View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos)

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. ​

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Ed Sheeran Foundation (@edsheeranfnd)

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mad, Sad & Bad (@madsadbadpodcast)

Taking some time away from her popular podcast ‘Mad, Sad & Bad’ to focus on her new album, she told The Sun: “It’s not just sad and happy — it’s the bit in between where you are tentatively happy. I am pulling in from everywhere. It’s my life experiences, sometimes I have a conversation and I write things down or it’s how I feel that day. Sometimes it can be something I’ve read about that’s really struck me. It’s always been like that. I feel like the most structured writing I’ve ever done is the last album as it was only an album about my breakup. Every other album I’ve always written about lots of other areas about my life and I’m sort of doing that again. I like the lighter experience at the moment.”

The ‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’ singer admitted that her latest album ‘The Glorification Of Sadness’ was some of her most structured work which inspired her to start writing about her own life once again. The album peaking at number 2 on the UK charts after its release.

Opening up last year to The Standard about her recent ADHD diagnosis, the songstress said: “I have spent my whole life struggling with certain things but didn’t get a diagnosis until a year ago which I found really helpful. Lots of things start to add up. When you go through the assessment process the questions you’re like ‘Oh my God, that’s part of it as well!’ They start asking you these questions and you’re like I didn’t even think that was part of it.”

There is no release date just yet for the artist’s next album.

Artists like Paloma Faith have spoken out against Artificial Intelligence on red carpet:

@brits @paloma faith flying the flag for true creativity #BRITs #MakeItFair ♬ original sound – BRITs

The Don’t Let AI Steal Our Music campaign, launched by BPI, builds on the earlier Make It Fair initiative, which gained widespread support across the UK’s creative industries when it debuted in the media on February 25. The movement also follows the release of Is This What We Want?, a silent album featuring the backing of over 1,000 musicians as a form of protest against the government’s proposals.

In a collective effort artists including Kate Bush, Damon Albarn, and Cat Stevens, released the silent album which features recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, symbolizing the potential impact on artists’ livelihoods. In addition, a new website, dontletaistealourmusic.com, has been launched to provide more details on the campaign and its objectives.

The UK government is considering changes to copyright law that would allow global AI companies to train generative AI models using the country’s music, books, films, and other creative works—without requiring permission or compensation for creators and rights-holders.

While the proposals suggest that creators could theoretically ‘opt out’ of having their work used for AI training, experiences in other markets have shown that such opt-out systems are ineffective and fail to prevent misuse or unauthorised exploitation. Copyright law exists to protect original works of authorship, ensuring they cannot be copied, distributed, or performed without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

At the @BRITs on Saturday, students of @TheBRITSchool stood with the Make It Fair campaign and the silent album ‘Is This What We Want?’.

They send a clear message to the UK Government: don’t let AI steal our music.

Find out more here: https://t.co/6q76tnoS8v pic.twitter.com/Unrdg6SLQi

— BPI (@bpi_music) March 4, 2025

Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI, said: “This campaign’s message to the Government is clear: don’t let AI steal our music. Thousands of Britain’s most beloved artists and creators have already spoken out against the proposed weakening of copyright law, which would have a devastating impact on the UK’s world-leading creative industries. We greatly value the artists and students who added their powerful voices to the campaign over the weekend. They represent the incredible human creativity that exists all across the UK and is so vital to protect.”

In response to the backlash, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of the creative industries and assured that no final decision has been made regarding the copyright reforms. He stated that the consultation period has concluded, and the feedback will be reviewed to balance the interests of AI advancement and creator rights

Faith shared her excitement on her Instagram page, with a look at her album artwork for her new record titled The Glorification of Sadness. The star captioned the post: “On the road again darlings! My fave… So very excited to announce that my new album The Glorification of Sadness will be coming out in February 2024. AND I will be glorifying this sadness by touring around the UK next year as well!” 

The 42-year-old, who is known for being a judge on hit shows The Voice UK in 2016 and The Voice Kids in 2020, released her lead single “How You Leave A Man” today. The track, which is Faith’s first single in three years, has elements of pop combined with the signature distinct sound Faith is famous for.  

Watch the video for the track.

Faith’s latest project could be a reference to her heartbreak in her personal life. Last year, the star announced her separation from her husband, Leyman Lahcine, after more than a decade together. Now, the singer has spoken exclusively to The Sun about the break-up. She said: “In the last few years I’ve come closer to failure, to despair, to grief and loss than ever in my life. I had a choice: I could disappear into my melancholy, or I could wear it as a badge of honor. It wasn’t an option for me to stop in my tracks and break down. I have two children. I am and always will be the breadwinner – a source of strength and support for many others. And I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t mentally well, and I had to do something about it.” 

