Rare have downfalls been so spectacular, and for an artist who says he refuses to be drawn into political debate, Ed Sheeran has become a political lightning rod in a snowballing controversy which shows no signs of slowing down.
The British singer’s once-wholesome image has taken an almighty nosedive following the dismissal of Macklemore from his US tour after venues objected to the rapper’s outspoken support for Palestine.
After a very ill-advised PR statement – which did more damage to Sheeran’s brand than anything else – and all of the singer’s opening acts quitting in solidarity with Macklemore, Ed has faced a reputation-staining backlash. This includes calls for boycott and criticism from major figures in the music world and beyond.
Commentators have called him “spineless” and a “lowlife coward”; former Pink Floyd Roger Waters has dismissed him as a “prick”; and Massive Attack reminded Sheeran that “‘Neutrality’ in the face of the slaughter of more than 20,000 children can never be neutrality.”
Then came New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who argued the controversy was bigger than either performer, framing it as an example of powerful interests allegedly being able to silence artists who speak on political issues. Still, she admitted to TMZ that she would switch radio stations if a Sheeran song came on… And one radio station won’t be an issue in this regard…
One of Ireland’s biggest commercial radio networks has announced that it is pulling Sheeran’s music from its playlists – just hours before he is due back on stage in Philadelphia for his first show since he was left without ‘A Team’.
Classic Hits Radio announced it would stop playing Sheeran’s songs following feedback from listeners.
“Our decision to remove Ed Sheeran’s music from the Classic Hits Radio playlist has been carefully considered,” Dave Kelly, group programme director at Bay Broadcasting, which runs the radio station, said in a statement. “It is not intended as a personal judgment on Ed Sheeran, and we acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events.”
The station said it had also taken into account the decisions of Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, who withdrew from Sheeran’s tour.
“As an independent Irish-owned radio station, however, we believe 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,” Kelly said.
“Ultimately, our position is a simple one. We believe in peace, humanity and respect, and in the right of people and artists to express and act upon their sincerely held views.”
Although Sheeran was born and raised in England, he has strong Irish family connections through his father and grandparents and has spoken publicly about his Irish heritage.
Previously, Rowe said that Sheeran had been a friend to him, “but as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation”.
“I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children. I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal.”
Beoga stated on Instagram that they would no longer be a part of Sheeran’s band “following the silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies”. They added that while they have been friends with Sheeran for over 10 years and will continue to be, “to play in venues that silence anyone advocating for Free Palestine is simply not an option for us”.
Elsewhere, the fallout has extended to Sheeran’s social media accounts, as the singer’s Instagram follower count is tumbling.
According to social media analytics company Social Blade, Sheeran lost 149,636 followers on Instagram in the day following Macklemore’s dismissal, while the rapper gained 750,098 followers during the same period.
In the space of three days, Sheeran has lost more than 260,000 followers, while Mackelmore and the artists have quit his tour have gained a combined 1.638 million.
Sheeran is due to perform at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday – which will be his first time back on stage since the controversy spiralled. As of writing, no news on whether Sheeran will have new opening acts or if he’ll perform alone.