**Isaac Slade and Brooks Rosser Join Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour Amid Controversy**
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Renowned singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has announced that Isaac Slade, known for his work with The Fray, and American Idol finalist Brooks Rosser will be joining him as opening acts for several upcoming shows on his Loop Tour across the United States. The news comes in the wake of the removal of Macklemore from the tour line-up after comments he made in support of Palestine sparked significant backlash.
Isaac Slade, who has previously fronted The Fray since its inception in 2002 until 2022, will take the stage at four of Sheeran’s shows starting on October 10 in Indianapolis. Slade revealed the news via an Instagram post, expressing his excitement about the opportunity. The additional dates where he will join Sheeran are October 17 in Charlotte, North Carolina, October 24 in Arlington, Texas, and November 7 in Tampa, Florida.
Joining Slade for the Indianapolis show will be Brooks Rosser, a 23-year-old singer who reached the top seven in the most recent season of American Idol. Rosser also shared his excitement on Instagram, marking the gig as his first performance since competing on the popular singing contest. “I’m beyond excited and grateful. See you Saturday!” exclaimed Rosser, generating buzz among his fans and followers.
The announcement follows events that led to Macklemore’s exit from the tour. On September 14, the rapper revealed that he had been informed by Sheeran that venue owner Robert Kraft would not allow him to perform due to his outspoken political views. Macklemore recalled that Kraft had rallied other stadium owners to collectively issue Sheeran an ultimatum: keep Macklemore on the tour, and he would be barred from playing at their venues. Sheeran confirmed the circumstances, noting the decision was ultimately beyond his control, with Kraft asserting that Gillette Stadium does not permit hate speech.
In light of the controversy, Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, has made headlines not just for his exit from the tour, but also for his philanthropic efforts. He donated $1 million in earnings from Sheeran’s tour to Palestinian relief organisations and initiated a brief tour titled “Free Palestine,” which quickly sold out. Kraft has since stated that Sheeran had requested him to match a donation of $2 million for humanitarian aid.
It is worth noting that both Slade and Rosser’s announcements come at a time when all of Sheeran’s opening acts and backing band withdrew from the Loop Tour, expressing solidarity with Macklemore. The dissension within the tour led to the cancellation of two scheduled performances at Gillette Stadium due to adverse weather conditions.
Isaac Slade’s earlier comments during his initial performance as an opening act for Sheeran on October 3 also drew attention. While on stage, he addressed the pervasive divisions in today’s world, particularly regarding the situation in Gaza. “Everybody seems to be taking sides in this world and that’s good,” Slade remarked, encouraging a movement towards finding common ground among differing perspectives.
As for Sheeran, his upcoming shows include additional performances at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, on October 29 and 30, which, as it stands, do not yet have announced opening acts.
As fans eagerly await the upcoming concerts, the dynamics within the music industry demonstrate the often complex relationship between artistic expression and political commentary. With Isaac Slade and Brooks Rosser stepping into their roles, the Loop Tour will continue to showcase a range of talent amidst the backdrop of ongoing discourse surrounding social and political issues.