Latest news with #FrontierTouring
NZ Herald
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Why Ed Sheeran's return to New Zealand for Loop tour hits all the right notes
The tour announcement was made at a private media event in Sydney this week, held at the Lord Dudley Hotel in Paddington, which had been completely transformed into the 'Old Phone Pub' for the occasion – a nostalgic nod to the album's lead single. Complete with retro signage and classic British pub charm. The upcoming New Zealand shows promise all-new stage production, immersive visuals, and of course, those intimate acoustic moments that Sheeran does like no one else. It's been said that Play draws inspiration from Indian, Persian and Irish musical traditions. Somehow, that global influence makes perfect sense for an artist who's as comfortable on a stage in London as he is hiding out in little New Zealand. 'I love New Zealand,' Sheeran said to a pub full of music journalists. 'Every time I'm in New Zealand, I keep saying to my wife we should move here, and then we get back home and realise it's a long way from family. But I love touring New Zealand, and it's more of an excuse to be there for a month as well, rather than just be there for a weekend.' Sheeran's soft spot for New Zealand is no secret. He's called Wellington his favourite city, and over the years he's even slipped away here with his young family – without fuss. But there's something quite special about his return to Christchurch too, a full 11 years since he last played there. 'I remember the first time playing in Christchurch, just being excited that I was playing outside of the two major big cities – and I felt the same thing when we played Dunedin,' Sheeran recalled. 'I'm from a place like that, so it feels special when music tours go to places that aren't necessarily like the capital city.' The timing couldn't be better. Kiwis are hungry for live music, especially post-pandemic, and Sheeran remains one of the rare global artists who can fill a stadium while making it feel like a jam session in your lounge. There's no doubt that tickets will vanish quickly – and rightly so. It's hard to explain Sheeran's magic to anyone who hasn't witnessed it live. It's the way he loops himself into a one-man symphony. It's the awkward charm, the feeling that somehow, even from the back of Mt Smart, he's singing just to you. Despite the massive stages, chart-topping records and global fame, Sheeran still approaches music with the same sense of joy and humility that made him a star in the first place. That human connection. For him, success is only about doing what he loves, on his own terms. 'I think the biggest success that I've had in my life is doing a job that I love,' Sheeran said. 'Music is an enjoyable thing – it shouldn't ever feel like a job or a chore.' In a world that feels increasingly fragmented, Ed Sheeran's return to New Zealand feels like a reminder of what music can do: bring us together. And Kiwis have always shown up for Ed. Brin Rudkin travelled to Sydney courtesy of Frontier Touring. Ed Sheeran: The Loop Tour NZ Auckland - Friday, January 16 - Go Media Stadium Wellington - Wednesday, January 21 - Sky Stadium Christchurch - Saturday, January 24 - Apollo Projects Stadium Frontier Members can access presale tickets from Monday, July 28. Tickets go on sale to the general public from Tuesday, July 29. For full tour and ticket information, visit
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Ed Sheeran: Global Superstar Returns To New Zealand + Australia This Summer With His All-New Loop Tour
Frontier Touring and MG Live are thrilled to announce the hotly anticipated return of global superstar Ed Sheeran, who is heading back to New Zealand and Australia next January, February and March with his all-new Loop Tour for a massive run of stadium shows. Having already sold over 2.5 million tickets across Australia and New Zealand to date, Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour sees the beloved singer returning to our shores with a brand-new live show that'll follow the release of his new album, Play (pre-order here) – out Friday 12 September. Performing at stadiums in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch (his first show there in 11 years), before heading to Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, Ed's new live show promises to be filled with surprises, new music, as well as his biggest hits. Sheeran is an era-defining artist who has sold nearly 200 million records globally. Recently he was celebrated as a 12-time member of Spotify's Billions Club, while Apple Music revealed his 2017 hit 'Shape Of You' was their most-streamed song of the last decade. Moreover, Ed recently surpassed 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify, seeing him become the platform's 4thmost-listened to artist in the world. Last on our shores in 2023 – when he played to a