Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour faces severe disruption after opening acts and backing musicians pulled out following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the lineup, according to reports from headliner.cz. The tour’s promoter, Messina Touring Group, dropped Macklemore after multiple stadium operators threatened to cancel shows if the rapper performed, following a September 4 political speech at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Did Ed Sheeran Fire Macklemore From His Tour?
According to Messina Touring Group and Ed Sheeran, the pop star did not personally fire Macklemore. Messina Touring Group removed the rapper from the North American leg after several venues stated they would cancel their events if Macklemore remained on the bill, which would have impacted hundreds of thousands of ticket holders. Sheeran later stated publicly that he had spent the prior week trying to negotiate a compromise to keep Macklemore on the tour, calling the removal a promoter’s decision rather than his own choice.
The Role of Robert Kraft and Venue Cancellations
New England Patriots owner and Gillette Stadium operator Robert Kraft confirmed he refused to allow Macklemore to perform at his venue. According to Kraft’s public statement, Gillette Stadium would not host what management deemed a hateful speech, pointing to Macklemore’s broader history of rhetoric and imagery alongside the New Jersey appearance. While Kraft blocked the rapper from his own stadium, the decision to drop Macklemore from the broader tour came after similar pushback from multiple venue operators forced Messina Touring Group to act.
Why Did Other Artists Boycott the Tour?
Following Macklemore’s removal, supporting acts Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe withdrew from the tour, along with Sheeran’s backing folk group Beoga. According to their public statements, the boycotting musicians cited concerns over suppressing artists who speak out about the suffering of Palestinians. Finneas and Rowe explicitly stated that artists should not be silenced for voicing political views, while Beoga’s departure meant Sheeran lost his traditional backing band for parts of the show, though he still performs solo sets using looping equipment.
Did you know? Ed Sheeran’s backing group Beoga previously collaborated with him on the album ÷, contributing to tracks like “Galway Girl” and “Nancy Mulligan,” before stepping away from the remaining North American dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Ed Sheeran support Robert Kraft’s decision?
No. According to his public statements, Sheeran tried to broker a compromise between all parties and stated he was not endorsing Kraft’s argument, noting that he prefers to keep his concerts focused on music rather than political rallies.
Who actually removed Macklemore from the tour?
According to public announcements, the Messina Touring Group removed Macklemore after venue operators threatened to cancel shows if the rapper’s performance went ahead.
Which musicians left the Loop Tour in protest?
Artists Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe withdrew from their scheduled supporting slots, alongside the traditional backing band Beoga.
Related reading