Aaron Rowe Leaves Ed Sheeran Tour in Solidarity With Macklemore & Palestinians: ‘I Would Lose All Respect for Myself’
Categoria: Musica
"I need to be true to myself and my ancestors," the Irish singer-songwriter wrote.
Por Billboard | 15/09/2026
Aaron Rowe, one of Ed Sheeran ‘s openers on his U.S. tour, has dropped out of the trek in solidarity with Macklemore — who was dismissed from the tour due to his “Free Palestine” messaging on stage — and the countless people in Gaza who are suffering. Related Ed Sheeran Says Decision to Drop Macklemore From Tour ‘Was Not Mine’: ‘I Have Spent This Week Trying to Build Bridges’ Ms. Rachel, Kehlani, MUNA & More Push Back After Macklemore’s Removal From Ed Sheeran Tour: ‘We All Need to Speak On It’ Macklemore Reacts to Being Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour Over ‘Painful Disagreement’ of His ‘Free Palestine’ Chant In a statement shared to Instagram on Tuesday (Sept. 15), the singer-songwriter began by saying that he doesn’t “take the decision lightly,” noting that “Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this.” “But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation,” Rowe continued. “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.” The musician added, “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 signed off, “FREE PALESTINE.” Billboard has reached out to Sheeran’s reps. Rowe’s defection from the Loop Tour is just the latest development in a controversy that’s been unfolding since early September. At his first two shows opening for the trek — which would turn into his last supporting Sheeran — Macklemore called for a “free Palestine” and reaffirmed his belief that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, which the United Nations and other human rights groups have also concluded based on the Israel-Hamas war. Israel and its allies, including the United States government, deny this, affirming that Israel is justly defending itself in response to the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. More than 73,000 Palestinians have died so far in the ensuing violence, The Associated Press reported in June, citing Gaza’s Health Ministry. Following his demonstration at the MetLife Stadium shows in East Rutherford, N.J., many people — including P!nk — called for Macklemore to be dismissed from the trek, as amplified by the Israeli-American Council in a petition. On Monday (Sept. 14), Messina Touring Group, the Loop Tour’s U.S. promoter, announced that those calls had been answered after the owners of venues scheduled to host Sheeran’s upcoming shows had threatened to cancel unless Macklemore was dropped. “There is no neutral