British singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran has made a surprise appearance at a music industry careers event for school children.
More than 200 high school pupils from Ipswich attended the event which showcased career opportunities at The Baths venue in the town.
It was hosted by Ipswich education and music promoter, Brighten The Corners, which runs an annual multi-venue music festival in the town.
Audiences were entertained by performances from three of Suffolk’s up-and-coming artists before a surprise appearance by Ed Sheeran.
Rapper Ryski, rock band AfterDrive, and indie-pop sibling duo Esme Emerson performed and answered questions from the audience.
Esme Emerson, who started their career at Rock Schools run by the Brighten The Corners team and who recently supported Keane on tour, said: “It was such a joy to be part of this event.”
“It’s so important that young people have access to music and the arts. Also, we love Ed.”
Esme Emerson
Brighten The Corners said students had a chance to learn about roles in the music and live events industries, including sound engineering, management, and marketing.
Chief executive Joe Bailey said: “We work within one of the most creative and dynamic industries in the UK and hope this event will be the catalyst for future careers.”
Starting out in his own musical career, 33-year-old Ed Sheeran, who is from Framlingham in Suffolk, would often busk in Ipswich and play at local pubs such as The Swan and Steamboat Tavern, often to tiny audiences.
Ed Sheeran Criticizes Band-Aid for Using Vocals Without Consent
Singer Ed Sheeran voiced criticism of the Band-Aid charity, which raises funds for Africa through its music releases.
Sharing a post that condemned the song ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ for perpetuating damaging stereotypes about Africa, Ed Sheeran revealed that he would have refused permission for his vocals from the 2014 edition to be used in the upcoming 2024 version, which combines different versions of the single recorded over the years.
As Band Aid gears up to celebrate its 40th anniversary, the ‘Shape of You’ singer wrote in an Instagram story, “My approval wasn’t sought on this new Band Aid 40 release and had I had the choice, I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals.”
He added that a decade after being a part of the 2014 iteration, his “understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed.”
“This is just my personal stance, I’m hoping it’s a forward-looking one. Love to all.”
Ed Sheeran
Along with his post, he attached a post by Ghanaian-English singer Fuse ODG who stated that he declined to participate in Band-Aid ten years ago because he recognized the harm initiatives like it inflicted on Africa.
“While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa’s economic growth, tourism, and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity.”
Fuse ODG
Fuse said that by showcasing dehumanizing imagery, such initiatives fueled pity instead of partnership and discouraged meaningful engagement.
The 2014 version of the music video opened with footage of a dead body being carried by people in hazmat suits.
“My mission has been to reclaim the narrative, empowering Africans to tell their own stories, redefine their identity, and position Africa as a thriving hub for investment and tourism.”
Fuse ODG
He added that today, the African diaspora drove the largest flow of funds back into the continent, not Band-Aid.
The original Band-Aid single released in 1984 featured artists led by Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof and Ultravox’s Midge Ure to help charities working with starving children in Ethiopia. It sold a million copies in the first week alone.
For the new version, the singers will be backed by the Band-Aid house band of Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Duran Duran’s John Taylor, Phil Collins, Queen’s Roger Taylor, Supergrass’s Danny Goffey, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, Paul Weller, Damon Albarn, Ure, Gary Kemp, and Justin Hawkins.
Premiering on 25 November, the song will be physically released too on 29 November, with a minimum of £5 donated to the Band-Aid Trust when the single is sold on vinyl, a minimum of £1.50 donated when the single is sold on CD, and a minimum 50p donated when the single is digitally downloaded.
