Music

Ed Sheeran is ready to perform Saturday night's Philadelphia concert solo if needed, now that Macklemore, the rest of his openers and his backup band are out ... TMZ has learned.

Music industry sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... plans for the concert have been changing hour by hour behind the scenes as everyone works out the logistics. But we're told there's no concern about Ed taking the stage by himself if it comes to that.

Our sources point out Ed has historically performed in large-scale venues with nothing more than a guitar ... and has successfully carried two-hour stadium shows without a backup band.

Hip-hop producer Tay Keith's death didn't make his bills disappear ... his estate is now being hit with nearly $200,000 in claims from creditors.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, American Express National Bank filed two separate claims against the late producer's estate this week ... seeking roughly $60K on a Business Platinum account and another $27K on a Platinum account.

And AmEx isn't the only company looking to get paid ... Bank of America filed a claim in connection with Tay's 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS, saying his estate owes the financial institution about $115K.

A$AP Rocky turned his Copenhagen concert into a family affair ... bringing Rihanna and their son Riot onstage in the middle of his set.

The surprise cameo went down Friday at Royal Arena, where Rocky was performing "Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2" during the European leg of his "Don't Be Dumb" World Tour.

Check out the clip ... RiRi holds 3-year-old Riot right beside Rocky as flames shoot into the air and the trio takes in the roaring crowd together.

Miley Cyrus threw a huge party in the USA ... with tons of fans descending on the Chateau Marmont to catch a glimpse of the star at her album release event.

The singer-songwriter hit the event Thursday night in an eye-catching black dress ... posing for a few solo shots before taking a seat next to her mother, Tish, for a sweet mother-daughter snap.

Later, Miley stood on an elevated platform in front of adoring fans ... letting her long blonde locks swing as she sang to them.

Guitar Center is speaking out after fake 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 submissions about Palestine among other topics 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."

These hot shots of rapper Kaliii were simply too good for her not to grid, so naturally, we had to flaunt 'em for Thirsty Thursday! 

The 26-year-old flashed her followers in a blue tie-up swimsuit, with her derriere bouncing and behaving for some sizzling mirror selfies.

Kaliii, who shares a kid with NFL footballer Justyn Ross, captioned the post, "big mama 1 kid."

Clearly, she's got hot mama status unlocked, but the thirst trap energy is still undefeated!!!

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 Macklemore was 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.”

"It’s a great honor, truly, and just know that I will always love you," she added, referencing her iconic hit song.

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!"

Charli XCX brought 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.

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.

The folks who call the shots for the Super Bowl halftime show have two megastars at the top of their list for the 2027 event ... Justin Bieber and Harry Styles.

Sources tell us both singers are high on Roc Nation's short list. Jay-Z and his company are partnered with the NFL, and as the league's "live music entertainment strategist," Jay has final say on the halftime performer.

We're told Justin and Harry have not been approached about the show yet ... and sources tell us Justin and Harry are both unlikely to take the gig if they are finally approached.