Ed Sheeran announces new opening acts for Loop tour

Ed Sheeran has announced new opening acts for his Loop tour, including The Fray star Isaac Slade and American Idol contestant Brooks Rosser.

This comes after all of his original opening acts - including Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham and Beoga - left the tour after US rapper Macklemore was dropped over his 'Free Palestine' remarks at one of Sheeran's shows.

Slade, former lead singer of rock band The Fray, has joined the tour as a support act for Sheeran's dates in Indianapolis on October 10, Charlotte on October 17, Arlington on October 24 and Tampa on November 7.

Slade shared the dates on his Instagram and wrote: "See you out there."

 

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A post shared by Isaac Slade (@isaacslade)

He also performed at Sheeran's show in Atlanta on October 3.

Rosser, a previous contestant on season 24 of American Idol, will also perform for the October 10 date in Indianapolis.

"My first show since American Idol, and it's at Lucas Oil Stadium opening for @teddysphotos," he wrote on Instagram. "I'm beyond excited and grateful. See you Saturday!"

 

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A post shared by Brooks Rosser (@thebrooksrosser)

Sheeran has remaining dates in Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. No support acts have been announced for these shows.

Controversy first sparked in September, when Macklemore opened for Sheeran at his New Jersey show. He told the audience he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten amid the conflict with Israel.

Several stadium owners then threatened to pull the show from their venues if he was not removed from the tour. This was led by Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium and a long-time supporter of Israel and the Israeli military.

Macklemore has since announced a FREE PALESTINE tour, including a sold-out date at Dublin's 3Arena on October 26.