New Zealand Musicians Question 'Unusual' Plans For Ed Sheeran Mural

Plans for an Ed Sheeran ​mural to be created in Dunedin, which will cost ratepayers over $8,000, has been slammed this week and now some New Zealand musicians have weighed in on the subject. 

As Stuff reports, the $8,350 mural will be launched to celebrate the UK songwriter's shows in the city this month; frontman of seminal NZ outfit The Chills, Martin Phillipps, said the money would be better spent on local artists. 

"Ed, for all his qualities, seems like an unusual choice," Phillipps said.

"I do think something like this is better spent celebrating local arts."

Phillips added that the mural would make Dunedin look like a town lacking in culture.

"I've got nothing really against Ed… we don't need to be like that," he said.

​Roger Shepherd​, founder of revered Dunedin indie label Flying Nun Records, similarly said such tributes should be dedicated to homegrown acts. 

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"He is a well known Wellington lover. I guess that Dunedin show generated the impetus to paint him on a wall," Shepherd said.

"I'm pretty sure bands like The Enemy, The Clean, Verlaines and The Chills also played Dunedin shows... so I'm looking forward to seeing them up on the wall."

He continued, "I like the murals in Dunedin a lot and it makes sense for some of them to communicate the important music heritage of the city.

"I bet Ed simply can't believe his luck getting in there first. I am absolutely sure he will see the irony in all of this."

Sheeran himself is aware of the controversy, telling TVNZ that "it's pissing people off".

"Do you know what? It's up to them," Sheeran responded.

"I think if it was my home town and I had someone that I liked come in, I might do something like that. 

"Not everyone in New Zealand likes me, so of course some people are gonna be like 'That's a bad idea'. But if it makes someone happy… the older I get, I just care less about people's opinions."

Sheeran's Australian tour continues in Melbourne tonight; click on theGuide for more details.