While in Bangalore for a series of concerts, the British singer decided to entertain passersby with an unplanned performance on Church Street. As he strummed his hit song Shape of You, a police officer intervened, disconnecting his guitar and microphone cables. Images of the incident quickly circulated on social media, showing Sheeran raising his hands in frustration.
Authorities later confirmed that Sheeran had not been granted permission to perform in the area, citing heavy foot traffic as the primary concern. Deputy Commissioner of Police Shekhar H. Tekkannavar explained, “Church Street is extremely busy, and we aim to maintain smooth movement in the area. ”
However, Sheeran disputed the claim, insisting on Instagram that he had received prior approval. “We had permission to busk, ” he stated, emphasizing that the performance was planned in advance rather than a spontaneous act.
The incident sparked a debate online, with some social media users criticizing the authorities for shutting down the performance instead of focusing on more pressing city issues, such as traffic congestion and water shortages. Others simply expressed their excitement over the unexpected sighting of the global star.
Sheeran, a well-loved artist in India, performed to a sold-out crowd in Mumbai last year and has two more concerts scheduled in the country before continuing his tour in China and the UAE.