British singer Ed Sheeran, currently in Bengaluru for his Mathematics (+-=x) Tour, broke into an impromptu performance on Church Street on Sunday morning but was stopped by the Bengaluru police.
Sheeran was singing his popular hit 'Shape of You', but before he could complete it, the Bengaluru Police arrived at the scene to pull the plug, literally.
It appears the police officers didn't recognise Sheeran and stopped him because he didn't have the permit to do so. Sheeran also claimed to have permission.
However, as per reports, Sheeran had requested permission to perform on the street, known for its bustling cultural activity and nightlife, but it wasn't granted.
Before Sheeran proceeded to sing his hit 'Shape of You', Sheeran said the band had plans to sing more than one song but were told to keep it to just one.
A police officer pulled the plug when Ed Sheeran surprised everyone on Church Street😂😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/cMIRoLC7Mk
— Naai sekar (@snehaplsstop) February 9, 2025
A senior police official of the Cubbon Park police station said Sheeran was performing "without any permission so they had to stop", while pointing to the fact that if Sheeran indeed carried the permit like he initially said, he would've produced it before them.
"The police got there because someone had complained of public nuisance," he told PTI.
Social media reactions have been divided on the incident, with some defending the police while others going to the extent of bringing up the Pushpa 2 stampede, saying such situations will cause a roadblock and stampede.
Sheeran, 33, debuted with the album + ("Plus") in 2011. 'Shape of You' is one of the chartbusters from his third album ÷ ("Divide"), the other being 'Castle on the Hill'.
The album won a Grammy award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.
Sheeran's other popular tracks are 'Perfect Duet', 'Thinking Out Loud' and "Shivers".
Sheeran had earlier shared an Instagram reel where he did a Sitar cover of 'Shape of You' under the guidance of Sitar player Megha Rawoot.
