There has been so much hype surrounding Ed Sheeran and his Croker gig that I was beginning to worry the British red-head wasn’t going to fully live up to my expectations.
But hand on my heart I can say he surpassed them completely…from welling up while Ed serenaded us with Photograph to singing along with the crowds to his popular tune Sing, every moment was perfect.
First off I have to explain that I thought all my hopes and dreams of seeing Ed live were dead in the water…I had been trying and trying to get tickets non stop and just when I gave up two magical tickets appeared just a half an hour before the gig.
I was so determined to go and everyone I know was sick of me complaining that I couldn’t get tickets, so it’s fair to say I’ve had one of the best days of my life.
Lucky: We got Ed tickets half an hour before the show
One guy and his guitar selling out 80,000 tickets in Croke Park doesn’t even sound right, but sitting there in the Premium level it certainly felt right.
He started off the gig by telling us all that he will definitely, definitely be singing live tonight (Eh duhhhh?).
It seems after his surprise gig in Whelan’s this week some complaints were made so Ed reassured us all that he was 100% live and that there was no “backing track” as some people had assumed, instead it turns out he is just a genius when it comes to his Loop Pedal.
But his words were quickly forgotten as soon as he started playing Lego House, the crowds went mental and so did Ed…which is what makes his gig all the more fun.
Some man for one man: Ed was sensational
Without staging, dancers and a full band behind you – you wouldn’t think one guy could really hold an audience of 80,000..but he did. We hung on to his every word, we moved when he told us to move, sang when he asked… it’s like we were all breathing the same breath.
Unlike most gigs where one would be moshing and dancing and just going a little crazy in general, Ed’s gig is much more calm, and to be honest, quite emotional.
Although every artist in the world likes to tell their crowd they are “the best in the world” when Ed says it in Ireland he truly, truly means it.
Myself and Entertainment Reporter Meghann Scully couldn’t help but well up during most of the songs, and although we sang along we had to take a few big gulps too.
But his sweet smile and his addictive energy kept everyone’s spirits high, and running around the stage he managed to get most people dancing.
Emotional: Ed sang his heart out | VIPIRELAND.COM
While the show was already so emotional and already so perfect, Ed told us all he was going to sing a song he wasn’t planning on singing…. On Raglan Road (cue a serious amount of tears around the stadium).
And that wasn’t the only surprise, as it got dark and iPhone torches lit up the stadium Ed said: “I’m going to do something I’ve never done before.”
Seconds later Kodaline appeared on stage, with nearly everyone in the seated sections standing up and singing along to All I Want.
Lead singer Steve Garrigan looked like he was going to faint when he heard 80,000 singing his lyrics back to him, that’s definitely going to be one of the highlights in their career.
As soon as they left the stage though it was the Ed show again, and bursting into Give Me Love made us fall in love with him all over again.
Even though I loved dancing and clapping around to Sing and Bloodstream it was the slow ballads that really took my breath away.
My personal favourite was Photograph, it’s one of my favourite songs right now and I definitely had a few teary-eyed moments during that one.
Happy out: I truly loved every minute of Ed’s gig
I See Fire was another incredible performance, especially with the lighting and the amazing art work on the massive screens (including some clips from The Hobbit).
Seeing his performance and hearing his lyrics made me fall head over heels in love with the award winner and it was emotional seeing his journey from a struggling artist to the international hit he is today (he shows everyone pictures of his journey on screen which helps).
One thing is for sure…after listening to Ed Sheeran pour his heart out to us for two hours, no man will EVER live up to my expectations now.
Thanks Ed,
Ali
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