Ed Sheeran is breaking records in B.C.
On Saturday, singer-songwriter Sheeran brought his +–=÷x (The Mathematics) Tour to BC Place in Vancouver, where 65,061 fans — “an unprecedented amount” — set a new attendance record for the stadium, said staff.
That beats the previous record set by U2 in 2009 when the rock band’s 360° Tour attracted 63,802 fans, which was 1,259 fewer than Sheeran’s show.
The Grammy-winning artist, 32, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, is known for his songs “Bad Habits” and “Shape of You” — both of which reached number one in Canada, with the latter being the first song to hit two billion streams on Spotify.
“I love Canada, and I’m sad we have 3 North American gigs left,” he wrote to Instagram Sunday. The North American leg kicked off on April 29, and singers Khalid and Maisie Peters opened the show in Vancouver.
Lauding Sheeran on his “remarkable” attendance achievement, BC Place general manager Chris May says the energy from the crowd was “nothing short of electric.”
He says more than 65,000 people “came together to etch their mark in BC Place history,” and “to meet this milestone in BC Place’s 40th anniversary year is both humbling and inspiring.”
Meanwhile, B.C.’s Tourism Minister Lana Popham says Sheeran’s performance not only brought joy to thousands of fans but also showcased Vancouver’s welcoming spirit.
“We’re grateful for artists like Ed Sheeran who contribute to our city’s vibrant cultural landscape and create memorable experiences for both locals and visitors,” she added, congratulating both Sheeran and BC Place.
Up next, Beyoncé will perform on Sept. 11, Coldplay on Sept. 22 and 23 and Guns N’ Roses on Oct. 16 to round out this year’s concert nights at the stadium.
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Ethan Morneau