The “Mistakes” singer also gave fans insight on what to expect from the new LP. She said: “The album is about taking responsibility for your own happiness. The track listing runs chronologically through the course of a long-term relationship breakdown that involves children, because that’s a very different experience to the cut-and-runs of youth. “It feels like my most personal work. I basically sell the agony as a commodity.”

She continued: “It’s like, ‘The last few years have been really awful’, then going, ‘Let’s put a cherry on top of that s**t’. That’s why I called it The Glorification Of Sadness.” 

Tour Dates 

03/04/24 – Hexagon Theatre – Reading  
06/04 – Opera House – Blackpool 
08/04 – Empire Theatre – Liverpool 
09/04 – City Hall Oval Hall – Sheffield  
11/04 – Bridgewater Hall – Manchester 
14/04 – Plymouth Pavilions – Plymouth 
15/04 – Bristol Beacon – Bristol 
17/04 – Eventim Apollo – London 
19/04 – Utilita Arena – Cardif 
20/04 – Brighton Centre – Brighton 
29/04 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle 
30/04 – SEC Armadillo – Glasgow 
02/05 – Alhambra Theatre – Dunfermline 
03/05 – Connexion Live – Hull  
05/05 – Symphony Hall – Birmingham  
08/05 – Regent Theatre – Ipswich 
09/05 – Bath Forum – Bath  
11/05 – Stockton Globe – Stockton-on-Tees 
12/05 – Barbican – York  
14/05 – New Theatre – Oxford 
15/05 – Southend Cliffs Pavilion – Southend-On-Sea 
17/05 – International Centre – Bournemouth 
18/05 – Swansea Arena – Swansea 
21/06 – International Musical Eisteddfod – Llangollen 
22/06 – Lincoln Castle – Lincoln 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paloma Faith (@palomafaith)

Faith is also an actress and had roles in films including St Trinian’s and Dread. She has also been a judge on The Voice UK.

More recently Faith has had a second child with partner Leyman Lahcine. As I Am follows Faith on her world tour as she balances music and motherhood. Paloma told the BBC: “I was very reluctant to let a camera into the very personal experience of working as a first-time mum but Jane Mingay who made the film is also a mother and a friend so I felt safe.” She added that “The result is very telling, exposed and at times emotional for me to watch.” 

Faith has always been an outspoken feminist and ally, in 2020 Faith signed an open letter condemning violence and discrimination against trans women. On the documentary, Faith told the BBC: “I hope it’s a testament to all working mothers out there. As a feminist, I don’t believe in aiming for patriarchal ideals in order to be a success. I believe in embracing our feminine strengths and abilities in order to try and navigate success in a male dominated and judged world. The film I hope gives some insight into this.” Faith took to social media to reach out to her fans just before the documentaries airing on BBC Two.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

A post shared by Paloma Faith (@palomafaith)

You can watch Paloma Faith’s As I Am on BBCiPlayer here.

The film has unlimited access to Paloma as a woman, a mother and pop-star living in the public eye. We see Paloma trying to break America and Australia after the birth of her child and all of the sacrifices and compromises that come with being a working mother. This emotional journey features appearances from Rag’n’Bone Man, Ty Taylor and Jonas Blue as well as her band, management and family members.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paloma Faith (@palomafaith)

Speaking about the documentary in a press release, Paloma said; “I was very reluctant to let a camera into the very personal experience of working as a first time mum but Jane Mingay who made the film is also a mother and a friend so I felt safe. The result is very telling, exposed and at times emotional for me to watch.”

“Also, I hope it’s a testament to all working mothers out there. As a feminist, I don’t believe in aiming for patriarchal ideals in order to be a success. I believe in embracing our feminine strengths and abilities in order to try and navigate success in a male dominated and judged world. The film I hope gives some insight into this.”

Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning, BBC Music Television added; “Paloma Faith – As I Am, from first time director Jane Mingay, shines a light on Paloma’s incredible achievements in her career to date, whilst also taking an honest look at the reality of balancing the commitments of parenthood with a demanding career. It’s a warm and often moving film and I’m delighted that we’ll be able to bring Paloma’s inspiring story to viewers on BBC Two.”

This comes following news that Paloma was rushed to Maternal Fetal Assessment Unit (MFAU) with lower abdominal cramps during her second pregnancy. She took to her Instagram story to tell her fans about it saying; “We were in the MFAU last night cause I’ve had some lower abdominal cramps… bloody praying this one doesn’t come early like the last!” 

This is not her only fear, unfortunately. In a recent Twitter thread, Paloma revealed her fear of catching COVID-19 while pregnant. She talked about an incident of meeting a fan out in the park and becoming overwhelmed when they approached her and had to scramble to put her mask on, along with the fear of catching the virus while in the hospital.

