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Guitar Center’s “Open for Legends” selects Ed Sheeran opener

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 11:07 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Guitar Center Launches Contest

Guitar Center launched the “Open for Legends” contest to select an opener for Ed Sheeran in Mexico City.
Entrants must be 18+, hold a U.S. passport, have performance experience, and submit an original song.
The winner will open Sheeran’s Dec 11, 2026 Mexico City show and receive $15,000 cash and a $2,000 gift card.
The deadline was Oct 7, later changed to Oct 8 2026 03:59 UTC, and non-musical posts were removed.

Summary

Messina Drops Macklemore

Ed Sheeran said venue owners including Patriots owner Robert Kraft forced Macklemore’s removal from the Loop tour.
Macklemore claimed the ultimatum followed his MetLife Stadium shows where he shouted “Free Palestine.”
Messina Touring Group announced dropping Macklemore after venues threatened to cancel shows.
Supporting acts Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga quit the tour in solidarity.

History

Historical Context

In July 1985, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure organized Live Aid, a Wembley–Philadelphia concert watched by an estimated 1.9 billion people. It raised about $127 million for Ethiopian famine relief, showing how large music events can drive donations and political focus. That precedent informs today’s Guitar Center “Open for Legends” contest and venue pressures faced by artists like Ed Sheeran.

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Guitar Center Launches Contest

Guitar Center launched the “Open for Legends” contest to select an opener for Ed Sheeran in Mexico City.
Entrants must be 18+, hold a U.S. passport, have performance experience, and submit an original song.
The winner will open Sheeran’s Dec 11, 2026 Mexico City show and receive $15,000 cash and a $2,000 gift card.
The deadline was Oct 7, later changed to Oct 8 2026 03:59 UTC, and non-musical posts were removed.

1 / 3