Fans may not be too happy with Ed Sheeran after they learn this news.
The “Bad Habits” singer will be one of the performers at the two-hour “Concert For Ukraine” charity concert in Birmingham. He will be joined by Camila Cabello, Emeli Sandé, Gregory Porter, Snow Patrol, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Manic Street Preachers, Becky Hill, and Tom Odell.
The show will take place on March 29 on ITV to aid the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Soldiers in Kyiv heard about the concert and they wanted to join in.
However, despite a thoughtful message from the singer, the Kyiv band Antytila will not be allowed to perform.
Ukraine Soldiers Tell Ed Sheeran ‘We Are Not Afraid To Play Under The Bombs’
@antytila_official Hello @Ed Sheeran , greetings from Kyiv! 🇺🇦 We offer to make a live broadcast between Kyiv and Birmingham with Antytila temporary joining the gig remotely. #antytila #edsheeran #sheeran #ukraine #kyiv ♬ оригінальний звук – Antytila / Антитіла
In a message shared on TikTok, soldiers currently fighting in Ukraine sent the “Overpass Graffiti” singer their warm regards.
“Hello Ed Sheeran, greetings from Kyiv!” they began. “We are Ukrainian musicians of the Ukrainian band Antytila – one of the most popular Ukrainian bands with a lot of fans in Ukraine and all over the world. In peacetime, our concerts gather at stadiums.”
“The war has changed our lives and now we are fighting with weapons against the Russian occupiers,” they continued. “We thank you, and all the British people for their support. Believe me, we are grateful, and we always, we will always remember this.”
“Today, we learned about your charity concert for Ukraine, which will take place in Birmingham. And we offer to make a live broadcast between Kyiv and Birmingham with Antytila temporarily joining the gig remotely.”
“Our band will play our music in Kyiv, a city that has not surrendered and will never surrender to the Russian occupiers. You will play in Birmingham,” he added.
“We are not afraid to play under the bombs,” he declared. “Through music, we want to show the world that Ukraine is strong and unconquered. We will fight and sing for victory in front of the whole world that supports us. So, on March 29, we [are] ready.”
Ed Sheeran Response: ‘I Can’t Wait To Check Your Music Out, Guys’
Twitter, you are amazing! @edsheeran has responded to @antytila_offic. Hear from, Ed 👇 pic.twitter.com/C4IsB0Un0C
— Benjamin Lim (@ohitsbenji) March 25, 2022
On Friday, the “Perfect” singer responded to the band’s TikTok message with his own!
“Hey guys, I just watched your video this morning, thank you so much for sending it. Firstly I just wanted to say to all Ukrainians, I love you, I stand with you and I’m so proud to be playing this fundraising event next week,” Sheeran said.
“I can’t wait to check your music out, guys – and I’m sending you lots of love,” he added.
However, it was later revealed that they will not be allowed to perform.
Ukraine Band Will NOT Be Allowed To Perform With Ed Sheeran!
UPDATE: It is a no from, Ed. @antytila_offic has been “denied a place” at the Resorts World Arena concert for #Ukraine as it is purely for humanitarian purposes and that they are wearing helmets and holding arms. pic.twitter.com/AEpnMfyizN
— Benjamin Lim (@ohitsbenji) March 26, 2022
Lim tweeted, “UPDATE: It is a no from, Ed. @antytila_offic has been ‘denied a place’ at the Resorts World Arena concert for #Ukraine as it is purely for humanitarian purposes and that they are wearing helmets and holding arms.”
The band posted a response, saying, “First of all, we’re musicians. Helmets, body armour is temporary.”
“I’ve also written to them about the unwavering support shown on social media and that the world is starting to know about their music,” they continued. “When the war ends, we’ll watch them live!”
@antytila_offic’s response “First of all, we’re musicians. Helmets, body armour is temporary”
I’ve also written to them about the unwavering support shown on social media and that the world is starting to know about their music. When the war ends, we’ll watch them live!
— Benjamin Lim (@ohitsbenji) March 26, 2022
However, it seems that Antytila has plenty of new fans from around the world who are supporting them, even if they don’t agree with the decision to exclude them from the benefit concert.
“You guys are such a class act,” one fan wrote. “To respond from your heart like that after a snub in such an eloquent way. I only started listening to your music yesterday and am writing to you as a new fan.”
