He’s back, the master of loop station and solo entertainment. At the weekend of 16. 16th & 17. September 2022 makes two stops at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich during his “+-=÷x” aka The Mathematics Tour. Despite more than 45,000 visitors per show, it almost feels like sitting in the living room with him. But he is no longer alone.
The turntables
How exciting to finally see Ed Sheeran live again. After starting his fourth world tour in April at Croke Park Dublin, he is finally with us in Zurich. In addition to his 5th studio album “=” (pronounced “Equals”), released in 2021, Ed also brings a round stage to this tour. Looking down from the stands, it looks like an oversized turntable. The screens are in the form of giant guitar picks.
At first I wasn’t enthusiastic about the round stage. If you are unlucky, you have a stupid seat and only see backs. That’s definitely how it was back then at U2. Pegasus stage at Hallenstadion wasn’t ideal either. At Ed Sheeran, however, I have standing tickts and at least free choice of my spot. The decisive point, where we stand then, is ultimately the alignment of the instruments of the second opening band. Our spot is perfect!
Cat Burns kicks off the night
London pop singer Cat Burns kicks of the night with her song “People Pleaser”. The young singer claims to be shy, but she seems quite confident and talkative on this huge stadium stage.
She is particularly nervous today because her mother and aunt are in the audience. She’s roaming around on stage, going her rounds whilst singing. Well, maybe this non-stop lap walking is her way of feeling insecure and nervous. Constantly waving back at concert visitors,, she keeps an eye out for her mom and aunt. She continues with “Free” and “Anxiety”.
Most of the songs on today’s set come from her latest EP “Emotionally Unavailable”. An EP about how emotionally disconnected the current generation is, through all of the internet and social media, the variety of dating apps etc. But in the end, everyone wants love and a connection with someone. As Cat grabs her guitar for the next song “We’re not kids anymore”, she finally discovers her mum and aunt beaming with joy.
Like many before her, Cat Burns started her music career as a street musician. She released her first EP “Adolescent” in 2016. Although her breakthrough was predicted for 2018, she only became known throughout Europe this year with her song “Go”. The pandemic got in the way. She had already released the song in 2020. However, “Go” was only at the bottom of the Brit charts for a long time before it climbed into the top ten.
After “Sleep at night”, which she releases at the end of August, and “Ghosting”, she ends her performance with “Go”.
Griff takes one foot after the other
After a break of about half an hour, Sarah Faith Griffiths aka Griff finally whirls across the stage with her songs written during the pandemic. She released the current, second EP “One Foot after the other” in 2021. In addition to the song of the same name, it contains songs like “Walk”, “Shade Of Yellow” and “Black Hole”.
In addition to the song of the same name, it contains songs like “Walk”, “Shade Of Yellow” and “Black Hole”. But she even picks up the guitar from time to time.
Griff is definitely taking more than one foot after the other. In her white “dress”, which somehow looks like half an apron, she also makes a few rounds across the stage. On her Instagram profile, it quickly becomes clear that she likes to style herself unusually and conspicuously. This definitely suits her lively, engaging nature. Griff immediately gets the audience involved. Admittedly, at the end of the set I personally liked Cat Burn’s songs a little better.
Ed Sheeran already surprises at the start of the show
Finally seeing Ed Sheeran live again – amazing! With Cat Burns and Griff coming through the barriers from backstage, everyone must be anxious to see Ed Sheeran coming through that barriers in a moment. But suddenly the huge round screen is lowered in front of us. It blocks the whole view of the stage. Just before the show starts, butterflies dance across the screens and a countdown begins. The audience counts down and boom! Ed Sheeran is standing on stage in a black t-shirt. It says “Zurich” in colorful letters. He kicks off his show energetically with “Tides”.
Awww, where and how did they smuggle him onto stage? They probably secretly rolled him out of the backstage area in one of the flight cases. How else could he have gotten onto stage unnoticed?
Ed Sheeran’s newly touring with band
It continues with “Blow”, which Ed Sheeran released in 2019 in collaboration with Chris Stapelton and Bruno Mars. New on this tour: Ed Sheeran is no longer alone. He is accompanied by a band. So the songs get even more power. You don’t see the band very directly and obviously, though.
The individual band members stand around the stage, facing Ed. To our right is the bass player on one of the mini stages, nicely protected against the rain with a small transparent roof. On the left are the guitarists. The drummer and a keyboarder are playing on the opposite side, but we can’t see them from our spot. Also, they’re not there for the whole concert.
