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The initiative comes amid growing concerns over cuts to arts funding and the diminishing role of music in the national curriculum. Reports have shown that music education in state schools has suffered significantly over the past decade, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. The open letter argues that without proper funding, music will become an exclusive privilege for wealthier students, further deepening inequalities in the industry.

Sheeran, who himself benefited from state-funded programmes in his youth, stressed the importance of ensuring that young people, regardless of background, have the chance to pursue a career in music. In his Instagram post, the musician said: “As a young music student and aspiring artist, I benefited from opportunities in and out of school to learn & grow. Unfortunately, after decades of defunding and de-prioritising, music is no longer a right for all children – it’s a luxury for only a few.”

Other notable artists who have co-signed the letter include Paloma Faith, Annie Lennox, and Myles Smith, who also commented on Sheeran’s post stating: “Governments need to realise the importance of music not only as a cultural export and financial hub, but as the foundation and key feature of our society and community. Growing up in working-class Luton, access to music wasn’t just a way out – it was a way of living. It gave me purpose, belonging, and a voice. That’s why investing in music matters. It changes lives. It changed mine.” In January 2025, Sheeran has established the Ed Sheeran Foundation, aiming to empower children across the UK with meaningful music education. The foundation seeks to address the decline in music education within state schools by providing support and advocating for equal access to high-quality music programs. ​

 

 

 

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Additionally, The UK-based charity, Youth Music, invests in grassroots organisations and young creatives to ensure all young people have access to music. Over 25 years, Youth Music has invested over £263 million to secure music’s future and improve industry representation, making the next generation of creative talent more diverse and inclusive.​In November 2024, they partnered with Spotify to create a dedicated fund aimed at supporting 15 grassroots youth spaces across the UK that were facing imminent closure or struggling to survive.

The letter calls for a long-term funding commitment to improve music education infrastructure, hire specialist teachers, and provide instruments to students in need. Whilst the government has yet to issue a formal response, campaigners hope that growing public support will put pressure on policymakers to act swiftly. This bold move by Sheeran and his fellow artists signals a crucial moment for the future of music education in the UK.

Speaking on the conceptual nature of the record, Stewart offered, “The songs on this album are centred around the elusive nature of time, how it seems to speed up or slow down depending on your mental state. Through the music and lyrics, we try to interpret this feeling and how life’s journey can become serpentine and surreal as we wander through moments of sadness, melancholy, love addiction and pure ecstasy.”

The album will also be accompanied by a quasi music video/film and will have its premier in Rome, Italy on 19 October, the day before the release of the album. Shown as part of the Rome Film Festival, the video stars Italian actress Greta Scarano and band Mokadelic.

Elaborating on “Brings Me Home” and the short film, Stewart added, “The short film revolves around a character who is struggling with anxiety and loneliness, reflected in both the music and the actions of the protagonist. It’s a song about the power of real love; about how something as simple as holding someone’s hand or seeing their face can make us feel at home, even amid chaos. In a world that is constantly changing and moving at a rapid pace, it is important to slow down and connect with others in a meaningful way. This song reminds us that we all need a place to call home, both physically and emotionally.”

The Eurythmics, comprising the duo of Stewart and Annie Lennox, enjoyed immense success and popularity before their split in 1990. Perhaps best known for their smash hit song, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This),” the group scored a number of UK and US hits that saw them cememnt their place as one of the era’s greatest synth-pop bands.

Both Stewart and Lennox continued to enjoy success as a music producer and solo artist respectively throughout the 90s and beyond, before reforming the Eurythmics twice in 1999 and 2005. Earlier this year, the group celebrated “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)’ 40th anniversary.

The letter opens: “We face a new AIDS emergency, and we need your help. We are writing to you as Chair of this year’s G7 summit.” It continues: “While naturally Covid-19 is currently dominating the agenda, it is vital that you and your fellow leaders also protect and build on what we have achieved in the fight to end AIDS and use that in the struggle against Covid-19.The Covid-19 crisis has shut down HIV prevention and treatment services, in many countries literally overnight. It has cut off millions of girls from school, and driven up poverty, gender-based violence and human rights violations. All of these factors increase people’s risks of acquiring HIV or of developing AIDS. Already we have seen a steep increase in rates of adolescent pregnancy, which we know will mean a surge in HIV infections too.”

The letter goes on to illuminate: “The Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria has warned that HIV service delivery has been massively disrupted with HIV testing falling by 41% across 502 health facilities in Africa and Asia. The World Health Organisation has highlighted widespread disruption to HIV treatment supply chains.” Concluding that the G7 summit and Boris Johnson must address this issue urgently.

