Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
The Bad Habits singer was performing on the streets of Bengaluru on Sunday, Feb. 9, in what he described as a pre-approved event for which he had received “permission.”
Ed Sheeran is addressing the moment police in India abruptly ended his surprise street performance.
After fan-recorded footage of the Feb. 9 incident circulated online, the Shivers singer, 33, took to his Instagram Stories to clarify the situation, reassuring fans that everything was fine.
“We had permission to busk, by the way, which is why we were playing in that exact spot—it was planned in advance, not just a random pop-up,” he explained.
He added, “All good though. See ya at the show tonight x.”
Currently on the international leg of his Mathematics tour, Sheeran performed two concerts at NICE Grounds in Bengaluru on Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9.
In the viral street performance video, the singer is seen casually dressed in shorts, a T-shirt, and sunglasses while performing his hit Shape of You. With just a mic stand and an acoustic guitar, he played in front of a colorful mural as fans sang along in the background. However, the impromptu set was cut short when a uniformed officer approached and unplugged Sheeran’s microphone.
Two individuals tried to step in, but the officer remained firm. Sheeran, determined to continue, kept playing even after his mic was cut. However, realizing the situation, he eventually smiled and shrugged in resignation.
In another clip, the singer can be heard addressing the crowd, saying, “Everyone, we had permission to do this, but this policeman is shutting it down.”
Despite the sudden stop, fans seemed to appreciate the unexpected street performance. One spectator shared on X, “Went for a casual walk on Church Street and stumbled upon Ed Sheeran performing live. What a city!”
Later that Sunday, Sheeran shared another update on his Instagram Stories, posting a photo of himself in what looked like a backstage green room. He captioned the image “Night 2,” referencing his second show in Bengaluru.
During his visit to India—before continuing his tour to Shillong and Delhi—Sheeran has been documenting his experiences on Instagram. One highlight was his first-ever sitar lesson with Megha Rawoot, whom he praised as “a great teacher” in a Feb. 7 post. He quickly got into the groove, strumming the instrument and even singing “Shape of You.”
In another Instagram post on Feb. 6, titled “India dump 2,” Sheeran shared a collection of photos and videos showcasing his adventures. He explored local sights, spent time with England’s cricket team (who were also in the country), and even hit the recording studio with Grammy-winning composer A. R. Rahman, known for scoring Slumdog Millionaire.
Ed Sheeran Addresses Police Intervention at His Surprise Street Performance in India