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ABC News
3 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Western allies stage Guam exercises, eyeing China
Yesterday at 2:00am Tue 22 Jul 2025 at 2:00am Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Play Duration: 4 minutes 5 seconds 4 m 5 s
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
Time Out
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
How to get tickets for Ed Sheeran's 2026 Melbourne tour: presale, prices and everything you need to know
We had just been thinking out loud that ginger pop star Ed Sheeran was due for a visit Down Under – after all, it's been more than two years since he played to crowds of 110,000 and 108,000 over two nights at the MCG in March 2023. Well, after teasing a return to "Oz" during performances in Europe, Sheeran has officially confirmed the details of his 2026 Aussie tour. And yep, he'll be coming to Melbourne. The beloved singer-songwriter will bring his Loop Tour to Marvel Stadium in February – and we're looking forward to hearing fresh tracks from his new album Play, like 'Sapphire' and 'Old Phone', along with all the classics (we're manifesting 'Shape of You' and 'Give Me Love'). So if you're keen to grab tickets, here's everything you need to know. When is Ed Sheeran playing in Melbourne? Sheeran will take to the stage at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Thursday, February 26 and again the following night on Friday, February 27. So far, those are the only dates that have been announced, but we've got a feeling that additional shows could be added. We'll keep you posted if and when extra dates are announced. When do Ed Sheeran Melbourne tickets go on sale? General release tickets for his Melbourne shows go on sale at 3pm local time on Tuesday, July 29 via Ticketek. Is there an Ed Sheeran pre-sale? Absolutely. Telstra Plus Members can access presale tickets for Sheeran's Melbourne shows from Friday, July 25 at 11am. Frontier Members can access presale tickets from 12pm on Monday, July 28. How much are Ed Sheeran tickets? Ticket prices start at $109.90 for D Reserve seating, with Front General Admission standing tickets costing $249.90. Who is the support act for Ed Sheeran's Melbourne show? The support acts haven't yet been released, but Sheeran's team are promising that his new live show will be 'filled with surprises, new music, as well as his biggest hits'. We'll keep you posted once more info is released. Where is Ed Sheeran's Australian and New Zealand tour? Sheeran will bring his Loop Tour on a huge run of stadium shows across Australia and New Zealand. Here's where he'll be playing while he's Down Under (and across the ditch). Auckland: Friday, January 16 Wellington: Wednesday, January 21 Christchurch: Saturday, January 24 Perth: Saturday, January 31 Sydney: Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14 Brisbane: Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21 Melbourne: Thursday, February 26 and Friday, February 27 Adelaide: Thursday, March 5 For a taste of what to expect, you can pre-order his new album Play over here.
ABC News
9 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Lulutai grounded over safety concerns, leaving passengers in limbo
4h ago 4 hours ago Tue 22 Jul 2025 at 8:00pm Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Play Duration: 4 minutes 27 seconds 4 m 27 s
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
