Ed Sheeran Clarifies Bengaluru Street Performance Was Approved Amid Police Intervention

Singer Ed Sheeran took to Instagram on Sunday to clarify that he had obtained permission to perform on Bengaluru's Church Street.

His statement followed an incident where Bengaluru police abruptly halted his impromptu street performance, sparking outrage among fans. Sheeran, dressed in a white t-shirt and shorts, was seen singing and playing his guitar on a pavement in the heart of the city ahead of his scheduled concert. Local media captured footage of a police officer approaching Sheeran mid-performance as he sang Shape of You, unplugging his microphone while onlookers jeered. The singer left the spot shortly after.

According to the police, event organizers had not been granted permission for the performance, which took place on one of Bengaluru's busiest streets.

"I refused to give permission because Church Street gets very crowded. That is the reason he was asked to vacate the place," said Bengaluru police official Shekar T Tekkannanavar, as quoted by ANI.

However, Sheeran later addressed the situation on Instagram, stating that prior approval had been secured.

"It wasn't just us randomly turning up. All good though," he wrote.

Sheeran, who started his career as a busker in the UK, is in India for a series of concerts. Later that evening, he performed in front of thousands at an open-air venue in Bengaluru, accompanied by Indian singer Shilpa Rao.