Kid Rock is stepping in to support Ed Sheeran with a seven-concert tour across the United States after a wave of controversy surrounding Sheeran’s decision to keep politics out of his performances.
The country music star contacted Sheeran after several opening acts and members of his house band turned away from the tour, telling the singer that he wasn’t going to leave him on his own while the situation continued to unfold.
“I told Ed that he is not alone,” Kid Rock said. “He came to play music, not to make political speeches. That’s enough for me.”
Kid Rock said he believes performers should be able to decide what kind of atmosphere they want at their own concerts. In Sheeran’s case, that means keeping the focus on his songs rather than turning every show into a debate over politics.
The two musicians will now join forces for seven concerts at major venues around the country, including a scheduled stop at Gillette Stadium.
Sheeran expressed his appreciation for Kid Rock and the other artists who have shown support during the controversy.
“I am used to playing with great musicians, but this is something else,” Sheeran said. “Having musicians such as Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen and Hank Williams Jr. backing me means a lot.”
The announcement comes at a difficult moment for Sheeran’s tour. Several musicians who were expected to perform alongside him have pulled out, creating questions about who would fill the empty spots and whether the remaining concerts would go ahead as planned.
Kid Rock said he wasn’t worried about the criticism that could come from joining Sheeran.
“Sometimes you have to stand up for your friends,” he said. “Ed didn’t ask anybody to agree with him on everything. He just wants to play his music. I respect that.”
Sheeran has also thanked fans who have continued to attend his shows despite the controversy surrounding the tour.
“I’ve always wanted my concerts to be a place where people can come together,” Sheeran said. “People don’t have to agree on everything to enjoy music together. That has always been important to me.”
The addition of Kid Rock could give the tour a completely different energy, with the two performers bringing very different musical styles to the same seven-show lineup.
Kid Rock said the partnership is not complicated from his perspective.
“I’ve got a guitar, Ed’s got a guitar, and we’ve got seven shows to play,” he said. “That’s what matters to me.”
He also praised Sheeran for refusing to let the controversy completely derail his tour.
“You can’t make everybody happy,” Kid Rock said. “At some point, you’ve got to stay true to what you believe your show should be about.”
The seven-concert run will give fans across the country a chance to see Sheeran and Kid Rock share the stage, with Gillette Stadium among the scheduled stops.
After weeks of controversy and changes to the touring lineup, Sheeran now has another familiar voice in his corner.
And Kid Rock says he’s ready to turn the page the only way he knows how.
“Let’s stop talking about it and start playing music,” he said. “That’s why we’re here.”
