Ed Sheeran Macklemore tour developments have taken another turn, with Macklemore removed from the remaining U.S. shows and all four other supporting acts now withdrawing from Sheeran’s LOOP Tour. The changes follow Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments during his September performances at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ed Sheeran has since clarified that Macklemore’s removal was a decision made by the tour promoter and venues, not by Sheeran himself.
The latest developments have created major changes to the lineup for Sheeran’s remaining North American concerts. The tour is still scheduled to continue, with the next U.S. performance set for September 19 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
However, the support lineup advertised before the recent changes is no longer accurate. Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, Finneas and Sheeran’s touring band Beoga have all announced that they will no longer participate in the tour.
Macklemore Removed From the Remaining U.S. Shows
Macklemore was scheduled to perform at several of Sheeran’s remaining U.S. stadium concerts.
His involvement changed after two performances at MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5. During those appearances, Macklemore spoke openly about the conflict involving Israel and Palestinians and expressed support for Palestinians.
He also performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” which has been associated with his public advocacy for Palestinians.
Following those performances, the promoter for Sheeran’s U.S. tour announced that Macklemore would not appear at the remaining support dates.
The decision came after discussions involving the tour promoter and venues hosting upcoming concerts.
Macklemore subsequently addressed the situation publicly. He said he and Sheeran had difficult conversations about what happened while also emphasizing their longstanding friendship.
The rapper maintained his position on Palestinian rights while explaining that he understood the decision would have consequences for his involvement in the tour.
Ed Sheeran Says Macklemore’s Removal Was Not His Decision
Sheeran responded publicly on September 15, providing an important clarification about how the decision was made.
The singer said the decision to remove Macklemore came from the promoter and was not his personal decision.
Sheeran explained that venues had communicated that they would not host the upcoming concerts with Macklemore remaining on the lineup.
He said he spent considerable time speaking with venues, promoters and people on different sides of the dispute in an effort to find a resolution.
Those discussions did not produce an agreement that would allow Macklemore to remain on the tour.
Sheeran also emphasized his responsibility to the fans who had already purchased tickets and made travel plans.
He pointed to the touring crew, musicians and other workers who depend on the concerts for employment.
The singer also made clear that he has chosen a different approach to political issues than Macklemore.
Sheeran said he respects Macklemore’s willingness to publicly advocate for what he believes, while preferring to use his own concerts as a place where people from different backgrounds can come together.
Four More Artists Leave the Tour
The biggest development after Macklemore’s removal came on September 15, when four other acts announced that they would leave Sheeran’s tour.
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga all confirmed their withdrawals.
Their announcements came shortly after Sheeran explained that Macklemore’s departure was a promoter and venue decision.
The four artists expressed support for Macklemore and Palestinians in their respective statements.
Finneas, who had been scheduled to participate in the South American portion of the tour, said artists should not be silenced when speaking up for oppressed people.
Aaron Rowe also announced his departure. He described Sheeran as a friend and acknowledged the importance of their professional relationship while saying that he could not remain on the tour under the circumstances.
Lukas Graham also withdrew.
Beoga, the Irish group that had been performing as part of Sheeran’s live band, announced that it would leave as well.
The departures mean the tour has lost its entire previously announced group of supporting performers.
Philadelphia Is the Next U.S. Concert
Sheeran’s next scheduled U.S. performance is September 19 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The concert remains on the calendar.
The venue’s event listing still identifies Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe as special guests. Those listings were created before the artists announced their withdrawals, so the advertised support information has not fully caught up with the latest developments.
This distinction is important for fans planning to attend.
The Sheeran performance itself remains scheduled, while the supporting lineup has changed.
The Philadelphia concert therefore represents the first remaining U.S. date affected by the recent series of lineup changes.
Fans who purchased tickets expecting specific opening acts should check the latest information from the venue and ticketing provider before attending.
What Happened at MetLife Stadium
The controversy began with Macklemore’s appearances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
During his performances, he spoke about Palestinians and called for a free Palestine.
His remarks came while he was performing for Sheeran’s LOOP Tour.
Macklemore also performed “Hind’s Hall,” a song he released in 2024 that addresses the Israel-Gaza conflict and expresses support for Palestinians.
His comments drew criticism from some Jewish organizations and other critics.
Macklemore has rejected accusations that his criticism of Israel represents hostility toward Jewish people. He has maintained that his comments concern government policies and the treatment of Palestinians.
The dispute subsequently became connected to the upcoming stadium dates.
The tour promoter later confirmed that Macklemore would not participate in the remaining support dates after discussions with stakeholders.
The Role of Tour Promoters and Venues
Sheeran is the headlining performer, but large concert tours involve multiple parties.
Promoters coordinate the events, while individual stadiums and their operators control the venues where performances take place.
According to Sheeran’s public explanation, venues communicated that they would not host upcoming concerts if Macklemore remained on the lineup.
Sheeran said he attempted to find a way forward through discussions with the involved parties.
The final decision remained with the promoter and venues.
