Aaron Rowe and Beoga have quit Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour in protest at the treatment of American rapper Macklemore.
The American rapper was due to play main support on the huge North American run, which takes in multiple stadiums. Using his set in New Jersey to express solidarity with the Palestinian people, the move sparked a push back from senior figures in American live music.
Following a week of behind the scenes discussion, Macklemore was let go from the tour, with the rapper sharing a beautifully worded statement overnight.
Ed Sheeran responded this afternoon – the promoters, he insisted, had removed Macklemore from the tour, and he had sympathy with both Palestinian and Israeli victims of war.
The situation is far from settled, however. Irish songwriter Aaron Rowe was also due to complete the Loop tour, but he will now be flying home.
“I have made the decision to withdraw as support act,” he writes in a statement. Stating that Ed Sheeran’s support has “changed my life”, the singer nonetheless states that he cannot stand by “and allow billionaires who use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide”.
Irish band Beoga have also departed from the tour. In a further statement, the group say they remain friends with Ed Sheeran, but cannot continue on the tour: “We are Irish people who understand colonialism.”
As a further update FINNEAS has also dropped out of the tour. A huge figure in the pop landscape, the American star is a pivotal producer and massively popular solo artist, and was due to play a key role on the Loop tour.
Issuing a short statement, FINNEAS has removed himself from the tour, writing: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”
Find the statement in full below:
