Ed Sheeran, seeking to stay out of politics, has become, in this moment, the most political artist in the world. And in trying to leave himself room to manoeuvre, he has backed himself into a corner. Since the rapper Macklemore was dropped as a support act on Sheeran’s Loop tour on Monday, every other opening act has pulled out. Finneas O’Connell kept it brief on Tuesday: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I stand with Palestine and its people.” Aaron Rowe was already out, saying: “I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence … rightful voices.”

Beoga, Sheeran’s actual backing band, then pulled out, along with the Danish band Lukas Graham, who probably made the mildest statement, managing to not even mention any countries: “We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them.”

Sheeran said the decision to drop Macklemore was entirely down to venue owners and promoters, adding that there was a reason he didn’t talk about politics on stage: “My audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds.” Both statements sound weak, but more importantly, it is not true that Sheeran doesn’t take political stances. He has taken part in a fundraising gig for Ukrainians, telling them, “I love you, I stand with you”; in 2017 he outed himself as a “Corbynista fanboy” (TM the Sun), and has been a vocal supporter of........

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