Guitar Center is speaking out after pro-Palestine submissions swamped its contest to pick an opener for Ed Sheeran ... and the company says those folks won't be considered.
Here's the deal ... Guitar Center's "Open for Legends" contest -- which offers one artist a spot opening for Ed in Mexico City -- was flooded with pro-Palestine submissions after going live.
The entries were initially visible on the contest page before disappearing ... and Guitar Center tells TMZ the people responsible don't have a shot at taking the stage with Ed.
The company tells us ... "As with any open submission process, we received entries that were not legitimate applications to participate in the program."
Macklemore's keeping a low profile after his controversial dismissal from Ed Sheeran's tour ... stepping out for a quiet walk in a Seattle neighborhood -- while wearing a jersey some think might be a political statement.
The rapper was photographed out with his parents on Wednesday ... a stoic expression on their faces as they chatted quietly.
Macklemore is wearing a purple Real Madrid jersey in the snaps ... an interesting wardrobe choice given the team's recent commitment to its own players who made a political stand.
Ed Sheeran's making it official ... scrubbing the names of his supporting acts from the promo material for his tour after they bailed in support of Macklemore.
The singer-songwriter has officially scrubbed Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe's names from his site ... making the change after they quit the Loop tour.
No supporting acts are listed for the remainder of his tour dates ... so it seems Ed's not replacing them yet.
Outraged fans who bought tickets to Ed Sheeran's "Loop Tour" are slamming Ticketmaster for a frustrating refund process in the wake of Macklemore's exit ... but Ticketmaster says it's not their call.
A Ticketmaster spokesperson tells TMZ ... they don't issue refunds under their policy, and Ed's touring group is the best point of contact for fans trying to get their money back.
Some fans seeking refunds are calling Lincoln Financial Field -- the stadium in Philly hosting Ed's next stop -- but they're met with an automatic voicemail instructing them to send an email.
Ed Sheeran ticket prices have steadily declined since it was announced that Macklemorewas being dropped from his tour over the rapper's pro-Palestine remarks ... new data shows.
The numbers on a chart tracking ticket prices don't lie -- since Monday, the get-in price for Ed's Philadelphia concert Saturday has dipped by 24% ... from $126 to $96.
The tour -- which has seen all of its opening acts quit following Macklemore's departure -- has had its resale prices dip down 11% across the board since Monday ... this according to TicketData.
Dolly Parton made a shocking appearance at an awards show Wednesday night ... speaking to the audience weeks after her death.
In the video, the late singer showed off her iconic charm, telling the crowd, "Well, hey, it’s Dolly. I’m honored to be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association.”
Ed Sheeran fans in Ireland had better head to Spotify if they want to listen to his tracks ... because a major radio station says he's persona non grata at the moment.
Classic Hits Radio -- a Dublin-based station with a reach into other major cities like Cork, Limerick and Galway -- confirmed it will not play Ed's songs for the "foreseeable future" after widespread backlash amid the Macklemore controversy.
Dave Kelly, the program director for Classic Hits' parent company Bay Broadcasting, told The Independent this is not meant to be a personal judgment of Ed ... but the company believes "it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions."
Jack Antonoff made light of his separation from Margaret Qualley after nearly 3 years of marriage, laughing off a fan request to perform a song about marriage ... and the exchange is on video.
The lead singer of the "Bleachers" was performing with his band onstage at the Troubadour in West Hollywood this week when the fan screamed out that he wanted to hear "Let's Get Married."
At first, Jack seems a bit confused and asks, "What did you say?" In video obtained by USA Today, the crowd, in unison, responds, "Let's Get Married!"
Barbie Ferreira admits she doesn't know much about football ... but she knows exactly who she wants performing at halftime when the Super Bowl rolls around.
We got the "Euphoria" star at LAX Wednesday and our photog asked about our report that Justin Bieber and Harry Styles are under consideration for the Super Bowl LXI halftime show.
Barbie's reaction was immediate ... saying her 2013 self would've been giddy to see either of the two pop stars on that stage.
Carmen Electra is back in the booth and working on a new song ... years after the late, great Prince mentored her in music, TMZ has learned.
Carmen recently stopped by Fab Factory Studios in North Hollywood to hop on the mic for the first time in years ... and she looked and sounded amazing.
The icon teamed up with Fab Factory President Shaun Fabos for the session, where she sang alongside her song "I Like It Loud" and listened to Prince's smash hit "Purple Rain."
Charli XCXbrought Brat Summer to the water for Playboy ... stripping down and posing topless while riding a barge down a famous waterway in the United Kingdom.
The singer-songwriter posed for the iconic magazine in a cover story published Wednesday ... putting her body on display in a hotel room -- black bra barely covering her chest -- before taking the shoot on the road. Or, more accurately, the water.
On the boat, Charli strips the top off completely ... though she tastefully covers her boobs with her hands while posing in front of notable London landmarks along the River Thames.
Drake's switching up the drip ... and it's straight out of Hot Topic ... as he takes a cue from his goth baddie.
The rapper switched up his whole look alongside Pinkchyu for the "Princess" music video, which played during his "FOMO" stream Tuesday night, and this isn't the Champagne Papi we're used to seeing.
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In the clip, Pinkchyu gives Drizzy a head-to-toe makeover ... and he comes out rocking an all-black fit complete with a spiked choker, baggy pants, and boots.
Roger Waters ripped Ed Sheeran a new one for kicking Macklemore off his tour over the singer's pro-Palestine views, going so far as to call Ed a "prick!"
The Pink Floyd legend unloaded on Ed in a video he posted on X and, in classic Roger fashion, the rocker didn't hold back one bit, kicking things off with a graphic that mockingly read, "Ed Who?"
Roger then appeared on screen and dove into his "little message" for Ed, saying there are 2 types of people in this world. First, Roger said, there are those who do the right thing, like the rapper Macklemore. Then Roger stated there are sadly others who are "pricks' like Ed, who do the wrong thing.
Ms. Rachel is slamming Ed Sheeran for kicking Macklemore off his tour as his opening act following backlash over Macklemore's pro-Palestine remarks.
The popular children's creator, who has received heat for supporting Palestine, criticized Ed in a social media post ... claiming the singer "had an opportunity to show that we won't be bullied into punishing people for supporting Palestine."
She said Ed "caved to people who refuse to accept what the world knows. A genocide is happening in Gaza."
Ms. Rachel added, "We all need to speak out against it."
Gladys Knight's son is worried her husband is going to push her so hard to keep working that it will kill her.
Shanga Hankerson told The Detroit News that William McDowell -- the R&B legend's husband and manager -- is working her too hard. The alarming comment comes after his mother announced last month she'd be cutting back on her live performances amid concerns from her fans and people on tour.
Gladys has played multiple shows recently, and her son says of her husband, "He never intended to stop any tour dates, as you can see for yourself."
Shanga then dropped the hammer ... "My belief and fear is that he intends to literally try to work her until she passes away. And you can quote me on that."
