Finneas withdraws from Ed Sheeran tour over Macklemore ouster

Billie Eilish’s brother and music collaborator Finneas is the latest of several artists that have pulled out of Ed Sheeran’s tour after rapper Macklemore was removed for delivering a “free Palestine” message.

Finneas joins Danish band Lukas Graham, Irish band Beoga and Aaron Rowe in announcing that they would no longer open for Sheeran on his Loop tour. Their exits, which Sheeran said were not his decision, leave the tour without any supporting acts.

“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas wrote on social media . “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”

Finneas was scheduled to open six shows in South America later this year.

Pro-Israel groups went after Macklemore after he delivered a pro-Palestine message in an opening set for Sheeran at Metlife Stadium last month, according to the Hollywood Reporter .

In a Monday post on social media, Macklemore said Sheeran told him that Robert Kraft, who owns the Gillette Stadium where they were scheduled to perform later this month, called him asking to remove Macklemore from the set.

“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues,” the Seattle rapper said.

Macklemore stood by his pro-Palestine stance, adding that if “turning the conversation back to Palestine” was the reason for his ouster, “it was the most successful tour I’ve ever been on.”

Lukas Graham attributed its exit from the show to the ongoing war in Gaza and the deaths of civilians.

“We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to group up,” the band said. “Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them.”

Rowe and Beoga announced similar decisions Tuesday, saying they were leaving in support of Macklemore and Palestinians.