All remaining opening acts on Ed Sheeran's US stadium tour have withdrawn in protest after Macklemore was dropped from the shows for delivering a "free Palestine" speech. The move follows a boycott campaign against Macklemore over pro-Palestinian remarks made during his September 4 and 5 performances at MetLife Stadium, and has escalated into a wider dispute over free expression on the tour, with Macklemore alleging billionaire Robert Kraft pressured venue owners to remove him.

Finneas, Myles Smith, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga have all issued separate statements refusing to continue on the LOOP Tour, citing solidarity with Palestinians and objections to artists being silenced. Sheeran, 35, said Macklemore's comments had upset venue owners but insisted he personally would not take a public political stance, while Macklemore, 43, claimed Sheeran told him the removal followed an ultimatum from stadium owners. The tour is due to continue in Philadelphia on Friday, with further dates including Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts later this month.