record-breaking 200,000 fans across two nights at Melbourne's iconic MCG – Sheeran's mammoth Mathematics Tour spanned countless shows across the globe, continuing his streak of breaking records and making history. Frontier Members can access presale tickets from Monday 28 July (times staggered). Tickets go on sale to the general public from Tuesday 29 July (times staggered). For full tour and ticket information visit To protect fans, strict anti-scalping measures will be in place. All tickets will be digitally delivered and accessible via official ticketing apps only. For full FAQs and ticketing details, visit or Fans are strongly advised to only purchase tickets from official ticketing partners. Led by lead singles 'Azizam', 'Sapphire' and 'Old Phone', Play marks the beginning of a fresh new chapter for Sheeran. The singer-songwriter's latest work is an explorative, technicolour pop album that captures the fun, chaos, and heart of an artist reinvigorated by life and travel. Promising all-new stage production centred around the joyful, expansive sound of Play, the upcoming stadium shows will incorporate new visuals, intimate acoustic moments alongside his renowned loop pedal performances, and the full stadium singalongs only Ed Sheeran can deliver. Inspired by musical cultures from around the globe – particularly Indian and Persian cultures and their surprising melodic connections to the Irish folk tradition he grew up with through shared scales, rhythms and melodies – Play encompasses an eclectic and borderless sound. On the album Sheeran has teamed up with producers and musicians from across the globe, showcasing his limitless musicianship. With a brand-new album, a renewed creative spirit and a catalogue of global hits, Ed Sheeran's 2026 stadium tour is set to be one of the most anticipated live events of the year. Don't miss the return of one of the world's most loved live performers! FRONTIER MEMBER PRESALE via Runs 24 hours from: Monday 28 July or until presale allocation exhausted Presale timings staggered per show, visit website for more details TICKETS ON SALE Begins: Tuesday 29 July (times staggered, see below) ALL SHOWS ALL AGES* * Children 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian This event is recommended for patrons aged 6+ Friday 16 January GO Media Stadium | Auckland, NZ Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (2pm NZST) Wednesday 21 January Sky Stadium | Wellington, NZ Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (1pm NZST) Saturday 24 January Apollo Projects Stadium | Christchurch, NZ Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (4pm NZST) Saturday 31 January Optus Stadium | Perth, WA Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (3pm AWST) Friday 13 February Accor Stadium | Sydney, NSW Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (1pm AEST) Saturday 14 February Accor Stadium | Sydney, NSW Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (1pm AEST) Friday 20 February Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane, QLD Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (4pm AEST) Saturday 21 February Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane, QLD Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (4pm local time) Thursday 26 February Marvel Stadium | Melbourne, VIC Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (3pm AEST) Friday 27 February Marvel Stadium | Melbourne, VIC Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (3pm AEST) Thursday 5 March Adelaide Oval | Adelaide, SA Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (11.30am ACST) Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Ed Sheeran's Brand-New Concert Tour Headed For Wellington
Music megastar will bring the 'Loop Tour' to Sky Stadium on 21 January 2026 Wellington is in for a treat this summer, with music megastar Ed Sheeran heading back to his 'favourite city in the world' with his brand-new show, the 'Loop Tour' at Sky Stadium. Scheduled for Wednesday 21 January 2026, this is the second of three New Zealand shows as part of his Australia-New Zealand tour, announced by Frontier Touring and MG Live yesterday. New Zealand fans of the globally beloved musician will be the first to experience a brand-new show that brings Sheeran's eighth studio album 'Play' to the stage, alongside his well-known classics. Set to be released this September, the new album has been described as an explorative, technicolour pop album that captures the fun, chaos, and heart of an artist reinvigorated by life and travel - a significant change from his previous two. Known for his signature use of a loop pedal, Sheeran masterfully layers vocals, guitar riffs, and percussion in real time, building complex arrangements as a one-man band. In February 2023, Sky Stadium hosted 48,000 fans in what was the venue's biggest concert to date. Sheeran has also previously performed at Wellington's TSB Arena in 2013 and 