BENGALURU: Imagine taking a leisurely Sunday stroll, only to stumble upon your favourite artiste performing on the street, followed by the shock of him being put on pause. That’s exactly what happened when Ed Sheeran treated Bengaluru to a surprise gig on Church Street during his India Tour – a true ‘Peak Bengaluru’ moment. Just as fans gathered in awe, police unplugged the mic mid-performance, citing lack of permission and footpath encroachment. As officers tried to escort him away, Sheeran told the crowd, “We’ve permission to be here, but this policeman is shutting it down. See you later!”Ed Sheeran says had permission, Bengaluru cops deny any approachEd Sheeran began singing at 11.51am but was shut down just a minute later. This reignited debates about whether authorities should be more flexible and welcoming to spontaneous artistic expressions. The local Cubbon Park police denied that permission was granted for the performance. When TOI tried to contact the management of Ed Sheeran, they were unresponsive. Ed Sheeran is in Bengaluru as part of his India tour.Sheeran, however, later posted on Instagram: “We had permission to busk, by the way. Hence, us playing in that exact spot was planned out beforehand. It wasn’t just us randomly turning up.”According to Cubbon Park police, no one approached them seeking permission to perform at the site. “No one can perform on the footpaths or roads as it causes inconvenience to others. Our team asked them to stop. When they didn’t heed, the cops at the spot unplugged the mic connection,” a police official said.Sanjay Kumar, president of Church Street and Rest House Association, defended the police action, asserting that rules must be followed. “Even abroad, performances require permission. Sheeran’s team could have approached us, and we would have arranged a private space in a restaurant or an open venue for Bengaluru to enjoy,” Kumar said.But fans and netizens voiced their frustration and disappointment, arguing that stopping a global pop icon from briefly performing was unnecessary and avoidable, especially in a city known for its vibrant music culture. While some called it an embarrassing moment for Bengaluru, others pointed to the lack of public spaces for cultural events.
Bengaluru cops pull the plug on Ed Sheeran the busker | India News
