With Ed Sheeran‘s 360 stage design, he beat the concert attendance record at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium with more than 76,000 fans on Saturday, May 27- yes, beating Taylor Swift. With anticipation and excitement buzzing through the air, the nearly-sold-out crowd eagerly awaited a magical musical journey and they certainly did not disappoint. Kicking off the night was support from Khalid and Dylan.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted into cheers, Khalid stepped onto the stage performing “Young Dumb & Broke”. Instantly captivating everyone with his soulful voice and charismatic presence, he set the tone for an evening filled with heartfelt lyrics and infectious beats. His smooth vocals effortlessly filled the massive stadium.
Throughout his set, Khalid flawlessly transitioned between his chart-topping tracks, such as “Location,” “Eastside,” and “Talk.” Each song was met with thunderous applause and sing-alongs. Khalid’s stage presence was nothing shy of outstanding, as he effortlessly moved from one end of the stage to another, engaging the crowd, waving, and ensuring that every person felt included in the experience.
After Khalid’s infectious set, the fans waited for the main event. Ed Sheeran. After long waiting, a countdown displayed on the giant jumbo-tron hiding where Sheeran would be performing from, the stage transformed into a cozy, intimate setting, complete with a loop pedal and a single microphone. From the moment he strummed the first chord of his opening song, “Tides,” it was evident that the audience was in for an extraordinary performance.
Sheeran effortlessly delivered hit after hit along side tracks from his recent release, –. The sheer brilliance of his loop pedal skills allowed him to create intricate layers of sound, building his songs into musical arrangements right before everyones eyes. The crowd was enthralled as Sheeran showcased his versatility, transitioning seamlessly from “The A Team” to energetic tracks “Castle on the Hill” and “Don’t” to new a fan favorite “Eyes Closed”.
As to be expected when a headliner and opener share a song, Khalid and Sheeran joined forces on stage for a special collaboration, performing a mesmerizing duet of “Beautiful People.” The fusion of their unique styles created a captivating musical synergy that left the crowd in awe all while singing and dancing along.
Throughout the night, both Khalid and Sheeran took the time to share personal stories behind their songs, making the experience feel intimate and genuine. Whether it was Khalid reflecting on his journey to success or Sheeran expressing gratitude for the love and support of his fans, these moments created a sense of camaraderie that united everyone in the stadium and created an atmosphere of pure joy and unity. It was a night that will be etched in the memories of all who were fortunate enough to be part of this remarkable musical celebration.
The arena tour, which kicked off nearly a month ago in Arlington, will continue through the end of September. Tickets for the rest of the +–=÷× Tour can be found on Sheeran’s website. In conjunction with the world tour, Sheeran will be performing small theater shows in each city he visits.
Keep up with Ed Sheeran: Website // Twitter // Instagram
Keep up with Khalid: Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube
