• Music
  • 16 Sep 26

Ed Sheeran's backing band Beoga, Aaron Rowe, Finneas and Lukas Graham all quit his tour in solidarity with Macklemore

Ed Sheeran's backing band Beoga, Aaron Rowe, Finneas and Lukas Graham all quit his tour in solidarity with Macklemore
Credit: Petros Studio
stuartclark
Stuart Clark

The English singer has also been condemned by other artists including Roger Waters, Kneecap, BIIRD and Garbage

The decision to fire Macklemore from the North American leg of The Loop tour has backfired on Ed Sheeran with his backing band Beoga and support acts Aaron Rowe, Finneas and Lukas Graham all pulling out of the trek, which is supposed to resume on September 19 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

There has also been widespread condemnation from other artists and Sheeran's own fans, especially here in Ireland. The remarkable sequence of events which unfurled at dizzying speed started last night when 23-year-old Dubliner Aaron Rowe messaged: "I don’t take the decision lightly. Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this.

“But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children. I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal.”

In a further act of solidarity towards Macklemore, Finneas wrote: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”

His sister, Billie Eilish, quickly backed him saying: “Very proud of my brother Finneas and other artists that took this step. We must not be silenced and we must speak up for the oppressed.”

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The Sheeran camp would have been reeling from that when Beoga issued the following statement: “We are a traditional Irish band who never saw ourselves playing in stadiums of that size and that opportunity is not lost on us. We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be. We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people.

"As musicians, playing to these crowds every night is the stuff of dreams but to play in venues that silence anyone advocating for a Free Palestine is simply not an option for us. It's important that everyone knows that the real enemy is the zionist lobby. They have worked tirelessly to silence artists who want to speak freely about a genocide happening before our eyes, for fear of retribution.

"Research how much Robert Kraft has done to fight the BDS movement. That will give you a sense of what we've all been up against. We were there for Macklemore's performance and speech. We fully supported his message, so did most of the audience in Met Life stadium which terrifies the lobbies. Go back and read the transcript if you're in doubt.

"We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists For Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be. This whole episode is once again serving to distract from the real issue, over 100,000 Palestinians have been killed since the most recent so-called ceasefire. Up the workers. Free Palestine."

The lead singer of Danish outfit Lukas Graham, Lukas Forchhammer, then took to social media to insist: “We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them. Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge.”

Also making their feelings known in no uncertain terms are BIIRD, the Irish group who've supported Sheeran on The Loop tour and have been working with him on his proposed folk album.

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Those sentiments are echoed by Amble: "We cannot drop out of a tour we are no longer part of. We joined The Loop tour for two shows in June. We stand with the Palestinian people. Free Palestine."

Earlier in the day, Sheeran had attempted damage limitation, but merely added fuel to the fire with a statement that said: “I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.

"Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist. As with all my support acts, I agree that they play a setlist of their choosing.

"After Macklemore's performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting.

“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose to not speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.

“I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.”

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“If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change, There are different approaches to being an advocate for change.”

Macklemore's sacking was initially at the behest of Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the Gillette Stadium outside of Boston, which Sheeran, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham were supposed to play on September 25.

That Sheeran didn't try to stop it happening has angered other artists and public figures who've posted:

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