16-09-2026
Ed Sheeran’s North and South American stadium tour has been thrown into turmoil after four supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who was removed from the tour following pro-Palestinian remarks during a concert. Irish performers Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas announced their departures shortly after Sheeran said Macklemore’s removal was solely the decision of the tour’s promoters and venues.
Rowe and Lukas Graham had been scheduled to replace Macklemore on some of Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates. Beoga had been performing with Sheeran during his sets, while Finneas was due to join the South American leg later in the year. Finneas said artists should not be silenced for speaking on behalf of oppressed people and declared his support for Palestine.
The withdrawals have increased pressure on Sheeran, who has attempted to remain politically neutral regarding the war in Gaza. He said he did not want his concerts to become political forums, but insisted he was not complicit in Macklemore’s removal. Sheeran said he had tried to negotiate with venues and defended his decision to preserve what he described as a safe and diplomatic space for audiences.
Macklemore said he was removed after shouting “Free Palestine!” while introducing “Hind’s Hall” at a New Jersey concert. He also said venues had objected to his participation, allegedly following pressure from billionaire Robert Kraft, whose organization owns one of the affected stadiums. Kraft cited Macklemore’s recent comments and what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
The dispute has drawn attention to free speech, criticism of Israel, allegations concerning genocide in Gaza, and the role of artists, promoters, venues, and wealthy owners in determining who can perform. Sheeran’s tour was scheduled to resume in Philadelphia with eight remaining shows that had originally included Macklemore.
Entities: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
16-09-2026
The article examines the withdrawal of all announced supporting acts from Ed Sheeran’s upcoming US Loop Tour after rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour over his public support for Palestine. The artists who withdrew are American singer-songwriter Finneas, Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Irish traditional band Beoga and Danish pop band Lukas Graham. Their statements criticized the silencing of pro-Palestinian voices and expressed solidarity with Palestinians. Rowe specifically referred to Ireland’s history of genocide, forced famine and occupation, while Beoga cited what it called the silencing of Macklemore by pro-Israel lobbying. Lukas Graham argued that financial power should not determine who can speak about civilian suffering.
The controversy began when Macklemore spoke about Palestine, Lebanon, Cuba, the Congo, Sudan and Iran during a performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. He also performed “Hind’s Hall,” a song dedicated to Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed while trapped in a car in Gaza. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for his removal from the tour.
The article says Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, pressured Sheeran over Macklemore’s participation. Macklemore claimed Kraft told Sheeran he would not be permitted to perform at the stadium and that other venue owners had issued a similar ultimatum. Kraft defended his involvement, saying advocacy for Palestinians should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure Hamas’s responsibility for violence.
Sheeran said venues threatened to cancel upcoming shows if Macklemore remained on the tour and blamed the US promoter rather than himself for the decision. He said he had tried to mediate and that the concern related to how Macklemore delivered part of his message, not necessarily the entirety of his views. The article presents the dispute as a conflict involving artistic expression, venue and promoter pressure, the Israel-Palestine conflict and the political influence of wealthy stakeholders.
Entities: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore (Ben Haggerty), Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
16-09-2026
The BBC reports that all of the remaining support acts on Ed Sheeran’s US tour have withdrawn after rapper Macklemore was removed from the lineup for making pro-Palestinian remarks during concerts in New Jersey. Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Irish folk band Beoga each announced their departures, citing concerns about artists being silenced and the treatment of advocacy for Palestinians.
Macklemore performed his song “Hind’s Hall” at Sheeran’s concert at MetLife Stadium on 4 September, displayed images of destruction in Gaza and called for a “Free Palestine.” His comments prompted criticism from Jewish groups and other campaigners. Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, said Macklemore would not be allowed to perform there because of what Kraft described as hate speech and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric. The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, said venues had warned that allowing Macklemore to perform could jeopardize the tour and affect hundreds of thousands of fans.
