Isaac Slade joins Ed Sheeran's North American tour as new opening act

Isaac Slade, former frontman of The Fray, has become the main support act on Ed Sheeran's North American “LOOP” tour, according to Consequence. He first appeared as a surprise opener in Atlanta and has since confirmed that he will play the upcoming dates in Indianapolis, Charlotte, Arlington and Tampa.

Slade steps in for the acts who left the tour. Macklemore was dropped after several stadium operators, led by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, objected to his on-stage remarks in support of Palestine and threatened to block him from performing. In response, the other announced openers, FINNEAS, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, along with Sheeran's live backing band Beoga, withdrew from the tour.

In Atlanta, Slade briefly addressed the dispute. He said he respects Macklemore for raising his voice for the innocent lives being lost, and Sheeran for making the shows welcoming to everyone regardless of belief. He called for “common ground” and described peace as something other than the absence of conflict.

Ed Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter born in 1991, with eight studio albums; the newest, “Play”, came out on 12 September 2025. The row has drawn reactions from other artists: mbuzz reported on Lorde posting a photo in a “Free Palestine” jacket and on Zach Bryan wearing a shirt with the same message at Gillette Stadium. Macklemore said the Dublin, Paris and London dates of his Free Palestine Tour sold out, according to Rolling Stone and Billboard.