On Tuesday (Sept. 15) — shortly after Aaron Rowe became the first to voluntarily withdraw from the Loop Tour due to the controversy — Finneas shared a succinct statement announcing his choice. “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” he wrote. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran.”
The Oscar and Grammy-winning artist added, “I stand with Palestine and its people.”
Graham also wrote on Instagram, “I love Ed, and I’m grateful for everything we’ve shared. That hasn’t changed. But I can’t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand. We’re withdrawing from the remaining dates.”
Additionally, Beoga — the band that has played a six-song mini set alongside Sheeran during the Loop Tour shows — shared Tuesday that it has also chosen not to complete the trek, citing “the silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies.”
“We are a traditional Irish band who never saw ourselves playing in stadiums of that size and that opportunity is not lost on us,” Beoga wrote, noting its decade-long friendship with Sheeran. “To play in venues that silence anyone advocating for Free Palestine is simply not an option for us.”
Graham has been a part of the Loop Tour’s supporting lineup since August, while Finneas was scheduled to begin a stint of opening dates in October. Rowe, who had been opening Loop shows since February, announced earlier on Tuesday that he was dropping out of the tour: “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.”
There are currently no openers remaining on Sheeran’s tour.
The controversy began in early September, when Macklemore called for a “free Palestine” on stage and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.” Many calls for his removal soon followed, including from P!nk. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition demanding action.
