Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has made over a dozen stops across the country since June, but going forward his lineup of opening acts will be different.
Macklemore was dropped after he made pro-Palestinian comments on-stage at a Sept. 4 show, and the tour’s remaining opening acts have since decided to drop out. Additionally, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, opposed the artist performing there, and other venues objected to the rapper performing at their sites, Rolling Stone reported.
Macklemore accused Kraft of rallying other stadium owners to oppose his involvement in the remaining shows. The artist, known for hits like “Thrift Shop” and “Glorious,” was scheduled to open for Sheeran at eight of his 10 remaining U.S. concerts.
Messina Touring Group, the promoter behind the U.S. leg of the tour, confirmed Macklemore’s departure in an exclusive statement to Rolling Stone. “We have been notified by venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates that they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans,” the company said.
Every stop on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour and where Macklemore won’t perform
According to Rolling Stone, these highlighted venues objected to the rapper performing:
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“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran said in a statement on Instagram on Tuesday, Sept. 15. “Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me. I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy,” Sheeran wrote.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives of Sheeran and Macklemore for comment as well as the acts that exited Sheeran’s tour.
Which supporting acts have left Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour?
Here’s a look at the supporting acts that have dropped out of Sheeran’s tour:
Finneas O’Connell: American singer-songwriter, producer, actor who is best known for being the primary songwriting and producing partner of his sister, Billie Eilish.
Lukas Graham: Danish pop and soul band best known for the international hit “7 Years.”
Beoga: Irish folk band blending traditional Irish music with contemporary.
Aaron Rowe: Irish singer-songwriter known for songs including “Talking With You” and “Lose Lose.”
What did Robert Kraft say about Macklemore
USA TODAY Sports obtained a statement from Kraft explaining his opposition to Macklemore’s appearance at Gillette Stadium: “Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech. Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line,” Kraft said.
Macklemore, Ed Sheeran tour controversy explained
USA TODAY’s Melissa Ruggieri explains the fallout following Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour.
Video Team – USA TODAY Entertainment
What did Macklemore say at the concert?
On a Sept. 4 stop on the Loop Tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Macklemore (real name Benjamin Haggerty) wore a kaffiyeh around his neck while performing his pro-Palestinian protest song “Hind’s Fall,” which condemns Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
“One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine,’ Macklemore told the crowd.
Contributing: Anthony Robledo, Sameen Chaudhry and Nate Davis, USA TODAY