Ed Sheeran found a new opening act in a familiar face. At his Saturday concert at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the English singer welcomed Isaac Slade, the former frontman of The Fray, for a short set before the main show, Billboard and USA Today reported.

Slade played The Fray hits "How to Save a Life" and "You Found Me." He also spoke about the war in Gaza. "What's happening over there is wrong, but if we're going to get through it, we're going to need people to step into that middle place, that common ground," he told the crowd, according to Billboard.

The appearance followed weeks of turmoil on Sheeran's Loop Tour. Rapper Macklemore, who had been opening U.S. shows, was removed after performing "Hind's Hall" and calling for a "Free Palestine" at Sheeran's Sept. 4 and 5 concerts at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, Billboard reported. Sheeran later said the tour's promoter made the decision after venues said the shows could not go forward with Macklemore on the bill.

After that, the other scheduled support acts, Aaron Rowe, Finneas and Lukas Graham, withdrew. Sheeran's backing band, Beoga, also left. Sheeran played his Sept. 19 show in Philadelphia without an opener and said he wanted his concerts to focus on "love, hope and unity," while acknowledging suffering in both Israel and Gaza.

Macklemore has since launched his own Free Palestine Tour, and some dates have sold out.

Slade and Sheeran have a history. Slade joined Sheeran on stage in Toronto in August to sing "How to Save a Life," and Sheeran has said he was a fan of The Fray as a teenager.

Some background: Sheeran is one of the world's top-selling artists, with hits such as "Shape of You" and "Perfect."

What we know: Slade opened in Atlanta after other acts left the tour.
What we don't: Who will open Sheeran's remaining U.S. dates.