Ed Sheeran’s “The Loop” North American tour is facing further shake-ups as all his remaining support acts have quit in solidarity with rapper Macklemore.
Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe was the first to exit, sharing his decision in an Instagram post on Tuesday — in which he echoed Macklemore’s call to “free Palestine” and invoked his Irish heritage as the reason he could not ignore “genocide” and “violent occupation” happening elsewhere.
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“I have made the decision to withdraw as a support act for Ed Sheeran’s ‘The Loop’ North American Tour. I don’t take the decision lightly. Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this,” Rowe posted.
“But 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. I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal. I need to be true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonisation, and fought for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland. Free Palestine,” he concluded.
Rowe’s announcement came hours after Sheeran issued a statement that tried to thread the needle by voicing respect for his friend Macklemore while reiterating his intent to stay out of politics.
The rapper was ousted from the tour after backlash over his anti-Israel rants during Sheeran’s September 5 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Sheeran said promoters and venues made the decision after several venues threatened to cancel upcoming shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.
Macklemore responded with a lengthy statement in which he played both hero and victim. He blamed Jewish New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft for starting the ball rolling on kicking him off the tour, Macklemore painted himself as a martyr for the cause, willing to sacrifice everything for what he believed.
Sheeran’s statement was not enough to prevent the mass exodus. Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother, announced his departure in an Instagram post.
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“Artists must not be silenced when they stand up for the oppressed,” he wrote.
Irish folk group Beoga blamed “Zionist lobbies” for “silencing” Macklemore.
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Danish band Lukas Graham also withdrew, saying “[t]his is a difficult decision, but it’s one I need to stand by.”
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Rowe and Lukas Graham were scheduled to open Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates, while Beoga had been performing during his shows. Finneas was scheduled to play ahead of Sheeran in South America.
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