Around 70,000 people gathered yesterday at the Madrid Metropolitan Stadium during the first of the two dates that Ed Sheeran makes in the capital. The artist, who began the European Mathematics Tour tour, presented himself in a 360 stage, bordered with a kind of running tape – obviously – obviously – in constant movement. Further away, in the corners and in four different stages, there were musicians.
The concert began at 9:10 p.m., after a countdown in which the public was more and more encouraged. Ed Sheeran appeared with his usual casual style and without great pretensions, carrying a Madrid shirt and black pants. ‘Castle on the Hill’ inaugurated the set, where the first fireworks, smoke of colors and flares to accompany the melodic euphoria of the song have already appeared. Following that festive line, the ‘Blow’ rocker arrived before approaching its most natural territory for the first time and where it seems most comfortable: ballads.
‘The A Team’ from his album ‘+’, one of his best songs, illuminated the stands with the hints of the attendees while interpreting it with great feeling. At the vocal level, Sheeran was perfect all night, demonstrating that he is a more capable singer than the study recordings allow us to perceive, and it is precisely in that intimate moments when he shone. On the other hand, in the compositions with more recharged instrumentations the sound in the stands lost some sharpness (probably due to the magnitude of the stadium).
Something not so common in the macroconciertes of this caliber and that it is worthy of admiration is that Sheeran renounces, to some extent, to spectacularity. And yes, there is pyrotechnics and colored lights, but beyond those ornaments, there are no dancers, or choreographies, or changing or scenery. He is alone on stage with his guitar, practically all the time, which says a lot about the confidence he has in his songs and in his knowledge as an interpreter. Despite the lack of everything mentioned, at no time gave the feeling of reluctance or that the show was careless. In fact, fans seemed greatly satisfied with each movement or phrase that stated their idol. The public did not disconnect from the show or a second.
There were only two songs where Sheeran was accompanied on stage. In the first, he invited Tori Kelly to sing ‘I was made for loving you’, a 2015 collaboration that is the first time they sing together. The singer’s precious voice was a perfect manner with Ed Sheeran’s, offering a very well integrated romantic ballad in the set. On the second occasion, the violinist Alicia Enstrom appeared to accompany him in the folk-pop of ‘Gallway Girl’.
Sheeran, who launches his new album ‘Play’ in September, took the opportunity to advance ‘Sapphire’, a single that comes out next week and was the first time he sang live. It is an animated pop song, with certain dyes Imagine Dragons. From the same project, he also presented the first two singles: ‘Azizam’ and ‘Old Phone’. The latter, one of the best themes he has launched in a long time, deals with the discovery of his phone for ten years, in which he saw old conversations that caused him intense emotions.
Very given to give context about his songs throughout the concert and interact with the public, Ed Sheeran commented that ‘Eyes Closed’ was dedicated to a friend of his who died suddenly. The artist made a brief reflection on how losses often come without warning, motivating the public to live and enjoy the moment.
Towards the middle of the show, Sheeran announced that from there the attendees would have to sing with him. All their hits came, heavy artillery. The stadium roared with the sentimentality of ‘Thinking out loud’ and ‘Perfect’. Also with the version of ‘Love Yourself’ by Justin Bieber, a whole anti -love love that, again, caused the public to light the flashlight of their phones. Of course, in this final stretch, there was no missing some of his most emblematic and animated pop songs such as ‘Bad Habs’, with which he closed, or ‘Shape of You’.
Thus ended an evening starring great love stories, intense ballads and teenage fury. Ed Sheeran showed that he does not need large displays to conquer 70,000 people. For the Non-Fans, the more than two hours that lasted sometimes could become a bit arduous, but it is fair to recognize that the English singer offered a good show, and especially, at the vocal level, it was very successful. From time to time, one can afford to pass with the sugar.
