When Olivia Rodrigo took to the stage of BST Hyde Park last month, fans knew they were in for a historic performance. The gig was billed as “her biggest UK show to date,” headlining the first of nine concerts held in Hyde Park this summer. But when her longtime supporter Ed Sheeran rocked up on stage to collab on a live cover with Olivia, fans couldn’t believe their eyes!
The duo’s performance instantly went viral over on YouTube, racking up over 348,000 views in just over a month. Music Man readers can check out their surprise set in the clip below.
In a totally iconic moment, the pair strut out on stage, each wielding an acoustic guitar. As soon as Ed unleashes the first line of his debut 2011 single, “The A Team,” the feral screams of Hyde Park’s 65,000-person audience dissolve into song; thousands of voices chant Ed’s lyrics as if the song were still at the top of the charts. All the while, Olivia looks over to Ed, amazed.
Want to find out more about Ed Sheeran’s love for Olivia’s music? Check out his revealing interview with SiriusXM in the video below!
When Olivia joins in harmony with Ed, the magic truly takes off. They’re an amazing vocal match; soft voices toned with emotion comparable to vintage folk stars as they nail this stripped-back and acoustic performance.
Olivia’s solo verse is a real treat for fans. It’s always incredible hearing mega pop hits reimagined in another artist’s voice. And Olivia does complete justice to Ed’s original, streaming her own personality into the lyrics and making Ed break out in smiles throughout the set.
Fans can’t get over how stellar this set turned out, and it’s got countless top commenters on this viral vid looking back at Ed and Olivia’s wholesome friendship. As one viewer wrote, “Ed has supported Olivia from the very beginning. I love that they played together, and they sounded great!” Another commented, “Wow, I wasn’t expecting this to make me feel all the things it did. So nostalgic, but her voice adds something new to it. So beautiful together.”
Other headliners taking to the stage of Hyde Park 2025 included US country megastar Zach Bryan, who performed two back-to-back concerts on the first weekend; folk-pop artist and “Stick Season” singer Noah Kahan; Sabrina Carpenter (another two-date headliner); Neil Young and the Chromehearts; Stevie Wonder; and Jeff Lynne’s ELO, who unfortunately pulled out at the last minute due to Jeff’s medical battles.
Olivia Rodrigo and Ed Sheeran’s unforgettable duet at BST Hyde Park is a testament to their incredible stage presence and musical prowess. Their surprise collaboration not only delighted the crowd but also captivated the online world. Fans eager to relive the magic can find all the details and watch the incredible performance via the links below.