Beoga, the Irish trad band featuring County Derry pianist Liam Bradley, has confirmed it will withdraw from Ed Sheeran’s US tour in protest at the decision to drop American rapper Macklemore, who was removed from the lineup after making pro‑Palestine remarks during a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Following Macklemore’s removal from the tour, Beoga announced they would also step away, saying: “We have made the decision to depart as Ed Sheeran’s band on the remaining US Loop Tour, following the silencing of Macklemore by Zionist lobbies.”

They added: “We are a traditional Irish band who never saw ourselves playing in stadiums of that size, and that opportunity is not lost on us. We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be. We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people.”

Beoga said they were present for Macklemore’s performance and speech, and that they fully support his message.

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 23: (L-R) Damian Mckee, Niamh Dunne, Sean Og Graham, Eamon Murray and Liam Bradley of "Beoga"attend the "Songwriter" Premiere during the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 23, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

placeholder image — NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 23: (L-R) Damian Mckee, Niamh Dunne, Sean Og Graham, Eamon Murray and Liam Bradley of "Beoga"attend the "Songwriter" Premiere during the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 23, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

The Irish trad band said: “We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be.

“This whole episode is once again serving to distract from the real issue, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since the most recent so‑called ceasefire.

“Up the workers. Free Palestine.”

Beoga previously collaborated with Ed Sheeran on his hit song Galway Girl. The Sheeran hit was co-written by Snow Patrol's McDaid, who is from Derry city, and Tobermore-native Bradley, whose critically acclaimed trad outfit Beoga performed on the track.