ED SHEERAN jammed with aspiring young musicians, donated guitars to disadvantaged schools and pledged financial support for local grass-roots music organisations during a visit to Belfast yesterday.
The Halifax-born singer-songwriter was joined by Snow Patrol leader Gary Lightbody at the Oh Yeah Music Centre on Gordon Street on Friday evening to announce that his new Ed Sheeran Foundation would be providing a financial boost for local music programmes and music education here in the north.
“Northern Ireland is a huge part of my career,” enthused Sheeran (33), who has co-written many of his biggest hits with Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid.
“Snow Patrol gave me my first massive tour in America. I had Foy Vance on tour with me for years. I had Ryan McMullan on tour with me for years. Johnny McDaid, I’ve written all of my biggest hits with.
“I love it here. And you should be really proud of the art that you’re putting out to the world. For such a small country to have such a massive impact culturally on the world is really important.
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“But where is the next generation going to come from if there’s no funding and there’s no music teachers in schools?
“We’ve visited so many cities around around the United Kingdom with schools that don’t even have music departments anymore.”
Introducing the Ed Sheeran Foundation. We offer support and advocate for meaningful music education for every child. pic.twitter.com/S8MGbQXXO2
— Ed Sheeran Foundation (@edsheeranfnd) January 9, 2025
Launched this week, the Ed Sheeran Foundation is described as “a UK-wide initiative committed to addressing inequalities in music education by supporting state schools and grassroots music organisations, particularly in underserved areas” which aims to ensure that “every young person has the chance to explore their potential through music”.
The Shape of You singer has recently visited schools and music organisations in Cardiff, Coventry and Edinburgh which will also be receiving support from the foundation.
In Belfast, Sheeran spent time with young people taking part in programmes offered by three organisations he will be backing: Oh Yeah, west Belfast-based HotBox Entertainment and Drake Music Northern Ireland, which has facilities in Newry, Belfast and Derry.
The chart-topper participated in a band rehearsal and answered questions from aspiring gig promoters and music producers.
“There are amazing people all across Northern Ireland who are doing amazing things with youth and music,” Sheeran enthused.
“My point is the funding is not there. So I can come in and provide funding and hopefully provide pressure on government, or local businesses or people involved in music in Northern Ireland to give more funding.”
While Sheeran would not be drawn on exact figures for the funding that his foundation will be donating to musical endeavours in the north, Gary Lightbody assured the media at yesterday’s press conference that “it’s a lot.”
The English singer-songwriter also visited Matchetts Music at Wellington Place yesterday, where he discussed music education in the north with Darren Canmore, head of music at the Education Authority, and teachers from Belfast Boy’s Model, Colaiste Feirste and Malone Integrated College, as well as donating some of his signature Sheeran By Lowden guitars which are made in Downpatrick.
“It was actually Gary that gave me my first Lowden,” Sheeran revealed.
“It’s really great having a music foundation, because I can just donate guitars to the places that I visit.”
“We are delighted to have been joined by Ed Sheeran during one of our songwriting workshops today,” said Michelle McCormack, CEO of Drake Music Northern Ireland.
“Our musicians who participate regularly with Drake Music thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with Ed as a singer-songwriter.
“We are all very excited for the impact that the generous donation from the Ed Sheeran Foundation will make for our plans to support aspiring musicians.”
James Ayo of HotBox Entertainment said:
“Thanks to the generous donation from Ed Sheeran’s Foundation, we will be supporting 30 artists through the creation of a new mixtape, an awards show, and offering another 20 artists the opportunity to showcase their talent through live sessions in a fully equipped facility.”
Charlotte Dryden, CEO at the Oh Yeah Music Centre, added:
“To have this support from Ed Sheeran is incredible. Thanks to the Ed Sheeran Foundation, we will be able to provide 100 young people with access to music that will include instruments, mentoring, tuition and performances.”
Gary Lightbody, who established his own charitable organisation, The Lightbody Foundation, in 2019, welcomed the Ed Sheeran Foundation’s support.
“The arts are not funded in Northern Ireland the same way as in the rest of the UK and Ireland,” explained the Co Down-born musician, a co-founder of the Oh Yeah Music Centre.
“The Republic of Ireland puts £25 pounds per head into the arts, Wales puts £10 per head into the arts, but Northern Ireland only puts £5 per head into the arts.
“So, when we are talking about getting more funding for the arts, it’s not at the deficit of education, healthcare and infrastructure - it’s to try and at least get some sort of parity.
“What Ed is doing is an extraordinary thing, because no one else is doing it, not only putting a light on this and putting his considerable weight and fame behind it, but actually putting money behind it as well - a lot of money.
“I’ve never been more proud to show one of my dear friends around my home city.”