With “I’m A Mess” and the next six songs (including “Castle On The Hill”, “2 Step”, “Don’t”/”No Dignity” incl. Pyros shooting against the sky) Ed Sheeran is already back alone on stage. As usual, the red-haired Brit knows how to impress with his guitar, the loop station and tons of great songs. As always, everything is played live and directly recorded. That’s why it doesn’t always sound exactly the same, Ed explains.
From endless power to full-body goosebumps
Over the next two hours, Ed presents an incredible, high-energy show with the most beautiful, full-body goosepums causing, magical moments.
On the one hand, Ed races around the stage with seemingly endless energy – round after round after round, like during “Shivers”. Supported by the conveyor belt, which automatically takes him around the stage if he just stands still, it’s easy for him. He definitely makes it look like it. Ed is always accompanied by a cameraman. Apparently he’s having trouble keeping up with Ed, too. We learn that the images will later be used for a documentary.
Ed’s breaks are mostly during his ballads. For example during his wonderful uber-hit “The A Team”, in which he simply lets the conveyor belt carry him around the stage. Back in 2011, the song made him famous practically overnight. The way the whole stadium sings along word for word, causes goosebumps from the first note to the last. “Give me love” is no different. The Letzigrund Stadium is immersed in a sea of lights, with the audience choir giving their all for Ed. It takes your breath away.
The beautiful piano-accompanied “Visiting Hours” that follows, Ed dedicates to all those who have lost someone. During “Perfect” a huge cheer erupts behind us in the stands. Maybe someone just got engaged? Ed doesn’t even seem to notice it. But as you can keep seing on the various social media platforms, there is a marriage proposal at practically every one of his concerts. So it’s really not that special anymore. Nevertheless, hardly a dry eye remains today. We are surrounded by so many feelings and emotions.
Important meeting in Zurich
Ed’s band returns for the middle show block. Some songs were arranged and produced in a way that they don’t work properly with the Loopstation only, says Ed. Besides, he just wanted to bring something new. So they play a medley of “Own it, “Peru”, “Beautiful People” and “I don’t care” before “Overpass Graffiti” follows. One of my favorites “Galway Girl” should not be missed either. He gets supported by Tina on the violin. Oh someday I want to hear that song live in Galway. Imagine the party!
Ed Sheeran owes a lot to the Irish. But probably equally to Zurich. Because in 2011 he met Snow Patrol, the Irish band around songwriter and producer Johnny McDaid, at the “Energy Stars For Free”. It was a game changer for him and gave him a career boost. Ed Sheeran toured with Snow Patrol in 2012 as support. He also produced his hit, his 10th number 1, “Shape Of You” with frontman Johnny McDaid, among other songs. Shape Of You finally brought him to the pop Olympus. The song is of course also part of today’s setlist, but will only follow as an encore.
Yes, even if you are not familiar with Ed and his songs, you probably know most of them. He plays what feels like only hits for 2 hours. Be it his own or ones he has written for others. Like Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself”. The story of how Justin got the song is pure entertainment. How Ed tells a thing or two about his songs. The way he remembers stories and events from the past with a lot of wit, mischievousness and a touch of irony, you just hang on his every word. It’s fun to listen to in every way. For example, he also talks about his search for a new hobby during a longer break. And how he then realized that music was his only true hobby.
Down to earth and approachable
The atmosphere in the stadium is great. The few raindrops don’t bother anyone nor does it bother Ed. Despite the huge crowd, Ed comes across approachable and down to earth. He makes us feel once again as if we were sitting with him on the sofa in the living room. That’s why the heart is bleeding even more when Ed disappears from the stage after songs like “Sing”, “Photograph” (another one of my favorites) and finally “Afterglow”. Luckily he’s got some more hits left. Don’t you agree that “Bad Habits” sounds better live?
In a Swiss football jersey Ed does his rounds energetically across the stage again until he finally says goodbye with “You need me, I don’t need you”. The mega fireworks are only (a nice) side thing.
Ed, we need you! You, your songs and your stories. So please come back soon! Such a fantastic evening. So much love for Ed Sheeran!
Here’s the complete gallery:
Ed Sheeran at Letzigrund Stadium Zurich
Here you can find more information about the acts:
