At this point, Ed Sheeran’s opening-act situation has had more plot twists than some TV shows.
Now there is another one.
Isaac Slade, the former frontman of The Fray, unexpectedly opened for Sheeran in Atlanta, giving the Loop Tourits first new support act after weeks of very public departures.
And yes, we are talking about the voice behind “How to Save a Life.”
If you have been following this story, the tour’s support lineup has been falling apart for weeks.
It began when Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates following his pro-Palestinian statements onstage. After that, FINNEAS, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham all announced they would no longer continue with the tour.
Irish band Beoga, who were also scheduled to perform with Sheeran during his own set, stepped away too.
Sheeran maintained that he would not cancel the tour, saying he did not want to abandon fans who had already made travel plans or the crew and musicians whose livelihoods depended on the shows continuing.
For at least one date, the opener problem now has an answer.
Slade appeared before Sheeran’s Atlanta performance on Saturday, marking an unexpected return to a huge stage after leaving The Fray in 2022.
Whether he is sticking around is another question.
There has been no confirmation that Slade will become the permanent replacement for the remaining dates.
So yes, Ed Sheeran finally found an opener.
For one night, at least.
