REVIEW: Ed Sheeran, Palais, Melbourne, 3rd August 2012

04 August 2012

Bouncing on stage to the screams of adoring fans, it was clear that the often shy and bumbling, ginger-haired Ed Sheeran was in his element. Draped with just his guitar, the singer/songwriter was able to captivate every single audience member with his incredible musicality.

PHOTO GALLERY: Check out all the snaps from one of the gigs of the year!

His sold out show at the Palais, St Kilda, proved to be the perfect balance between light and dark, high and low, fast and slow. Ed knows how to work his audience, getting them hyped up and involved in a West Side Story style sing-off and then captivating a silent room with his inspired version of the folk song, 'Wayfaring Stranger'. This guy has talent.

The insatiable screaming from the throngs of adoring fans meant Ed was constantly shushing and asking for everyone to "just relax, just chill". This was never going to be the case, with girls crying, flowers and presents being hurled on stage, and one stray teen leaping up to have a quick hug mid song. The audience was in awe of him, and wanted to let him know. Frequent marriage proposals and admissions of love were met by an appreciative but ever so mischievous, "I love you, too". It is unclear how Ed's ego has not swelled beyond recognition, with one fan declaring him to be her "Ginger Jesus".

Ed Sheeran commands attention, almost despite himself. His baggy jeans and plain t-shirt, matched with flaming red hair and sometimes awkward, longwinded stories can make you question how he has been labelled a heartthrob. But he opens his mouth, strums his guitar and, using his loop pedal, harmonises beautifully with himself, and manages to easily captivate his audience.

His ability to swiftly build a soundscape and live backing track for himself is mind blowing. Introducing the audience to his beloved loop pedal, he has the capability to record small loops of voice, guitar and beats to slowly build up the backing for the rest of the track, harmonising with himself. Ed, you're a genius.

The singer/songwriters fast paced lyrics enthral his listeners with their story telling. The lyrics from "You need me" say it all.
"I sing, I write my own tune and I write my own verse, hell/Don't need another wordsmith to make my tune sell/Call yourself a singer-writer, you're just bluffing/Name's on the credits and you didn't write nothing/I sing fast, I know that all my shit's cool/l will blast and I didn't go to BRIT School"

A few breaks in between songs to retune his guitar, allowed Ed to really show off his cheeky, humorous side. Having the whole audience sing along to his "tuning song" so they could just entertain themselves for a bit, and announcing the fact that he was playing his last song, but he would then wait in the wings to be called back for an encore, made him incredibly endearing to every screaming fan.

The announcement of his next tour, in early 2013, sent shivers down spines and evoked tears of joy. If you missed him this year, make sure you are up at the crack of dawn, waiting in line to get tickets for the next show. It absolutely cannot be missed. Check out his next dates:

Sat 23 Feb Perth | Challenge Stadium (All Ages)
Tue 26 Feb Adelaide | Entertainment Centre (All Ages)
Thu 28 Feb Wollongong | WIN Entertainment Centre (All Ages)
Fri 1 Mar Sydney | Entertainment Centre (All Ages)
Sat 2 Mar Brisbane | Riverstage (All Ages)
Tue 5 Mar Melbourne | Festival Hall

Review: Hayley Travis
Photos: Kate Wehl