Surprise addition Ed Sheeran is the hit of Coachella for sheer talent

USA Today

20-04-2025

Surprise addition Ed Sheeran is the hit of Coachella for sheer talent
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Coachella 2025: Charli xcx fans show off their best 'brat' strut
We asked a bunch of Charli xcx fans to show off their best "brat" struts ahead of the singer's performance on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
INDIO, Calif. − Ed Sheeran made his Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival debut on Saturday, and the crowd couldn't wait for his moment.
Sheeran was announced as a surprise lineup artist when the festival set times were released two weeks ago. During Weekend 1, Weezer played during the same slot time on April 12.
Though he was scheduled to play early in the day (3 p.m. PT), that didn't stop tired fans from trekking to the Mojave tent. The crowd was so eagerly awaiting his performance that festivalgoers were packed into the venue 20 minutes before the start of his set.
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Seeing how many people showed up, it's bewildering that the Brit has never played at the festival. The enthusiastic response to his set, during which he impressed the audience with how he built up songs with a looping track by himself, will hopefully earn him a return ticket to the fest. Sheeran showed authenticity, wore his heart on his sleeve, and displayed sheer talent during his hour-long show, reminding us that he's the real deal.
Sheeran was recently named one of Time's 100 most influential people of 2025 for his "supernatural ability to connect" through his songs, voices, and words, according to Chris Hemsworth. That was on full display from the start when he started playing "Castle on the Hill" and got the crowd going crazy right away. The bass vibrated so starkly during the song that it felt like an earthquake, but it was just the magnitude of Sheeran's star power.
While most performers have backup singers, a backing track, or a live band with them, Sheeran was on his own during his set, using his vocals, a keyboard, a guitar, and a looping station to create the beat of each song. It was impressive to see him create each part, from the bass to the background vocals, and know exactly when each section needed to come in. As each song slowly built up, it got people hyped up, making the lead-up to the chorus so much sweeter.
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As he highlighted several of his hits, including "Don't," "Thinking Out Loud," "Photograph" and "Perfect," among others, the beauty of Sheeran's music got to shine, not just through his often romantic and sentimental lyrics, but also by hearing the crowd join in and show their love for him. Listening to thousands of fans sing the lyrics, "When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath/ But you heard it, 'Darling, you look perfect tonight,' " is enough to bring almost anyone to tears.
He even expressed his gratitude to the crowd several times throughout the set, including reflecting on the 15th anniversary of "The A Team." He shared that he wrote the song when he was 18 and played it in various pubs around London, hoping that someone would notice him and eventually leading him to sign a recording contract. He thought it would be his only opportunity to play music, so he lived it up to his fullest, but sure enough, the world couldn't get enough of him.
Now, 15 years later, the singer, who has won four Grammy Awards, looked like he was still in disbelief to be playing at Coachella. If anything, the crowd was in disbelief that they got a front-row seat to a bona fide hit set.
While the lovers in the crowd had plenty of cute moments to sing and sway, Sheeran also knows how to get people jumping around and getting into the groove, like when he mashed together "Don't" with "No Diggity" by Blackstreet and Dr. Dre in a very seamless transition.
Sheeran has a busy few months ahead of him, from a summer full of shows to his upcoming album "Play." He played his newest single, "Azizam," a Persian-inspired song that means "my dear," and got everyone dancing like they were at an elaborate, joyous wedding (much like the song's music video depicts). Though he messed up his first attempt at the looping station (it was his first time playing the song at a proper show, he said), it only made his performance more charming.
If anyone asks me for suggestions for future Coachella performers, I say to bring Sheeran back anytime and put him on an even bigger stage.