On Saturday, Ed Sheeran delighted his fans with an extraordinary live performance at the Big Weekend UK, showcasing a unique set that left audiences in awe. The artist behind the heartfelt hit "Thinking Out Loud," who had recently unveiled his latest single "Azizam," took the stage at the New Music Stage, utilizing his signature loop station to craft intricate layers of his melodies, eschewing the use of any backing tracks.
The performance kicked off with the nostalgic "Castle On the Hill" and weaved through an array of chart-toppers such as "Perfect," "The A Team," and the infectious "Shape Of You." Addressing the enthusiastic crowd at Sefton Park, Ed remarked, "I'm thrilled you all came out. I know this was a surprise gig." With a playful wink, he added, "I'll be playing some tunes you might recognize; if not, it's gonna be a long, musical journey for you!"
The Grammy Award-winner emphasized the uniqueness of his set by highlighting his reliance on the loop station, assuring the audience, "Everything you hear today is 100% live. Absolutely no backing tracks in sight." The crooner of "Photograph" further underscored the authenticity of his performance, noting that the loop station allowed for a truly one-of-a-kind experience, void of any pre-recorded elements.
"To use it, you simply press record like this," he illustrated, "and when you hit play, it replays and loops, enabling you to build layers upon layers of sound." During his rendition of "Azizam," Ed paused mid-song to tweak his loop recording, candidly informing the audience, "I'll need to do this again. That's the beauty of live performance. Here we go, one more time."
Saturday's Big Weekend lineup was a star-studded affair, featuring not only Ed Sheeran but also Sam Fender, Sugababes, Tom Odell, Blossoms, Jade, Mumford & Sons, Haim, Wet Leg, and Tate McRae, making it a memorable musical extravaganza for all attendees.
