Should all gobby musical voices sound like angels? Or should we should remember we live in a free open society and encourage the individual to shout out to the heavens?

The debate has long raged, but it hit high doh again recently when Scots musician Kenny Anderson, aka King Creosote, took to the stage and suggested a neck so red you would have been forgiven for thinking he was born in Arkansas rather than East Neuk.

Anderson sang the praises of several right-leaning showbiz controversialists such as Mel Gibson and Eric Clapton – and TV presenter Neil Oliver - prompting critics to ask two central questions; whatever happened to the days when pop stars led the protest vote on behalf of the ordinary person? And in these days of cancel culture, is it clever to voice a political opinion that even Donald Trump supporters would stay clear of?

A generation or two ago, we delighted in hearing John Lennon sing Give Peace A Chance, because we all knew the Vietnam War was rancid. And who didn’t support Jane Fonda when ‘Hanoi Jane’ was vilified by American Republicans. Over the years we’ve heard the liberal protest voice amplified by the likes of Dylan and Springsteen, the Dixie Chicks and Taylor Swift.

Read more on King Creosote

Open letter to King Creosote: Please don't become Scotland's Morrissey

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