Link: https://variety.com/2026/music/news/ed-sheeran-opener-aaron-rowe-pulls-out-tour-macklemore-1236863316/

In a post on Instagram, the Irish musician also expressed his support for Palestine while explaining why he decided to leave the trek. “I have made the decision to withdraw as a support act for Ed Sheeran’s ‘The Loop’ North American Tour,” he wrote. “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,” he continued, “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 colonisation, and fought for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland.” He ended his note by declaring, “Free Palestine.”

In tandem with Rowe’s announcement, Irish band Beoga stated that they would also be departing the Loop tour. “We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be,” they said in a statement on social media. “We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people… 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.”

So the question is will Sheeran do the decent thing...?

Thank GOD! There's NOW room for Kid Rock!

-Non Political Ed Sheeran in Two Weeks!

Burn his guitars and take a vow of silence?

Oh, you mean the other thing.

Fellow supporting acts Lukas Graham, Finneas and Beoga also dropped out following Rowe’s announcement.

Those acts plus Macklemore make 5 opening acts that are no longer on the tour. Are there any openers left?

All openers AND Ed Sheeran's live band have all dropped out as of this afternoon.

Wait they invited "founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine" and then got macklemore booted for this? Phew. Brilliant minds.

Wait his own band dropped his ass? No way lmao

From what I've been able to find it wasn't his band; Beoga was part of the backing band and dropped out.

Right, they're Ed Sheeran's backing band for the tour.

I'd rather see him donate those guitars to charity than to burn a perfectly good guitar.

I don't believe so

He's made his choice

Mr. Aaron Rowe is a hero.

Yeah, I didn't even know anything about any of this, but even I know that the Irish are at the political forefront of support for Palestine. These folks do not fuck around with colonialism.