American rapper Macklemore was removed as an opening act from British singer Ed Sheeran’s US tour after making political comments on stage. The incident happened at a concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Macklemore spoke in support of Palestine before singing a protest song. After this, several concert venues said they did not want Macklemore to perform at their shows, and the tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, decided to take him off the remaining concerts.

Macklemore was supposed to open for eight of Sheeran’s last ten stadium concerts in the United States. The tour promoter said Macklemore could not stay on the tour because the venues objected. Ed Sheeran explained that he did not make the final decision, but agreed with the promoter’s choice after the venues raised concerns.

After Macklemore was removed, four other opening acts — Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and the Irish group Beoga — also left the tour to show support for him. Because of this, Ed Sheeran has no opening acts for his last US concerts, but his performances are still planned to continue.