Guitar Center launches contest after Sheeran openers withdraw
Guitar Center launches contest after Sheeran openers withdraw
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Key Points
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Ed Sheeran said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” while emphasizing that Macklemore’s removal from the tour was the promoter’s decision rather than his own.
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After leaving the tour, Macklemore said he would donate his $1 million in show earnings to organizations supporting Palestinians and challenged Robert Kraft to match the contribution. Kraft said Sheeran had asked him to commit $2 million toward humanitarian relief, but did not confirm that he had made the donation or identify recipients.
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Sheeran’s Irish folk backing band, Beoga, said it was withdrawing in response to “the silencing of Macklemore,” adding a further political dimension to the mass departures from the tour.
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The contest’s audition process includes a five-minute performance limit; bands may have no more than five members, and submitted audition tapes can be viewed and voted on through Guitar Center’s website.
Guitar Center is offering independent musicians a chance to open for Ed Sheeran at his December 11 Loop Tour concert in Mexico City through its "Open for Legends" contest. The competition has drawn renewed attention after Rolling Stone reported that the band backing Sheeran, along with other support acts, withdrew from the tour in response to Rolling Stone's coverage of Macklemore's removal for a pro-Palestinian speech.
The contest winner will receive the opening slot, $15,000, a $2,000 Guitar Center gift card, and all travel and lodging expenses paid. Musicians must submit an original song by October 7, prove U.S. residency, show prior live-performance experience, and have a valid passport.
Macklemore's Removal Sparked Tour Controversy
Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran's Loop Tour after delivering a pro-Palestinian speech at a concert. Ed Sheeran stated he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine," but emphasized that the promoter, not him, made the decision to remove Macklemore Rolling Stone.
After leaving the tour, Macklemore announced he would donate his $1 million in show earnings to Palestinian support organizations. He challenged Robert Kraft to match the contribution, though Kraft said Sheeran had asked him to commit $2 million to humanitarian relief without confirming the donation Rolling Stone.
Band Exits Over "Silencing" of Macklemore
Sheeran's Irish folk backing band, Beoga, withdrew from the tour in response to what they called "the silencing of Macklemore." Their departure added a political dimension to the mass exodus of performers from the Loop Tour Rolling Stone.
The band's withdrawal marked the second major act to leave the tour following Macklemore's removal, intensifying scrutiny around Sheeran's handling of the political situation Rolling Stone.
Guitar Center Screens Out Protest Submissions
Guitar Center received numerous entries that were not musical performances. Headtopics reported that the retailer rejected pro-Palestine protest submissions, calling them ineligible and citing a surge in non-musical videos expressing political support.
The contest requires a five-minute performance limit. Bands cannot exceed five members, and submitted audition videos can be viewed and voted on through Guitar Center's website Rolling Stone.
A Contest Amid Broader Tour Crisis
The "Open for Legends" contest launched before the Macklemore controversy but has taken on new significance as Sheeran scrambles to fill the opening slot. The competition represents Guitar Center's attempt to turn a public relations crisis into an opportunity for emerging musicians Rolling Stone.
With multiple performers now departed from the tour, the Mexico City show on December 11 will look dramatically different than originally planned. The winner of Guitar Center's contest will now play a much higher-profile role in what has become one of the year's most controversial concert tours Rolling Stone.
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