Opening Acts Walk Out: How Venue Pressure and Solidarity Over Macklemore’s Ouster Shut Down Ed Sheeran’s Tour

Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour after several venues warned they would cancel the shows if the rapper’s “Free Palestine” remarks remained on stage.

Sheeran said the decision came from the promoter, not from him, stressing that Macklemore’s contract was with the promoter and that he had tried to “build a bridge” but venues would not change their minds.

The venues contacted Sheeran after his MetLife Stadium concerts, saying they would pull his performances unless Macklemore was taken off, because of the way the rapper conveyed his message during the shows.

Following Sheeran’s explanation, the remaining openers—Aaron Rowe, Danish group Lukas Graham, Irish band Beoga and Finneas—announced they were leaving the tour to stand with Palestinians.

Rowe referenced Ireland’s history of genocide, famine and occupation, saying he must stay true to his ancestors. Beoga wrote that playing in venues that silence a “Free Palestine” voice was unacceptable. Lukas Graham said the conversation about war and civilian casualties should not be censored, and Finneas warned that artists must not be silenced when they speak for the oppressed.

With those four acts stepping down, the tour now has no opening performers, illustrating how venue demands and political backlash can trigger a chain reaction of withdrawals.

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