Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” across the United States has been thrown into crisis after his entire roster of support acts and his primary backing band withdrew from the remaining dates.
The mass resignation follows the controversial removal of American rapper Macklemore from the tour lineup. On 15 September 2026, the four remaining support acts—Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and the Irish folk group Beoga—officially confirmed they would no longer perform.
The departure of Beoga is particularly significant as they also serve as Sheeran’s touring band, leaving the status of the upcoming performances in doubt.
The situation was triggered by Macklemore’s performance at MetLife Stadium on 4 September, where he made pro-Palestinian remarks. Following that appearance, promoters reportedly informed the rapper he would no longer be part of the tour.
Promoters and venues under fire
In a personal statement issued on Instagram on 15 September, Ed Sheeran sought to distance himself from the decision to axe Macklemore. The artist claimed the choice was made by tour promoters and specific venue owners rather than himself, stating he had no power over the lineup changes.
Reports suggest that several major US venues had refused to host Macklemore following his comments. Stakeholders including Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, are alleged to have pressured promoters to remove the rapper from the schedule.
According to The Guardian, the decision led to an immediate show of solidarity from the rest of the tour’s performers, who chose to quit in protest against what has been described as the censorship of the opening act.
Uncertainty for Philadelphia show
The “Loop Tour” is currently scheduled to resume on Friday 19 September at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Despite the loss of all opening acts and his backing band, no official cancellations of the headline shows have been announced. It remains unclear whether Sheeran intends to perform solo, using his signature loop-pedal setup for the entire set, or if replacement musicians are being sought at short notice.
The following venues and cities are expected to be affected by the changes in the coming weeks:
- Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (19 September)
- Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston)
Ticketholders have not yet been issued guidance regarding potential refunds or changes to the show format. Under standard terms for major US concerts, a change in support acts does not usually entitle a purchaser to a refund if the headline artist still performs, though the loss of the primary backing band may complicate the contractual status of the event.
