{"id":939,"date":"2026-09-17T09:05:08","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T01:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/2026\/09\/17\/what-to-know-about-ed-sheerans-tour-after-macklemore-was-cut-and-other-artists-dropped-out\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T09:05:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T01:05:08","slug":"what-to-know-about-ed-sheerans-tour-after-macklemore-was-cut-and-other-artists-dropped-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/2026\/09\/17\/what-to-know-about-ed-sheerans-tour-after-macklemore-was-cut-and-other-artists-dropped-out\/","title":{"rendered":"What to know about Ed Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore was cut and other artists dropped out"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ed Sheeran’s tour of North and South America has been roiled by the decision this week to drop Macklemore as an opener because of the rapper’s onstage pro-Palestinian comments. Since then, all of Sheeran’s other supporting acts have dropped out, including a group that plays with Sheeran during part of the show. <\/p>\n

Sheeran, who is scheduled to perform Saturday in Philadelphia, said the decision to cut Macklemore from the Loop Tour was the promoter’s, not his own. The “Thrift Shop” rapper exclaimed “Free Palestine” during the Sept. 5 date in New Jersey. <\/p>\n

“To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you,” he said during the New Jersey concert. “This message is for peace, love, for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.” <\/p>\n

Macklemore has said his removal was the result of an effort led by Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots. His Kraft Group also owns Gillette Stadium, where the NFL team plays and where Sheeran is scheduled to perform later this month. Kraft’s involvement was implicitly cited in some of the statements from the supporting acts who left Sheeran’s tour Tuesday, decrying the influence of money. <\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Macklemore announced he would donate $1 million from his net earnings from the tour to six organizations helping Palestinians, including the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. He challenged Kraft to match the donation. <\/p>\n

“Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting,” Macklemore wrote. <\/p>\n

Kraft said in an Instagram post shortly afterward that Sheeran contacted him before Macklemore put out his statement to ask for a $2 million match to aid “in the region.” <\/p>\n

“Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges,” Kraft wrote. <\/p>\n

A spokesperson confirmed that the billionaire will be donating the matching funds. His post didn’t specify the benefactors of the donation and the spokesperson did not identify the recipients. <\/p>\n

Here’s where things stand with Sheeran’s tour. <\/p>\n

Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga all quit <\/p>\n

The Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe were scheduled to replace Macklemore as the opening acts on Sheeran’s remaining U.S. tour dates. Finneas, the American singer and close collaborator with sister Billie Eilish, was down to open for Sheeran on four of his South American dates. Beoga, an Irish folk band, had been performing with Sheeran for part of his set since his tour began in January in New Zealand. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n