British pop star Ed Sheeran was stopped from busking in the bustling Church Street area of Bengaluru on Sunday, with Indian police claiming he did not have the necessary permissions. A viral video shows a local officer unplugging Sheeran’s microphone, cutting his impromptu street performance short.
What happened?
Sheeran, who is currently on his Mathematics Tour in India, had planned to busk in Bengaluru ahead of his concert at NICE Grounds. However, authorities told ANI news agency that his team’s request was denied to prevent congestion in the crowded shopping and entertainment district.
The singer, however, disputed this claim, insisting on Instagram:“We had permission to busk, by the way. Hence, us playing in that exact spot was planned out before. It wasn’t just us randomly turning up. All good though. See you at the show tonight.”
Fans react to police intervention
The incident sparked online backlash, with many fans criticising the police’s actions. One user wrote:“We live in an uncleocracy. And there’s nothing uncles love more than to stop young people from having fun.”
Meanwhile, PC Mohan, a local BJP MP, defended the police action, stating:”Even global stars must follow local rules – no permit, no performance!”
Sheeran’s Indian tour and local collaborations
This marks Sheeran’s second visit to India in as many years. So far, he has performed in Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai, with upcoming shows in Shillong and Delhi.
At his Bengaluru concert, Sheeran delighted fans by singing two Telugu-language songs alongside singer Shilpa Rao. The singer has previously collaborated with Indian artists, having performed with Diljit Dosanjh at a Birmingham concert last year and recorded a sitar rendition of “Shape of You” with musician Megha Rawoot during his current trip.
India has become a key player in the global live music scene, with high demand for international artists. Sheeran’s tour follows Dua Lipa’s recent Mumbai performance and Coldplay’s upcoming multi-city tour. According to a Bank of Baroda report, India’s live concert industry is projected to be worth between $700-900 million (£550-730 million) in the coming years.
