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Ed Sheeran has replaced his dropped opening acts for upcoming shows by signing Rosser, a contestant from this year’s American Idol who made it to the top seven, as the new opening act for his October 10 concert in Indianapolis. Singer Slade will also join as an additional support act for several of Sheeran's remaining US tour dates following controversy over Macklemore being removed due to comments about Gaza. The article details how Sheeran’s response to the Gaza conflict, including expressing regret and donating proceeds from his shows to Palestinian charities, has impacted his touring plans.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Ed Sheeran faced a backlash after Macklemore, one of his opening acts, made controversial remarks about Gaza. Following this, several support acts withdrew from Sheeran's tour, including Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and others. In response to the controversy, Sheeran signed up American Idol contestant Chris Rosser as a new opening act for an October 10 show in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, another American Idol alumnus, Michael Slade, will join as support at concerts on October 17, October 24, and November 7 in Charlotte, Arlington, and Tampa respectively. Sheeran's tour continues internationally with remaining dates scheduled in South America but no additional supporting acts have been announced for those shows yet.
Written for “Ed Sheeran New Act Controversy” on 2026-10-09,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
In the aftermath, Sheeran’s other support acts also withdrew from the remaining tour dates, including Irish vocalist Aaron Rowe, Danish singer Lukas Graham, musician Finneas and backing band Beoga.
asserted
acts → withdraw → Rowe
Rosser, who appeared as a contestant this year’s series of American Idol and made it to the top seven, will perform at the October 10 show in Indianapolis.
asserted
who → appear → Indianapolis
He wrote on Instagram: "My first show since American Idol, and it’s at Lucas Oil Stadium opening for @teddysphotos I’m beyond excited and grateful.
asserted
I → write → @teddysphotos
Slade, previously the frontman for rock band The Fray, joins as a support act for concerts in Indianapolis on October 10, Charlotte on October 17, Arlington on October 24 and Tampa on November 7.
asserted
Slade → join → November
Confirming the tour dates on Instagram, Slade added: "See you out there."
asserted
Slade → confirm → you
He also took to the stage during Sheeran’s show in Atlanta on October 3.
asserted
He → take → October
Sheeran has remaining dates in Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.
asserted
Sheeran → have → Chile
No supporting acts have been announced for these shows.
Macklemore, who was an opener on Sheeran’s tour, sparked controversy in September when he told an audience he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten amid the conflict with Israel.
asserted
they → support → Israel
A petition was launched demanding he be removed from Sheeran’s remaining shows and Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, was among those who contacted the British singer saying he would not be able to play the venue unless Macklemore was removed from the tour.
asserted
Macklemore → launch → tour
At his first gig after the row, he broke down in tears and apologised for making “mistakes” amid the furore and described the conflict in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate”.
asserted
he → break → Gaza
He has faced backlash from a slew of celebrities for choosing to continue with the tour.
asserted
He → face → tour
Macklemore has donated his one million-dollar (£747,328) tour net earnings to charities supporting Palestinian people, and challenged Kraft, who reportedly called for his removal from the tour, to do the same.
uncertain
who → donate → same
His tour will kick off in Dublin’s 3Arena on October 26 followed by a show at Paris’ Accor Arena on October 29 and wrap up at London’s Wembley Arena on October 30.
asserted
tour → kick → October
Proceeds from the concerts will go towards a number of organisations working in support of Palestinian people including medical care, humanitarian assistance, education, community support and advocacy.
asserted
Proceeds → go → care
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