Aaron Rowe, a former opener for Ed Sheeran, has stepped into the middle of the singer’s current crisis by defending Sheeran himself amid fallout from Macklemore’s removal from the Loop Tour. Rowe’s Instagram video posted Friday (Sept. 18) shifts attention away from Sheeran and toward Robert Kraft, whose company owns Gillette Stadium, where Macklemore was set to join Sheeran on Sept. 25 and 26.
“I’m gonna be honest,” Rowe said in the video. “I think you are all focusing on the wrong person here. All I keep hearing is Ed Sheeran this, Ed Sheeran that — when you really should be focusing on the likes of Robert Kraft.”
The Removal That Sparked the Crisis
Macklemore was dropped from eight scheduled tour appearances after making pro-Palestinian comments and performing “Hind’s Hall” at the Sept. 4 and 5 MetLife Stadium shows in New Jersey.
The move has rippled through Sheeran’s touring lineup. Rowe, Lukas Graham and FINNEAS withdrew from their scheduled support appearances. Irish band Beoga also pulled out of its role in Sheeran’s touring band. Rowe announced his own departure earlier in the week, saying he could not “stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence” artists speaking about Palestinians.
Why Rowe Says the Focus Is Wrong
Rowe’s central argument is simple: the person doing the silencing is not Sheeran. He points to Kraft, whose company, the Kraft Group, owns Gillette Stadium.
The video suggests that Sheeran’s team was caught in a panic that led to the decision. Rowe said he believes Sheeran now considers the move a mistake: “I haven’t had a chance to talk to Ed too much, but I fully believe he knows that was a mistake.”
Rowe also said Sheeran’s response “could have been a lot better.” The singer has said the decision was made by the tour’s promoter rather than him, and that he spoke with venues, promoters and activists trying to resolve the issue but was unable to overrule the decision.
The Players Behind the Scenes
Several parties have weighed in on the tour’s direction. Messina Touring Group said venues warned concerts would not proceed with Macklemore still on the bill.
Kraft’s response came quickly. He challenged Macklemore to match his donation, and later announced a $2 million commitment, saying it followed a similar request from Sheeran. The move puts the stadium owner directly in the public eye.
The Money Trail
Macklemore pledged to donate $1 million in net earnings from the tour to organizations supporting Palestinians. The pledge came alongside his withdrawal from the remaining dates.
Kraft’s $2 million commitment was announced separately.
What Happens Next
Sheeran’s tour resumes Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. No opening acts are currently listed for the concert.
The tour has lost three confirmed support acts in Rowe, Lukas Graham and FINNEAS, plus Beoga from the touring band.
The Case for Keeping the Singer Out
The situation is complicated by the politics at play. Macklemore’s comments drew strong reactions, and the decision to drop him was not made by Sheeran personally. His promoter made the call, and Sheeran said he tried to intervene but could not.
Rowe’s defense of Sheeran rests on the idea that the singer was caught in a panic, not that he endorsed the decision. The video suggests Sheeran regrets the outcome even as he was unable to prevent it.
The $3 million total from Macklemore and Kraft is a significant commitment. Whether it changes the conversation is another question.
The situation is unresolved. The tour continues, but the questions around it remain open.
The Loop Tour’s remaining dates will now feature a pared-down lineup, with the opening slots left empty. Whether Sheeran can fill those spots before the next show remains to be seen. For now, the singer is moving forward with a reduced crew, and the controversy that brought him there is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
Dates and Venues
| Date | Venue |
|---|---|
| Sept. 25/26 | Gillette Stadium |
| Saturday night | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
The table shows where the tour stands. The Sept. 25 and 26 dates at Gillette were in question until Kraft’s commitment was announced. The Philadelphia show moves forward without confirmed opening acts.
Source material: “Former Ed Sheeran Opener Aaron Rowe Defends Singer Amid Macklemore Tour Fallout,” Billboard.
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