Ed Sheeran – Vector Arena April 11, 2015

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There was plenty of love in the house as English heartthrob Ed Sheeran drew screams of delight from the first of two sold-out crowds at Auckland’s Vector Arena. The floor was jammed with mostly young girls, some of whom had to be carried away by security guards due to the overwhelming thrill of being so close to their hero.

Two years ago, when Sheeran was last at the Vector, he introduced Passenger, aka Mike Rosenberg, who served as the opening act and also sang with Ed during his set. This time around we were treated to newcomer Jamie Lawson who Sheeran has just signed to his newly-formed record label.

Armed with just an acoustic guitar, Lawson sounded just like you’d expect an Ed Sheeran protégé to sound.

The crowd was right with him from the start singing when called upon, clapping at the slightest cue and generally enjoying themselves.

Lawson introduced a new song, Don’t Let Me Let You Down, as “cheesy-as”. And he wasn’t far off the mark, but hey, cheese is an important part of any diet.

Vocally, he reminded me of 70s lightweight folkies such as Kenny Rankin and Michael Franks. His current hit, Wasn’t Expecting That, got plenty of cheers and he finished his part of the show by shooting a selfie and getting everyone to turn on the light on their phones.

Ed Sheeran took the stage at precisely 8:30 and the place erupted with screams of joy from the female members of the audience. It looked to be a family affair, with many young girls accompanied by their mothers. A family of four was sitting in front of me, the mother and daughter singing and clapping along, the father and son, somewhat less engaged.

Although Sheeran has released a new album, 2014’s X, since the last time he was here, his act hasn’t changed much.

It’s just him and an acoustic guitar and a battery of efx and looping pedals. And that’s really all he needs.

The guy is obviously talented…just the ability to hold the attention of 12,000 people along on stage is impressive enough, but the he can sing, play and entertain with the best of them.

The set began with I’m A Mess from X, with Sheeran stage set consisting of a series of video screens showing live and pre-recorded footage and some excellent lighting to go along with it. Sheeran himself was dressed in a modest black t-shirt and blue jean.

Animated Lego pieces appeared on the screens as he launched into Lego House, leading the crowd through the first of many singalongs.

Though Ed was alone on stage, it would be wrong to describe it as a solo show. Along with his looped vocals and guitar, the crowd sang almost as much as he did.

“Try not to care too much”, he urged the fans, “sing out of tune!”

Thinking Out Loud came with the scintillating dancing video playing behind him

Along with his own songs, Ed threw in a bit of Stevie Wonder’s Superstition and Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine during Take It Back, and we heard Nina Simone’s Feeling Good later in the set, which segued nicely into I See Fire, Sheeran’s contribution to The Hobbit film.

Ed must be a Nina Simone fan; last time he was here he performed her Be My Husband. And I See Fire was an intense highlight of the evening.

There were times when I found myself losing interest…Sheeran’s rapping Take It Back and encore You Need Me, I Don’t Need You, didn’t do much for me and in general, his songs, while likable enough, don’t have much emotional weight.

I’m sure my opinion would be in the minority, and I’m certainly not in the target demographic.

Most important, he made 12,000 fans very happy, and most impressive, he’ll do it again tomorrow at the same place.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a gallery of concert photos by Michael Flynn:

Ed Sheeran set list:

  1. I’m A Mess
  2. Lego House
  3. Don’t/No Diggity/Nina
  4. Drunk
  5. Take It Back/Superstition/Ain’t No Sunshine
  6. Photograph
  7. Bloodstream
  8. Tenerife Sea
  9. Thinking Out Loud
  10. Feeling Good/I Feel Fire
  11. The A Team
  12. Give Me Love
  13. You Need Me, I Don’t Need You
  14. Sing
Marty Duda
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