Ed Sheeran Makes Major Tour Change

Ed Sheeran is set to return to the stage in Philadelphia on Saturday without the support acts originally scheduled for his show, following a dramatic shake-up of his Loop Tour.

The changes came after Macklemore was removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s tour. The rapper had performed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month, where he spoke in support of Palestinians and called for a free Palestine during his set.

Photo: Getty Images

Macklemore later announced that he had been dropped from the remaining dates following discussions with Sheeran. Sheeran subsequently said the decision was made by the tour promoter, not by him, after venues indicated they would not host the shows if Macklemore remained on the line-up.

Sheeran said he had spent the week speaking with venues, promoters and activists in an attempt to find a solution. He also confirmed that he had spoken with Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, where Sheeran is due to perform later this month.

Photo: Getty Images

The decision was followed by a series of withdrawals from other artists booked for the tour.

Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga all announced that they would no longer take part in their scheduled dates. Finneas had been due to support Sheeran on South American shows, while Rowe and Lukas Graham were booked for upcoming North American dates. Beoga, the Irish band that has worked with Sheeran for more than a decade, had also been performing with him as part of his live show.

Their departures leave Sheeran without any of the previously announced supporting acts for the remaining US dates. Beoga’s withdrawal also means a major change to the musicians who had been performing alongside him on stage.

The singer’s Philadelphia show at Lincoln Financial Field is scheduled for September 19. The venue has confirmed that the concert will go ahead, although no replacement opening acts had been announced. Reports have indicated that Sheeran could perform without the musicians who previously accompanied him.

Photo: Getty Images

The latest developments have also highlighted Sheeran’s long-standing friendship with Macklemore. The pair previously worked together on Macklemore’s 2015 track Growing Up (Sloane’s Song), and Sheeran has described the rapper as an old friend. He said Macklemore had asked to join the tour and that he respected him as an artist.

Macklemore has given a different account of the events surrounding his removal. He said Sheeran told him that Kraft had objected to his participation at Gillette Stadium and had spoken to other stadium owners. Kraft later confirmed that he had discussed the situation with Sheeran, although he did not confirm Macklemore’s claim that he had rallied other stadium owners.

Photo: Getty Images

Sheeran has maintained that he did not make the decision to remove Macklemore and has defended his decision to keep his concerts separate from political campaigning. He said he wants his shows to bring people from different backgrounds together, while also stating that he is deeply concerned about the suffering caused by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

For Sheeran, the immediate change is clear: the Loop Tour is continuing, but with its original support line-up significantly reduced. His Philadelphia performance will be the first show since Macklemore’s removal and the subsequent withdrawals by the other artists.