Sheeran's Tour Left Without Openers as Acts Quit Over Macklemore Ouster

 Sheeran's Tour Left Without Openers as Acts Quit Over Macklemore Ouster

Ed Sheeran's North and South America tour was plunged into chaos after four of his supporting acts abruptly quit in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who was dropped for making pro-Palestinian comments onstage.

Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, the Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas announced on Instagram that they were leaving the tour after Sheeran addressed the backlash and attributed Macklemore's removal to the tour's venues and promoters rather than himself.

Sheeran said he is "appalled" by the Israel-Palestine conflict but defended his choice not to take a public stance.

Beoga called themselves committed activists for justice as founding members of an Irish artists' Palestine movement, while Rowe said he couldn't stand by and let money silence others' voices.

The exits leave the tour with no remaining openers.