Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour just lost the whole opening party, and the next show is tonight in Philly.
After Macklemore was removed from the bill over his pro-Palestinian stage remarks — Sheeran says that call came from the promoter, not him — the rest of the support stack bounced in solidarity: Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Danish pop band Lukas Graham, songwriter Finneas, and Sheeran’s house band Beoga.
Finneas posted that artists “must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed” and that he’s withdrawing from his upcoming dates, standing with Palestine. Rowe and Beoga leaned on Irish history in their own exits, with Rowe saying he couldn’t stand by while voices calling out what’s happening to Palestinians get silenced — even while calling Ed a friend who changed his life.
How we got here, quick: Macklemore opened Sheeran at MetLife, performed “Hind’s Hall,” and said “Free Palestine” from the stadium. That set off backlash (including from Pink and pro-Israel groups), then stadium-owner pressure. Robert Kraft said Macklemore wouldn’t be welcome at Gillette; other NFL owners reportedly lined up similar “no Macklemore, no show” energy. Promoter Messina Touring Group said venues threatened cancellations that would’ve nuked the tour for hundreds of thousands of fans, so Macklemore came off.
Sheeran’s line has been that his shows aren’t a political forum and the kids in the crowd aren’t there for that. The timeline, of course, is reminding everyone about his Ukraine benefit energy — but tonight’s the actual problem: Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, doors energy shifted after openers quit (show pushed from 5:30 to 8 p.m. ET on Ticketmaster). Industry chatter says he’s ready to go solo without the backing band. He hasn’t publicly commented since Tuesday.
Outside, pro-Palestinian groups plan a 4:30 p.m. rally. Resale prices have been sliding hard — TickPick/Forbes had cheapest tix around $51 Friday morning (down from ~$100 Tuesday), StubHub as low as $42 by afternoon. Remaining U.S. Loop dates still aren’t sold out. Refunds? Ticketmaster’s usual “openers can change” fine print says no, Sheeran’s site says sales are final — though some Philly ticket holders told Billy Penn the venue has started issuing refunds anyway.
Also in the money-moves chapter: Macklemore pledged $1 million from his Sheeran-tour net earnings to Palestinian-support orgs and dared Kraft to match. Kraft said Ed had already asked him to commit $2 million to match aid to the region, with funds earmarked for groups including the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, Heal Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA, and Anera.
Buttercups: ten U.S. dates left, zero openers left, and the Loop just turned into a solo stress test with a protest soundtrack outside the stadium.
