Shillong, Feb 13: The JN Stadium was like a ‘Castle on the Hill’ as 30,000 music lovers—not just from the state but from all over the Northeast and other parts of India, ‘Sing’ as Ed Sheeran strummed his acoustic guitar on Tuesday.
The man from England, wearing a t-shirt with “SHILLONG” printed on it, loves both football and music—making him someone Shillong can truly relate to. Shillongites share the same passion for the beautiful game and melodies, making him One of us. And just like his song, everything about this concert was simply Perfect.
As he began playing the song that every lover relates to his one of his greatest hits, Photograph – the crowd was mesmerised, not just by the beautifully written lyrics but by his soulful voice that cut through the night like magic. “We made these memories for ourselves..” Ed said as his melodic voice held the audience in the palm of his hands, making it clear why he is one of the biggest artists of this generation.
Ed is a one-man show but a musical genius, he not only writes his own songs, he sings, he play his guitar,his piano and he also rap.
Then came the song everyone had been waiting for—Shape of You—and Shillong proved that its love for music runs deep. As soon as the first beat dropped, the stadium turned into one giant dance floor. Strangers became friends, and every single person moved to the rhythm of the song that has dominated charts worldwide.
A special moment in the concert came when Sheeran performed Love Yourself—a song famously sung by Justin Bieber but originally written by Ed himself. Many in the crowd were surprised, but those who knew smiled knowingly, recognising the genius of the man on stage.
Ed may be a global superstar, but his humility shines through. He shared the story of how the ‘A Team’ shaped his journey, from playing in pubs and bars where no one paid attention to finally getting the recognition he deserved at 19. Yet, he never let the setbacks stop him. Thanks to those who believed in him early on, the world gets to experience the magic of Ed Sheeran today.
When Ed Sheeran strummed the opening chords of The A Team, the crowd fell silent, hanging onto every word. The song, which tells a haunting yet beautiful story of struggle and survival, was the one that put Ed on the map. He wrote it after visiting a homeless shelter as a teenager, inspired by the heartbreaking realities he witnessed.
Despite its melancholic lyrics, the melody felt like a warm embrace, and in that moment, Shillong felt every emotion Ed poured into the song. It was a reminder of why he’s not just a singer but a storyteller—one who turns life’s hardest truths into something undeniably beautiful.
MAGICAL, is the word- When Ed asked all 30,000 fans to fall silent for Afterglow, the stadium obeyed instantly, creating a breathtaking moment of pure magic. With just his voice and guitar, he turned the entire arena into his personal choir, guiding the crowd to sing in perfect harmony. It was a surreal experience—one that felt intimate despite the thousands in attendance.
Having performed in cities like Bengaluru, Pune and Chennai before arriving in Shillong, Ed declared that the Shillong crowd was by far the loudest. The man truly knows how to work his English charm, and the fans responded with unwavering energy, making sure he felt right at home.
And as the night drew to a close, Thinking Out Loud had couples swaying, friends holding onto each other, and thousands of voices singing along in unison. It was a night of pure emotions, of love, of nostalgia, and of an unforgettable musical experience.
As the final chords rang out, people left the concert ‘Happier’ — hearts full, voices hoarse and memories made. It was a ‘Bloodstream’ of emotions, a ‘Photograph’ of memories and an ‘Afterglow’ of an experience that will be cherished forever.
Shillong has hosted legendary concerts before, but this one? This one was special. This one was Perfect.
