I never had a particular fondness of Ed Sheeran but this entire drama made him 1000% more dislikeable. The claim that you'd specifically not use your platform to speak out on social injustices because you want "peace" and want to provide a safe space for your audience just means that you want to bury your head in the sand for money. What a load of crap

[–] Seimhe@lemmy.world 101 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

And he has spoken out in support of Ukraine as the invasion continues, so his claims are total nonsense. He's making an exception in favour of Israel.

Edit: he also played a fundraiser concert for Ukraine.

[–] SpruceBringsteen@lemmy.world 44 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I don't know why he thought the whole "both sides" thing would absolve him in his press release.

[–] Vgcjt@lemmy.ca 30 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I learned today that nazis think there are two sides to the holocaust

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 22 points 1 month ago

i've been struggling to wrap my brain around that concept, but i grew up where the idea of playing Cowboys and Indians (as a form of tag, when you're a kid) was in the public consciousness somewhere. I can't ever remember actually playing and calling it that. Maybe i saw it on the television or read about it? just you know a casual kids game commemorating the colonization and genocide of its land's original people. it gets worse the more i think about it.

[–] v4ld1z@lemmy.zip 11 points 1 month ago

I didn't even know that. Pathetic

[–] bdonvr@thelemmy.club 29 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I kinda get what he wants - but situations outside his control have forced him to pick sides and he chose wrong. Doesn't seem to get that there's no fence to sit on here.

Should've moved venues even if means cutting back attendance, showed support for your friend, and turned the narrative into "The billionaires cut OUR show because THEY'RE bigots"

Incredible levels of self-own that have left him standing alone.

[–] atomicorange@lemmy.world 25 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Art has a point of view. It’s not escapism it’s expression. If your music has no message you’re making elevator music not art.

[–] fdrc_lm@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 month ago

This. For all the people complaining about music festivals and music in general being “political”

[–] stoly@lemmy.world 9 points 1 month ago

I had no opinion of him before but now have a very negative one.

[–] TBi@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago

If he wanted to be neutral he could have said “I don’t want to publically take a side on the conflict, but I will stand by free speech and mackelmore. If he can’t play then I won’t play”

Better though if he just grew a pair…

Also. Free Palestine.