Ed Sheeran Names New Loop Tour Openers After Macklemore Exit

Ed Sheeran has appointed new opening performers for the remaining North American dates of his Loop Tour after a dispute over rapper Macklemore's pro-Palestinian remarks led to multiple artists withdrawing. Isaac Slade, the former frontman of The Fray, will perform at four stadium shows, beginning October 10, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, while American Idol finalist Brooks Rosser will join him for that concert.

According to announcements reported by the IndyStar and Yahoo on October 9, Slade's scheduled appearances also include October 17 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, October 24 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and November 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Sheeran's October 29 and October 30 performances at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, have no opening acts announced.

Slade, 45, founded The Fray and performed with the alternative rock band from its formation in 2002 until his departure in 2022. The group is known for songs including "How to Save a Life" and "Over My Head (Cable Car)." Slade first appeared as a guest opener during Sheeran's October 3 performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

In a statement from the Atlanta stage reported by Billboard, Slade addressed divisions surrounding the conflict in the Middle East.

"Everybody seems to be taking sides in this world and that's good," Slade said. "What's happening over there [in Gaza] is wrong but if we're going to get through it, we're going to need people to step into that middle place, that common ground."

Rosser, 23, reached the top seven during season 24 of "American Idol." He announced that the Indianapolis performance would be his first concert since appearing on the television competition.

"my first show since American Idol, and it's at Lucas Oil Stadium opening for @teddysphotos," Rosser wrote on Instagram. "I'm beyond excited and grateful. See you Saturday!"

Slade also confirmed his tour appearances through Instagram, writing, "See you out there," alongside his announcement of the four dates.

The lineup changes followed Macklemore's removal after his September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During that show, the rapper wore a kaffiyeh and performed "Hind's Hall," a protest song criticizing Israel's military operations in Gaza.

Macklemore said on September 14 that Sheeran had informed him that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, had opposed his participation. According to Macklemore's account, Kraft contacted Sheeran and sought support from other stadium owners to prevent the rapper from performing at their venues.

"Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues," Macklemore wrote in his statement.

Messina Touring Group, the promoter for the U.S. leg, told Rolling Stone that several venues had threatened not to host concerts featuring Macklemore. Although Lucas Oil Stadium was identified in coverage of the dispute, the venue's owner, the Marion County Capital Improvement Board, denied participating in efforts to remove the rapper.

Executive Director Andy Mallon said the public organization had to remain "content-neutral." Addressing the report directly, Mallon stated:

"The Rolling Stone article regarding the Ed Sheeran LOOP tour lineup implied that we were part of a group of stadiums that reached out to someone to say that we didn't want a particular performer to perform," Mallon said.

"We did not do that," Mallon added.

Sheeran said in a September 15 Instagram statement that he did not make the decision to remove Macklemore and that the promoter and venues controlled the lineup. He also expressed opposition to the suffering caused by the Israel-Palestine conflict and said he wanted his concerts to provide a welcoming environment.

"The venue's and promoter's decision was final," Sheeran wrote. He also said the removal was the promoter's decision, not his own.

During a September 19 performance in Philadelphia, Sheeran addressed the conflict directly, acknowledging the October 7 attack in Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He said the Nova Music Festival attack had compounded longstanding Jewish suffering while describing conditions in Gaza as catastrophic, unjustifiable and disproportionate.

Sheeran also said he had attempted to "build a bridge" through conversations with Kraft. Kraft separately told PEOPLE that Gillette Stadium does not "provide a platform for hate speech." The two scheduled Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium were ultimately canceled because of a nor'easter.

Following his removal, Macklemore donated $1 million in tour earnings to Palestinian relief organizations and announced a three-date Free Palestine tour, which he said had "sold out immediately." Kraft also said Sheeran had asked him to match a $2 million contribution toward humanitarian aid in the region.

The controversy prompted the remaining opening performers and Sheeran's backing band to withdraw in solidarity with Macklemore, leaving the tour to rebuild its lineup for the remaining U.S. dates.