The stage is set for the highly anticipated concert of the world-renowned singer and songwriter, Ed Sheeran (33), on Saturday at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse. He is expected to ignite the massive stage when he takes the spotlight at 7:15 p.m. This marks his second performance in Mumbai and the final concert of his "÷ × – = +" Mathematics India tour, following his hugely successful concert tour in 2017.
Since announcing his India tour, excitement has been running high among thousands of fans. Many have traveled from distant places such as Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai to experience his music firsthand. Akash Gupta, a young fan from Hyderabad, expressed his anticipation, saying, "I just can't wait to listen to my idol. He is simply too good."
The concert will commence at 3 p.m. with an opening performance by Prateek Kuhad, known for hits like "Cold/Mess," "Kasoor," and "Tere He Hum." This will be followed by a special guest appearance by Calum Scott from the U.K. at 6:00 p.m., before Sheeran himself takes the stage at 7:15 p.m.
Ed Sheeran, an English singer and songwriter, began crafting songs at the age of 11. His debut album, "+," released in 2011, topped the UK Albums Chart. His subsequent albums, "×" (2014), "÷" (2017), and "-" (2023), were also chart-toppers, solidifying his position in the music industry.
With over 150 million records sold worldwide, Sheeran ranks among the best-selling music artists globally. His accolades include two albums listed among the best-selling albums in UK chart history. In December 2019, he was named artist of the decade by the Official Charts Company. His '÷' Tour, launched in March 2017, became the highest-grossing tour of all time by August 2019.
Tickets for the Ed Sheeran concert have been in high demand, with most passes already sold out. General admission tickets are priced at Rs. 9,500, while South Deck tickets, offering additional amenities such as dedicated lavatories and a food & beverage zone, are priced at Rs. 16,000. To manage the influx of attendees, the Mumbai Traffic Police has announced traffic restrictions and diversions ahead of the event.
Upon his arrival in Mumbai, Sheeran visited a school in Dharavi, engaging in fun activities with the children and performing some of his hit songs for them. He expressed his joy about the visit, captioning a video post with, "Visited a school in Mumbai this morning and swapped performances with the kids, so much fun. Great being back in India too."
Meanwhile, Sheeran has been making waves on social media with his encounters with Bollywood celebrities. From meeting Shah Rukh Khan, Farah Khan, and Gauri Khan to enjoying a dinner with Armaan Malik and engaging in a musical chat with Ayushmann Khurrana, his interactions have been capturing attention. A bash hosted by Kapil Sharma in his honor was attended by various celebrities including Munawar Faruqui, Rakul Preet Singh, Jackky Bhagnani, and Archana Puran Singh.
