Aaron Rowe Quits Ed Sheeran Tour in Solidarity With Macklemore
Aaron Rowe has withdrawn from the opening slot on Ed Sheeran's North American Loop tour. His exit follows the removal of fellow opener Macklemore, who had voiced support for Palestine. Rowe said he could not allow billionaires to silence rightful voices and expressed his own support for Palestine.
Rowe's withdrawal came after Macklemore was removed from the tour for publicly supporting Palestine. In his Instagram statement, the Irish musician acknowledged the personal difficulty of the decision, noting that Sheeran had been a friend and a life-changing figure in his career. He nonetheless declared he could not allow billionaires to silence rightful voices, and he voiced his own solidarity with Palestine.
The report, published September 15, 2026, by senior music writer Steven J. Horowitz, identifies Rowe's exit as a direct consequence of Macklemore's dismissal. The article frames the episode within the broader context of the Loop tour's North American leg, which had featured both artists as supporting acts alongside Sheeran.
This story could signal a growing willingness among artists to take public political stances even at personal career cost. Tour audiences may be divided, with some concertgoers supporting the artists' actions and others disappointed by the lineup changes. The episode may also prompt industry observers to examine how promoters and labels handle political expression among touring acts, potentially influencing future booking decisions. Broader conversations about corporate influence in music and the limits of artistic freedom could gain renewed attention as a result.