Isaac Slade, formerly the lead singer of the rock band The Fray, and American Idol contestant Brooks Rosser have been announced as new opening acts for Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour. These additions come after US rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour following comments he made about Gaza.
Following Macklemore's departure, several other supporting acts, including Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Danish vocalist Lukas Graham, Sheeran’s backing band Beoga, and musician Finneas, also withdrew from remaining dates.
Slade is scheduled to support Sheeran in Indianapolis on 10 October, Charlotte on 17 October, Arlington on 24 October, and Tampa on 7 November. Rosser will perform at the Indianapolis show on 10 October. Sheeran still has upcoming tour dates in Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, for which no supporting acts have yet been announced.
Macklemore's removal from the tour in September followed a petition and contact from Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium. Sheeran stated that the decision to remove the rapper was made by the promoter. Macklemore has since announced a sold-out European tour named Free Palestine, with proceeds going to organisations supporting Palestinian people.