Ed Sheeran has responded to a wave of ticket refunds in a way that few people saw coming, buying approximately 40,000 returned tickets and donating them to Vet Tix so veterans can attend his upcoming concerts.
The move came after thousands of fans decided to refund their tickets amid the controversy surrounding Sheeran and his decision to keep politics out of his performances.
Rather than treating the empty seats as a defeat, Sheeran decided to turn them into an opportunity for people who might not otherwise be able to afford a night at a major concert.
“I don’t care if nobody shows up at my concerts,” Sheeran said. “It’s really fine by me, but I won’t let those seats go to waste.”
According to Sheeran, the decision was never about proving a point to the people who returned their tickets. He simply didn’t want thousands of seats sitting empty when there were veterans who would appreciate the chance to attend.
“I just want to be a good artist who entertains people and sings his songs,” Sheeran said. “That’s what I signed up for. I’m not trying to tell people what to think.”
The tickets were donated to Vet Tix, a free program that provides tickets to concerts and sporting events to veterans with limited incomes.
Sheeran said veterans have given enough to their country and deserve opportunities to enjoy themselves without worrying about the price of a ticket.
“If I can put a smile on somebody’s face, that’s more important to me than an empty seat,” he said. “I’d rather have a veteran sitting there singing along than have thousands of seats sitting empty.”
The decision comes during a particularly turbulent period for Sheeran’s U.S. tour. His controversy intensified after Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates following political comments at a concert. Several other artists subsequently stepped away from upcoming performances.
Sheeran has maintained that his own concerts should remain focused on music instead of becoming political events.
“I’ve never wanted my shows to be political rallies,” he said. “People come to hear songs. They come with their families, their friends and their loved ones. That’s what I want to give them.”
The ticket donation has also given Sheeran a chance to shift the conversation away from the controversy and toward something more positive.
“I don’t want to fight with anybody,” Sheeran said. “If someone doesn’t want to come, that’s completely fine. But someone else might be thrilled to have that seat.”
The singer said he doesn’t know how many veterans will ultimately attend the shows through the donation, but he hopes the tickets will create memories that last much longer than the controversy surrounding the tour.
“If 40,000 people get a great night out of this, then I’m happy,” he said.
The gesture has also drawn attention because Sheeran could have simply accepted the refunds and moved forward. Instead, he chose to spend his own money to make sure the seats went to people who wanted them.
“I’m a musician,” Sheeran said. “I want to make music, entertain people and give them a good night. That’s really all I’m trying to do.”
And with thousands of veterans now getting an opportunity to attend his concerts, Sheeran appears determined to let the music speak for itself.
