Bengaluru Police stops Ed Sheeran's street show citing lack of permission

British musician Ed Sheeran’s surprise street performance in Bengaluru was stopped by police on Sunday morning because he did not have permission. The singer-songwriter was performing on Church Street when officers intervened, cutting short his gig while he was in the middle of singing Shape of You.

Why did police stop the performance?

In one of the clips, Sheeran can be seen arriving at the venue with his security team was greeted by cheering onlookers.

Before starting, Sheeran told the crowd, “We were going to play more than one song, but we’re being asked to play just one.” He then started strumming Shape of You on his guitar. However, before he could finish the song, a police officer stepped in and unplugged the microphone and instruments.


A senior officer from Cubbon Park police station said Sheeran was performing without permission, so they had to stop him.

“The police got there because someone complained about public nuisance. If the musician and his team had a permit, they could have shown it to the officers,” the official told PTI.

Church Street: A Cultural Hotspot

Church Street is a well-known area in Bengaluru, famous for its nightlife, cultural events, and vibrant street performances. However, live performances often require official approval to avoid causing disruptions.

Sheeran, known for hits like Perfect Duet, Thinking Out Loud, and Shivers, is currently in India for his Mathematics (+-=÷x) Tour.

Sheeran who performed in Bengaluru on Saturday night is set to take the stage again on Sunday evening.

Inputs from PTI