Guitar Center’s “Open for Legends” competition has sparked widespread internet attention after its public entry portal was overrun with satirical submissions and joke posts.
The initiative offers an emerging artist the opportunity to serve as an opening act for Ed Sheeran during his “LOOP Tour” performance in Mexico City on December 11.
To qualify, entrants must be at least 18 years old, possess live performance experience, hold a valid U.S. passport, and submit original material to which they own the rights.
According to Guitar Center, the talent search was designed months prior as part of an effort to empower rising artists, though its launch coincided with ongoing backlash surrounding Sheeran’s upcoming tour.
Public interest in the competition surged following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the tour lineup after he made pro-Palestinian comments on stage. The situation escalated as several other slatted opening acts—including FINNEAS, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Sheeran’s backing group Beoga—subsequently pulled out of the concert dates.
In response to the lineup changes, online users began utilizing the open submission page to publish protests, memes, and unrelated content. A number of these joke entries were briefly accessible to the public, drawing significant social media traction.
Guitar Center clarified that non-genuine submissions will be excluded from review, emphasizing that the promotional contest was planned well before the recent tour developments.
According to the official competition guidelines, legitimate applicants have until October 8 at 3:59 a.m. UTC to submit their entries.