‘A maelstrom of his own making’: how Ed Sheeran’s tour turned into a full-blown culture war

Ed Sheeran performing at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool last year. Photograph: Andy Von Pip/Zuma/Shutterstock Ed Sheeran performing at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool last year. Photograph: Andy Von Pip/Zuma/Shutterstock The Saturday read Ed Sheeran ‘A maelstrom of his own making’: how Ed Sheeran’s tour turned into a full-blown culture war Moment of reckoning for ‘Mr Nice Guy’ of music, who embraced Macklemore’s political cred only for pro-Palestine rapper to be dropped under pressure from billionaire

Ed Sheeran has long been known as the “Mr Nice Guy” of music. His is an unthreatening kind of pop stardom; he looks and talks like the bloke who might be standing behind you in a pub, rather than someone selling out stadiums. He champions other artists, he celebrates different cultures. His songs are about love, heartbreak and friendship. People get engaged at his concerts.