Four supporting acts have quit Ed Sheeran's tour after the rapper Macklemore was removed for pro-Palestinian comments he made during a concert in New Jersey.
Hours after Sheeran posted on social media about Macklemore's removal and attributed the decision to the tour's promoters, Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, the Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas posted on Instagram that they would withdraw from Sheeran's tour.
Rowe was one of Macklemore's replacements for Sheeran's remaining US dates, while Beoga was serving as Sheeran's touring band. Finneas was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year.
Rowe and Beoga each cited their country's history in their statements explaining their decision.
Rowe called Sheeran a friend and said he'd changed his life.
Finneas reiterated his support.
Lukas Graham, meanwhile, expressed gratitude toward Sheeran and called it "a difficult decision".
Sheeran weighed in on Macklemore being dropped as his opening act after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments onstage during their tour. The British singer also said he refused to be drawn into a public discussion about the war in Gaza.
"Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine," Sheeran wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.
Sheeran's statement came a day after Macklemore said he was kicked off the Loop Tour after exclaiming "Free Palestine!" During the 5 September date at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium while introducing his protest song Hind's Hall.
Macklemore said on Monday on Instagram that several US venues told the promoter they would prohibit him from performing as Sheeran's opening act, rallied by Kraft, owner of the NFL's New England Patriots.