Ed Sheeran invites fans to select songs for his tour

Ed Sheeran’s interactive tour method

Ed Sheeran has introduced a fan‑driven setlist element on his 2026 Loop Tour, letting audiences influence the songs he performs each night. Before concerts in Australia and New Zealand, he invites fans to text in song recommendations displayed on screens.

Five fan‑chosen songs are selected and performed live during each show. This interactive format encourages deeper engagement with his catalogue. It also allows longtime fans to hear rare or forgotten tracks live. Many attendees describe it as a once‑in‑a‑lifetime concert experience.

Tour name and locations kickoff

The Loop Tour kicked off in Auckland, New Zealand, with stadium shows followed by dates across Australia before heading to other regions later in the year. It supports his latest album, Play, while blending fan input into the show.

The tour design features loop pedal performances, blending hits and rarities. It’s designed to evolve as fans help shape setlists. Shows have been selling out quickly due to this interactive element. Fans eagerly travel from surrounding regions to attend.

How fans submit song suggestions

Concertgoers are instructed to text their desired songs to a number displayed on big screens before the show begins. Those texts are tallied in real time, and the most requested selections make the fan‑choice segment.

Sheeran commits to learning and performing whatever fans choose, even deep cuts. This feature makes each concert unique. Fans often debate their picks in line before the show. The voting system adds excitement even before the first note is played.

Number of fan‑chosen songs nightly

Sheeran dedicates five spots during each show for songs picked by the audience. These slots are separate from the core setlist of hits and staples he performs at every concert. The fan picks can include deep catalogue cuts, some rarely performed in years.

That keeps each night’s experience fresh. Each fan‑chosen song is rehearsed in advance by Sheeran. It also challenges him to adapt quickly to unexpected selections.

Examples of rare requested songs

At the Auckland shows, fans chose deep cuts like “Little Bird,” “Sofa” (last played live in 2013), “Tenerife Sea,” “Supermarket Flowers,” “Kiss Me,” and “The City.” These rarely performed selections highlight how fans dig beyond mainstream hits.

It gave long‑time listeners special moments. It also sparked excitement on social media, with clips going viral. Fans shared memories of first hearing some of these songs. The selection demonstrates the depth of Sheeran’s fan knowledge.

“Sofa” revival performance

One standout fan request was “Sofa,” a track from Sheeran’s 2010 Loose Change EP. It was performed live for the first time in nearly 13 years at the Auckland opening show. He noted many in the audience may never have heard it before.

This moment underscored the value of fan choice. Sheeran shared that learning these older songs was “a fun challenge.” Fans cheered and recorded it as a special historic moment.

Core songs remain part of setlist

While fans choose slots, Sheeran still performs a core setlist of his biggest hits and new material from Play. Standard selections honor fan expectations while the request segment adds an element of unpredictability.

This mix appeals to casual and hardcore fans alike. Fans hear the familiar hits while still enjoying unique surprises. It balances excitement with reliability for each show. Audience members feel every concert is special yet familiar.

Sheeran’s social media announcement

Sheeran explained the fan song format on his Instagram before the tour’s first shows. He told fans he’d be ready to learn whatever they pick, encouraging them to “surprise me.” This open invitation drew excitement and deeper interaction.

Fans responded with enthusiasm, posting long lists of favorite songs. His social posts also explained rules and voting procedures. The approach strengthened online fan communities ahead of the tour.

Tour atmosphere and engagement

This interactive setlist idea fosters a participatory atmosphere that draws fans into the creative process. Concertgoers feel more connected to the performance when they can make direct contributions. It’s a fresh concert‑going experience in an era of standard fixed setlists.

Fans describe the shows as “personalized and intimate,” despite the large stadium settings. Artists and attendees both feel the energy from this co-created experience. The atmosphere encourages sing-alongs and audience participation.

Deep catalog rediscovery by fans

Because Sheeran’s catalogue spans decades, fans have used the vote to summon songs from across his career, not just hits. This approach celebrates his musical legacy while giving rare tracks new life for modern audiences.

It also introduces younger fans to older material they may never have heard. Many fans discover songs they missed on previous albums. This method showcases Sheeran’s versatility and longevity. It highlights the breadth of his songwriting career.

Tour timeline and future legs

Upcoming Loop Tour legs are slated for Latin America and North America later in 2026, per initial announcements. The fan-choice texting feature launched in Australia/New Zealand with a strong reception, but there are no confirmed details yet for other regions.

Sheeran’s team may adapt the method based on local audience size and interest. The tour includes dozens of stadium shows across multiple regions, with full dates still rolling out.

Fans are already speculating which rare songs may appear in other regions. The interactive format could set a new trend for stadium tours.

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Fan reaction and concert uniqueness

Fans online have praised the interactive format, saying it makes shows feel personal and exciting. Audience members at different stops hope to hear their favorite songs performed live for the first time in years. It turns each gig into a unique shared moment.

Social media posts show fans exchanging clips of the rare performances. Some fans even plan trips to multiple shows, hoping to hear different fan‑chosen songs. It has become a topic of discussion in fan forums and music communities.

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Which song would you request Ed Sheeran to play on tour: a deep cut or biggest hit, and why? Tell us in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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