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Ed Sheeran is facing mounting backlash after all four remaining supporting acts withdrew from his Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore, who was removed from the lineup following his pro-Palestinian remarks.
The Shape of You singer has reportedly lost 200,000 Instagram followers in 24 hours amid backlash after all remaining opening acts dropped out of his US tour following Macklemore’s removal over his “Free Palestine” speech.
Macklemore was due to open eight of the tour’s final 10 US shows before being dropped on Tuesday.
Finneas, Myles Smith, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga have each issued statements confirming they will no longer join Sheeran on the remaining dates of his stadium tour.
Sheeran, 35, has faced growing criticism from fans after insisting that his concerts are not intended to be political forums for his diverse, largely young audience.
His Instagram following has slipped from 47.6 million on Monday to 47.4 million.
Macklemore faced a boycott petition after speaking in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank during his September 4 and 5 performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
After his removal from the LOOP Tour was confirmed, he claimed Ed told him billionaire Robert Kraft had orchestrated the move by pressuring stadium owners.
Macklemore removal from Ed Sheeran concert
Macklemore released a statement after removal sharing that his longtime friend Sheeran “had some difficult conversations this past week.”
“[We had] the type of talks rooted in love and respect for one another that still end in a place of fundamental disagreement,” the Grammy winner wrote.
He added, “Nothing I’m writing here is out of spite or because I want to tear down his character. But as I told Ed multiple times on the phone, our friendship can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened.”
Macklemore alleged that Robert Kraft told Sheeran he would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium and had rallied other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum: remove Macklemore from the tour or lose their venues.
Sheeran also released his own statement on Sept. 15 saying he is “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.”
The final show for Sheeran’s Loop Tour is scheduled for November 7 in Tampa, Florida.