Sheeran said Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision, not his, and insisted that he had tried to mediate with venues. He expressed opposition to the suffering caused by the Israel-Palestine conflict but said he did not use his professional platform for politics because his audience includes children and people from many backgrounds. He argued that maintaining a safe, diplomatic space was his preferred way to encourage dialogue.
The departing artists rejected that position. Lukas Graham said musicians should be able to discuss civilians and children killed in war, while Beoga said performing at venues that silence advocacy for a free Palestine was unacceptable. Macklemore, who completed only two shows, criticized Sheeran for avoiding a public stance and argued that there is no neutral position between oppressor and oppressed. The article also provides background on the Gaza war, including Israel’s stated justification for its military campaign and casualty figures from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Entities: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore (Benjamin Haggerty), Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
16-09-2026
Ed Sheeran’s North and South American Loop Tour has been disrupted after several supporting acts withdrew in protest against the removal of rapper Macklemore from the lineup. Macklemore said he was dropped because of his pro-Palestinian position, including his September 5 appearance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where he shouted “Free Palestine!” and performed “Hind’s Hall,” a song about the death of a young Palestinian girl during the Gaza war. He also argued that criticism of Israel and opposition to genocide should not be equated with criticism of Jewish people.
Irish artists Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and US musician Finneas subsequently announced that they would no longer participate in the tour. Finneas said artists should not be silenced for speaking on behalf of oppressed people and expressed solidarity with Palestinians. Rowe and Beoga cited Ireland’s historical experience with genocide, famine, colonialism, and occupation, while Lukas Graham criticized the influence of wealth over public debate.
Macklemore said several US venues had told the tour’s promoter they would not allow him to perform and claimed that billionaire Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium, had helped organize opposition to him. Kraft said the cancellation was prompted by Macklemore’s recent statements and what Kraft described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that had offended the Jewish community. Israeli officials have rejected accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Sheeran said the promoter, not he, made the decision to remove Macklemore. He said he did not want to abandon fans, touring staff, or other musicians who depend on the tour for their livelihoods. Sheeran also said he would not take sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, instead presenting his platform as a place for safety, diplomacy, and continued dialogue.
Entities: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
16-09-2026
The article examines the backlash surrounding Ed Sheeran’s decision to continue his tour after Macklemore was removed from the lineup for making pro-Palestinian comments. Macklemore said he was dropped after the Israeli American Council petitioned for his removal following his “Free Palestine” remarks at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 4 September. He also alleged that billionaire Robert Kraft, a prominent Israel donor and owner of venues connected to the tour, intervened.
Sheeran denied being responsible for Macklemore’s removal and said he did not want to enter a public debate about Gaza. However, he acknowledged that venue owners had threatened to cancel the tour unless Macklemore was removed. Sheeran said he would continue performing to avoid disappointing fans and abandoning touring staff and musicians who depend on the work.
The decision prompted every remaining support act mentioned in the article to withdraw from parts of the tour. Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas cited opposition to the silencing of pro-Palestinian artists and expressed solidarity with Palestine. Other musicians and celebrities—including Kneecap, CMAT, Zara Larsson, Paloma Faith, Garbage, Rachel Accurso, Hannah Einbinder and Roger Waters—also criticized Sheeran or supported Macklemore. Waters delivered one of the most hostile attacks, calling Sheeran a “little prick.” Critics accused Sheeran of hypocrisy because he had previously supported Ukraine while declining to take a public position on Gaza.
New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez framed the dispute as a broader issue involving powerful venue owners and the ability of wealthy interests to silence artists. British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy was among the few public figures expressing sympathy for Sheeran, saying he had been placed in an “impossible position.” The article concludes by situating the controversy within the wider Israel-Gaza conflict and citing allegations by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and United Nations bodies concerning genocide and war crimes.
Entities: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, Roger Waters, Israeli American Council, MetLife Stadium • Tone: emotional • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
16-09-2026
Ed Sheeran’s planned tour of North and South America has been thrown into uncertainty following a dispute involving rapper Macklemore and his political comments. According to the article, Macklemore was removed as an opening act after making pro-Palestinian remarks onstage. The decision has triggered a broader show of solidarity from the other performers associated with Sheeran’s tour: all of the remaining supporting acts have reportedly withdrawn. This includes a group that performs alongside Sheeran during part of his own set, potentially creating a significant disruption to the tour’s planned format.
