Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe has withdrawn from his role as a supporting act on Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour across North America. Rowe’s decision follows the removal of fellow opener Macklemore, who was dismissed from the tour after making vocal statements supporting Palestine during performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
In an Instagram post, Rowe explained his reasoning for stepping away from the high-profile tour. He acknowledged his gratitude toward Sheeran while drawing parallels between Ireland’s historical experiences with colonization and current events. Rowe stated he could not remain silent while those in positions of power attempted to suppress voices speaking out against what he characterized as genocide.
Rowe’s departure has prompted additional cancellations from the tour’s supporting lineup. Artists including Lukas Graham, Finneas, and Beoga subsequently announced they would also be leaving the North American dates. Meanwhile, Sheeran addressed the controversy on social media, clarifying that promoters and venues made the decision to remove Macklemore, not himself. Sheeran emphasized his preference for maintaining public neutrality on political matters.
Originally reported by Variety →
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