Ed Sheeran’s Tour Faces Crisis After Supporting Acts Withdraw

Ed Sheeran’s concert tour is in jeopardy as all of his supporting acts have walked out in solidarity with Macklemore.

This drastic action followed Robert Kraft’s decision to bar Macklemore from his stadium due to the rapper’s comments in favor of Palestine, a move that Sheeran chose to go along with, despite the backlash.

Fans quickly took to social media to express their outrage, questioning Sheeran’s choices and his management of the situation. Many people, including fans, politicians, and celebrities, are now calling for a boycott of Sheeran’s music and performances, which has reportedly led to a decline in his social media following.

Finneas, scheduled to open for Sheeran during six upcoming South American concerts, announced on Tuesday that he would be withdrawing from the tour. He stated on social media that “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”

His announcement came soon after Irish singer Aaron Rowe, who had previously performed with Sheeran in Australia and was set to join him for his ten remaining North American dates, also declared his withdrawal. Rowe expressed on Instagram that he didn’t take his decision lightly, emphasizing the significance of standing against oppression, drawing from the history of hardship faced by Irish people.

Rowe noted, “I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal.”

Beoga, an Irish band that has been performing as Sheeran’s backing group, announced they, too, would exit the U.S. tour to protest what they described as the “silencing of Macklemore by Zionist lobbies.”

Shortly after, Danish band Lukas Graham also decided to part ways with the tour. Lead singer Lukas Forchhammer commented, “We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live.” He added, “Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation.”

The situation has cast a considerable shadow over Sheeran’s ongoing tour, raising doubts about whether he can successfully perform alone or secure new acts willing to join amid the controversy.

Roger Waters, the co-founder of Pink Floyd, criticized Sheeran in an online video, stating, “There are two kinds of people in this world… Macklemore would be one of those people,” contrasting that with Sheeran, calling him a “little prick” for not supporting the rapper.

Actress Marissa Bode also took to social media to slam Sheeran, asserting that he lacked courage by not defending Macklemore, declaring, “Free Palestine, bitch!”

In an interview, Rep. Rashida Tlaib remarked on Sheeran and Kraft’s inaction, suggesting it highlighted who is courageous and who isn’t. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asserted her disapproval, stating she’d change the station if Sheeran’s music played, commenting on the broader issue of censorship by powerful individuals in the music industry.

Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the danger of the precedent set by Kraft’s actions, and Sheeran has yet to indicate any plans to cancel his tour.