Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour Has Become the Center of a Major Music Industry Controversy
Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour was supposed to be one of the biggest stadium concert runs of the year.
Instead, the U.S. leg has suddenly become the center of a dispute involving Macklemore, Palestine, venue owners, concert promoters and multiple artists who have withdrawn from the tour.
Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates after making pro-Palestinian comments during his performances at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.
Then something unexpected happened.
All four remaining supporting acts announced that they were leaving the tour.
Those artists include:
- Finneas
- Lukas Graham
- Aaron Rowe
- Beoga
Now the controversy has developed again.
Macklemore says he will donate his $1 million net earnings from the Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians. Robert Kraft subsequently said that he and Sheeran had each committed $2 million toward humanitarian aid in the region.
So what exactly happened?
Here's the complete timeline.
What Happened With Ed Sheeran and Macklemore?
The dispute began after Macklemore performed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month.
During his set, Macklemore performed his protest song "Hind's Hall" and made statements supporting Palestinians, including saying "Free Palestine."
The remarks became the catalyst for the dispute that followed. ABC News' timeline reports that Macklemore had already been publicly outspoken about the Israel-Gaza conflict, including through "Hind's Hall," which he released in 2024.
Macklemore subsequently said he was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Sheeran's tour.
But there is a major disagreement over who actually made that decision.
Why Was Macklemore Removed From Ed Sheeran's Tour?
This is where the story gets complicated.
Macklemore's account
Macklemore said that several stadium venues would not allow him to perform and alleged that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, had played a major role in the decision.
According to Macklemore's account, Kraft contacted Sheeran and other stadium owners became involved in opposing his participation.
Ed Sheeran's account
Sheeran publicly rejected the idea that he personally made the decision.
He said:
"Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine."
Sheeran also said that some venues had communicated that they would pull their shows if Macklemore remained on the lineup.
The promoter's explanation
The tour's promoter, Messina Touring Group, said several venues would not allow a concert to proceed with Macklemore on the bill.
The promoter argued that keeping him could potentially result in cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of ticket holders.
So, at least publicly, there are three different pieces of the story:
Macklemore: venue-owner pressure forced his removal.
Sheeran: the promoter made the decision.
Promoter: venues would not permit the shows with Macklemore on the bill.
That distinction is important.
What Did Robert Kraft Say About Macklemore?
Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, publicly acknowledged his opposition to Macklemore performing at the venue.
Kraft said the decision was related to Macklemore's recent comments as well as what Kraft described as a broader history of "antisemitic rhetoric and imagery" that he said had been offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.
Kraft also said his position was not intended to diminish the suffering of Palestinian civilians.
This is a contested part of the story, so it is important to distinguish Kraft's characterization from an independently established finding.
Why Did Finneas Quit Ed Sheeran's Tour?
The controversy escalated dramatically when the other artists on the tour started withdrawing.
Finneas, the Grammy-winning musician and Billie Eilish's brother and collaborator, announced that he would no longer participate in the tour.
His statement said:
"Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed."
He also expressed support for Palestinians.
Finneas had been scheduled to support Sheeran during the South American portion of the tour.
His departure meant the fallout was no longer limited to the U.S. leg.
Lukas Graham Also Left the Tour
Danish group Lukas Graham also announced its withdrawal.
The band said it was difficult to continue with the tour while families elsewhere were suffering and argued that artists should be able to discuss war, civilians and children.
Lukas Graham had been scheduled to replace Macklemore on some of Sheeran's remaining U.S. dates.
Aaron Rowe Withdraws From the Ed Sheeran Tour
Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe also withdrew.
Rowe had been scheduled as another replacement support act for Macklemore.
In his statement, Rowe referenced Ireland's historical experience with occupation and conflict while explaining why he could no longer continue with the tour.
What Happened to Beoga?
The Irish folk group Beoga made the fourth withdrawal.
This one is particularly significant because Beoga wasn't simply an opening act.
The group had been performing alongside Sheeran during portions of his show and had collaborated with him on music.
ABC reports that Beoga had been performing several songs, including songs the group co-wrote with Sheeran.
Its withdrawal therefore affected the actual structure of Sheeran's performance.
All Four Supporting Acts Are Now Gone
That leaves a remarkable situation for the upcoming dates.
Macklemore — removed
Finneas — withdrew
Lukas Graham — withdrew
Aaron Rowe — withdrew
Beoga — withdrew
The result is that every remaining supporting act associated with the U.S. portion of the Loop Tour has now pulled out or been removed.
And that brings us to the next major question.
Is Ed Sheeran's Tour Cancelled?
No — not at this point.
The tour is scheduled to continue.
