Videos have emerged of police plugging the plug on Ed Sheeran as he performs on a street in Bengaluru, India.
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Fans have taken to social media to share clips of the incident, with the ‘Thinking Out Loud’ singer seen in one video telling the Church Street crowd: “We were going to play more than one song, but we’re only allowed to play only one song, so hopefully that’s enough”. A policeman is later seen plugging a plug and putting a stop to the set.
It remains unclear if the performance today (February 9) was impromptu, with conflicting reports popping up on social media. Sheeran is heard in one clip saying: “Everyone, we had permission to do this, but this policeman is shutting it down.”
NME has reached out to Sheeran for comment.
A police officer pulled the plug when Ed Sheeran surprised everyone on Church Street pic.twitter.com/cMIRoLC7Mk
— Naai sekar (@snehaplsstop) February 9, 2025
Went for a casual walk on Church Street and stumbled upon Ed Sheeran performing live. What a city! @peakbengaluru pic.twitter.com/pNnzW378yj
— Sahil Kaling (@sahilkaling_) February 9, 2025
Times of India reported that officers at the scene were unaware of his identity, adding that the Cubbon Park Police and the Church Street Association denied permission had been granted ahead of his appearance.
Fans have not taken well to the incident, with one writing that it was “abysmal and embarrassing”, while others saw the humour in a star of his stature not being recognised.
Sheeran is currently on his 2025 ‘Mathematics’ tour, having announced extra dates across India, Qatar and Bahrain last year. The mammoth tour kicked off back in April 2022 in Dublin, and the musician has already confirmed that it is due to conclude with a run of European shows from May to September this year, finishing in Dusseldorf on September 7.
Find a full list of those European dates here, and more information on his remaining dates on Sheeran’s site here.
Bhutan! Ed’s playing Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu on 24th January 2025. Tickets on sale now: https://t.co/cTBii3kSCJ pic.twitter.com/witefrvy9Q
— Ed Sheeran HQ (@edsheeran) November 30, 2024
Ed Sheeran’s remaining ‘Mathematics’ 2025 tour dates are:
FEBRUARY 2025
12 – Shillong, India, JN Stadium
15 – Delhi, India, Leisure Valley Ground
APRIL 2025
30 – Doha, Qatar, Lusail Multipurpose Hall
MAY 2025
2 – Sakhir, Bahrain, Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre
The incident comes after Sheeran recently revealed that he has already finished his next album – which will see him “getting back into big pop”.
Elsewhere earlier this year, the singer hit out at “divisive” reports he had attended J.K. Rowling’s New Year’s party, writing that the reports were “damaging” as he urged people to “research before you post things.”
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