by Sabrina Kumari

Edward ‘Ed’ Sheeran. The young man who was hardly known not so long ago has recently blown the music industry to bits with his new album going straight in at number one on the UK’s big top 40. The 20 year old singer song writer became known when he released his first mainstream song ‘The A Team’ which was unleashed in June 2011, since then he has grown tremendously.

Before his chart domination, he desperately tried to get noticed playing over 300 gigs before being signed by his record company. He has been linked to many well known artists such as Wretch 32, Example and James Morrison. Ed rose to fame over the last few years after supporting Example on tour and also became friends with Elton John.

His latest single, Lego House, is another fantastic video staring the famous Harry Potter film star Rupert Grint, claiming that he was recommended to Ed by fellow friend and actor Tom Felton due to their obvious resemblance. Ed is known for his renowned videos, claiming that ‘The A-Team’ was made with only £20 and another featuring Rizzle Kicks which was translated into sign language.

Ed’s talent is showcased in his new album ‘+’ showing of his distinguished talent, he has a compilation of songs and whatever style it is he never fails to make it his own. He is one of the fresh new upcoming artists, who have worked hard to be where he is now, and I am sure that all of his fans will agree that we will be expecting big things from him in the future!

Ed Sheeran’s Birmingham Concert 11/10/11 – by Jessica Greaney

I had the privilege of going along to one of Ed Sheeran’s concerts after the release of his new album ‘+’. May I say that the 11^th October was thoroughly one of the most enjoyable nights of my life. After his two support acts, ‘Ethan Ash’, who also was amazing, dedicating special songs to close friends, and supplying the audience with Jelly Babies, which was different and fun, and ‘Laid Black’ who were also really enjoyable.

Ed Sheeran was greeted with a loud hello as the audience screamed his name, clapping and cheering. After that, the audience were unable to be quiet, until the moment when Ed Sheeran made the audience silent to put more emphasis on his slower songs. There was an amazing atmosphere in the room, and Ed performed with his voice, his guitar and loop pedal only – much different to many other concerts. Ed sounded exactly the same live to how he did on radio and singles.

He performed almost every song on his album, such as ‘Drunk’, ‘The A Team’- with special guest Mikill Pane, who was amazing and got the audience involved easily – and the finale, ‘You need me’, where he split the audience and got everyone singing along. He went off stage while still singing and the audience were thirsty for more. I will definitely be seeing Ed again as soon as he is back in Birmingham. After the concert, Ethan Ash and Mikill Pane were outside and many fans, myself included, got pictures with them, and I even got a phone case off Mikill Pane! Definitely a night to remember! I suggest that if Ed Sheeran, Laid Black, Ethan Ash and Mikill Pane come to your local area, you get a ticket straight away.