Ed Sheeran contest deadline of October 7 draws irony amid Palestine tour fallout
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Ed Sheeran is holding a contest for a new opening act after his Loop Tour support roster collapsed, and the submission deadline of October 7 has already drawn sharp online criticism for its loaded timing.
The “Open for Legends” competition, run with Guitar Center, invites independent musicians to submit an original song by that date for a chance to open his December 11 show in Mexico City.
The irony is hard to miss: October 7 marks the anniversary of the Hamas operation that ignited the ‘Israeli’ assault on Gaza, a conflict that has devastated Palestinian lives and now sits at the center of the very controversy that left Sheeran scrambling for replacements.
The contest effectively became necessary after Macklemore was dropped from the remaining US dates for saying “Free Palestine” onstage at MetLife Stadium and performing his protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
Promoters cited venue objections, including pressure tied to stadium owners, while Macklemore described an ultimatum that forced his removal.
Within days, every remaining support act and Sheeran’s backing band walked away in solidarity.
Finneas stated: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”
Aaron Rowe said he could not “stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide.”
Beoga pointed to the “silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies,” and Lukas Graham joined the exodus.
Sheeran responded that the decision was the promoter’s, not his, and that he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” calling the “suffering and pain caused on both sides” a “tragedy.”
The carefully balanced language did little to stem the backlash; critics saw an artist prioritizing venues and logistics over the principle of free speech on Palestine.
Contest rules require entrants to be 18 or older with a valid US passport and prior live performance experience.
The winner receives $15,000, gear, travel and the Mexico City slot.
Yet the October 7 cutoff has overshadowed the opportunity itself, with social media users flooding the site with pro-Palestine messages and memes before many were removed.
