ED SHEERAN | LIVE REVIEW
Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Thurs 21 June
If you only see one concert this year, make sure you get to see the incredible Ed Sheeran.
I’ve seen many concerts in Wales’ national stadium but this was by far the best. One man with a guitar (which he changes after every song) and no band at all stood alone on a stage and gave 80,000 people a night they will never forget from start to finish. He opened the concert with Castle On The Hill, which was so full of passion and energy you wondered how he would keep this up for an hour and 45 mins – but, without question, he did.
Sheeran had the crowd in the palm of his hand as he explained how, aged 18, he played a gig in Cardiff to a very small audience which barely listened or acknowledged his presence. What did he sing at that gig? A Team, which went on to sell millions, and which he preceded to play tonight, encouraging everyone to sing with him; 80,000 people acknowledged him this time, for sure. Well, apart from one silent punter spotted to my left, so make that 79,999 joining in.
He continued with hit after hit, from Galway Girl to the showstopping Bloodstream: you forget how many amazing songs he has written. Sing, Shape Of You and Perfect, to name a few, duly appeared; Thinking Out Loud added the romance to the evening as couples danced, kissed and fell in love all over again.
This, said Sheeran, was a tick off his bucket list: from playing gigs in empty Cardiff bars, progressing to the Students Union, then the Motorpoint Arena, he had always dreamt of one day playing to a full house at the Principality Stadium. On the first of four sold-out nights here, he proves dreams can come true, so do whatever you can to try and get a ticket, if you haven’t already.
Shape Of You, the first of two encore songs, had everyone singing again a minor earthquake rumoured in Cardiff Bay as the whole stadium was literally bouncing. Finally, set closer You Need Me, I Don’t Need You found him rapping with the energy and passion of the opening moments. One of the most talented artists, I’ve had the pleasure to see: a true superstar.
words KEV PEDALINO