Ed Sheeran says venues drove Macklemore's Loop Tour exit as four support acts withdraw

Venue operators on Ed Sheeran's U.S. "Loop Tour" told promoter Messina Touring Group they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the bill, a position that forced Macklemore's removal from eight remaining U.S. dates and set off a chain of support-act withdrawals that has now cost the run four acts. Sheeran addressed the conflict Tuesday in a lengthy Instagram statement, saying the decision was made by the promoter and venues and that he spent the week attempting to negotiate a resolution.

The venue decision

Messina Touring Group confirmed to Rolling Stone that venues communicated they would pull upcoming shows if Macklemore stayed on the lineup, which the promoter said would have resulted in cancellation affecting hundreds of thousands of fans. Sheeran said he spoke with venues at length, including Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, and also participated in direct talks with promoters and activists on both sides. Kraft issued a separate statement citing Macklemore's conduct at the New Jersey performances and what Kraft described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric as the basis for Gillette Stadium's position.

Sheeran said the venue stance centered on how Macklemore delivered part of his message during those New Jersey shows, where the rapper performed "Hind's Hall" and called to "Free Palestine." Each venue on a stadium routing is a fixed gate in the schedule: when one closes, that date falls. Sheeran said he was appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine and described the suffering on both sides as a human tragedy, adding that he deliberately keeps his professional platform separate from politics because his audience includes young people and children of varied backgrounds.

Support act withdrawals

Four acts have since pulled out. Finneas, Billie Eilish's brother and a planned South America support, cited the silencing of artists as his reason. Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga both withdrew, with Rowe referencing Ireland's history and stating he could not allow billionaires to use their position to silence voices speaking against what he called Israeli genocide. Lukas Graham also stepped away, saying he could not carry on as things stood.

Macklemore disputed Sheeran's account and maintained Sheeran's team drove his removal. He said that if his words cost him the stage while turning the conversation back to Palestine, it was the most successful tour he had ever been on. The open support slots and how Messina fills them before the next U.S. date is what to watch from here.