Sheeran's next announced North American performance is September 19, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The North American leg continues afterward before the tour moves into South America.
The current controversy therefore has not resulted in a confirmed cancellation of the tour itself.
What Happens at the Philadelphia Concert?
That's now one of the biggest questions surrounding the Loop Tour.
Macklemore was originally scheduled to support Sheeran at upcoming dates, while Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe were expected to replace him.
Both of those artists have now withdrawn.
As of the latest reporting, no replacement opening act has been announced for the Philadelphia show.
That means the September 19 concert could look substantially different from what ticket buyers originally expected.
Why Is This Bigger Than Just Ed Sheeran and Macklemore?
The dispute has exposed a complicated part of the modern concert business:
Who actually controls a stadium tour?
A massive stadium concert involves multiple parties:
Artist → Promoter → Venue → Venue owner → Supporting artists → Fans
And each can have different interests.
The Associated Press spoke with music-industry experts about the situation and reported that promoters typically wield significant power, while stadium owners can also exert influence when they choose to. Major artists such as Sheeran generally have substantial approval power over tour elements because of their ability to fill large venues.
That's why this controversy has become a music-business story as much as a celebrity story.
The Robert Kraft Connection Explained
Robert Kraft's involvement has attracted enormous attention because of his relationship with the venues.
Kraft owns the New England Patriots and his Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Gillette Stadium is one of the venues on Sheeran's tour.
Kraft publicly opposed Macklemore appearing at the venue, saying his recent comments and broader history were factors in the decision.
Macklemore, meanwhile, said Kraft had helped rally other stadium owners against him.
The AP's reporting emphasizes that venue owners normally play a quieter role in tours, but they can exercise significant control over what happens inside their own venues.
Macklemore Has Now Turned the Controversy Into a $1 Million Donation
The story took another turn on September 17.
Macklemore announced that he would donate his entire $1 million in net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to six organizations working to support Palestinians.
The organizations named include:
- Palestine Children's Relief Fund
- HEAL Palestine
- Gaza Soup Kitchen
- Medical Aid for Palestinians
- UNRWA USA
- American Near East Refugee Aid
Macklemore also challenged Robert Kraft to match his donation.
Robert Kraft and Ed Sheeran Respond With $2 Million Each
Kraft's subsequent statement added another twist.
Kraft said that Ed Sheeran had contacted him before Macklemore's challenge and asked him to commit $2 million toward humanitarian relief.
Kraft said he and Sheeran would each contribute $2 million toward efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Variety reported that the precise recipients of the Sheeran/Kraft funds had not yet been specified publicly.
So the latest reported commitments are:
| Person | Reported commitment |
|---|---|
| Macklemore | $1 million |
| Ed Sheeran | $2 million |
| Robert Kraft | $2 million |
| Combined reported commitments | $5 million |
This is a reported commitment total, not necessarily money already distributed.
What Has Ed Sheeran Said About the Controversy?
Sheeran has attempted to separate himself from the decision to remove Macklemore while acknowledging that he has personal views about the conflict.
He said he was "not complicit" and described the Israel-Palestine conflict as devastating.
He also said he respected Macklemore as an artist but did not want his concerts to become political forums.
Sheeran's position has therefore been more focused on keeping the tour operating and avoiding a public political role.
What Did Macklemore Say?
Macklemore has argued that the controversy should not ultimately be about him or the tour.
After announcing his $1 million donation, he said he wanted attention to return to Palestinians and humanitarian concerns.
He also argued that donating money was less costly than the risks faced by people directly affected by the conflict.
His latest move therefore shifted the story from "Why was Macklemore removed?" toward "What happens to the money and humanitarian efforts now?"
Why Are Fans Talking About Ticket Refunds?
Another question emerging from the controversy is whether fans who purchased tickets expecting specific opening acts could seek refunds.
Some reports have documented fan calls for refunds, but the exact refund policy depends on the ticket seller, venue and applicable terms.
A change in supporting acts does not automatically mean a concert is cancelled or that every ticket holder is entitled to a refund.
Fans should check their original Ticketmaster or venue purchase terms for the specific event.
Ed Sheeran Tour Timeline: How the Controversy Unfolded
September 4–5
Macklemore performs at MetLife Stadium and makes pro-Palestinian remarks while performing "Hind's Hall."
September 14
Macklemore announces that he has been removed from the remaining U.S. dates and alleges venue-owner pressure.
September 15
Ed Sheeran says the decision was made by the promoter rather than him.
Messina Touring Group says venues had indicated they would not allow shows with Macklemore on the bill.
September 15–16
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga withdraw from the tour.
