BENGALURU, India — Local police stopped British pop star Ed Sheeran from busking on Church Street in Bengaluru after officials claimed his performance lacked the necessary permissions.
A viral video of the incident shows Sheeran performing his hit song “Shape of You” on the busy street when a police officer approaches, unplugs his microphone, and gestures for him to stop.
A visibly disappointed Sheeran puts down his guitar and walks away as the crowd jeers in protest.
Conflicting Claims Over Permissions
Local police stated that event organisers had been denied approval due to concerns over heavy congestion in the area.
Bengaluru police official Shekar T. Tekkannanavar told news agency ANI, “I refused to give permission because Church Street gets very crowded. That is the reason he was asked to vacate the place.”
However, Sheeran contradicted this version of events, insisting on Instagram that the performance had been pre-approved.
“We had permission to busk, by the way,” he wrote.
“Hence, us playing in that exact spot was planned out beforehand. It wasn’t just us randomly turning up. All good though. See you at the show tonight.”
Reactions from Fans and Officials
Fans expressed frustration on social media, criticizing the police for shutting down what many considered a harmless and joyful street performance.
A user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:
“We live in an uncleocracy. And there’s nothing uncles love more than to stop young people from having fun.”
However, PC Mohan, a local BJP MP, defended the police intervention, stating:
“Even global stars must follow local rules—no permit, no performance!”
Sheeran’s India Tour Continues
Despite the setback, Sheeran performed later that night at NICE Grounds in Bengaluru, where he surprised the audience by singing two Telugu songs with Indian singer Shilpa Rao.
Sheeran is in India for a 15-day tour, with previous performances in Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai, and upcoming concerts in Shillong and New Delhi.
While in India, Sheeran has also collaborated with sitar musician Megha Rawoot on a special version of “Shape of You” and previously performed with Indian singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh in Birmingham last year.
India’s Growing Live Concert Scene
India’s concert economy is booming, with rising disposable incomes fueling demand for international music tours.
According to a Bank of Baroda report, the live music industry in India is projected to be worth $700-900 million in the coming years.
Sheeran’s tour follows Dua Lipa’s recent concert in Mumbai and Coldplay’s multi-city India tour, marking India’s emergence as a key player in global live entertainment.
