All Supporting Acts Withdraw from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour in Solidarity with Macklemore
Finneas and three other supporting acts have pulled out of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after Macklemore was removed over pro-Palestine comments, prompting Sheeran to say the decision was made by promoters.
All four supporting acts on upcoming dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour have withdrawn in solidarity with Macklemore, after the US rapper was removed from the bill over onstage comments expressing support for Palestine. The departures mark a significant escalation in a growing backlash that has drawn one of the world's best-selling musicians into a dispute over political speech and venue pressure.
Finneas, the singer and producer scheduled to open for Sheeran on six South American dates in November, withdrew on Tuesday afternoon. His decision came hours after Sheeran posted a lengthy statement on Instagram explaining that venue owners had pressured him to remove Macklemore over pro-Palestine remarks the rapper made during two shows at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. The remaining supporting acts and Sheeran's live band also departed, leaving the tour without its full supporting lineup.
Sheeran said the removal was not his decision, describing it as a promoter's call. In his statement, he said he had spent the week trying to build bridges, an apparent reference to efforts to mediate between the parties involved. The Loop tour, which had been scheduled to continue with dates in South America and beyond, now faces an uncertain supporting programme as a result of the withdrawals.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, had been vocalising support for Gaza during his performances. His comments at MetLife Stadium prompted pressure from venue owners, according to Sheeran's account, and ultimately led to his removal from the tour. The rapper's stance on the conflict has been a recurring feature of his recent public appearances, and his departure from the Loop tour quickly became a focal point for wider debates about artistic expression and political speech.
The solidarity withdrawals by Finneas and the other acts represent a rare collective action in the touring industry, where supporting slots are often seen as valuable career opportunities. By stepping away, the artists have signalled that they view the treatment of Macklemore as a matter of principle rather than a simple scheduling or contractual issue. The move also places additional scrutiny on the commercial and political pressures that shape major international tours.
Sheeran, one of the most commercially successful British musicians of his generation, has generally avoided overt political positioning in his public statements. His decision to address the controversy directly reflects the intensity of the reaction from fans, fellow artists and venue operators. The episode illustrates how global touring now intersects with politically charged issues, and how quickly a production decision can become a broader cultural flashpoint.
The Loop tour was expected to be one of the year's largest live music undertakings, with multiple stadium dates across several continents. The loss of all supporting acts on the affected dates raises practical questions about how the remaining shows will be structured, and whether replacement performers can be secured at short notice. Promoters have not yet indicated how they intend to proceed.
For audiences, the dispute has added a political dimension to a tour that was marketed primarily as a celebration of Sheeran's latest album. The withdrawals have been widely discussed on social media, with supporters of Macklemore praising the other artists for their solidarity and critics questioning the mixing of music with political advocacy. The coming weeks are likely to bring further statements from those involved as the tour continues.
