Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour gets new opening acts after Macklemore controversy

Former The Fray star Isaac Slade and American Idol contestant Brooks Rosser have joined Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour.

Sheeran lost his opening acts after US rapper Macklemore was dropped from the tour over comments he made about Gaza.

Shortly after, Sheeran’s other supporting acts, including Irish singer Aaron Rowe, musician Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother, and Danish singer Lukas Graham, as well as his backing band Beoga, dropped out of the remaining dates.

Slade, who was previously the lead singer of rock band The Fray, has joined the tour as a support act for Sheeran’s dates in Indianapolis on October 10, Charlotte on October 17, Arlington on October 24 and Tampa on November 7.

Slade shared the dates on his Instagram and wrote: “See you out there.”

He also performed at Sheeran’s show in Atlanta on October 3.

Rosser, who was a contestant on season 24 of American Idol, will also perform on the October 10 date in Indianapolis.

He wrote on Instagram: “My first show since American Idol, and it’s at Lucas Oil Stadium opening for @teddysphotos I’m beyond excited and grateful. See you Saturday!”

Sheeran has remaining dates in Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.

No supporting acts have been announced for these shows.

Macklemore, who was an opener on Sheeran’s tour, sparked controversy in September when he told an audience he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten amid the conflict with Israel.

A petition was launched demanding he be removed from Sheeran’s remaining shows and Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, was among those who contacted the British singer saying he would not be able to play the venue unless Macklemore was removed from the tour.

Sheeran said it was the promoter’s decision to remove the rapper from the tour and not his.

At his first gig after the row, he apologised for making “mistakes” amid the furore and described the conflict in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate”.

Macklemore has announced a European tour named Free Palestine, which he said “sold out immediately”.

His tour will kick off in Dublin’s 3Arena on October 26 followed by a show at Paris’ Accor Arena on October 29 and wrap up at London’s Wembley Arena on October 30.

Proceeds from the concerts will go towards a number of organisations working in support of Palestinian people including medical care, humanitarian assistance, education, community support and advocacy.