Elton John is the founder of the Elton John Aids Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation set up in the UK back in 1993 to “be a powerful force in the end to the AIDS epidemic. We are committed to no more discrimination. No more HIV infections. No more AIDS deaths. No matter who or where you are.” Annie Lennox OBE founded the NGO The Circle back in 2003. The organisation promotes women’s equality and empowerment, and was moved by Lennox’ time in Cape Town, South Africa in 2003 at the launch of Nelson Mandela’s HIV/AIDs Foundation, she said: “Mandela’s 46664 Foundation invited the musicians to visit hospitals, orphanages, townships and people’s homes, so we could see the ravages of AIDS for ourselves. This kind of personal witnessing had a profound effect on me. I was shocked and appalled by the fact that so few people seemed to be aware of what was happening, let alone taking effective action. As a woman and mother, I resolved to contribute to supporting the cause and amplifying the virtually silent voice of women and children affected by HIV and AIDS.”

The G7 summit is set to take place between 11 – 13 June 2021 in St. Ives, Cornwall. You can read the full open letter to the Prime Minister here.

I loved performing on @BBCRadio2 with the @BBCCO and @AnnieLennox on the @RealKenBruce show! Click here to watch us perform Wherever You Go!https://t.co/PgaPrK4he9 #orchestra #live #bbc

— Lola Lennox (@lola_lennox) April 15, 2021

The Scottish Eurythmics singer provided the backing vocals during the performance and also co-produced the track which was also co-created by her daughter. Lola has been working with songwriters Andy Stochansky and Hailey Collier on her new material and ‘Wherever You Go’ is part of a collection of singles by Lola, with a second track entitled ‘La La Love Me’. Wherever You Go’ tells the narrative of a long-distance relationship, a topic to which many of us can relate to during the current COVID pandemic and the restrictions in which have impacted the social and personal lives of many.

Lola had this to say to the Press Association about working with her mother and celebrated her mother’s legacy.

“I absolutely loved working on this orchestral version of Wherever You Go with my mum. We had a fun afternoon where I taught her the melodies and harmonies that she would be singing, it was great to hear her voice on the song and to sing alongside her. Her music and approach to artistry has always inspired me, and so I was very excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with her on one of my own tracks.”

Annie Lennox had this to say in return regarding working with her 30-year-old daughter.

“Suffice to say – I absolutely love working with Lola. It’s always a joy and a really wonderful place where we cease to be ‘mother/daughter’ but just two creative artists having fun with music together.”

It is no surprise that Annie Lennox’s daughter is also musical, Lennox rose to fame as part of the electronic outfit Eurythmics. After meeting Dave Stewart after she was part of the new wave band The Tourists, the duo formed the band which would go on to achieve worldwide success. The band’s most popular song is the 1983 hit, ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of this)’ which propelled the pair into stardom after the eye-catching music video showcased Lennox’s unique and androgynous style.

Lennox went on to have two daughters with her Israeli film and record producer husband, Uri Fruchtmann. Fruchtmann has had a very successful and varied career, producing such films as the 2002 release of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ and the iconic 1997 ‘Spice World’. During their marriage, which lasted from 1998 until 2000, the pair had their two daughters, Lola and Tali. Tali did not follow in her mother’s musical footsteps like Lola but became a successful model and actress.

Click here to stream the single.

I’m thrilled to be launching the new #CirclesofChange campaign with @TheCircleNGO for #IWD2021. Tell us about the people who inspire you and take a pledge to stand in solidarity with women and girls around the world https://t.co/GXvtCy4JKo pic.twitter.com/gV7JrhUH1l

— Annie Lennox (@AnnieLennox) March 1, 2021

Speaking on the new campaign, Lennox said: “The Circle came from the notion of women connecting, supporting and inspiring each other to become advocates and change agents, through our passion, skills and ideas. 

“The pandemic has shown that we are all connected, we are a global community, and we are asking people to commit to becoming global feminists. This means listening to the voices of all women. Sharing stories and connecting across communities. It is about standing in solidarity to end oppression, racial injustice, and violence and economic disempowerment. It is about building bridges with people across communities and finding ways to amplify their voices.  

“The concept of The Circle came from the notion of women supporting, connecting and inspiring each other to become advocates and change agents, through our passion, skills and ideas. I encourage you all to join our campaign and become global feminists. Let’s celebrate the change makers and people who inspire us, and at the same time make a pledge to women and girls everywhere.” 

Raakhi Shah, CEO of The Circle, said: “International Women’s Day is always a key global moment to commit actions and make pledges towards gender equality and safety for all women and girls. History shows us that collective power can make change. By pledging to support grassroots organisations working on the frontline we can share resources with women and girls across the world, and we can build bridges to a world where women and girls are a step closer to living in a world with equal rights.” 

“In 2020, The Circle supported over 5,000 women and girls disproportionately affected by the pandemic in Asia, Africa and the UK and is doubling down its efforts to support even more women in the coming year.”

Lennox’s last musical release was in November 2020, sharing a revamped anniversary edition of her 2010 Christmas album, ‘A Christmas Cornucopia’. In May 2019, Lennox released ‘Lepidoptera’, containing four improvised piano songs.