{
  "id": 11967552,
  "title": "Ed Sheeran Taps Former Fray Singer Isaac Slade as Atlanta Opener After Macklemore Dropped, Support Acts Quit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/ed-sheeran-taps-former-fray-singer-isaac-slade-as-atlanta-opener",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T16:53:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ed-sheeran-isaac-slade-fray-atlanta-opener-macklemore-1236353911/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ed Sheeran transformed his Loop Tour stop in Atlanta by bringing Isaac Slade, a former member of The Fray, to perform as a surprise opener on October 3. At Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Slade played an abbreviated set of \"How to Save a Life\" and \"You Found Me,\" addressing the conflict in Gaza and urging unity. Slade noted that while sides were taken in the world, finding common ground was essential. Following Macklemore's removal from the U.S. leg due to venue concerns, other acts like Aaron Rowe, Finneas, and Lukas Graham also withdrew, leaving Sheeran to perform his Sept. 19 Philadelphia show solo, emphasizing love, hope, and unity amidst the turmoil.",
  "summary": "Sheeran's Loop Tour visited Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 3.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ed Sheeran replaces Macklemore with Isaac Slade as Atlanta opener on Oct 3.",
    "Isaac Slade, former Fray singer, performs shortened set at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.",
    "Other acts like Aaron Rowe, Finneas, and Lukas Graham also withdraw from tour."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Rolling Stone",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran Enlists the Fray’s Former Singer Isaac Slade to Open Atlanta Show",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/ed-sheeran-enlists-the-frays-former-singer-isaac-slade-to-open",
        "published": "2026-10-04T18:37:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}