While Ed Sheeran might be enamored with the melody of “Shape of You,” the police in Bengaluru, India, certainly weren?t fans of the impromptu sounds emanating from his street performance. Authorities swiftly intervened during his recent show, effectively putting a stop to what was intended as a spontaneous musical experience for fans in the area.

Currently on a highly anticipated tour in India, Ed Sheeran found himself in vibrant Bengaluru over the weekend, where he was set to perform two electrifying shows at the city?s NICE Grounds. However, on February 9, during what many hoped would be a surprise street performance, authorities intervened, citing the absence of necessary permissions as the reason for their abrupt action. This incident drew significant attention, highlighting the complexities artists often face while performing in public spaces around the world.

Social media was abuzz with footage capturing the moment police halted Sheeran?s lively performance of ?Shape of You,? with officers unplugging his instruments. In the video, Sheeran can be heard addressing the crowd, expressing his surprise at the interruption, stating, ?We have permission to be here, but this policeman is shutting it down.? He cheerfully concluded with, ?See you later!? showcasing his professionalism even amidst the unexpected shutdown.

The president of the Church Street and Rest House Association, Sanjay Kumar, responded to the disruption by affirming the police’s right to intervene in such situations. He elaborated that even in international contexts, street performances necessitate permissions. Kumar mentioned that had Sheeran?s team contacted them beforehand, they would have been more than willing to arrange a suitable venue, perhaps in a restaurant or a public space, allowing the citizens of Bengaluru to enjoy Sheeran’s music in a more controlled environment.

In contrast to Sheeran’s claims, local police from Bengaluru?s Cubbon Park clarified that they had not granted permission for the street performance. They emphasized that public performances on footpaths or roads can lead to significant inconveniences for pedestrians and motorists alike. The officers explained that they had initially requested Sheeran’s team to cease performing, but when they did not comply, they had no choice but to disconnect the microphone to restore order in the area.

In light of the incident, Ed Sheeran took to his Instagram Stories to clarify his stance, reiterating that indeed permission had been arranged for the performance. He mentioned, ?We had permission to busk btw, hence us playing in that exact spot was planned out before; it wasn?t just us randomly turning up.? Sheeran concluded on a positive note, saying, ?All good though. See ya at the show tonight x,? demonstrating his commitment to his fans despite the setback.

Following the street performance incident, Sheeran proceeded to deliver his scheduled second performance in Bengaluru that same evening. With remaining shows lined up in India, including a highly anticipated concert on February 12 in Shillong and another in Delhi on February 15, he continues to captivate audiences. After his Indian tour, Sheeran is set to embark on a six-date tour in China later this month, further expanding his global reach.

In an exclusive interview with Variety back in December, Sheeran shared exciting news about his upcoming record, revealing that he had completed the album and shot two music videos. He also mentioned plans to film two additional music videos in 2025 during his travels across India, China, and the Middle East. However, it remains uncertain whether the interrupted street performance was intended for inclusion in any of these projects, leaving fans curious about what might have been.