Ed Sheeran has found two new opening acts after weeks of upheaval surrounding his Loop Tour. Former The Fray frontman Isaac Slade and American Idol alum Brooks Rosser are joining the lineup. The additions come after the Macklemore fallout triggered multiple departures from Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates.
Ed Sheeran recruits Isaac Slade and Brooks Rosser as his tour’s new opening acts
According to Page Six, Slade will support Sheeran at several remaining U.S. stadium shows. The former The Fray singer had already joined him in Atlanta on Oct. 3.
Slade is now scheduled to perform in Indianapolis on Oct. 10, Charlotte on Oct. 17, Arlington on Oct. 24, and Tampa on Nov. 7. He announced the dates on social media with a simple message for fans: “See you out there.”
Meanwhile, Rosser will join the Indianapolis show at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Season 24 American Idol contestant said the appearance will mark his first performance since leaving the competition. He also expressed excitement about opening for Sheeran.
The new lineup follows a major shakeup involving Macklemore. Promoters dropped the rapper from upcoming dates after venues objected to remarks he made about Palestine during his MetLife Stadium performances. Sheeran later said promoters and venues made the final decision. His response to Macklemore’s tour exit addressed the pressure surrounding the shows.
Soon afterward, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Sheeran’s backing band Beoga left the remaining dates. The mass tour walkout forced Sheeran to rebuild parts of the live show while continuing the U.S. leg.
The controversy also spilled beyond the stage. Sheeran later said the situation left him feeling “abandoned” as several people around the tour stepped away. He addressed that difficult stretch onstage during a Philadelphia concert.
For now, Slade and Rosser give the Loop Tour a new supporting lineup. Sheeran’s U.S. stadium run concludes in Tampa on Nov. 7 before the tour continues through Latin America.
