Bengaluru, February 9, 2025 – British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran’s impromptu street performance on Church Street in Bengaluru was abruptly halted by local police, despite claims of having prior permission.
On Sunday morning, Ed Sheeran, who is in the city as part of his ‘+-=÷x Tour,’ surprised his fans with an unplanned performance of his hit track “Shape of You.” Fans quickly gathered around, joining in the chorus, but the performance was cut short when police officers intervened and disconnected the cables.
In response to the incident, Ed Sheeran took to Instagram to clarify that his team had indeed obtained permission to perform at the location. He wrote, “We had permission to busk, btw, hence us playing in that exact spot was planned out beforehand. It wasn’t just us randomly turning up. All good though. See you at the show tonight x.”
The police, however, stated that despite the claimed permission, the performance was halted to ensure public safety and order. A police officer on duty explained, “Our primary concern is the safety of both the artist and the public. Unauthorized gatherings can pose significant challenges in crowd management and security.”
The incident quickly went viral on social media, with fans expressing disappointment and some criticizing the police’s handling of the situation. Despite the hiccup, Ed Sheeran’s scheduled concert at NICE Grounds later that evening went on as planned, much to the delight of his fans.
Ed Sheeran continues his tour with upcoming performances in Shillong and Delhi NCR. Fans remain excited and supportive, eagerly awaiting his next shows.