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All Support Acts on Ed Sheeran’s US Tour Quit After Macklemore Dropped

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Ed Sheeran’s North American Loop Tour has lost all of its remaining scheduled supporting acts after rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour following pro-Palestinian comments he made during performances in New Jersey.

The departures involve Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Irish folk group Beoga, with the artists citing concerns about artistic expression and solidarity with Macklemore.

Ed Sheeran Tickets - Concert Tour Dates - AXS AU

Ed Sheeran Tickets – Concert Tour Dates – AXS AU

Macklemore removed from remaining dates

Macklemore was scheduled to appear on several of Sheeran’s remaining US stadium dates. During Sheeran’s September shows at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, he made comments supporting Palestinians, including a call to “Free Palestine”, while performing his protest song Hind’s Hall.

The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, subsequently announced that Macklemore would not perform the remaining support dates.

The promoter said venues on upcoming dates had indicated they would not host concerts with Macklemore on the bill, creating the possibility that shows could be cancelled.

New Macklemore Single 'Growing Up (Sloane's Song)' Entrenches Old Camps

New Macklemore Single ‘Growing Up (Sloane’s Song)’ Entrenches Old Camps

Sheeran says the decision was not his

Sheeran subsequently addressed the controversy, saying that removing Macklemore was the promoter’s decision rather than his own.

He said venues had communicated that they would withdraw their shows if Macklemore remained on the bill and that he had spoken with venues and other parties in an attempt to find a solution.

Sheeran also said he did not want to turn his concerts into a public political debate and emphasized his concern for fans, touring staff and musicians whose livelihoods depend on the shows.

First look at Ed Sheeran’s new Loop Tour stage in Auckland

First look at Ed Sheeran’s new Loop Tour stage in Auckland

Four supporting acts leave

Following Macklemore’s removal, the remaining support artists announced their departures.

Artist Role on tour Development
Finneas Supporting performer Withdrew from the tour
Lukas Graham Supporting act/replacement Withdrew
Aaron Rowe Supporting act/replacement Withdrew
Beoga Sheeran’s touring band Withdrew

Finneas said artists should not be silenced when speaking about people they believe are being oppressed. Beoga, meanwhile, had been performing alongside Sheeran during his shows.

Dispute involving Robert Kraft

Macklemore has said that billionaire businessman Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, played a role in efforts to prevent him from appearing at some of the remaining shows.

Kraft has defended his opposition to Macklemore’s continued participation, citing what he described as the rapper’s broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Those characterizations are disputed, and Macklemore has framed his comments as criticism of Israeli government policies and support for Palestinians rather than hostility toward Jewish people.

The promoter’s public explanation has focused on the positions taken by venues and the potential effect on the wider tour rather than attributing the decision solely to one venue owner.

Macklemore pledges tour earnings to Palestinian aid

The controversy has continued beyond the tour itself. Macklemore has said he intends to donate approximately $1 million in net earnings from his time on the Loop Tour to organizations providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.

He has also challenged Kraft to match the donation.

What happens to Sheeran’s tour?

The Loop Tour is scheduled to continue despite the departures. The immediate change is that Sheeran no longer has the group of support acts originally planned for the remaining dates.

The episode has also opened a broader debate within the music industry over the boundaries between concert entertainment, political expression and the commercial interests of artists, promoters and stadium operators.

The facts surrounding the dispute are relatively clear — Macklemore was removed, the other supporting acts subsequently withdrew, and Sheeran says the removal was made by the promoter. The competing explanations for why the decision was ultimately made remain contested.

Independent assessment

The incident illustrates how political statements made from a major concert stage can have consequences extending beyond an individual performer. It also raises questions about who ultimately controls the content of large commercial tours when artists, promoters and venue operators hold different positions.

The departures by the other artists make the dispute unusual because the consequences have extended across almost the entire remaining support lineup, rather than being limited to Macklemore’s own performances.

Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, The Guardian, ITV News, Variety and Al Jazeera.

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Kofi Adjorlolo Explains Why He Won’t Feature in LilWin’s ‘A Journey to Africa (Nzulezu)’

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Veteran Ghanaian actor Kofi Adjorlolo has explained why he will not appear in LilWin’s upcoming movie, A Journey to Africa (Nzulezu), citing health challenges as the reason for his absence.

Adjorlolo disclosed that he had been approached to feature in the production but was still recovering from an illness after returning from Nigeria, where he had been working on another film project.

Speaking in an interview with Max TV, the actor said he informed LilWin and his production team about his health condition, stressing that his decision not to participate had nothing to do with any disagreement between them.

He explained that he maintained a cordial relationship with LilWin and had supported several of the filmmaker’s previous productions without turning down opportunities to work with him.

According to Adjorlolo, there is no misunderstanding between the two, adding that his inability to join the upcoming movie was solely due to his health.

Beyond clarifying his absence, the veteran actor also shared his concerns about the challenges facing Ghana’s film industry, calling for increased investment to improve the quality of local productions.

He argued that filmmakers need adequate financial support to produce high-quality movies capable of competing with productions from other countries and helping the Ghanaian film industry grow.

LilWin’s A Journey to Africa (Nzulezu) features a blend of Ghanaian and Nigerian actors, including Nollywood stars Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwor, Mike Ezuruonye, Charles Awurum, Zubby Michael and Destiny Etiko.