September 16
Robert Kraft publicly explains his position and cites Macklemore's recent comments and what Kraft describes as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
September 17
Macklemore announces his $1 million donation to six organizations supporting Palestinians.
Kraft says he and Sheeran have each committed $2 million toward humanitarian aid.
September 19
Ed Sheeran's next scheduled North American concert is in Philadelphia.
Who Is Still Performing With Ed Sheeran?
That's another developing part of the story.
The announced support acts connected with the controversy have all withdrawn or been removed.
However, Ed Sheeran's own tour is not cancelled, and his scheduled performances remain on the calendar.
The exact performance lineup can change, so fans should check the official venue/ticket information immediately before attending.
Is Ed Sheeran Supporting Palestine?
That's a more complicated question than the headlines suggest.
Sheeran has said that he has personal views about the conflict, described the situation as devastating and said he is not complicit.
At the same time, he has deliberately avoided turning his shows into political forums and said audiences come to his concerts for the music rather than political debate.
His latest reported humanitarian commitment with Kraft adds another dimension, but it should not be interpreted as automatically placing him in the same political position as Macklemore.
Why Did Artists Support Macklemore?
The four artists who withdrew gave different explanations, but their statements broadly centered on freedom of expression, humanitarian concerns and support for Palestinians.
Finneas said artists should not be silenced when speaking for oppressed people.
Lukas Graham discussed civilians and children affected by war.
Aaron Rowe and Beoga referred to Ireland's historical experiences with conflict and occupation.
Their individual motivations should be understood from their own statements rather than treated as identical.
What Happens Next for Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour?
The immediate test is Philadelphia on September 19.
After that, Sheeran has additional North American dates before the tour moves into South America.
The major unanswered questions are:
- Will new opening acts be announced?
- Will Beoga's role in Sheeran's set be replaced?
- Will fans seek refunds?
- Will other artists comment?
- Will additional venues change their positions?
- Will the tour continue without further disruption?
- How will the controversy affect future collaborations?
For now, the tour itself is continuing.
Ed Sheeran vs Macklemore: What We Actually Know
It's easy for social media to reduce this story to "Ed Sheeran kicked Macklemore off his tour."
But the publicly reported facts are more complicated.
Macklemore says he was removed following pressure from venue owners.
Sheeran says the promoter made the decision and that he did not.
The promoter says venues would not permit the shows with Macklemore.
Robert Kraft says he opposed Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium and cited Macklemore's recent comments and what Kraft described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
Four other artists then withdrew.
And now the parties involved are publicly discussing millions of dollars in humanitarian donations.
That is the story as it stands on September 17, 2026.
FAQ: Ed Sheeran Tour and Macklemore Controversy
Why was Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's tour?
Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates after making pro-Palestinian remarks during performances at MetLife Stadium. The promoter said venues would not allow shows with him on the lineup. Macklemore attributed the decision to pressure from venue owners, while Sheeran said the promoter made the decision.
Did Ed Sheeran personally fire Macklemore?
Sheeran has said no, stating publicly that removing Macklemore was the promoter's decision rather than his own.
Who left Ed Sheeran's tour?
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga all withdrew after Macklemore's removal.
Is Ed Sheeran's tour cancelled?
No. The tour is currently scheduled to continue, with the next North American date set for September 19 in Philadelphia.
How much money is Macklemore donating?
Macklemore said he will donate his $1 million net earnings from the Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians.
How much are Ed Sheeran and Robert Kraft donating?
Robert Kraft said he and Ed Sheeran have each committed $2 million toward humanitarian aid in the region. The exact recipients were not fully specified in the public statement cited by Variety.
Who is Robert Kraft?
Robert Kraft is the owner of the NFL's New England Patriots, and his Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, one of the venues connected to Sheeran's tour.
What did Macklemore say about Palestine?
Macklemore expressed support for Palestinians during his MetLife Stadium performances, including saying "Free Palestine" while introducing "Hind's Hall."
The Bottom Line
Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour is still moving forward, but the controversy surrounding Macklemore has dramatically changed its U.S. lineup.
Macklemore was removed after his pro-Palestinian remarks became a flashpoint involving promoters and stadium venues. Sheeran says the decision was not his. Four other artists — Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga — subsequently withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore.
Now the story has entered a new phase.
Macklemore has pledged $1 million from his tour earnings to Palestinian-support organizations, while Robert Kraft says he and Sheeran have each committed $2 million toward humanitarian aid.
And with Sheeran's next show scheduled for September 19 in Philadelphia, the biggest question is no longer simply what happened to Macklemore.
It's what the Loop Tour looks like after the fallout.
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