Multiple Irish acts pull out of Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore

Beoga, Finneas and Aaron Rowe have all dropped out of Ed Sheeran's tour in solidarity with American rapper Macklemore.

The news came after Macklemore made several onstage statements in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and called for a “free Palestine.” He said that no child deserved to die.

He was was slated to appear at eight of the 10 shows left on the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s tour, which is set to resume this Friday in Philadelphia.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Macklemore claimed he was dropped from the tour after Robert Kraft — the multi-billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium began a pressure campaign against Macklemore and Sheeran.

“Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.” 

On the foot of Macklemore's news, Dublin singer songwriter Aaron Rowe dropped out of the Loop Tour.

He said he did not take the decision lightly and that he owed Ed Sheeran a debt of gratitude. He said he would be "true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonisation".

Likewise, Irish-American star Finneas dropped out shortly after on Tuesday evening (Irish time) writing on Instagram that "artists should not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed."

Lukas Graham, a Danish pop band, said they could no longer support Sheeran on the tour and noted that "money does not give you the right to own the conversation".

Finally, traditional band Beoga, said they would not stand by the decision either.

The band said that although performing in stadiums of this scale had been a dream opportunity, they could not continue playing at venues where they believe artists advocating for a free Palestine are being silenced.

Beoga stressed that they have been friends with Ed Sheeran for more than a decade and said that friendship will continue. However, they criticised what they described as "Zionist lobbying surrounding the controversy", referenced Robert Kraft’s opposition to the BDS movement, and said they were present for and fully supported Macklemore’s message at MetLife.

Sheeran released his own statement this evening, claiming he was not "complicit."

 “It’s important that I set out some facts.”

“I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” he said.

“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.”

Sheeran said he had spoken with the venues “all week to try and build a bridge”, but promoters Messina Touring Group had decided to remove Macklemore from the bill.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote.

“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”