2015. Warrick Dent, Chief Executive at Sky Stadium, says: "We're very excited to be one of the first stadiums in the world to host Ed Sheeran's latest show. The last time he played Sky Stadium was an incredible experience and a record breaker for us in terms of attendance, and we look forward to what will no doubt be a spectacular show as he kicks off his new tour.' Mark Oldershaw, WellingtonNZ Chief Executive, adds: 'We can't wait to welcome Ed Sheeran back to Wellington for his brand-new show. Sheeran is a world-class artist and we look forward to hosting him again in our world-class city. His music resonates with people of all ages, and his concerts create unforgettable experiences for fans and families alike. We know he is a big fan of our city, so we'll certainly be rolling out the welcome mat for his return. 'As the nation's creative heart, concerts like this bring a real buzz to Wellington, supporting local businesses and showcasing the best of what our city has to offer. We expect tickets will sell fast, given Sheeran's strong fanbase in Wellington and beyond.' Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 1pm on Tuesday 29 July, keep an eye out on the Sky Stadium event page for further details and the link to purchase via Ticketek.
Scoop
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Ed Sheeran: Global Superstar Returns To New Zealand + Australia This Summer With His All-New Loop Tour
Frontier Touring and MG Live are thrilled to announce the hotly anticipated return of global superstar Ed Sheeran, who is heading back to New Zealand and Australia next January, February and March with his all-new Loop Tour for a massive run of stadium shows. Having already sold over 2.5 million tickets across Australia and New Zealand to date, Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour sees the beloved singer returning to our shores with a brand-new live show that'll follow the release of his new album, Play (pre-order here) – out Friday 12 September. Performing at stadiums in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch (his first show there in 11 years), before heading to Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, Ed's new live show promises to be filled with surprises, new music, as well as his biggest hits. Sheeran is an era-defining artist who has sold nearly 200 million records globally. Recently he was celebrated as a 12-time member of Spotify's Billions Club, while Apple Music revealed his 2017 hit 'Shape Of You' was their most-streamed song of the last decade. Moreover, Ed recently surpassed 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify, seeing him become the platform's 4thmost-listened to artist in the world. Last on our shores in 2023 – when he played to a record-breaking 200,000 fans across two nights at Melbourne's iconic MCG – Sheeran's mammoth Mathematics Tour spanned countless shows across the globe, continuing his streak of breaking records and making history. Frontier Members can access presale tickets from Monday 28 July (times staggered). Tickets go on sale to the general public from Tuesday 29 July (times staggered). For full tour and ticket information visit To protect fans, strict anti-scalping measures will be in place. All tickets will be digitally delivered and accessible via official ticketing apps only. For full FAQs and ticketing details, visit or Fans are strongly advised to only purchase tickets from official ticketing partners. Led by lead singles 'Azizam', 'Sapphire' and 'Old Phone', Play marks the beginning of a fresh new chapter for Sheeran. The singer-songwriter's latest work is an explorative, technicolour pop album that captures the fun, chaos, and heart of an artist reinvigorated by life and travel. Promising all-new stage production centred around the joyful, expansive sound of Play, the upcoming stadium shows will incorporate new visuals, intimate acoustic moments alongside his renowned loop pedal performances, and the full stadium singalongs only Ed Sheeran can deliver. Inspired by musical cultures from around the globe – particularly Indian and Persian cultures and their surprising melodic connections to the Irish folk tradition he grew up with through shared scales, rhythms and melodies – Play encompasses an eclectic and borderless sound. On the album Sheeran has teamed up with producers and musicians from across the globe, showcasing his limitless musicianship. With a brand-new album, a renewed creative spirit and a catalogue of global hits, Ed Sheeran's 2026 stadium tour is set to be one of the most anticipated live events of the year. Don't miss the return of one of the world's most loved live performers! FRONTIER MEMBER PRESALE via Runs 24 hours from: Monday 28 July or until presale allocation exhausted Presale timings staggered per show, visit website for more details TICKETS ON SALE Begins: Tuesday 29 July (times staggered, see below) ALL SHOWS ALL AGES* * Children 