Following Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's The Loop Tour due to the rapper's outspoken pro-Palestine activism, fellow openers Finneas, Aaron Rowe, and Lukas Graham have dropped off the tour, as well as his backing band, Beoga.
Finneas made a statement on social media today, writing, "Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people."
Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe made a statement today, beginning, "I have made the decision to withdraw as a support act for Ed Sheeran's 'The Loop' North American Tour." It continues:
I don't take the decision lightly. Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this.
But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.
I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children.
I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal.
I need to be true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonization, and fought
for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland.FREE PALESTINE
Irish folk band Beoga, who have been playing as Sheeran's backing band on the tour, made a statement today, which reads:
We have made the decision to depart as Ed Sheeran's band on the remaining US Loop tour, following the silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies. 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 now and will continue to be. We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people.
As musicians, playing to those crowds every night is the stuff of dreams but to play in venues that silence anyone advocating for a Free Palestine is simply not an option for us.
It's important that everyone knows that the real enemy is the zionist lobby. They have worked tirelessly to silence artists who want to speak freely about a genocide happening before our eyes, for fear of retribution.
Research how much Robert Kraft has done to fight the BDS movement. That will give you a sense of what we've all been up against.
We were there for Macklemore's performance and speech. We fully supported his message, so did most of the audience in Met Life Stadium which terrifies the lobbies. Go back and read the transcript if you're in doubt.
We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists For Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be.
This whole episode is once again serving to distract from the real issue, over 1000 Palestinians have been killed since the most recent so-called ceasefire.
Up the workers.
Free Palestine.
Here's Lukas Graham's statement:
It's hard to watch families in other parts of the world burying the people they love.
We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them.
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.
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. 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.
Their statements follows Sheeran's statement this morning, in which he said the decision was ultimately not up to him, but the promoter. "I am not complicit," he wrote. "I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean I don't care. Nor does it mean I don't support causes in my own, personal way."
It was not surprising, considering Macklemore's statement called out Sheeran's "typical apolitical stance," saying that "taking a side can cost you." "Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I've lost all of those things," he wrote. "But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed. When one side has the bombs and bottomless financial and military support from America, refusing to take a side doesn't leave you in the middle."
