Why are some happy to sing the blues over Ed’s city dates?
What to make of a third date being added to the Sunderland leg of Ed Sheeran’s tour? Tickets are selling fast. I personally won’t be viewing from the usual seat in the Stadium of Light through my lorgnette. It isn’t really my sort of thing.
I know little about Mr Sheeran. I’m familiar with one of his songs (Shape of You) and know that he looks like (Oor Wullie); but that’s about it.
No matter. It isn’t about what entertains me, otherwise Bernie Clifton and his ostrich would be booked every summer. Ed Sheeran’s shows, along with Elton John’s, are tremendous news for this city.
For starters it reminds people that Sunderland still exists; most welcome after lockdown and the nonsensical decision in 2018 by a previous regime at the stadium to not bother with some obscure beat combo outfit called the Rolling Stones.
Mr Sheeran’s last tour was attended by nine million giggoers and grossed almost £600 million. He should be welcomed with open arms.
Those attending will be welcomed with open pubs, hotels, restaurants and everything else needing a boost after recent turmoils.
So please bear in mind that “What’s not to like?” is actually a rhetorical question. Most of those not attending are chuffed that the concerts are happening.
But Wearside always finds a grating minority of dedicated whingers; ready as ever to eschew originality and wit to burble “I’d rather stick pins in my eyes”, “I’m washing my hair”, “How much do they pay you to go” etc … zzzzzzz.
Tee, and furthermore, hee. Yet the organisers really have thought of everything. Uninterested parties can snap up the opportunity to not bother going.
This comes with a bonus of the chance to stop boring everyone else by vomiting negativity.
Everyone’s a winner.
It’s a peculiar sort of person who can’t wait to tell the rest of us why something that, at worst, won’t harm them while delighting thousands and remunerating others, is something to be witlessly sneered at.
Never let unalloyed good news impinge on an unfounded moan.
Coming soon, wholly spurious reasons not to like the Fire Station Auditorium.