Ed Sheeran brings in The Fray's Isaac Slade as surprise opener after tour support acts quit

Key points

• All support acts (Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Beoga) quit the tour in solidarity with Macklemore after his removal.
• Macklemore was dropped after shouting 'Free Palestine' and performing 'Hind's Hall' at New Jersey shows, prompting venue pressure from owner Robert Kraft.
• Isaac Slade of The Fray performed an abbreviated set at the Atlanta show, including 'How to Save a Life' and 'You Found Me'.
• Slade used the stage to advocate for 'common ground' and peace, stating that peace is not a 'blank canvas'.
• Sheeran apologized at a September 19 show, calling the situation a 'complex issue' and vowing to continue the tour for his fans.
• The US leg of the Loop Tour is scheduled to conclude on November 7 in Tampa.

Background

The controversy began in September 2026 when Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks at two New Jersey concerts. This led to a chain reaction where all remaining support acts quit the tour in solidarity. Sheeran faced criticism for his handling of the situation and his decision to continue the tour without the support acts, leading to a public apology and a shift to solo performances for the remainder of the US leg.

How outlets are covering it

The Independent and Page Six highlight the logistical and political fallout, noting that Sheeran has been performing without support acts since the Macklemore saga. Page Six provides specific details on Isaac Slade's performance in Atlanta, including his songs and his onstage speech about finding 'common ground' in the Israel-Gaza conflict. Us Weekly focuses on Sheeran's apology, quoting his statements about 'making mistakes' and the importance of his music as a 'safe space' for fans. The outlets agree that the tour is continuing despite the controversy, but differ in emphasis: Page Six focuses on the new guest and the political message, while Us Weekly focuses on Sheeran's personal apology and commitment to the fans.

Why it matters

The situation highlights the increasing intersection of music, politics, and free speech in the entertainment industry. It demonstrates how a single artist's political stance can disrupt a major tour and force other artists to take sides, affecting their careers and the experiences of fans. It also shows the power of venue owners and promoters to influence artist lineups and the resulting public backlash.

What to watch

Ed Sheeran will continue his Loop Tour without traditional opening acts until the US leg concludes on November 7 in Tampa. He will then travel to Latin America, ending the tour on December 11 in Mexico City. The fallout from the Macklemore controversy may continue to affect fan attendance and public perception of the tour.