Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Isaac Slade Joins Ed Sheeran’s Atlanta Tour Amid Macklemore Fallout
Isaac Slade, who used to sing for The Fray, opened for Ed Sheeran in Atlanta.
He performed some of the band’s best-known songs.
Slade also spoke about the Gaza conflict and said people with different views should try to find common ground.
His appearance came while Sheeran’s tour was facing changes to its US lineup.
Macklemore had been removed from the tour in September after making pro-Palestinian comments at a concert in New Jersey.
Several other performers then left the remaining US dates.
They said they were leaving to support Macklemore.
Former The Fray frontman Isaac Slade performed as a surprise opening act at Ed Sheeran’s Atlanta concert on October 3.
Slade played The Fray songs including “How to Save a Life” and “You Found Me.”
During his set, Slade called for people with differing views on the Gaza conflict to find a space for coexistence.
Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s Loop Tour in September after pro-Palestinian comments at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and members of Beoga withdrew from remaining US dates in solidarity with Macklemore.
- Who
- Isaac Slade performed as a surprise opening act for Ed Sheeran.
- What
- Slade played songs by The Fray and spoke about finding common ground over the Gaza conflict.
- When
- October 3; Macklemore was dropped from the tour in September.
- Where
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Why
- Slade’s appearance came amid changes to Sheeran’s US tour lineup following Macklemore’s removal.
Support for Macklemore
Tour lineup decision
Artists leaving the tour
Support for Macklemore
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and members of Beoga said they were withdrawing from the remaining US dates in solidarity with Macklemore.
Tour lineup decision
Macklemore was dropped from the Loop Tour after making pro-Palestinian comments during performances at MetLife Stadium; the article does not state the tour’s rationale beyond the timing and context.
Gaza conflict
Support for Macklemore
Slade acknowledged that people have taken different positions on the conflict and encouraged them to seek a middle ground.
Tour lineup decision
The article does not provide a contrasting position from another speaker; it reports that Slade called for opposing perspectives to coexist.
- Concert
- Ed Sheeran’s Atlanta show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Concert date
- October 3
- Surprise opening act
- Isaac Slade, former frontman and co-founder of The Fray
- Songs mentioned
- “How to Save a Life” and “You Found Me”
- Macklemore’s removal
- He was dropped from the Loop Tour in September after pro-Palestinian comments at MetLife Stadium.
- Other departures
- Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and members of Beoga withdrew from the remaining US dates.
- Stated reason for departures
- The artists said they were leaving in solidarity with Macklemore.