S Poddar
Ed Sheeran, known for his humble beginnings as a street performer in the UK, recently faced an unexpected interruption while busking in India. The Grammy-winning artist, currently touring the country as part of his +-=\u00d7 tour, decided to perform for fans on the streets of Bengaluru ahead of his scheduled concert. However, his impromptu show was cut short when local authorities intervened.
Videos shared online captured the moment a police officer approached him while he engaged the crowd as Sheeran played his 2017 hit “Shape of You.” The singer, who turned 33 this year, held out the microphone for fans to sing along when the officer suddenly cut the electricity supply to his equipment, bringing an abrupt end to the performance. Despite a bystander’s attempt to dissuade the officer, the intervention continued, leaving Sheeran’s fans in shock.
The singer later addressed the situation on social media, clarifying that his team had secured official permission for the performance.
“We had permission to busk btw, hence us playing in that exact spot was planned out before, it wasn’t just us randomly turning up,” he shared on Instagram.
He reassured his followers that there were no hard feelings, adding: “All good though. See ya at the show tonight x.”
Local Deputy Commissioner Shekar Tekkannanavar explained the reasoning behind the police intervention, stating that Church Street, where the performance took place, is known for its heavy foot traffic.
“A member among the event organizers came to meet me to seek permission for the streetside performance at Church Street. I refused to give permission because Church Street gets very crowded. That is the reason he was asked to vacate the place,” he told ANI news agency.
Sheeran’s visit to Bengaluru was part of his India tour, where he performed two scheduled concerts over the weekend. The incident did little to dampen fans’ enthusiasm, as many were still thrilled by the chance to see him perform live, even if it was only for a brief moment.
Sahil Kaling, a 22-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru, was among the lucky onlookers who witnessed the performance firsthand. He described the moment as surreal, especially since he had been joking with a friend about the possibility of seeing Sheeran that day.
“We decided to walk on Church Street and just before entering the MG Road metro station, we saw him get down from a car. We didn’t believe our luck that we got to witness him performing from close quarters. It was ethereal,” he said. Like many others present in the audience, he also felt let down when the government authorities intervened in stopping the performance.
This unexpected incident adds to the long list of memorable moments in Sheeran’s career. The musician, who has a history of engaging in spontaneous street performances, has often spoken about how busking played a crucial role in shaping his artistry. Long before he became one of the world’s best-selling artists, Sheeran spent years performing on the streets of London, honing his craft and building his audience from the ground up.
Sheeran’s return to busking, even if only for a short while, was a reminder of those early days. Fans who missed the street performance, however, still got to enjoy his full-scale concerts as planned, making his visit to India an unforgettable experience for many.
It wasn’t the first time Sheeran made news during his journey, however: His brief street performance in Bengaluru is his latest attention-grabber. Just last month, he had made headlines after interrupting an interview with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on Sky Sports, all the while making light of his interruption.
Additionally, the artist found himself in the spotlight when he clarified that he had not given permission for his vocals to be used in the 40th-anniversary version of Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” The special mix, featuring voices from multiple generations of artists, sparked discussions among fans about the ethics of using archived vocals in remastered tracks.
Despite the occasional controversy and unexpected hurdles, Sheeran continues to captivate audiences worldwide. His ability to blend global superstardom with down-to-earth spontaneity makes him one of the most relatable and beloved figures in the music industry.
While his Bengaluru street performance ended sooner than planned, it left an indelible mark on those who got to witness it. Whether on the streets or in a sold-out arena, Sheeran’s music continues to bring people together, proving once again why he remains one of the most celebrated artists of his generation.