The incident connects the entertainment industry to the wider political conflict involving Israel and the Palestinians. Macklemore’s public statements appear to have made his participation controversial, and the reaction from the other acts has transformed the issue from an individual booking decision into a collective protest. Rather than focusing only on the rapper’s removal, the article highlights the possible operational and reputational consequences for Sheeran’s concerts.
France 24 presents the development through a video report by journalist Monte Francis, who speaks with David Jackson, a political science professor at Bowling Green State University. Their discussion places the dispute in a broader political and cultural context. The article does not provide details about the specific comments Macklemore made, the identity of the other acts, or how the tour organizers intend to respond. It instead focuses on the sequence of events: Macklemore’s removal, the supporting acts’ withdrawals, and the resulting pressure on Sheeran’s North and South American tour.
Entities: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, Monte Francis, David Jackson, France 24 • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: analyze
16-09-2026
France 24 reports that Ed Sheeran’s planned tour across North and South America has been thrown into uncertainty after four supporting or opening acts withdrew. The artists reportedly left the tour in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who had been removed from the lineup after making pro-Palestinian comments during a performance. The report describes the withdrawals as abrupt and says they plunged the tour into “chaos” on Tuesday, suggesting that the loss of multiple opening acts could create logistical and promotional problems for Sheeran’s concerts.
The article frames the dispute as part of a wider conflict over artists’ public statements about the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Macklemore’s removal appears to have prompted other performers to protest by refusing to continue as opening acts, although the report does not identify the four artists involved or provide details about whether specific concerts have been canceled, postponed, or otherwise changed. It also does not include comments from Sheeran, his management, Macklemore, or the tour organizers.
The available France 24 content is a short video report issued on September 16, 2026, rather than a detailed written article. Its central focus is the potential impact of the supporting acts’ departures on Sheeran’s North and South American tour and the performers’ stated solidarity with Macklemore. The report presents the situation as an escalating controversy involving concert lineups, artistic expression, and political speech. Further details about the tour’s schedule and the identities of the departing acts are not provided in the supplied text.
Entities: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, France 24, North America, South America • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
16-09-2026
France 24 reports that Ed Sheeran’s planned tour across North and South America has been disrupted after Macklemore was removed as an opening act. The decision followed the rapper’s onstage pro-Palestinian comments, placing the tour within the wider political and cultural debate surrounding the war in Gaza. According to the report, the consequences extended beyond Macklemore: all of Sheeran’s other supporting acts subsequently withdrew, including a group that performs with Sheeran during part of his show. The headline characterizes these departures as an act of solidarity with Macklemore.
The short “A Propos” segment, presented by France 24 journalist Monte Francis, examines the implications of the withdrawals and includes an interview with David Jackson, a political science professor at Bowling Green State University. The academic perspective suggests that the story is being considered not only as a touring and entertainment issue, but also as an example of how artists’ political statements can affect commercial events and professional relationships.
The supplied article does not identify the other acts that withdrew, provide the exact wording or circumstances of Macklemore’s comments, or say whether any tour dates have been canceled. It also does not include direct statements from Sheeran, Macklemore, the tour organizers, or the departing performers. Instead, it focuses on the reported sequence of events: Macklemore’s removal, the subsequent withdrawal of the remaining supporting acts, and the broader connection between music, political expression, and the Gaza war.
Entities: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, Monte Francis, David Jackson, France 24 • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
16-09-2026
Ed Sheeran’s North and South American tour has been thrown into turmoil after four supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who was removed from the tour following pro-Palestinian remarks at a September 5 concert. Irish artists Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and collaborator, announced their departures on Instagram. Rowe and Lukas Graham had been scheduled to replace Macklemore at several remaining US shows, Beoga had been performing with Sheeran during his sets, and Finneas was due to join the South American leg later in the year.
