There’s no bones about it here, Ed Sheeran is coming under an awful lot of intense scrutiny and crtisim following Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour in the U.S.

Macklemore has been applauded for his stance on the issue and for using his platform for free speech in support of Palestine, and although he himself has publicly thanked Ed Sheeran for his friendship and the opportunties he gave him, the public at large seem to be viewing Sheeran in a very negative light, feeling that by him continuing with his Loop Tour in the U.S that he is in effect siding with those who sought to remove Macklemore for his views.

Sheeran responded this week by saying:-

“I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.”

Though Sheeran said that he attempted to evoke conversations among various promoters and venue owners “on both sides”, that the “venue’s and the promoter’s decision was final” and in essence out of his hands.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” he said. “I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”

Comments are rife in the press and on social media that by continuing with his tour, even though all other support acts including Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham have since withdraw from it in solidarity with Macklemore, Sheeran is in effect siding with those who sought to silence Macklemore in the first place.

Ed Sheeran has been well documented for donating both his time and money to numerous worthy causes and it is said by those who know him that these have been prolific both on a public and private basis.

Is the public outrage therefore being directed in the wrong place towards Ed Sheeran?

Shoud people instead be directing their anger towards Robert Kraft and his band of billionaire stadium owners who supported him in his power move to silence Mackelmore in the first place rather than towards Ed Sheeran because he has decided to continue with the tour?

Ultimately this issue is so much bigger than one artist and one tour and perhaps this is just the tip of the iceberg and Sheeran is the one feeling the brunt of it all.

Especially now as it would seem that that fans who have since changed their minds about seeing Sheeran on the tour following recent events, are struggling to sell on their tickets, with re-sale prices plummeting on various sites.

On one dedicated forum in which fans re-sell tickets commenters have complained of difficulties, while a number of tickets to forthcoming shows have been posted to no response.

There’s certainly an argument to state that conversations need to be had on a much grander scale about how people in positions of power can silence others at will and how society can feel no weight in their cancel culture approach towards an individual.

Ultimately, is it therefore right and just for Ed Sheeran to find himself the victim of this so-called ‘Cancel Culture’ ?

THE SONGBIRD HQ