British pop sensation Ed Sheeran faced an unexpected halt to his busking attempt in Bengaluru on Sunday, when local police intervened due to a lack of necessary permissions. The incident occurred on Church Street, a bustling hub for shopping and entertainment, and was captured on video as a police officer unplugged Sheeran's microphone, which quickly went viral.
According to officials, Sheeran's team had put forth a request to perform on the street, but it was rejected to prevent potential congestion. However, the singer took to Instagram to clarify, stating, "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."
This incident transpired just before his scheduled concert as part of the Mathematics Tour at NICE Grounds in Bengaluru. The police intervention attracted criticism from fans online, with comments highlighting the frustrations surrounding vague public space regulations. One user remarked, "We live in an uncleocracy. And there's nothing uncles love more than to stop young people from having fun," reflecting widespread sentiments about authority stifling public enjoyment.
Local politician PC Mohan from the ruling BJP party defended the police’s actions, asserting that "even global stars must follow local rules - no permit, no performance!"
Currently on a 15-day tour across India, Sheeran has already performed in cities like Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai, with more shows planned in Shillong and Delhi. During his Bangalore concert, he surprised audiences with renditions of two popular Telugu songs alongside singer Shilpa Rao. Sheeran's prior collaborations in India include a performance with singer Diljit Dosanjh in Birmingham and a project with sitar musician Megha Rawoot.
As demand for live music continues to surge in India—particularly following high-profile concerts from artists like Dua Lipa and Coldplay—Sheeran's tour is among the largest ever seen in the country. A recent report by Bank of Baroda projected that the concert industry in India could be worth as much as $700-$900 million, indicating the nation's emergent status as a significant player in the global concert economy.
