Singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe has withdrawn as an opening act on the North American leg of Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour following the dismissal of fellow supporting act Macklemore over pro-Palestinian statements, according to statements from the artists and tour promoters. Rowe announced his departure on Instagram, stating that he could not remain on the tour after Macklemore was removed from the lineup following performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Aaron Rowe Cites Irish History and Solidarity in Tour Exit
Rowe, who opened on the Australian leg of the Loop tour earlier this year and joined the North American dates in June, explained his decision to leave in an Instagram post cited by Billboard. According to Rowe’s statement, “as Irish people, we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.” He added that he could not allow billionaires to use power to silence voices speaking out against what he termed Israeli genocide, noting that he would lose self-respect by carrying on as normal.
The departure follows a chain of tour exits. According to reporting from Billboard, fellow supporting acts Lukas Graham, Finneas, and Beoga also dropped out of the tour following Rowe’s announcement.
Macklemore Ejected Over Stadium Performances
The controversy began after Macklemore delivered forceful “Free Palestine” comments while opening at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sept. 4 and 5, 2026, according to Billboard. Following the performances, the Israeli-American Council circulated a petition, and figures including P!nk called for the rapper’s dismissal. On Sept. 14, 2026, the Messina Touring Group, the Loop Tour’s U.S. promoter, announced that venues scheduled to host upcoming shows had threatened to cancel unless Macklemore was removed from the lineup.
In a statement released on Monday, Sept. 14, Macklemore accused New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft of rallying stadium owners to ban him. Kraft confirmed his decision in a statement to Billboard, citing the rapper’s stage remarks alongside a broader history of rhetoric that the Kraft Group believed was deeply offensive to the Jewish community, ruling out his participation in upcoming concerts at Gillette Stadium.
Ed Sheeran Responds to Tour Backlash
Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy on Tuesday morning, stating that he had no personal role in ejecting Macklemore and that the decision rested entirely with promoters and venue management. According to Sheeran’s statement cited by Billboard, venues on the upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull out if Macklemore remained on the bill. Sheeran stated a preference to remain publicly neutral on political issues, noting that he is not complicit in doing so.
Did you know? The Loop Tour features rotating support acts across different international legs, including stops in Australia and North America, before venue management decisions altered the lineup in September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Aaron Rowe leave Ed Sheeran’s tour?
According to his Instagram statement, Aaron Rowe withdrew from the Loop tour in solidarity with Macklemore and to protest the silencing of artists speaking out against the conflict in Gaza.
Who removed Macklemore from the Loop Tour?
According to tour promoter Messina Touring Group and artist statements, the decision was driven by venue owners who threatened to cancel upcoming tour stops unless Macklemore was dropped.
What did Ed Sheeran say about the tour controversy?
Sheeran stated that he was not involved in removing Macklemore, explaining that the decision was made at the discretion of tour promoters and venue operators.
What are your thoughts on the recent artist departures from the Loop tour? Join the conversation below, share this article with fellow music fans, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates on live music tours.
Worth a look