Bengaluru police stopped Ed Sheeran’s short street performance on Church Street on February 9, 2025, shortly after he began singing “Shape of You.” Sheeran said the planned busking had permission; police said permission for a pavement performance had been refused. The available reports do not establish what any permission covered, so the dispute remains unresolved.
What happened on Church Street?
Sheeran was performing near Bengaluru’s M. G. Road Metro station on the afternoon of Sunday, February 9, before his scheduled concert in the city that evening. The Indian Express reported that an officer disconnected the speakers roughly a minute after Sheeran began “Shape of You”; NDTV also reported that police intervened within a minute. The Indian Express and NDTV covered the interruption.
What did Ed Sheeran say about permission?
After the interruption, Sheeran said on Instagram that the performance had been arranged in advance and that his team had permission to busk at that location. The Indian Express transcribed his statement: “We had permission to busk…hence us playing in that exact spot, was planned out before, it wasn’t just us randomly turning up.” Hindustan Times also reported his response.
Why did police stop the performance?
Bengaluru police gave a conflicting account. Deputy Commissioner of Police Shekhar T. Tekkannanavar said organizers had requested permission to perform on the pavement, but the request was denied. Police said officers came to the location after a complaint and stopped the performance. The Guardian quoted Tekkannanavar, speaking to ANI: “I refused to give permission because Church Street gets very crowded. That is the reason he was asked to vacate the place.” The Guardian reported the police account; The Times of India also reported that police said permission had been denied.
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Was the permission dispute resolved?
No. Sheeran’s statement that the performance was planned and permitted conflicts with police’s account that permission for a pavement performance had been refused. The reports do not reproduce or independently verify a permission document, or establish its precise scope. They therefore do not determine which account was legally correct.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened after the street performance?
The street performance took place before Sheeran’s scheduled Bengaluru concert that evening. The Guardian reported that he performed later that night at an open ground; The Indian Express identified the Bengaluru concert venue as NICE Grounds in Madavara.
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