Philadelphia, PA – On September 15, 2026, four performers who were scheduled to open for Ed Sheeran on his North and South America tour withdrew from the lineup. Their departure came after rapper Macklemore was taken off the bill following remarks he made onstage that supported Palestine.
The departing artists included Aaron Rowe and the group Beoga, along with two other unnamed opening acts. The quartet announced their exit as a show of solidarity with Macklemore, stating that his removal was the reason for their decision to leave the tour.
Ed Sheeran responded to the developments through a post on his social media accounts. In the statement, he indicated that the decision to drop Macklemore was made by the tour’s promoters, not by him personally. Sheeran did not elaborate further on the circumstances surrounding the promoter’s action.
Tour promoters have not released a detailed explanation for the removal of Macklemore, but they confirmed that the changes to the opening roster were implemented in accordance with their policies. The adjustments affect both the North American and South American legs of the tour, which have been scheduled to continue through the remainder of the year.
The incident has drawn attention to the broader conversation about artists’ political expression and the responses of event organizers. While the tour proceeds with Sheeran as the headliner, the absence of the four opening acts marks a notable disruption to the planned concert experience for ticket holders.
Fans who purchased tickets that included the opening performances have been advised to check official channels for any updates or possible refunds related to the changes in the lineup.