Ed Sheeran hires Isaac Slade and Brooks Rosser as tour replacements after exodus
Isaac Slade and Brooks Rosser have joined Ed Sheeran's tour after Macklemore's removal over Gaza comments.
Ed Sheeran's tour recruited new opening acts to fill slots left vacant after a dramatic performer exodus. Isaac Slade, former lead singer of rock band The Fray, is now on the bill.
Brooks Rosser, an American Idol season 24 contestant, is also on the bill. The replacements came after Macklemore was dropped from the tour.
Macklemore faced removal over comments he made about Gaza. This triggered a chain reaction.
Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham, and the backing band Beoga all stepped down from the remaining dates. Slade is performing upcoming shows in Indianapolis, Charlotte, Arlington and Tampa.
Sheeran said at his first show after the controversy that he had made mistakes during the uproar. He described the Gaza conflict as catastrophic and unjustifiable.
Macklemore has since launched a European tour called Free Palestine. Proceeds go to Palestinian support organisations.
- Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Beoga
- Acts who departed
- American Idol season 24 contestant
- Rosser's background
Why it mattersThe controversy and departures tested Sheeran's tour stability. Filling the gaps kept shows on track. But it showed deep divisions over his handling of the political dispute.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet; the Loop Tour has no announced dates in Australia, and no opening acts have been named for South American dates.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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