Ed Sheeran Is Listening and Learning

After a week of both sides-ing too close to the sun, Ed Sheeran apologized to his fans. “I’ve had to make difficult decisions. And I am making mistakes. And I’m so so sorry,” he said. “I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet.”

Sheeran has found himself in the middle of controversy by trying to stay out of it. One of his opening acts, Macklemore, said “Free Palestine” at two concerts, angering Pink among others. Apparently at stadium owner Robert Kraft’s behest, Sheeran dropped Macklemore from the tour. This prompted Sheeran’s other openers (and his own backing band) to drop out of the tour in solidarity. “Artists must not be silenced when they speak for the oppressed,” Finneas wrote of his decision. “I stand with Palestine and its people.”

While maintaining that his concerts have always been a “safe space for everyone,” Sheeran said he was “deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content for performers.” Sheeran said he performs at “many places” that censor artist’s content, “but it should never happen in the free world.” 

Sheeran also clarified his position on “where I stand in the situation in Israel and Palestine.” He first said that the October 7 attack on the Nova Music Festival was “horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain.” Sheeran then said “What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.” Sheeran said he is speaking to people “across the spectrum” to determine how to “make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times, and listening and learning because I do not know enough.” If he’s learning about where to donate, Macklemore and Ms. Rachel may have a list of nonprofits he could crib from.