Jakarta, ThedailyID — Ed Sheeran is searching for new opening acts after several supporting artists withdrew from his Loop Tour in solidarity with rapper Macklemore.
The situation prompted Sheeran’s team to launch Open for Legends, a competition with Guitar Center to find independent musicians. The initiative began on Monday, September 14, 2026.
The selected musician will perform as the opening act at Sheeran’s concert in Mexico City on December 11. However, the competition quickly faced an unexpected problem.
According to Entertainment Weekly on Wednesday, September 16, the official submission platform was flooded with online protests. Thousands of users posted memes, jokes and messages supporting Palestine.
Some posts also criticized Sheeran’s statement that he was “neutral” and had no role in the decision to remove Macklemore.
Other users uploaded clips from Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” music video. Some also posted offensive gestures and links to organizations supporting people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The online disruption followed Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour by promoter Messina Touring Group. The decision came after Macklemore shouted “Free Palestine” during his performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in early September.
The move also led several opening acts to withdraw from the tour. They included Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga, who left in support of Macklemore.
Sheeran now faces the prospect of performing without supporting artists while his team searches for replacements.
Sheeran previously addressed Macklemore’s removal and said the decision came from the venue management and promoter.
“I discussed this at length with the venue throughout the week to try to find a middle ground,” Sheeran said.
He added that Robert Kraft was among those involved in the discussions. Sheeran also said he spoke directly with the promoter and activists from both sides.
“The decision to remove Macklemore from the tour was the promoter’s decision, not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not with me,” Sheeran said.
For now, the Open for Legends competition remains open as Sheeran’s team looks for musicians willing to take the stage in Mexico City.
