I’ve no time for Ed Sheeran’s music but he seems like a thoroughly nice guy. It’s okay to want to stay away from controversy. But he seems to have found out the hard way that, as Bishop Tutu said, to remain neutral on issues of injustice is to take the side of the oppressor.
Ed Sheeran isn’t Roger Waters. You don’t go to his shows expecting big statements because his songs aren’t really about anything. But if you’re going to have other acts on the bill who do have songs about real things, then you have to allow for the fact they’re going to say something.
It’s not as if he, or the promoters, need to do this. Taylor Swift has proven you can take a stand on issues and maintain an audience in the hundreds of millions. And it’s not as if Ed should be expected to take a stand on any given issue. He’s an entertainer, after all. But there comes a point at which remaining apolitical is itself a political stance.
To be fair to all artists concerned, they have all approached the situation with good grace, respect, and not made anything personal. It’s a great lesson in how to disagree without being disagreeable. It’s clear the main responsibility for the logistical mess lies with the promoters and the venues.
The real question is where are the usual gang of free speech warriors now?
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