MANILA, Philippines —In an almost two-hour one-man show, Ed Sheeran was able to unite his Filipino fans at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, Pasay City on Sunday evening.
The concert ground was filled with thousands of fans — they call themselves "sheerios" — from all ages eager to listen to Sheeran’s hits from his latest album, “Divide.”
No back ups, no band, just @edsheeran, your live one man band. #SmartEdSheeran #SmartMusicLive pic.twitter.com/4r1dkA7Q6l
— SMART (@LiveSmart) April 8, 2018
For Filipino sheerios, Sheeran’s concert in Manila was worth the wait.
Having been deferred for months, Sheeran’s comeback concert in Manila satisfied the fans with a non-stop showcase of his smash songs. He was initially slated to hold his concert last November but it was rescheduled following a bicycle injury.
Sheeran deviated from his usual setlist in Asia and opened the show with “Castle on the Hill” that pumped up the sheerios who waited for him.
In his previous concerts in Asia, Sheeran kicks off every Divide tour with “Eraser.”
No signs of broken arm
The British singer-song writer didn’t seem to have broken his arm as he performed 18 songs with just him, his loop pedal, guitar, colorful visuals, and outstanding singing voice and rap skills. The show left the audience wanting for more.
Among the hits he performed were his Divide album song “Dive,” “Bloodstream,” “Happier,” “Galway Girl,” “Perfect,” and “Shape of you.”
Sheeran also surprised the crowd when he serenaded them with “Tenerife Sea.” He also sang his 2014 hits from the Multiply album, “Thinking out loud,” and “Photograph.”
Although known for mellow love songs, Sheeran still managed to make Manila crowd scream and dance.
“We had a loudest crowd in the shows so far was in Dunedin, New Zealand but I knew that when I came to the Philippines we would have a louder crowd,” Sheeran said.
Even British Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau Daniel Pruce was wowed by Sheeran’s performance.
Amazing concert by #EdSheeran in #Manila tonight #DivideTourMNL #EdSheeranMNL #MusicIsGreat pic.twitter.com/csmvoeBUSL
— Daniel Pruce ???????? (@DanielPruce) April 8, 2018
Delighted to meet #EdSheeran ahead of his remarkable performance in #Manila this evening #MusicIsGreat #DivideTourMNL #EdSheeranMNL pic.twitter.com/yw3knGDC5f
— Daniel Pruce ???????? (@DanielPruce) April 8, 2018
Meanwhile, Sheeran rapped his 2009- single “You need me, I don’t need you,” to end his one-night-only show in Manila.
Filipino love
The 26-year-old Grammy Award-winning Sheeran was grateful for his Filipino fans throughout the concert, citing that his 2015 show in the country was among his favorites. He also cited how his latest album won 8x platinum in the Philippines.
“What I love about that is that in my own home country I won 8x platinum which means you have the equal amount of love for me [than my home country]. This says a lot and I feel really really glad to be here,” he told his fans.
Sheeran also posed a selfie with the Manila crowd and posted it on his Instagram.
After his successful comeback, Sheeran vowed to return to Manila again.
In October, Sheeran announced that he would move the Manila concert to April after he had a bicycle injury. He was then scheduled to perform with Lauv as the front-act guest.
Sheeran’s Manila concert was presented by Ovation Productions and AEG Presents Asia.