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian This event is recommended for patrons aged 6+ Friday 16 January GO Media Stadium | Auckland, NZ Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (2pm NZST) Wednesday 21 January Sky Stadium | Wellington, NZ Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (1pm NZST) Saturday 24 January Apollo Projects Stadium | Christchurch, NZ Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (4pm NZST) Saturday 31 January Optus Stadium | Perth, WA Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (3pm AWST) Friday 13 February Accor Stadium | Sydney, NSW Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (1pm AEST) Saturday 14 February Accor Stadium | Sydney, NSW Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (1pm AEST) Friday 20 February Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane, QLD Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (4pm AEST) Saturday 21 February Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane, QLD Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (4pm local time) Thursday 26 February Marvel Stadium | Melbourne, VIC Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (3pm AEST) Friday 27 February Marvel Stadium | Melbourne, VIC Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (3pm AEST) Thursday 5 March Adelaide Oval | Adelaide, SA Lic. All Ages On sale: Tuesday 29 July (11.30am ACST)
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Pop icon Ed Sheeran announces 'Loop Tour' is set to kick off this summer in Australia
British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has announced he will return to Aussie shores for his all-new 'Loop Tour' in 2026. Sheeran will perform eight massive shows across the first three months of 2026, performing in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The global superstar will first perform three shows in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in New Zealand, before crossing the Tasman. It has been two years since Sheeran last visited Australia for his sold-out 'Mathematics' tour, which sold more than 1 million tickets. He played at the MCG twice, breaking the stadium's concert attendance records on both nights. The Loop Tour is set to be present new surprises along with his biggest chart-topping hits. 'Ed's new live show promises to be filled with surprises, new music, as well as his biggest hits,' a statement from promoters Frontier Touring and MG Live said. Sheeran shared the news with Aussies at a virtual press conference on Tuesday at the Lord Dudley Hotel in Sydney's Woollahra. The announcement comes after weeks of speculation of a Down Under tour. Sheeran said on Instagram he is excited to start a brand-new tour. 'New stage, new tricks, new set up, new songs and all the classics added in,' he said. 'We kick it off in Australia and New Zealand in Jan, Feb, March 2026, which is always the best time, I can't wait to be back.' The tour is set to support the 34-year-olds new album, Play, which is expected to be released in September. Sheeran has released a few songs from the upcoming album including Azizam, Sapphire and Old Phone. He said his new album was made as a direct response to the 'darkest period of my life'. 'It's a real rollercoaster of emotions … (and) encapsulates … where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father. The older I get, the more I just want to enjoy things, and savour the moments that are mad and chaotic,' Sheeran said. The songs on Play relate to a dark time when his wife, Cherry Seaborn, was diagnosed with a tumour while with their second child, as well as losing close friends music producer Jamal Edwards and cricket legend Shane Warne. 'I felt like I didn't want to live anymore,' he said at the time on Instagram. 'Those thoughts were bad enough, but shame arrived as their companion. They seemed selfish, especially as a father. I feel really embarrassed about it. 'I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up, but not being able to break through for air.' Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 29. Ed Sheeran's Australia & New Zealand 2026 Loop Tour dates New Zealand Friday 16 January at GO Media Stadium in Auckland. Wednesday 21 January at Sky Stadium in Wellington. Saturday 24 January at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. Australia Saturday 31 January at Optus Stadium in Perth. Friday 13 February at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Saturday 14 February at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Friday 20 February at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Saturday 21 February at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Thursday 26 February at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Friday 27 February at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Thursday 5 March at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.
