Guitar Center Addresses ‘Not Legitimate’ Entries in Ed Sheeran Contest

Guitar Center has been caught in the growing fallout surrounding Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran‘s tour following the Seattle rapper’s statements onstage in support of Palestinians amid Israel’s war in Gaza.

The company’s “Open for Legends” contest launched on Monday, Sept. 14 — which happened to be the same day Macklemore was removed from The Loop Tour. The competition is open to anyone over 18 with a valid U.S. passport and experience performing in front of a live audience. Per the website, it’s a “brand-new competition series elevating undiscovered musicians to a global platform” with the opportunity to open for Sheeran on his stop in Mexico City on Dec. 11.

Contest organizers will have their hands full, however. Entertainment Weekly previously reported that the current iteration of the contest’s website has no way of confirming whether or not a video contains a musician who genuinely wants to compete — many of the videos uploaded have reportedly been memes and non-musical videos showing support for Palestine and criticism for Sheeran.

On Thursday, Guitar Center addressed the debacle in a statement to Rolling Stone and said the “Open for Legends’ competition series was developed months prior to the controversy. “As with any open submission process, we received entries that were not legitimate applications to participate in the program,” said the company. “Those submissions will not be considered so that the opportunity can remain focused on musicians who are seeking to showcase their talent. We’re continuing to review and manage the program in accordance with its intended purpose and look forward to recognizing and supporting talented musicians through the initiative.”

Following Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s trek, supporting acts on The Loop Tour withdrew from the roster including Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe.  “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas wrote on Instagram. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.” 

With Sheeran currently left without opening acts, it looks like he’ll need the assist from the contest winner — assuming Guitar Center can sift through all the memes in time.