Ed Sheeran has found himself at the center of a growing controversy following the removal of rapper Macklemore from his Loop Tour lineup. The incident has led to increased backlash against Sheeran, with several supporting artists withdrawing from the tour. Singer-songwriter Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and others have all announced they will no longer perform on the tour.

Controversy Over Political Statements

The controversy began when Macklemore voiced support for freeing Palestine during a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in early September 2025. After Macklemore was removed from the tour lineup, Finneas posted a statement saying, “artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.” According to WABC, Sheeran claims the decision to remove Macklemore was not his and that he tried to intervene behind the scenes.

Sheeran has stated that he deliberately keeps politics off his professional platform, explaining that fans attend his concerts for music, not a political forum. He added that he still has personal beliefs and supports causes privately, but believes there is a difference between personal advocacy and making politics part of his public music brand.

Radio Stations and Public Reactions

Classic Hits Radio, an Irish-owned radio station, announced it would remove Ed Sheeran’s music from its playlist. The station stated that it “recognizes his own explanation of the circumstances that surround the recent events,” but also said it “believes it is important to listen to our audience and support Irish artists who have made an important professional decision based on their own convictions.”

The station added that it believes in “peace, humanity, and respect,” as well as “the right of people and artists to express their sincere opinions and act in line with that.” It concluded that “removing the music of Ed Sheeran from our playlist is the most appropriate step for Classic Hits Radio at this time.” According to Fox News, this decision reflects the strong reaction of listeners to the controversy.

Behind-the-Scenes Tensions

According to Fox News, Macklemore claimed that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, pressured Sheeran to remove him from the tour. Macklemore said Kraft told Sheeran that he would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium and encouraged other stadium owners to issue similar ultimata. After Macklemore’s removal, other supporting acts, including Irish groups Aaron Rowe and Beoga, as well as Lukas Graham and Finneas, also decided to withdraw from the tour.