Ed Sheeran’s Performance Halted in Bengaluru

Ed Sheeran’s surprise performance on Church Street in Bengaluru came to an unexpected stop on the morning of February 9 when police intervened and disconnected his microphone. The renowned musician was delighting fans with his popular song Shape of You when law enforcement stepped in, stating that he did not have the necessary permission for the performance.

Arriving with his security team, Sheeran was greeted by enthusiastic fans. Before beginning his act, he addressed the audience, mentioning the intention to perform more than one song, but noted they were instructed to limit it to just one.

Police Intervention

As he played Shape of You, the joy among the crowd was abruptly interrupted. An officer intervened, disrupting the performance by unplugging the instruments and microphone.

A senior representative from the Cubbon Park police station explained the need for intervention, citing the absence of appropriate authorisation for the event. The official remarked, “The police arrived after receiving a complaint regarding public disturbance. If the musician and his team had secured a permit, they could have presented it to the authorities.”

Social Media Reactions

Fans documented the incident, with many sharing videos across social media platforms. One user on Reddit shared a clip accompanied by a caption that read, “A police officer pulled the plug when Ed Sheeran surprised everyone on Church Street,” complete with laughing emojis. In the footage, Sheeran, donning casual attire and sunglasses, addresses the crowd, stating, “We have the permission to be here, but this policeman is shutting it down.”

The event generated a variety of responses online. Some individuals described the situation as a classic “Only in India” scenario, while others voiced their discontent towards local authorities. A user on X (previously Twitter) commented, “International artist @edsheeran was stopped playing in #Bangalore at Church Street. Even though he had permission. Literally! The cops pulled the plug. Damn sad!”

Divided Opinions

Conversely, some people supported the police’s actions. One commenter remarked, “He’s just doing his job!” Another user highlighted the officer’s fairness, stating, “Lmaooo, uncle doesn’t discriminate between goras and local street singers! He deserves an award.”

Others drew parallels to previous public safety issues, referencing incidents such as the scare during the Pushpa 2 event. One individual noted, “This will block the road, create issues, and finally lead to a stampede. Have you forgotten what happened when Allu Arjun visited the cinema hall to surprise fans?”