In 2021, Ed Sheeran added his name to the list of artists featured in NPR’s beloved Tiny Desk Concerts. However, due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, his performance was part of the Tiny Desk (Home) Concert series, which invited viewers into artists’ homes via recorded concerts. This intimate setting wasn’t the only factor that made the concert special for fans. Ed was also joined by a full backing band – an extremely unusual event for the singer, who usually stands alone with his acoustic guitar onstage.
Ed performed a selection of songs from his album, including ‘Shivers’, ‘Make It Rain’, ‘Overpass Graffiti’, ‘Visiting Hours’, and ‘Bad Habits’. Music Man fans will love to see the intimate feeling of the performance, as well as his unique live interpretations of the album tracks. One fan loved the rendition of ‘Bad Habits’ so much that they commented, “This version of Bad Habits is 100 times better than the record version.” The online video was a hit with fans, pulling in a whopping 13M views.
Despite his usually simple set-up, Ed is known for playing packed arenas and stadiums, charming enormous crowds with only his voice, his acoustic guitar, and a set of loop pedals. Despite his clear ability to fill a large venue, there is no denying that Ed’s music and style of playing perfectly suit a more intimate performance space, too. The singer returned to the intimate recorded concert style format when he released his ‘2024 Acoustic Boat Sessions’ on his YouTube channel.
The video showed Ed performing an acoustic medley of songs from his ‘Plus’ album aboard a boat traveling along one of the UK’s many canals, in an updated version of his ‘2011 Acoustic Boat Sessions’. Delivering a medley of songs from his debut album, the performance is sure to spark nostalgia in Music Man readers, as it is a reminder of how far Ed Sheeran has come since his early days. Many fans left comments on the video reading, “What a throwback” and “Feels like I’m back in school.”
When ‘The A Team’ hit the charts back in 2011, no one could have predicted the enormous success that Ed Sheeran would go on to have in his career. Now, with multiple Grammys, BRIT Awards, and Billboard Music Awards to his name, Ed’s performances on the Tiny Desk (Home) Concert series and the Acoustic Boat Sessions serve as heartfelt reminders of his roots. These intimate concerts allow fans to reconnect with the essence of Ed Sheeran as an acoustic singer-songwriter whose talent as an artist shines through no matter how grand or humble the setting may be.
Ed Sheeran continues to captivate audiences by blending the grandeur of stadium performances with the intimacy of smaller venues, showcasing his versatility as an artist. His Tiny Desk (Home) Concert remains a standout, offering fans a unique glimpse into his musical prowess. If you’re eager to dive deeper into Ed’s world and explore more of his innovative performances, be sure to check out the links below.