Sixty thousand people do not sing every word to every song unless something real is happening.

Night one of three at Marvel Stadium felt less like a stadium show and more like a city-wide singalong with a very overqualified busker at the centre of it. Ed Sheeran had caught the train down from Sydney earlier that day, which somehow tracks. There is something deeply on brand about one of the biggest artists on the planet rocking up to a 60,000-capacity venue the same way everyone else does.

Vance Joy opened with effortless charisma, warming the room with hooks built for open skies and long drives, his catalogue landing with the kind of ease that makes you forget how many hits he quietly owns.

The production was wild without ever feeling overcooked. Two stage set ups split the stadium, connected by a bridge that felt almost theatrical in scale, giving every corner of Marvel something to lock into.

The Loop Tour concept remains one of the most impressive feats in modern pop. Sheeran builds entire songs from scratch in front of you, stacking vocals, guitar, percussion, until the room is shaking from something created in real time.

Before he even stepped out, a QR code flashed across the screens inviting fans to request three songs. The crowd delivered deep cut Little Bird, the tour debut of Happier, and I’m A Mess, turning a stadium into something that felt oddly intimate.

Midway through the set, Beoga joined him for a seven song run that added texture and warmth, giving the show a brief band feel without losing the solo magic. The hits came relentlessly. I Don’t Care exploded into a full stadium bounce, Celestial shimmered, Give Me Love built to a roar, while Thinking Out Loud and Perfect turned 60,000 voices into one.

A medley of songs he has written for other artists was a sharp reminder of the depth of his pen, delivered with a grin that suggested he still cannot quite believe this is his job.

There were kids on shoulders, parents reliving their own soundtracks, couples holding hands through choruses they have probably used in wedding videos. The banter between tracks was grounded and charming, never forced.

If you get the chance to see Ed Sheeran live, do it. Stadium pop rarely feels this personal.

Ed Sheeran – The Loop Australian Tour 2026

Fri 16 Jan 2026 – GO Media Stadium – Auckland, NZ
Wed 21 Jan 2026 – Sky Stadium – Wellington, NZ
Sat 24 Jan 2026 – Apollo Projects Stadium – Christchurch, NZ
Sat 31 Jan 2026 – Optus Stadium – Perth, WA
Sun 1 Feb 2026 – Optus Stadium – Perth, WA
Fri 13 Feb 2026 – Accor Stadium – Sydney, NSW
Sat 14 Feb 2026 – Accor Stadium – Sydney, NSW
Sun 15 Feb 2026 – Accor Stadium – Sydney, NSW
Fri 20 Feb 2026 – Suncorp Stadium – Brisbane, QLD
Sat 21 Feb 2026 – Suncorp Stadium – Brisbane, QLD
Sun 22 Feb 2026 – Suncorp Stadium – Brisbane, QLD
Thu 26 Feb 2026 – Marvel Stadium – Melbourne, VIC
Fri 27 Feb 2026 – Marvel Stadium – Melbourne, VIC
Sat 28 Feb 2026 – Marvel Stadium – Melbourne, VIC
Thu 5 Mar 2026 – Adelaide Oval – Adelaide, SA

Tickets via frontiertouring.com/edsheeran

REVIEW: Ed Sheeran - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne