Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe announced on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2025, that he was leaving Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour, stating on Instagram that he could not justify performing while billionaire-backed venue decisions silenced artists, as reported by Billboard. Rowe, who had been involved with the tour on and off since February, noted that while Sheeran had been a personal friend and mentor, he could not remain on the bill.
Aaron Rowe and Other Artists Exit Ed Sheeran’s Tour
Rowe is joined by several other supporting acts who also stepped down in solidarity. Finneas was slated to perform on the South American leg, while Lukas Graham, Beoga, and Rowe were scheduled for the U.S. dates.
The Origin of the Controversy at MetLife Stadium
The tour shake-up stems from an onstage appearance by Macklemore at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in early September 2025, according to Billboard. Wearing a keffiyeh draped over his shoulders, Macklemore addressed the crowd and shouted “Free Palestine,” while reiterating his stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
Following the performance, pressure mounted from various groups, including the Israeli-American Council, which circulated a petition urging the removal of the rapper. On Monday, Sept. 14, 2025, the Messina Touring Group—the U.S. promoter for the Loop Tour—announced that Macklemore was being dropped from the remainder of the tour after venue owners threatened cancellations if he remained on the bill, as noted by Billboard.
Venue Owners and Artist Reactions
Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium where the tour was scheduled to play later in September, confirmed that he banned the rapper from the venue. Kraft stated in remarks provided to Billboard that Macklemore’s stage statements and history of rhetoric crossed a line that would be deeply offensive to the Jewish community.
In response to his removal, Macklemore wrote on social media, as cited by Billboard: “I didn’t need 10 shows from Ed. I needed 2. Two chances to stand in front of 90,000 people and say the words that somehow became too dangerous to say. Free Palestine.” Ed Sheeran subsequently addressed the situation, stating that venues across upcoming dates communicated they would pull out of hosting if the tour proceeded without changes, according to Billboard.
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