The project forms part of LilWin’s efforts to bring actors and other talents from across the African film industry together to create a production that showcases the continent’s cinematic talent.

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I wasn"t well; that"s why I didn"t feature in Lil Win"s upcoming movie even though I was contacted – Kofi Adjorlolo #MaxTV #MaxOnline #LilWin #MaxEntertainment #Ghana #Nigeria

♬ original sound - MaxTV_GH - MaxTV_GH

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Beating Your Wife Doesn’t Make You a Hero – Pete Edochie Condemns Domestic Violence

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Veteran Nigerian actor Pete Edochie has condemned men who physically abuse their wives, insisting that violence against women is not a sign of strength or heroism.

Speaking in an interview with Joy Prime TV, the Nollywood actor said disagreements between couples should be resolved through communication and mutual understanding rather than physical force.

According to Edochie, no marital challenge justifies a man raising his hand against his wife. He stressed that beating a woman does not make a man courageous or command respect.

“If you beat your wife, you’re not a hero. There is no point striking a woman, for God’s sake. It doesn’t make you a hero. There is nothing respectful about it, and that does not demonstrate strength in any way,” he said.

Edochie shared his experience of marriage, noting that no one had ever had to intervene in his home over allegations of physical abuse against his wife.

“I have been married for 57 years, and nobody has ever come into my house to say, ‘Oh, Pete, please stop beating this woman,’” he stated.

The actor explained that misunderstandings are inevitable in relationships, but couples should find peaceful ways to settle their differences instead of resorting to violence.

He emphasised that controlling one’s temper and handling disagreements maturely are more important than using physical aggression to assert authority in a relationship.

Beyond domestic violence, Edochie also criticised the tendency of some Africans to imitate Western lifestyles, particularly in matters concerning marriage and relationships.

He argued that African societies should appreciate their own cultural values and traditions rather than automatically adopting practices from Western countries.

“It’s not everything that the white man does that we must try to emulate,” he said.

Edochie also compared the longevity of some African marriages with relationships involving Western public figures, arguing that African couples have demonstrated that marriages can endure despite challenges.

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Fancy Gadam Moves Gadam Nation Concert From Legon to Bukom

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Northern Ghanaian music star Fancy Gadam has announced a change of venue for this year’s Gadam Nation Concert, moving the event from the Legon Sports Stadium to the Bukom Boxing Arena.

The announcement was made by the 5M Music team, which is organising the concert.

According to the organisers, the decision followed challenges associated with the cost of organising the event, production requirements and other arrangements at the Legon venue.

The concert will now return to the Bukom Boxing Arena, a venue that has hosted previous editions of the event.

The organisers apologised to fans who had anticipated attending the concert at Legon but stressed that the relocation was temporary and did not mean the plans to expand the event had been abandoned.

They said they remained committed to taking the Gadam Nation Concert to the Legon Sports Stadium in 2027.

Fancy Gadam has built a strong following, particularly in northern Ghana, where his music and performances have helped him maintain a prominent position in the regional entertainment scene.

The Gadam Nation Concert is an important platform for connecting the musician with his supporters, and the venue change is likely to be relevant to fans making travel and attendance arrangements.

Patrons should follow official announcements from Fancy Gadam and the organising team for confirmed dates, ticketing information and any further changes.

 

 

Source: Adomonline

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“Couples Must Put in Effort” — Stephanie Benson Shares Relationship Advice

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Ghanaian-British singer Stephanie Benson has encouraged couples to make deliberate efforts to keep their relationships exciting, arguing that romance requires attention and participation from both partners.

In comments reported on October 8, the singer offered advice on ways couples can strengthen their relationships and prevent them from becoming routine.

Her message centred on the idea that partners should not assume affection and intimacy will remain strong without effort. Instead, she encouraged couples to be intentional about how they treat each other and maintain their connection.

The advice included the suggestion that partners may sometimes need to make an effort even when they are not naturally in the mood, as part of keeping a relationship engaging.

The comments have the potential to spark debate about the difference between making an effort in a relationship and feeling pressured to behave in a way that does not reflect one’s emotions.

Healthy relationships require communication, mutual respect and consent. Effort should be shared by both partners rather than becoming the responsibility of only one person.

Benson is known for speaking openly about relationships and personal experiences, alongside her career as a singer. Her public comments on romance often prompt discussion among audiences with different views about marriage and long-term partnerships.

 

Source: Adomonline

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Stonebwoy Pays Courtesy Call on British High Commissioner After London Festival

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Ghanaian dancehall star Stonebwoy and members of his Burniton Music Group team have paid a courtesy call on the British High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Dr Christian Rogg, following the successful debut of BHIM FEST London 2026.

In a post shared on X, the visit follows the staging of the festival in London, marking a new milestone in Stonebwoy’s efforts to expand his musical reach and strengthen his international presence.

Stonebwoy, born Livingstone Etse Satekla, has consistently used his music and live performances to promote Ghanaian culture to audiences beyond the country.

The meeting with Dr Rogg comes as the artiste and his team reflect on the London festival and its significance for the continued growth of the BHIM brand internationally.

BHIM FEST has become an important platform for celebrating Stonebwoy’s music and connecting with his fan base, while also providing opportunities to showcase Ghanaian music and culture to international audiences.

The debut London edition represents another step in the expansion of the festival beyond Ghana.

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