RT   September 16, 2026

British pop star Ed Sheeran has lost all of the musicians booked to open his upcoming concerts after rapper Macklemore was dropped from the lineup over pro-Palestine remarks, according to NBC News. Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham have all pulled out in protest.

The dispute erupted after Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, joined Sheeran’s Loop tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month. He told the crowd “Free Palestine” before performing Hind’s Hall, his protest song about the Gaza war, and later said he had been removed from the remaining dates after several venues objected to his participation.

Finneas announced on Tuesday that he was withdrawing from his scheduled appearances, saying he stood “with Palestine and its people.”

“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” the Grammy-winning musician wrote on Instagram.

Irish singer Aaron Rowe followed, saying he could not remain on the tour while wealthy figures silenced artists speaking about Gaza. “Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this,” he wrote, before condemning the killing of civilians.

Irish band Beoga and the Danish group Lukas Graham also pulled out. “Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation,” Lukas Graham said.

Macklemore has accused 85-year-old Jewish billionaire and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft of helping force him off the tour. He said Sheeran told him Kraft would not allow him to perform at Gillette Stadium and had rallied other venue owners behind an ultimatum threatening future shows if the rapper remained on the lineup.

Read full report at link below:

https://www.rt.com/pop-culture/645855-ed-sheeran-macklemore-gaza-walkout/