Aaron Rowe Offered Script Tour Support Slot After Quitting Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour in Palestine Protest
Dublin singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe and Antrim folk band Beoga have been met with an outpouring of public support across Ireland after walking away from Ed Sheeran's lucrative North American Loop Tour on September 15, with The Script subsequently offering Rowe a support slot on their own upcoming tour — a gesture that has been widely celebrated as a demonstration of solidarity within the Irish music community.
Background
The controversy that led to the departures began at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5, 2026, when rapper Macklemore performed his song "Hind's Hall" and made pro-Palestinian statements from the stage. The performances drew immediate condemnation from pro-Israel groups and prompted a campaign to have Macklemore removed from the tour. Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, confirmed that he and other venue owners had issued an ultimatum to the tour's promoter, Messina Touring Group: remove Macklemore or lose access to their venues.
On September 14, Macklemore announced he had been dropped from the tour. Ed Sheeran subsequently clarified that the decision had been made by the promoters rather than by him personally, and that he wished to keep his concerts a space of "safety and sanctuary" free from political controversy. The statement satisfied few, and within twenty-four hours, multiple supporting acts had announced their departures.
Beoga, the Antrim-based folk band who have collaborated with Sheeran on tracks including "Galway Girl" and "Nancy Mulligan," were among the first to go. The band, founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, said they valued their decade-long friendship with Sheeran but could not continue performing in an environment that silenced advocacy for Palestinian rights. Aaron Rowe followed, stating that as an Irish person he was acutely sensitive to themes of "genocide, forced famine and violent occupation."
Key Developments
The response in Ireland has been overwhelmingly positive. Both Rowe and Beoga have seen significant increases in streaming numbers and social media followings since their departures were announced. Classic Hits Radio dropped Ed Sheeran from its playlist in solidarity, a decision that generated considerable discussion about the responsibilities of Irish broadcasters in moments of political controversy.
The most tangible expression of industry solidarity came when The Script offered Rowe a support slot on their upcoming tour. The offer, which Rowe accepted, was widely interpreted as a statement by one of Ireland's most commercially successful acts that the music community stood behind those who had sacrificed significant earnings to act on their principles. Rowe had been set to earn a substantial sum from the remaining North American dates.
Macklemore, for his part, pledged his one million dollar net tour earnings to Palestinian relief organisations and challenged Kraft to match the donation. Kraft responded by noting that Sheeran had already contacted him to coordinate a two million dollar donation to humanitarian aid in the region.
Why It Matters
The episode has crystallised a debate within the Irish music industry about the relationship between commercial success and political conscience. Ireland's historical experience of colonialism and famine has long made its artists particularly attuned to questions of occupation and dispossession, and the decisions by Rowe and Beoga drew on a tradition of Irish artistic activism that stretches back generations. What is notable about this moment is the speed with which the Irish public rallied behind the departing acts — not merely as a political statement but as an expression of cultural identity. The offer from The Script suggests that the commercial consequences of principled action may be less severe than feared, and that the Irish music industry is prepared to absorb and support those who act on conscience.
Local Impact
For Beoga, whose members hail from County Antrim, the episode has brought renewed attention to a band that has long been celebrated within traditional music circles but has sometimes struggled for mainstream recognition outside of their association with Sheeran. In their home county, the response has been one of considerable pride. Rowe, who grew up in Dublin, has similarly found that his decision has resonated deeply with younger Irish music fans who have been engaged with the situation in Gaza. Both acts are expected to announce Irish tour dates in the coming months.
What's Next
Aaron Rowe will join The Script on their upcoming tour, with dates to be confirmed in the coming weeks. Beoga are expected to announce a series of Irish and European dates before the end of 2026. The broader debate about the responsibilities of artists and promoters in politically charged environments is likely to continue, with several industry bodies indicating they intend to develop clearer guidelines on the issue.