The artists said they opposed the silencing of pro-Palestinian voices. Finneas said artists should not be silenced when speaking for oppressed people and declared his support for Palestine. Beoga and Rowe referred to Ireland’s history of colonialism, famine, occupation and genocide, while Lukas Graham argued that wealth should not determine who can speak about suffering. Their departures have increased pressure on Sheeran, who has attempted to remain publicly neutral on the Gaza conflict.
Sheeran said Macklemore’s removal was solely the decision of the tour’s promoters and venues, not his own. He said he did not want to abandon fans, crew members or other musicians whose livelihoods depend on the tour. Sheeran also said he respected Macklemore’s convictions but preferred to use his platform to create a safe, nonpolitical environment and keep dialogue open.
Macklemore said he was dropped after shouting “Free Palestine!” while introducing his protest song “Hind’s Hall.” He also said venues had opposed his participation after pressure from billionaire Robert Kraft, whose organizations own or operate several relevant stadiums. Kraft said the cancellation followed Macklemore’s recent comments and what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. The article notes that Israel rejects accusations that its wartime actions in Gaza amount to genocide. Sheeran’s tour was scheduled to resume in Philadelphia, with later performances planned at major stadiums including Gillette Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Lucas Oil Stadium.
Entities: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
16-09-2026
Ed Sheeran’s North and South American tour has been disrupted after four supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with rapper Macklemore. Macklemore was reportedly dropped from the tour after making pro-Palestinian comments during a stage appearance, triggering a public dispute over the decision and its consequences.
Sheeran said on social media that Macklemore’s removal had been carried out by the tour’s promoters. Shortly afterward, Irish musicians Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas announced that they would no longer participate in the tour. Their withdrawals affect both current and planned performances.
Rowe and Lukas Graham had been scheduled to replace Macklemore for Sheeran’s remaining US dates. Beoga, an Irish folk band, had already been performing with Sheeran during the middle portion of his sets, including songs the group had co-written. Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, was expected to join Sheeran for dates in South America later in the year.
The departures represent a significant escalation of the fallout surrounding Macklemore’s removal, linking Sheeran’s concert schedule to wider political tensions related to the Israel-Gaza war. The article presents the developments as a rapidly unfolding dispute involving performers, promoters, and questions surrounding public support for pro-Palestinian speech. Although the report does not state that the tour has been cancelled, the loss of several supporting acts has created uncertainty around the remaining North and South American shows.
Entities: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
16-09-2026
All four of Ed Sheeran’s scheduled supporting acts have withdrawn from his Loop tour in solidarity with Macklemore, who was removed from the remaining dates after voicing support for Palestine during Sheeran’s September 4 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During a two-minute speech to an audience of about 90,000, Macklemore said people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank had not been forgotten before declaring, “Free Palestine.”
The rapper’s comments prompted a petition from the Israeli-American Council and objections from several stadium owners. Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, opposed Macklemore’s participation, citing what he described as the rapper’s recent actions and broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter after venue owners refused to host shows with him on the bill. Sheeran said he had tried to find a solution but did not want to abandon fans, crew members, musicians and other support acts who depended on the tour for work.
Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham announced their withdrawals shortly afterward. Finneas said artists should not be silenced when speaking for oppressed people and declared his support for Palestine. Rowe cited Ireland’s experience with genocide, famine and occupation, while Beoga described Macklemore’s removal as the silencing of the rapper by “Zionist lobbies.” Lukas Graham’s frontman, Lukas Forchhammer, said people should be free to discuss civilian suffering regardless of nationality or political power.
Macklemore defended his remarks, saying they were not intended as criticism of Jewish people and that he did not regret using his performances to speak about Palestine. He said losing the tour dates was worthwhile if it redirected attention to the issue. Kraft said his opposition was intended to address harm to the Jewish community and expressed a desire for peace and an end to suffering and hate. The dispute has also drawn public support for Macklemore from figures including Ms Rachel and Kehlani.
Entities: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
