{
  "id": 7874268,
  "title": "An Ill-Timed Guitar Center Contest: Open for Ed Sheeran",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/an-ill-timed-guitar-center-contest-open-for-ed-sheeran",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T21:24:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Consequence",
    "slug": "consequence",
    "url": "https://consequence.net/2026/09/guitar-center-contest-open-for-ed-sheeran/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ed Sheeran finds himself in a precarious situation as his tour support has suddenly vanished. Macklemore, the original opening act, made pro-Palestine statements during one of his sets, leading to a backlash and the subsequent departure of his opening acts. As the \"LOOP\" tour faces uncertainty, Guitar Center has stepped in with an unprecedented contest. The retail giant is inviting unknown artists to apply for the chance to open for Sheeran. Launched on August 19th, well before the controversy, the application page is still active. Guitar Center's initiative has already attracted attention, both serious and humorous entries flooding in to poke fun at the troubled pop star.",
  "summary": "Several individuals have already taken the opportunity to start trolling the \"Shape of You\" star, submitting both pointed and silly entries. An Ill-Timed Guitar Center Contest: Open for Ed Sheeran Jonah Krueger",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}