Massive Crowd and Electric Atmosphere as Show Kicks Off
On the evening of 31 January 2026, British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran delivered a spectacular performance at Optus Stadium, Perth, marking the Australian leg of his global “Loop” tour with an audience of roughly 55,000 fans. The stadium buzzed with excitement from the moment attendees streamed through the gates, many clutching signs and humming chords from Sheeran’s extensive catalogue. The crowd’s high anticipation was palpable, setting the tone for an unforgettable night.
Sheeran entered to thunderous applause, kicking off the evening with a dynamic set that blended songs from his latest album Play with beloved classics. The audience — spanning teenagers to older fans — responded with enthusiastic sing-alongs and rhythmic clapping, creating an almost euphoric communal energy that lifted the performance from a concert to a shared celebration of music.
Solo Performance Anchored by Live Looping Innovation
True to the tour’s name, Sheeran’s show revolved around his signature loop pedal technique, building rich, layered compositions live onstage without a backing band. His setup — essentially one man crafting an entire sonorous world through guitar, vocals, percussion and vocal harmonies — demonstrated both technical mastery and artistic confidence.
At one stage, the singer paused to explain how the pedal, gifted to him as a teenager, had shaped his career — a reflective moment that drew cheers and genuine applause, underscoring the deep connection between artist and audience.
Setlist Highlights and Fan Interaction
Over the course of nearly three hours, Sheeran delivered over 30 songs, weaving between early favorites and newer material. The setlist — carefully crafted and varied in tempo and emotion — kept the crowd engaged from upbeat opener to encore. Hits like “Shape of You,” “Thinking Out Loud,” and “Perfect” drew the loudest ovations, with tens of thousands singing along word for word.
Unique to this tour, Sheeran integrated fan-curated elements into his set. Before the show, fans could request songs via QR code, and selected picks were performed live, a move that resonated deeply with the crowd and added an interactive edge to the evening.
Visuals, Staging and Sonic Ambition
The production — while focused around one performer — was anything but minimalist. Sheeran’s team deployed telescoping stages and vibrant lighting that allowed him to move and perform from multiple vantage points, making the massive stadium feel more intimate. Visuals on giant screens complemented the mood of each song, enhancing emotional climaxes during ballads and energizing the audience during upbeat numbers.
Pyrotechnics and atmospheric effects punctuated key moments, lending a festival-like grandeur to the evening and driving home the sense that this was more than a show — it was a shared cultural event with tens of thousands in rapt attendance.
Technical Hiccups and Critical Reception
Despite the overwhelmingly positive crowd reaction, some reviewers noted technical challenges inherent in Sheeran’s ambitious solo setup. At times, the stadium’s acoustics made quieter songs like “The A Team” less clear than in smaller venues, and a few loop-pedal cues were reportedly missed, leaving moments of the performance feeling slightly off-balance.
Nevertheless, these imperfections did little to dampen the broader impact of the show. Many saw them as part of the risk inherent in such a unique live presentation — a trade-off for the artistry and daring that define Sheeran’s current musical direction.
Fan Reactions: From Ecstasy to Exhaustion
Audience response ranged from ecstatic to reflective. Social media feeds lit up with clips of fan favorites, photos of wristbands pulsing with crowd lights and clips of the emotional sing-alongs during ballads. Many fans took to online platforms after the show to share personal reactions — from pure joy and tears of connection to lighter lamentations over songs they wished had made the setlist.
For some, the concert was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, an emotional high that left fans buzzing long after the final chord faded. A few noted how Sheeran’s voice and presence made even a vast stadium feel intimate — a testament to his enduring star power.
Collaborative Moments and Special Guests
While the core performance remained a Sheeran solo spectacle, the artist brought on Irish folk band Beoga for six songs, adding depth and varied instrumental textures that delighted long-time followers. These collaborative moments drew some of the loudest cheers of the night, blending Sheeran’s pop sensibilities with traditional folk colorings and creating standout highlights.
Closing Notes and Tour Trajectory
As the night wound down, Sheeran thanked his Australian fans for their overwhelming support and enthusiasm, reaffirming how meaningful each market is to him. A heartfelt encore sent the crowd home on a high, with thousands lingering in the stadium and surrounding precincts to soak in the shared experience.
The Perth show served as a powerful kick-off to the wider Australian tour, which will see Sheeran travel to additional cities — from Brisbane and Sydney to Melbourne and Adelaide — before the loop-based world trek moves onward. With each night drawing massive crowds and glowing reviews, this leg of the Loop Tour points to a sustained appetite for Sheeran’s distinctive blend of storytelling, musical ingenuity and emotional resonance.
7 years in the field, from local radio to digital newsrooms. Loves chasing the stories that matter to everyday Aussies – whether it’s climate, cost of living or the next big thing in tech.
