Full Breakdown
Ed Sheeran’s “Open for Legends” Contest Caught in Tour-Lineup Fallout
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
In early September 2024, rapper Macklemore used his opening slot on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to chant “Free Palestine.” Venue owners and the Israeli-American Council pressured the promoter, leading to Macklemore’s removal from the remaining U.S. dates—a decision Sheeran said was made by the promoter. Following the removal, Sheeran’s backing band Beoga and other support acts (Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe) withdrew in solidarity.
Guitar Center launched its “Open for Legends” competition, offering an undiscovered musician the chance to open for Sheeran in Mexico City on December 11, 2026. The contest’s timing sparked speculation that it was a reaction to the tour’s upheaval, though Guitar Center maintains the promotion was planned months earlier.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 19 | Guitar Center announced the campaign. |
| September 4 | Macklemore delivered a two-minute “Free Palestine” speech at MetLife Stadium. |
| September 14 | Contest launched; Macklemore’s removal announced. |
| September 16 | Contest page flooded with memes and political videos. |
| October 7–21 | Conflicting reports on entry deadline. |
| December 11, 2026 | Winner will open for Sheeran in Mexico City. |
Contest Details & Data
- Eligibility: >= 18 years, U.S. passport, live-performance experience, original song (or rights-owned music). Bands may have up to five members.
- Submission limits: Audition videos <= 5 minutes.
- Prize package (per NBC DFW): $15,000 cash, $2,000 Guitar Center gift card, travel accommodations for the Mexico City performance.
- Deadlines: Reported deadlines vary between October 7, October 8 (UTC), and October 21, creating uncertainty for participants.
Official Statements & Responses
- Finneas announced his withdrawal, citing the need to protect artists who speak up for the oppressed.
Criticism & Opposition
Finneas’s Instagram post read: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.” The statement underscores backlash against Sheeran’s handling of the Macklemore removal and the perception that the contest was used to replace withdrawn openers without addressing the underlying dispute.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Submission deadline: Sources differ—NBC DFW and Guitar World cite October 21, while Tribune lists October 8 UTC and other outlets mention October 7. The contest’s website has been updated multiple times, but a single, definitive deadline has not been confirmed.
- Moderation of entries: Entertainment Weekly reported non-musical and meme-laden videos appeared on the public feed before removal; Guitar Center confirmed removal of “non-legitimate” submissions but did not specify volume or criteria.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” — Finneas
- “As with any open submission process, we received entries that were not legitimate applications to participate in the program,” — Guitar Center spokesperson
- “After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting,” — Ed Sheeran
What’s Next
The contest remains open, with the winner slated to perform on December 11, 2026 in Mexico City. Guitar Center continues to review submissions, promising to select a “legitimate” musical act. Sheeran’s Loop Tour proceeds without its original opening lineup, and the debate over artist activism and venue pressure shows no sign of abating.