That explanation is central to understanding why Sheeran and Macklemore have described the situation differently.
Macklemore focused on the circumstances surrounding his removal and the conversations involving stadium owners.
Sheeran focused on his role as the headlining artist and said the promoter made the final decision.
Robert Kraft and Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, is one of the venues connected to the dispute.
The stadium is scheduled to host Sheeran on September 25 and 26.
Macklemore has said that Robert Kraft, whose organization owns the stadium, was involved in discussions about his participation.
Kraft has publicly defended the decision to remove Macklemore.
The disagreement has therefore affected one of the major upcoming stops on Sheeran’s U.S. schedule.
Despite the controversy surrounding the lineup, the Gillette Stadium concerts remain scheduled.
The key change concerns who will perform alongside Sheeran.
What the Support Lineup Looks Like Now
Before the recent changes, Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates included Macklemore, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe among the announced supporting performers.
That arrangement has now changed.
Macklemore has been removed.
Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe have also withdrawn.
The result is that fans should not assume that previously advertised opening-act information remains current.
The same applies to Finneas and Beoga.
Finneas was scheduled for later South American dates, while Beoga had been performing with Sheeran during his concerts.
Their departures affect the wider North and South American touring plans.
At the latest confirmed update, there had been no complete new support lineup announced for every remaining show.
Remaining U.S. LOOP Tour Dates
The scheduled U.S. dates following the September 19 Philadelphia concert include several major stadium performances.
The current schedule includes:
- September 19: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — Lincoln Financial Field
- September 25: Foxborough, Massachusetts — Gillette Stadium
- September 26: Foxborough, Massachusetts — Gillette Stadium
- October 3: Atlanta, Georgia — Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- October 10: Indianapolis, Indiana — Lucas Oil Stadium
- October 17: Charlotte, North Carolina — Bank of America Stadium
- October 24: Arlington, Texas — AT&T Stadium
- October 29: Hollywood, Florida — Hard Rock Live
- October 30: Hollywood, Florida — Hard Rock Live
- November 7: Tampa, Florida — Raymond James Stadium
These dates remain part of the scheduled U.S. run.
The recent announcements have not resulted in an announcement that these concerts are canceled.
Instead, the major confirmed changes concern the supporting performers.
Fans Should Watch for Updated Event Information
The recent changes have happened quickly, which means some official event pages may still display older lineup information.
Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, for example, continues to list Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe as special guests.
Both artists have since announced their departures.
This does not mean the Philadelphia concert itself has been canceled.
It means fans need to distinguish between the event date and the supporting-artist information.
The same issue may affect other venue and ticketing pages.
Older promotional material can remain online even after an artist leaves a tour.
For that reason, anyone attending an upcoming concert should check for the newest information before traveling.
Sheeran Continues With the Scheduled Tour
Despite the rapid changes, Sheeran has not announced the cancellation of his remaining U.S. performances.
The LOOP Tour remains scheduled to continue with Philadelphia as the next U.S. stop.
Sheeran has stressed the importance of continuing the concerts for fans and the large number of people involved behind the scenes.
Stadium tours require extensive teams of musicians, production workers, technicians, security personnel and other staff.
A change involving one performer can therefore affect many people beyond the artists themselves.
Sheeran’s public comments focused heavily on keeping the tour moving while acknowledging the disagreement surrounding Macklemore’s removal.
Macklemore and Sheeran Remain Connected Despite the Dispute
The dispute has not been presented by either artist as the end of their personal relationship.
Macklemore described Sheeran as a longtime friend and said their conversations were difficult but respectful.
Sheeran similarly expressed respect for Macklemore’s convictions.
Their disagreement centers on how political advocacy should be handled within the tour environment and the circumstances surrounding Macklemore’s removal.
Macklemore has chosen to use his public platform to speak directly about Palestinian rights.
Sheeran has said that he prefers not to turn his concerts into political forums.
Those different approaches became especially visible after the MetLife Stadium performances.
The Latest Status of the Ed Sheeran Macklemore Tour
The current situation is now much different from the lineup originally announced for the remaining U.S. concerts.
Macklemore will not perform at the remaining U.S. LOOP Tour dates.
Sheeran has stated that his removal was the promoter’s decision rather than his own.
Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe have withdrawn from their upcoming appearances.
Finneas has also left the planned touring schedule, while Beoga has announced its departure from Sheeran’s touring band.
The remaining U.S. concerts themselves continue to be scheduled.
Philadelphia is the next date on September 19, followed by two shows at Gillette Stadium before the tour moves through several other major U.S. cities.
The most immediate change for fans is therefore the loss of the previously announced supporting acts rather than the cancellation of Sheeran’s headline performances.
As the tour moves toward its next concert, updated venue information will be important for fans who want to know exactly who will appear before Sheeran.
The situation remains focused on the future of the concert lineup, with Macklemore no longer participating and the other previously announced support acts also stepping away.
Stay with the latest confirmed updates and share your thoughts on the changing Ed Sheeran tour lineup in the comments.