Ed Sheeran’s Dynamic, Hit-Filled Nashville Show: 5 Best Moments

Ed Sheeran brought both solid songs and plenty of spectacle to his Saturday night (June 20) headlining show at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. Spearheading his Loop Tour, the solo stadium show featured Sheeran building each song live using a loop pedal, highlighting both Sheeran’s energetic, entertaining showmanship and musical precision. A folk-pop star known for writing his own material, the approach also allowed him to give fans a glimpse into the process of how he constructs his slate of hits.

Instead of launching the show from the main stage, he walked through the crowd, shaking hands with audience members before holding court at a smaller b-stage in the middle of the stadium. He launched into “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You” and “Sapphire.” Though he was commandeering the show solo, the set also offered plenty of visual extravaganza. By the second song, he had fireworks brushing the sky in shades of pink and dark blue, while fiery pyros were utilized throughout the evening. A retractable bridge that stretched over the audience allowed Sheeran to move back and forth from the main stage to the smaller b-stage multiple times throughout the show.

He sailed through a setlist that included over 30 songs, including renditions of “Shape of You,” “Thinking Out Loud,” “Perfect” and “The A Team,” but also left room for improvisation, allowing fans to text in song requests, and obliging on songs such as “Dive” and “A Little More.”

During the set, Sheeran called Nashville “my favorite city in America,” and talked about several previous times he’s played Music City venues including Nissan Stadium and the Ryman Auditorium, and even lived in Nashville for brief stretches of time over the past decade or so. His Nashville ties include working with artists over the years, ranging from Luke Combs and Megan Moroney to Taylor Swift, and he’s regularly popped up at shows in more intimate Nashville venues, including The Bluebird Cafe, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, and even playing a show with Noah Kahan at Santa’s Pub just last year.

His show featured everything from guest artists, to quiet moments of reflection, love-struck ballads and songs with infectious grooves that got fans jumping, cheering, dancing and singing loudly along. Below, Billboard highlights five best moments from Sheeran’s Nissan Stadium show.