Ed Sheeran‘s impromptu street performance in Bengaluru, India, was abruptly halted by local police on Sunday. The talented singer had chosen to showcase his skills on the bustling Church Street before his concert, but authorities intervened, claiming Sheeran did not possess the necessary permits.
Unplugged Performance
As captured in videos of the incident, a police officer approached Sheeran while he was in the midst of performing “Shape of You” to a captivated audience and disconnected the microphone cable. Amidst the disapproving murmurs of the crowd, Sheeran asserted, “We have permission to do this. It’s this policeman who is shutting it down.” The musician made a swift exit soon after.
Police Intervention
Authorities informed CNN that they had specifically denied Sheeran permission to busk in that location. Their presence was prompted by a report to the helpline regarding the violation once Sheeran commenced his performance. “We rejected it because Church Street is a very busy area and we try to keep the people moving there,” explained Shekhar H. Tekkannavar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru Central division.
Sheeran’s Response
Sheeran later clarified that he had indeed received approval to perform on the Church Street sidewalk. “We had permission to busk btw, hence us playing in that exact spot, was planned out before, it wasn’t just us turning up randomly,” he shared on his Instagram Stories. Despite the setback, he remained optimistic, stating, “All good though.”
Local MP’s Perspective
PC Mohan, a prominent MP from the ruling BJP party, expressed his views on the incident, remarking, “Shape of You… but not of permits. Ed Sheeran’s impromptu gig on Church Street hit a sour note as Bengaluru police pulled the plug over missing permissions. Even global stars must follow local rules—no permit, no performance!”
Concert Tour Details
Sheeran had been in Bengaluru for two concerts at the Nice Grounds. His tour is scheduled to proceed on Feb. 12 at JN Stadium in Shillong, India, followed by performances in China later this month.
Upcoming Album and Music Videos
In recent developments, Sheeran confirmed the completion of his upcoming album, which is currently untitled. He expressed his return to the realm of big pop music, contrasting it with his previous project, Subtract. Sheeran disclosed that he has already filmed two music videos for the album and plans to shoot two more this year.
FAQs
Q: Why did the police stop Ed Sheeran’s street performance in Bengaluru?
A: The police intervened as Sheeran did not possess the necessary permits to busk on Church Street in Bengaluru.
Q: What was Ed Sheeran’s response to the incident?
A: Sheeran maintained that he had received permission to perform on the sidewalk and expressed his disappointment at the interruption.
Q: Where is Ed Sheeran’s tour headed next?
A: After Bengaluru, Sheeran’s tour will continue in Shillong, India, before moving on to China for further performances.
Q: What can fans expect from Ed Sheeran’s upcoming album?
A: Sheeran has teased a return to big pop music with his next album, along with the release of several music videos to accompany the project.
Credit: www.rollingstone.com
