Ed Sheeran signs Isaac Slade and American Idol's Brooks Rosser as new openers after Macklemore Gaza row gutted his tour

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026 · last updated 10 October 2026.

Isaac Slade, former frontman of The Fray, and American Idol season 24 contestant Brooks Rosser have stepped in to support Ed Sheeran on his Loop Tour after the Gaza controversy left it stripped of acts. Slade will appear at four US dates — Indianapolis, Charlotte, Arlington and Tampa — while Rosser makes his post-Idol debut at the Indianapolis show today. Macklemore was dropped last month after a 'Free Palestine' outburst at a New Jersey show, and every other original support act then walked out.

Stadium owner Robert Kraft threatened to bar Sheeran from Gillette Stadium if Macklemore remained on the tour.

Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Finneas and backing band Beoga all withdrew from the remaining dates amid the fallout.

Macklemore has since launched a FREE PALESTINE tour, including a sold-out date at Dublin's 3Arena later this month.