Ed Sheeran issued a public statement on September 15, 2026, addressing the removal of Macklemore from his North American “Loop” tour. The move follows a period of mounting tension after Macklemore made pro-Palestine comments during a performance at MetLife Stadium on September 4, leading to his removal from the final eight support dates of the tour.
Sheeran stated that the decision to drop the rapper was not his personal choice but was instead mandated by the promoter, Messina Touring Group, and specific venue owners. According to the statement, Sheeran explicitly noted he was “not complicit” in the decision, adding that his intent has always been to keep his shows a “safe and sanctuary” space for his audience.
The promoter, Messina Touring Group, reported that they received notifications from several venues stating the concerts would not be permitted to proceed if Macklemore remained on the lineup. Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium, was among those who took a public stance against the rapper’s inclusion. Kraft barred Macklemore from his venue, citing what he characterized as the artist’s history of “antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.”
Industry Fallout and Support Act Exodus
While Sheeran’s statement attempted to distance the headliner from the promoter’s decision, it has not stopped a wave of withdrawals from other artists on the bill. In a significant show of solidarity with Macklemore, four of the tour’s remaining supporting acts announced their departure between September 15 and 16.
The artists who have officially withdrawn from the “Loop” tour in protest include:
- Finneas
- Lukas Graham
- Beoga
- Aaron Rowe
This exodus has created a major logistical challenge for the remaining dates of the tour, as the “Loop” series loses nearly its entire opening lineup. The situation has highlighted a growing friction in the industry, where billionaire stadium owners and venue operators have exerted direct influence over artist rosters, sometimes overriding the preferences of the headlining talent.
Despite the reported claims from Sheeran’s team that the artist was not the driving force behind the change, the mass exit of his peers suggests a deepening divide over how political speech is handled on major commercial tours. As of September 16, it remains unclear how the tour will fill the sudden vacancies for the final scheduled performances.
