From Jonita Gandhi to AR Rahman: All that went down at Ed Sheeran's mesmerising Chennai performance

Global superstar Ed Sheeran brought his recordbreaking divide x Tour to Chennai after performing in Hyderabad and Pune before that as he started his concert in India on January 30Produced and promoted by AEG Presents Asia and BookMyShow Live the live entertainment experiential division of BookMyShow this highly anticipated performance marked Ed Sheeranrsquos debut in Chennai Fans were treated to an intimate and electrifying experience with the concert turning into a monumental event This performance was not just a concert but a monumental event that set the stage for an unforgettable journey across the countryBefore Ed Sheeran took the stage the evening started off with an electrifying performance by Jonita Gandhi the talented singer known for her captivating voice and versatile range Jonita left the audience mesmerised with a stunning set that included some of her most beloved tracks such as lsquoDeva Devarsquo lsquoWhat Jhumkarsquo lsquoSitararsquo and the crowd favourite lsquoChellamarsquo building the perfect anticipation for Eds highly awaited performanceAs the sun began to set the anticipation in the air was palpable and the moment Ed Sheeran took the stage donning a tshirt that said lsquoChennairsquo celebrating the city the crowd erupted in cheers Opening with lsquoCastle on the Hillrsquo the atmosphere instantly ignited and fans couldnrsquot help but join in singing along to every word The evening was set ablaze with energy and it was clear that the concert would be more than just a typical performancemdashit was a shared experience Ed shared a heartfelt moment saying ldquoI made my first trip to India 16 years ago but this is my first to Chennai and Irsquom so gladrdquo His words deepened the connection with the crowd making the performance even more specialThe highlight of the evening came when in a surprising moment Ed Sheeran called out to the crowd ldquoWill you make some noise for AR Rahmanrdquo and the legendary composer appeared on stage The two musical maestros then created an unforgettable experience as they launched into an impromptu performance blending Eds signature style with Rahmanrsquos iconic sound They seamlessly merged Rahmanrsquos lsquoUrvashi Urvashirsquo Tamil version with Sheeranrsquos lsquoShape of Yoursquo and the crowd went wild screaming and jumping in disbelief at the unexpected collaboration Rahman with a grin turned to Ed and said ldquoEd Sheeran welcome to Chennai Vannakamrdquo The electrifying performance left everyone in awe marking one of the most memorable moments of the nightSheeranrsquos remarkable stage presence and connection with the audience only grew stronger as the night unfolded Hits like lsquoShiversrsquo lsquoIrsquom a Mess lsquoPhotographrsquo and lsquoHappierrsquo had the crowd buzzing but it was the fanfavourite lsquoPerfectrsquo that truly set the venue on fire when it began as fans belted out the lyrics louder than Ed himself creating an unforgettable moment of pure excitement The energy in the air was electrifying as Sheeranrsquos voice resonated through the venue creating a sense of unity that only live music can evokeDuring his performance he emphasised that nothing is prerecorded every sound is created live layered in realtime and erased once the show ends making each citys experience truly oneofakind Using a loop station he taps into his creativity by recording short segments of music beats melodies and harmonies which are then played back in a continuous loop By layering these elements he builds rich dynamic compositions on the spot crafting an immersive sonic experience that exists only in the moment before being wiped clean for the next performanceAs the night progressed Sheeranrsquos iconic strippedback performance continued to captivate The simplicity of his set with just his guitar allowed his raw talent to take centre stage This minimalistic approach proved just how powerful music can be when itrsquos stripped down to its purest form The atmosphere was charged with emotion as the crowd responded to each song with overwhelming enthusiasm The setlist flowed seamlessly moving between heartwrenching ballads and upbeat crowdpleasers building to a crescendo that left everyone on their feetAs the evening neared its end the encore was a true testament to Sheeranrsquos ability to create an unforgettable live experience Performing lsquoYou Need Me I Donrsquot Need Yoursquo and lsquoShape of Yoursquo the show closed with lsquoBad Habitsrsquo where the night concluded on a high with the crowd singing along to every word creating a chorus that resonated long after the final note was a moment of pure joy where fans and the artist alike shared in the magic of live music