Opening acts on Ed Sheeran’s Loop U.S. tour walked off the bill Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, after American rapper Macklemore was dropped following pro-Palestinian remarks — and Sheeran said the decision to cut Macklemore was not his, Reuters and Variety reported.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram. Messina Touring Group, promoter of the U.S. leg, told Rolling Stone that venue owners on upcoming dates said they would not allow a show with Macklemore on the lineup, Reuters reported.

Openers exit in solidarity

Finneas, Danish band Lukas Graham, Irish songwriter Aaron Rowe, and Irish traditional band Beoga said Tuesday they were quitting the tour, voicing support for Macklemore and for Palestinians. Rowe wrote that he could not “allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence” voices criticizing Israel, Variety reported; Finneas said artists “must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”

Macklemore was removed after “Free Palestine” comments while opening Sheeran's MetLife Stadium dates in New Jersey around Sept. 4–5. He has long backed Palestinians and in 2024 released “Hind’s Hall,” a protest track tied to the killing of five-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza.

Kraft, venues, and platform politics

Macklemore on Monday accused New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft of rallying stadium owners to keep him off the tour. Sheeran said he spoke with Kraft, who had said he felt a “responsibility to stand up” when a line is crossed. Sheeran said he respected Macklemore’s “strength of purpose” but prefers not to use his “professional platform for politics.”

Critics — including some pro-Israel advocates and singer Pink — have argued Macklemore’s concert remarks risk Jewish and pro-Israel safety at shows; Macklemore denied antisemitism and said equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism dodges accountability. Whatever the politics, the practical picture Tuesday was venue leverage and a promoter call that emptied Sheeran's support slots overnight.

Sources