Ed Sheeran Surprises Fans with Intimate Gig
Ed Sheeran treated his fans to a surprise gig in a pub in his hometown, where he performed his new single. The Thomas Wolsey pub in Ipswich city center was temporarily renamed "The Old Phone" – the title of Sheeran’s latest track.
The Surprise Performance
The popup pub will retain its new name for two weeks before reverting to its original name. Music lovers expressed their delight at the global star performing on their doorstep. Sheeran, who grew up in Framlingham, about 15 miles north of Ipswich, is known to be an enthusiastic Ipswich Town fan and has sponsored the team’s shirts.
Fans’ Reactions
Rachel Clements, 28, from Stowmarket, said she was "very excited that he is doing something so small in our hometown". She was hoping to hear his latest single and new material from his upcoming album, which includes a song called "Old Phone". Ms. Clements was one of the many fans who received tickets by responding to an Ed Sheeran WhatsApp message.
A Special Treat for Fans
The 20-year-old Alyssa Ali from Florida, USA, was in London studying and decided to visit Ipswich as part of her travels in the UK. She was thrilled to discover that Sheeran was performing in the city and hoped to get into the pub to see him. "I love Ed and have been a fan for a decade," said Ms. Ali. "So I had to come to his hometown and walk around in Ipswich, and I was here yesterday, and then he decided to pop-up here in this pub, which is just an eight-minute walk from my hotel, so we ran here as soon as I found out and hoped to get in."
Sheeran’s Connection to Ipswich
Sheeran is known for playing spontaneous gigs in Suffolk’s county town, including one at the town hall in 2022. "It’s a buzz and he always goes the extra mile for the people in Suffolk," said Michael Marron, 38, from Ipswich. "I remember he was here not too long ago and he gave a guitar to a primary school child. It’s great to see celebrities doing that."
The Performance
It is understood that music bloggers, influencers, and selected fans have been invited or chosen randomly to take part in the performance. Last week, the musician announced a run of three gigs at Ipswich Town’s Portman Road in July. He is also a minority stakeholder in the club, which has just been relegated from the Premier League.
The Venue
The Thomas Wolsey is named after one of Ipswich’s most famous sons, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who was an advisor to Henry VIII. A statue of Wolsey is located just down the road from the pub. The pub was previously known as Bar IV and The Blackadder. Fans who were lucky enough to get tickets were treated to an intimate performance by Sheeran, who is known for his energetic and engaging live shows.
