Sheeran addressed Macklemore’s removal from their tour after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments onstage, saying the decision was made solely by the promoters. The British singer also stated that he did not want to be drawn into a public discussion about Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, which has been labelled as a genocide by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry. “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. “I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.” Macklemore said Monday on Instagram that several U.S. venues had told the promoter they would not allow him to perform as an opening act for Ed Sheeran, with the effort reportedly rallied by Kraft, the owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots. Kraft’s company, the Kraft Group, also owns Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots play. In a statement released Monday, Kraft reportedly said the decision to cancel Macklemore was based on the rapper’s recent comments, as well as what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that he believed had been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community. Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of the 10 shows that remain of Sheeran's stadium tour in America. The tour is scheduled to resume Saturday in Philadelphia. Stay tuned for the latest news and updates from the world of films and TV shows. TOPICS: Macklemore , Ed Sheeran Pop star Ed Sheeran is the new face of controversy after his tour management’s decision to throw a supporting act under the bus for supporting Palestine on stage has led to widespread criticism, and all four of his other supporting acts have dropped out of his tour in North and South America. Sheeran’s tour is in complete chaos as of Tuesday, September 15, 2026. It all began with rapper Macklemore shouting “Free Palestine!” during the September 5, 2026, concert at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium while introducing his protest song “Hind’s Hall” during his performance. “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you,” he said during the concert. Hours after Sheeran posted on social media about Macklemore’s removal from his concert and attributed the decision to the tour’s promoters, Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas announced on Instagram that they were leaving the tour. According to the Associated Press, Rowe and Lukas Graham had been scheduled to replace Macklemore on Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates. Meanwhile, Beoga had been performing several songs with Sheeran around the middle of each set, including songs that the Irish folk band had co-written. Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, was scheduled to join Sheeran’s tour in South America later this year. Their departures have created uncertainty around the remaining tour plans and scheduled supporting performances. “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas said on Instagram. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.” Ed Sheeran attempts to shift the blame for Macklemore’s removal Ed Sheeran addressed Macklemore’s removal from their tour after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments onstage, saying the decision was made solely by the promoters. The British singer also stated that he did not want to be drawn into a public discussion about Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, which has been labelled as a genocide by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. “I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.” Macklemore said Monday on Instagram that several U.S. venues had told the promoter they would not allow him to perform as an opening act for Ed Sheeran, with the effort reportedly rallied by Kraft, the owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots. Kraft’s company, the Kraft Group, also owns Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots play. In a statement released Monday, Kraft reportedly said the decision to cancel Macklemore was based on the rapper’s recent comments, as well as what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that he believed had been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community. Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of the 10 shows that remain of Sheeran's stadium tour in America. The tour is scheduled to resume Saturday in Philadelphia. Stay tuned for the latest news and updates from the world of films and TV shows. TOPICS: Macklemore , Ed Sheeran "Pr*cks like you who do the wrong thing" - Roger Waters drops a scathing message for Ed Sheeran amid Macklemore controversy "I don't care as long as Kraft writes me the check": Singer's remix of Ed Sheeran "I don't care" song mocking his apolitical Palestine stance goes viral “I am not complicit”: Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore’s tour exit after ‘Free Palestine’ controversy Ed Sheeran faces backlash for not taking sides in the wake of Macklemore’s exit