Ed Sheeran's Opening Acts Quit Tour Over Rapper Macklemore's Removal

All of Ed Sheeran's opening acts have withdrawn from his "+-" tour in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who was removed from the lineup. Macklemore was reportedly dropped after venues objected to his anti-Israel statements during his opening sets, including chanting "Free Palestine" and displaying images equating the situation in Gaza to a "Holocaust."

Following Macklemore's dismissal, singer FINNEAS, brother of Billie Eilish, announced his departure, stating, "We cannot silence artists when they speak up for the oppressed. I stand with Palestine and its people." Danish pop artist Lukas Graham and Irish singer-songwriter Aoife Regan also announced they would not continue with the tour. Graham cited the ongoing conflict and the inability to perform while families are suffering.

Regan explained his decision by stating, "As Irish people, we are well acquainted with genocides, forced starvation, and violent occupation. I must be true to myself and my ancestors." The Irish folk band Beoga, who performed with Sheeran during the tour, also left, citing the "silencing of Macklemore by Zionist lobbyists" and stating they could not perform in venues that silence calls for a free Palestine.

Sheeran addressed the controversy, clarifying that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour producers and venue managers, not by him directly, as his contract was with the production company. He expressed being "horrified" by the conflict between Israel and Palestine, calling the suffering on both sides a human tragedy, but emphasized that he allows artists to choose their own setlists.