Bono says Ed Sheeran was wary of politics on U2's Ukraine war song

Bono, U2's frontman, said in a new Rolling Stone UK interview that Ed Sheeran was reluctant to get involved in politics when they worked together on the song "Yours Eternally". 1 2 Bono recalled Sheeran saying, "You're not going to get me into politics, are you?". Bono said he replied that the soldier who inspired the song loved Sheeran and that Sheeran had worked on it, and Sheeran answered: "Yeah, but I just want to keep my thing free." 1 2 "Yours Eternally" is on U2's "Days of Ash" EP, released in February. It features a Ukrainian musician, named as Taras Topolia by Variety and Taras Topalia by the Irish Independent. Its lyrics are written from the perspective of a Ukrainian soldier writing to friends at home during the war with Russia. 1 2

Bono was asked about the collaboration after the backlash Sheeran faced when Macklemore left his US tour. Variety says stadium owners such as Robert Kraft banned the rapper over "Free Palestine" speeches he made while opening at two MetLife Stadium concerts. The Irish Independent says Sheeran dropped Macklemore over those remarks. 1 2 Bono said he did not want to personalise the dispute or dwell on "Ed and Macklemore". He cited Brian Eno's comment that pop stars are like little fish in a large sea of huge forces, religion and politics. 1 2 Variety reports Bono saying U2 aligns more with Macklemore because the band has never shied away from politics. He said they are also happy to recognise that others do not want that kind of fight, and that people must be persuaded by reason, not forced. The Irish Independent quotes him saying the episode showed that "you can't be pushing people around". 1 2

According to the Irish Independent, drummer Larry Mullen Jr said artists are entitled to choose whether to be involved and that it is not U2's job to criticise that. He said the band is "absolutely clear" in opposing billionaire promoters or venue owners influencing what artists say on stage, after Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium, personally called Sheeran to say Macklemore would not be allowed to perform there. 2 Sheeran had posted an Instagram statement saying he does not use his professional platform for politics because his audience includes young people and children, and that he respects Macklemore's "strength of purpose". At his 19 September concert, his first since Macklemore's exit, he said Gaza was a "humanitarian issue" and he could not hide his feelings anymore. He also called the 7 October attack on Israel "horrific" and the situation in Gaza "catastrophic and unjustifiable, and disproportionate". 1 The Irish Independent adds that Sheeran's other opening acts, including Aaron Rowe and Finneas, withdrew from the tour and that protesters gathered outside his first show without Macklemore. At Lincoln Financial Field he said he was "so sorry" for disappointing fans, and it says he was reading from a teleprompter. It reports that it contacted Sheeran's representatives for comment. 2

Macklemore has announced a "Free Palestine" tour with shows in Dublin (26 October), Paris (29 October) and London (30 October), with proceeds going to charities aiding Palestinians in Gaza. Both outlets report the shows sold out. Bono is promoting U2's album "Carnaval de Luz", due 13 November. 1 2