# Ed Sheeran openers quit Philly show over Macklemore removal

> Four acts dropped out after the rapper was booted for saying 'Free Palestine' on stage in New Jersey.
- Title: Ed Sheeran openers quit Philly show over Macklemore removal
- Summary: Four acts dropped out after the rapper was booted for saying 'Free Palestine' on stage in New Jersey. Multiple opening acts abandoned Ed Sheeran's tour to…
- Keywords: ed sheeran, macklemore, aaron rowe, lukas graham, beoga, finneas, lincoln financial field, philadelphia, loop tour, robert kraft, palestine, israel
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/ed-sheeran-concert-philadelpia-openers-macklemore
- Published: 2026-09-16T14:52:04.17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ed sheeran, macklemore, aaron rowe, lukas graham, beoga, finneas, lincoln financial field, philadelphia, loop tour, robert kraft, palestine, israel
## Four acts quit Sheeran tour
Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Beoga, and Finneas all dropped out of Ed Sheeran's tour ahead of Saturday's Philadelphia show.
## Protesting Macklemore's removal
The musicians left in solidarity with Macklemore, who was removed from the tour Monday for making a pro-Palestine comment on stage.
## What Macklemore said
At a Sept. 5 show in New Jersey, Macklemore said 'Free Palestine' before performing his protest song 'Hind's Hall.'
## He addressed Jewish fans
Macklemore told Jewish concertgoers that his criticism of Israel was not criticism against them.
## Stadium owner's ultimatum
Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium and the Patriots, rallied other stadium owners to ban Macklemore or refuse Sheeran's shows.
## Sheeran says not his call
Sheeran said the promoter made the decision to remove Macklemore, not him. He wouldn't let down fans or abandon his crew.

> Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, not mine.
## Pink criticized Macklemore
The Doylestown native, who is Jewish, took issue with Macklemore saying his remark wasn't about Jewish attendees.
## Rowe cites Irish history
Aaron Rowe said Irish people know about genocide and forced famine. He can't let billionaires silence voices against Israeli genocide.

> As Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.
## Lukas Graham on power
The band said money doesn't give you the right to own the conversation or decide which suffering we're allowed to acknowledge.

> Money doesn't give you the right to own the conversation.
## No replacements announced
Saturday's show at Lincoln Financial Field will be the first since Macklemore's removal. No replacement openers have been named.
## Key takeaway

Multiple opening acts abandoned Ed Sheeran's tour to protest Macklemore's removal for pro-Palestine comments, leaving Saturday's Philadelphia show without announced replacements.