Pregnancy diary

My anxiety is through the roof … Some people I knew approached me in the park yesterday as I was taking my little one for a walk for some exercise and I felt like I was going to break down into tears begging them not to come near as I scrambled to put… pic.twitter.com/QARsvJmzeC

— Paloma Faith (@Palomafaith) January 12, 2021

Paloma Faith released her 5th album Infinite Things on November 13th. She referred to the album as her “third baby.” The album features singles such as; Better Than This, Falling Down and Gold. The album peaked at number 4 on the UK Album Charts.

As I Am will be on BBC 2 and BBC iPlayer tomorrow, Friday 22nd of January.

So happy to announce my third baby! An album AND a tour! You can pre-order my new album ‘Infinite Things’ now from my online store to get access to pre-sale tour tickets on September 30th! Tickets will go on general sale on October 2nd! https://t.co/CAhVV4l3kM pic.twitter.com/vvf36E9Vbq

— Paloma Faith (@Palomafaith) September 25, 2020

Whilst talking to Music-News.com Faith talked about how she “has promised that nothing is off limits when it comes to her upcoming LP ‘Infinite Things'”. This new album delves into her journey as a mother of three and her relationship with her long term partner. Continuing, Faith says “Some people find it shocking and some people find it liberating. And I feel like this album will do both of those things.”. If what is said is true then this album may be one to remember.

What may get some fans excited is what Faith claims her unique selling point (USP) is “She told Overdue magazine: “My USP is the fact that I am brutally honest.”. This could mean that when talking about her time as a mother and her relationship may not be the most peachy clean of subjects and may deal with the inevitable hardships of being mother, parent, and partner. This could lead to a pretty divisive album (after this year I’m sure we’re all aware of many divisive topics) but I’m sure it’ll be no less spectacular knowing Paloma Faith.

Known for hits like ‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’ and ‘Lullaby’ Faith is very much a Soul, RnB, and Pop powerhouse with both 1 single and album claiming a number 1 spot in the charts and numerous singles and albums being in the top 10 charts. Loved globally we are sure the Faiths new album will be just another notch on her hit history and another claim to her talent and power.

Something that is very unique about this album is that during lockdown Faith has learned how to engineer her own music. Although this is a risk Faith explains that it made her feel more comfortable “I think my voice sounds better, and that’s a combination of producing the vocals myself, and also the lack of inhibition. When you’re alone you take more risks, because you can delete it. Whereas when you’re in the studio with an engineer you’re scared to, because they never delete anything – even when you ask.”  

View this post on Instagram

Counting down the days until Infinite Things is out… I’m so impatient! Just want you all to hear Pre-order at the link in bio . . Photo: @chieskafortunesmith Creative director: @theo.adams Styling: @phoebearnoldstylist @nickroyal Set designer: @dannyhyland Hair: @eamonnhughes Makeup: @daniel_s_makeup Nails: @imarninails . . . #palomafaith #infinitethings #countdown #fashion #newalbum #impatient

A post shared by Paloma Faith (@palomafaith) on Nov 9, 2020 at 12:26pm PST

Faith’s new album is set to release on the 13th of November (2020) and you can pre-order it now. You can also pre-order tickets for her up and coming tour on her website. I am sure that we are all on the edge of our seats waiting for this album to land!

Introducing the new tune on her social media accounts on the weekend, Faith suggested that the apocalyptic motifs of Last Night On Earth reflect her anxiety about the state of the world in 2020. Posting on Twitter, she said: “I have felt for a while that it’s the beginning of the end. It feels like evil prevails on Earth right now with a huge increase in segregation, racism, elitism, class divide, climate emergency, and tyrants ruling our nations…This song was about how in light of that, we really need to be kind to those closest to us and not argue about petty things and hold our loved ones close.”

I have felt for a while that it’s the beginning of the end. It feels like evil prevails on Earth right now with a huge increase in segregation, racism, elitism, class divide, climate emergency, and tyrants ruling our nations… pic.twitter.com/IdyEAgCQNk

— Paloma Faith (@Palomafaith) October 24, 2020

Last Night On Earth is the third promotional single from Faith’s upcoming fifth studio album Infinite Things; following on from lead release Better Than This (of the singer’s most intense and powerful ballads to date) and the more up-tempo, drum and synth-driven Falling Down. The multi-talented singer-songwriter will take the new record on tour in 2021 with 27 dates scheduled across the UK next September and October.

The Hackney-born songstress, who has previously scored top 10 hit singles with Only Love Can Hurt Like This, Changing, Picking Up The Pieces and Can’t Rely On You, is set to release the new album on November 13th. It comes three years after her Platinum certified 2017 LP The Architect; the deluxe Zeitgest Edition of which spawned another top 10 single in Lullaby, Faith’s second dance-pop collaboration with Sigala.

