British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has announced replacement opening acts for his remaining U.S. Loop Tour dates. The lineup changes follow a tour fallout sparked by the removal of rapper Macklemore and subsequent departures by several original supporting performers.
Isaac Slade, the former frontman of alternative rock band The Fray, and Brooks Rosser, a finalist from the 24th season of American Idol, have joined the bill for the remaining domestic stadium performances. Slade will support Sheeran at four major stadium concerts, while Rosser has confirmed his appearance for the Indianapolis show.
New Supporting Lineup for Remaining U.S. Dates
Slade officially joins the Loop Tour following a surprise guest appearance at Sheeran’s October 3 concert in Atlanta. According to announcements shared via social media, Slade’s scheduled appearances include:
- Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 10
- Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 17
- AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on October 24
- Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on November 7
Brooks Rosser will join Slade for the Indianapolis concert at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 10, marking his first live performance since competing on American Idol. Rosser expressed his gratitude on Instagram, writing that he is “beyond excited and grateful” to open for Sheeran at the venue. Rosser has not yet announced additional tour dates.
Meanwhile, Sheeran’s performances on October 29 and October 30 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, currently list no opening acts.
Background on the Loop Tour Controversy
The overhaul of the tour’s opening acts follows industry and public scrutiny surrounding rapper Macklemore. Macklemore was removed from the tour following pro-Palestinian remarks made during his September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he wore a kaffiyeh and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
Venues and promoters exerted pressure to drop the rapper. New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft confirmed his involvement in contacting Sheeran to state Macklemore would not be permitted to perform at his venue. Messina Touring Group, the promoter for the U.S. leg, faced similar ultimatums from multiple locations.
Sheeran stated publicly that removing Macklemore was ultimately the decision of the promoters and venues, rather than his own. In the wake of the decision, several other supporting acts-including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Sheeran’s backing band Beoga-pulled out of the remaining dates in solidarity.
Despite the disruption, Sheeran’s U.S. stadium run continues with Slade and Rosser filling out the remaining schedule before the tour transitions to its upcoming international legs.
