Bengaluru: British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran’s impromptu street performance in Bengaluru was abruptly halted by local police on Sunday morning, citing a lack of permission for the event.
Sheeran, who was performing on Church Street, was in the middle of a rendition of his hit song Shape of You when police intervened.
The move sparked protests from a crowd of onlookers, with fans voicing their displeasure over the interruption.
In response, Sheeran and his team insisted that they had the necessary permissions to “busk” in the area, clarifying that they did not appear “randomly.”
In a video posted later, Sheeran can be seen explaining, “We have permission to be here, but this policeman is shutting it down.”
His comments highlighted his frustration with the situation, as fans continued to voice their disappointment.
The police, however, maintained that the necessary permissions had not been obtained for the performance.
According to police officials, an event management company had approached the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Central office for approval to perform on Church Street. However, due to the area’s high foot traffic, permission was denied.
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“As Church Street is a crowded place, we denied permission,” a police spokesperson explained.
The police further emphasised that street performances and busking are only permitted after obtaining the required approvals, particularly in busy areas where such performances could cause public inconvenience.
Sheeran, who is currently touring India with multiple concerts, had previously performed in Chennai and has a concert scheduled for later this week at NICE Grounds in Bengaluru.
Despite the setback on Church Street, fans remain eager to see the Grammy-winning artist live in concert.
While the police upheld their decision as part of routine law enforcement, many netizens expressed disappointment over the missed opportunity to witness an informal performance by the global music icon.