Faith has spoken of her sense of  creative freedom on Infinite Things, which was recorded and mixed during the Coronavirus lockdown. She told BBC News “I think my voice sounds better, and that’s a combination of producing the vocals myself, and also the lack of inhibition. When you’re alone you take more risks, because you can delete it. Whereas when you’re in the studio with an engineer you’re scared to, because they never delete anything – even when you ask.”

As well as immersing herself in the socially-conscious themes of the new album, Faith has spoken powerfully on pregnancy, mental health and body image over recent weeks. Posting on her Instagram earlier this month, she said “I am not skinny, and neither am I large. I am me, and my body standards are about me and how I feel the best in my own skin. I wish I could be confident in any shape and any size but the reality is, I’m just not. I’m insecure and worried, but I want to find the balance between a healthy relationship with my body and food and an obsessive one. It’s all a work in progress and self acceptance is a personal journey never meant to make anyone else feel shitty.”

Paloma Faith’s new single Last Night On Earth is available to buy and listen to now.

Paloma will kick off her tour in Oxford on September 16th 2021 and will then head to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield, Nottingham, Southend, Harrogate, Ipswich, Bournemouth, Hull, Stockton, Stoke-On-Trent, Bath, Torquay, Plymouth, Brighton, Cardiff, Leicester and London, before finishing off the tour in Liverpool’s Empire Theatre on October 25th.

View this post on Instagram

Playing live is something I’ve missed dearly! Very excited to be back on stage next year! Pre-order ‘Infinite Things’ from my online store for access to pre-sale tickets! Link in bio . . . . . #palomafaith #infinitethings #uktour #livemusic #betterthanthis

A post shared by Paloma Faith (@palomafaith) on Sep 26, 2020 at 12:14pm PDT

This tour will support her upcoming fifth studio album Infinite Things, which is set to come out on November 13th. In a press release about the new album, it has been said; “Paloma wrote most of the songs for ‘Infinite Things’ before the Covid-19 pandemic swept the world. Then we went into lockdown, and she ripped them all up and started afresh. She spent her downtime creating, learning to engineer her own music and just thinking about the world.”

This continued, “The enforced downtime was creatively fruitful and taught her that she had been on a sort of conveyor belt of music and promo. The lockdown gave her the space to take stock of her frenetic career, and decide what is meaningful to her. She is emerging from lockdown with a new sense of her priorities which has seen her reconnect with her roots steeped in creativity.”

Tickets for the tour will go on sale at 10am on Friday October 2nd, tickets will be available here. The tour dates are as follows;

16/09/2021 – New Theatre – Oxford
18/09 – SEC Armadillo – Glasgow
19/09 – Usher Hall – Edinburgh
21/09 – Bridgewater Hall – Manchester
22/09 – Bridgewater Hall – Manchester
24/09 – Birmingham Symphony Hall – Birmingham
25/09 – Birmingham Symphony Hall – Birmingham
27/09 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle
28/09 – Sheffield City Hall – Sheffield
30/09 – Royal Concert Hall – Nottingham
01/10 – Cliffs Pavilion – Southend
03/10 – Harrogate Convention Centre – Harrogate
04/10 – Regent Theatre – Ipswich
06/10 – Bournemouth International Centre – Bournemouth
07/10 – Bonus Arena – Hull
09/10- Stockton Globe – Stockton
10/10 – Regent Theatre – Stoke-On-Trent
12/10 – Forum – Bath
13/10 – Princess Theatre – Torquay
15/10 – Plymouth Pavilions – Plymouth
16/10 – Brighton Centre – Brighton
18/10 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff
20/10 – De Montfort Hall – Leicester
22/10 –  London Palladium – London
23/10 – London Palladium – London
25/10 – Empire Theatre – Liverpool

Sammy Andrews, CEO of Deviate Digital, and co-organiser of Music4EU said: “Rarely do so many factions within the music industry unite on any subject, but Music4EU’s signatory list so far is a clear indication of the level of concern over the current mess, and how widely it impacts every corner of this sector.Brexit is an unmitigated disaster for Britain’s world-leading music industry.”

The Letter, published by the Music4EU initiative, describes Brexit as a “significant threat” to the country’s music industry, adding: “Leaving the EU’s customs union, single market, VAT area and regulatory framework could devastate our global market leadership, and damage our freedom to trade, tour and to promote our artists and our works.” Concerns are also voiced over access to foreign markets and regulation over copyright, before a request to “examine alternative options to maintain our current influence and freedom to trade”.

In September, the head of the industry body BPI, Geoff Taylor, said: “that bureaucracy could make it more difficult for British artists to promote their albums overseas in the EU if we don’t have an acceptable deal”. Taylor voiced concerned about manufacturing delays, touring restrictions, and a “weakening of our intellectual property protection”.