Photo Credit: Finneas by Sean Dudley / CC by 4.0

Four supporting acts have announced their withdrawal from Ed Sheeran’s tour after he spoke out regarding venue owners’ push to remove Macklemore from the remaining US dates.

Since Ed Sheeran released a statement regarding Macklemore’s removal from the remainder of his U.S. tour dates, multiple supporting acts have released their own statements announcing their decision to withdraw. Four supporting acts—Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham, and Finneas—all said on Instagram that they were withdrawing from the tour.

Irish act Aaron Rowe was one of Macklemore’s replacements for the remaining U.S. dates. Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and collaborator, was due to join the tour with Sheeran in South America. Beoga has served as Sheeran’s touring band for the last decade.

Finneas

“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” wrote Finneas. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”

Aaron Rowe

“I have made the decision to withdraw as a support act for Ed Sheeran’s ‘The Loop’ North American Tour,” Aaron Rowe’s statement began, noting that he didn’t “take the decision lightly” and that Ed Sheeran “has been a friend to me and has changed my life.”

“I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up,” his message read in part. “I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal.”

Beoga

Beoga also announced their decision to depart as Sheeran’s band on the remaining U.S. dates. “We are a traditional Irish band who never saw ourselves playing in stadiums of that size and that opportunity is not lost on us. We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years and will continue to be. We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people.”

Lukas Graham

“I grew up in Christiania, a small community in Denmark where speaking your mind was part of everyday life. Having more money didn’t make your opinion worth more than anyone else’s,” wrote Lukas Graham. “Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge.”

“I love Ed, and I’m grateful for everything we’ve shared. That hasn’t changed. But I can’t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand,” the Danish artist’s statement continued. “We’re withdrawing from the remaining dates. I’m sorry we won’t be there. This is a difficult decision, but it’s one I need to stand by.”

What Ed Sheeran Said

The groups’ withdrawal from the tour arrived only hours after Sheeran released a statement asserting that he was not “complicit” in Macklemore’s removal from the tour. He stressed that venue owners had forced the promoter’s hand and would not host any remaining shows that included the “Thrift Shop” rapper after his controversial remarks during the two shows he opened at MetLife Stadium earlier this month.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine,” wrote Sheeran. “I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”

The hitmaker has yet to release a statement regarding the other artists’ withdrawal from the tour.

What Macklemore Said

Macklemore released a statement on Monday that he was removed from the tour after his pro-Palestine remarks during his opening sets in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. He wrote that several U.S. venues notified the promoter that they would not host Sheeran’s concert if Macklemore remained as the opener. It was a move, he said, led by New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft. Kraft then released a statement confirming his involvement.

During the MetLife Stadium shows, Macklemore shouted “Free Palestine!” and made a speech regarding the war in Gaza. He also played his pro-Palestine protest song, “Hind’s Hall.” Afterward, the Israeli American Council quickly launched a petition calling for Macklemore’s removal from the remaining tour dates.