Finneas has joined singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe and Irish band Beoga in dropping out of Ed Sheeran‘s Loop tour after fellow opener Macklemore was dismissed for expressing his support of Palestine at a pair of New Jersey shows earlier this month.
Finneas was slated to open for Sheeran on six South American dates in late November and early December. In a post on social media, he announced his decision to drop out after Macklemore was kicked off the tour on Monday.
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” wrote Finneas on social media. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”
The announcement came shortly after Rowe and Beoga declared that they would also be leaving the Loop tour in solidarity with Macklemore. “As Irish people, we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation,” wrote Rowe on social media. “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. I need to be true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonisation, and fought for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland.” He ended his note by declaring, “Free Palestine.”
Macklemore was summarily dismissed from Sheeran’s tour following forceful “free Palestine” comments made at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. Macklemore released a statement on Monday in which he accused billionaire Robert Kraft of orchestrating his departure by rallying fellow stadium owners to ban him for speaking out.
Sheeran released his own statement earlier this morning and explained that Macklemore’s departure was not his decision and that he tried to intervene.
