Finneas has decided to withdraw from Ed Sheeran’s tour in support of Palestine, following Macklemore’s removal from the lineup for the same reason.
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas wrote. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”
Macklemore responded to Finneas’ post with a heart and Palestinian flag emoji.
The Fallout
Ed Sheeran opener Aaron Rowe also announced that he was dropping out of the tour, joining a growing list of artists who have withdrawn in solidarity with Macklemore.
The cascade began after Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s tour in response to exclaiming “Free Palestine” during a September 5 show in New Jersey. Sheeran has said he was not responsible for the decision, which came at the urging of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose company owns a stadium where Sheeran’s tour was scheduled to play.
Within hours of Sheeran’s statement Tuesday, his supporting acts began to withdraw. Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe backed out first, followed by Finneas, who was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year.
The Donations
Macklemore said Wednesday he is donating $1 million to support Palestinian relief efforts and called on Kraft to match the gift. A spokesperson for Kraft has said the billionaire and Sheeran have each agreed to donate $2 million, bringing the total pledged by the four parties to $6 million.
Sheeran’s representatives have not responded to multiple requests for comment.
Sheeran’s Position
Sheeran has said the tour promoter was ultimately responsible for the decision to drop Macklemore. The Grammy winner was adamant in his Tuesday statement that he would not be drawn into discussion of the war in Gaza, arguing that his fans do not come to his shows to hear about these issues.
He also said he “spoke with the venues at length all week to try to build a bridge” before Macklemore was dropped. He insisted he would never willingly let down his fans or abandon the touring crew and others who rely on him to make a living.
The Bottom Line
Finneas has withdrawn from Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Palestine after Macklemore was removed for making pro-Palestinian comments onstage. Aaron Rowe also dropped out. The cascade of withdrawals began after Sheeran’s supporting acts backed out in protest. Macklemore has pledged $1 million to Palestinian relief, and Sheeran and Kraft have each pledged $2 million. Sheeran says he was not responsible for Macklemore’s removal.
My Opinion
Ed Sheeran wanted to stay out of it. He said his fans don’t come to his shows to hear about Gaza. He said the promoter made the call on Macklemore. He said he tried to build a bridge. All of that may be true. But the bridge collapsed anyway.
Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Beoga — one by one, the artists around Sheeran decided they would not stand beside him while Macklemore was punished for saying “Free Palestine.” That is not a political statement. That is a professional one. They are saying: if you silence one of us for speaking up, you can count on all of us walking away.
Sheeran is now in an impossible position. He can perform alone, say nothing, and hope the storm passes. He can address it and alienate part of his audience. Or he can take a stand and accept the consequences. There is no fourth option. The era of the apolitical pop star is over. Neutrality is no longer neutral when one side is being silenced.
