Finneas, Lukas Graham and others withdraw from Ed Sheeran tour in wake of Macklemore row

Ed Sheeran's support acts and backing band have pulled out of his tour after Macklemore was dropped from the bill.

The Shape of You hitmaker's Loop tour has been mired in controversy since the 43-year-old rapper used his opening slot at a show in New Jersey earlier this month to lend his support to the people of Palestine and then revealed on Monday (15.09.26) he had subsequently been removed from the line-up.

While Macklemore stressed he didn't blame his "friend" Ed, and the singer himself insisted he was "not complicit" or responsible for the decision, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and his backing band Beoga have now all withdrawn from the tour.

Finneas - who was due to tour with Ed in South America later this year - wrote on Instagram: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.

“I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”

Aaron, who was one of Macklemore's replacements for the US dates, noted he didn’t “take the decision lightly” because Ed “has been a friend to me and has changed my life.”

But he added on Instagram: “I could never thank him enough for this. 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 colonization, and fought for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland. Free Palestine.”

His comments were echoed by Ed's Galway Girl collaborators Beoga, who have been serving as his touring band.

They said in their statement: “We are a traditional Irish band who never saw ourselves playing stadiums of that size and that opportunity is not lost on us.

"We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be. We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people.

"We have made the decision to depart as Ed Sheeran’s band on the remaining US Loop tour, following the silencing of Macklemore by Zionist lobbies...

“We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be.”

Danish group Lukas Graham, who are fronted by Lukas Forchhammer, stressed their "love" for Ed but seemingly took a swipe at Robert Kraft and other stadium owners who have been accused of putting pressure on the star to drop Macklemore.

A statement on their Instagram page read:

"It's hard to watch families in other parts of the world burying the people they love. We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them.

“I grew up in Christiania, a small community in Denmark where speaking your mind was part of your everyday life. Having more money didn’t make your opinion worth more than anyone else’s. Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge.

"I love Ed, and I'm grateful for everything we've shared. That hasn't changed. But I can't put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand. We're withdrawing from the remaining dates. I'm sorry we won't be there. This is a difficult decision, but it's one I need to stand by."

Prior to the acts' withdrawal, Ed had issued his own lengthy statement on the situation, in which he insisted he is “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.”

He added: “The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.

"Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist.

"As with all my support acts, I agree that they play a setlist of their choosing.”

He revealed that after the New Jersey shows, he was told venues had said they would pull the shows if Macklemore stayed on the bill and it was ultimately the "promoter's decision".

He added: "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.”

The Sing hitmaker explained why he doesn't “use [his] professional platform for politics" because he wants to offer "safety and sanctuary" to fans of all backgrounds and beliefs.

He wrote: "My audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.

"I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace. I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed."