Sheeran’s backing band, Beoga, announced their departure due to “the silencing of Macklemore by Zionist lobbies.”

Finneas, Aaron Rowe, more acts pull out of Ed Sheeran tour after Macklemore’s removal, echo support for Palestine

Sheeran’s backing band, Beoga, announced their departure due to “the silencing of Macklemore by Zionist lobbies.”

By Kathleen Perricone

September 15, 2026 6:50 p.m. ET

Finneas; Ed Sheeran; Aaron Rowe. Credit:

Dia Dipasupil/Getty; Karwai Tang/WireImage (2)

- All of Ed Sheeran’s opening acts for his *Loop* tour, as well as his backing band, have pulled out due to Macklemore’s removal for pro-Palestine speech.

- “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” said Finneas, who was set to join the singer for several dates in South America.

- Beoga, Sheeran’s backing band, are founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement.

In an act of solidarity, all of Ed Sheeran’s opening acts have now pulled out of his tour following Macklemore’s removal for his support of Palestinians in Gaza.

Hours after the “Castle on the Hill” singer broke his silence on the controversy, current opening acts Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham, as well as Sheeran’s backing band Beoga, all announced their departures. Simultaneously so did Finneas, who was set to join Sheeran in November for several South American shows.

Representatives for Sheeran did not immediately respond to **‘s request for comment.

Macklemore performing in Dublin on June 4, 2025.

Kieran Frost/Redferns

“I don’t take the decision lightly,” Rowe, a singer-songwriter from Dublin, wrote on Instagram. “Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this. But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine, and violent occupation.”

Referencing stadium owners, like Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots who refused to let Macklemore perform at Gillette Stadium, Rowe continued: “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.”

Lukas Graham, a Danish pop duo consisting of vocalist Lukas Forchhammer and drummer Mark Falgren, also stated they’re withdrawing from their remaining dates of Sheeran’s U.S. tour, which picks back up on Sept. 19 in Philadelphia.

“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,” explained Forchhammer in his statement. “Having more money [doesn’t] make your opinion worth more than anyone else’s. Money doesn’t give you the right to own a conversation.”

Like Rowe, he also expressed gratitude to Sheeran, adding, “But I can’t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand.”

Finneas kept his message short and sweet. “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” he wrote. “I stand with Palestine and its people.”

Beoga, a traditional Irish band backing Sheeran on his *Loop* tour, are actually founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement. The musicians cited their departure “following the silencing of Macklemore by Zionist lobbies.”

“They have worked tirelessly to silence artists who want to speak freely about genocide happening before our eyes, for fear of retribution,” Beoga wrote. “Research how much Robert Kraft has done to fight the BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] movement. That will give you a sense of what we’ve all been up against.”

The band witnessed Macklemore’s pro-Palestine speech at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sept. 5. “We fully supported his message, so did most of the audience,” they added.

During the show, the rapper declared “Free Palestine” and shared a message “to all of my Jewish brothers and sisters.”

“Criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you,” Macklemore told the audience. “This message is for peace, love, for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality.”

Days later on Sept. 14, he announced: “Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour.”`

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On Tuesday, the singer spoke out to “set out some facts” surrounding Macklemore’s removal.

“I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” Sheeran wrote. “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.”

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The singer said he honored Macklemore’s request “to join my tour” because he respected him as an artist. But after the “Thrift Shop” rapper’s pro-Palestine speech at MetLife Stadium, “venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows” if he remained the supporting act.

“I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said,” Sheeran continued. “I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge.”

*As of press time, Sheeran has not publicly addressed the mass departure of his opening acts nor the future of his Loop tour.*

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