Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's US tour after Free Palestine chant

Macklemore is out as a support act on Ed Sheeran's US Loop Tour after his on-stage call of "Free Palestine." Promoter Messina Touring Group said Macklemore will not play the remaining support dates on the run. Billboard

A support act is the performer who plays before the headliner. In this case, Macklemore had opened the US leg alongside Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe. His removal affects only that opening slot. Sheeran's own headline sets are still scheduled to go ahead.

Messina Touring Group, the promoter organising Sheeran's US dates, said venues on upcoming dates had told the company they would not stage a concert with Macklemore on the line-up. Keeping him on the bill would have forced cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans. The company said the decision followed discussions with stakeholders.

The remarks that triggered the dispute came on 4 September at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It was the first night of Macklemore's stint opening for Sheeran. During his set, he led the crowd in a "Free Palestine" chant.

The Israeli-American Council then published a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from the rest of the US leg. Macklemore later said he was not backing down from the statements he made during the Sheeran shows. Billboard

Sheeran's tour continues without him. The next Loop Tour show is scheduled for 19 September in Philadelphia, with Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe. Sheeran's official North America page lists that date at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Sheeran is due to play US dates through 7 November before heading to Latin America, where Finneas is listed as the opener through mid-December. Billboard

For fans, this means the headline show goes on with a shorter opening programme. Ticket holders in Philadelphia and on later US dates will see Sheeran with the remaining support acts. No change to the headline dates has been announced.