Music

Ed Sheeran Draws Star-Studded Crowd to L.A. Show

By Sophie Schillaci
Getty Images

Who says you need major stage production to put on a captivating show?

Ed Sheeran took the stage in Los Angeles on Wednesday with just a guitar, a microphone and a loop station to deliver nearly two hours of mesmerizing music. He fired through hits new and old, including "Lego House," "Sing," "The A Team," "I See Fire" and "Don't," which incorporated Chris Brown's "Loyal" and Blackstreet's "No Diggety" to audience squeals.

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The set drew concert-goers of all ages and a fair share of Hollywood stars. Among them: Sarah Hyland, Chloe Grace Moretz, Brooklyn and dad David Beckham, Dwight Howard, John Mayer, Benny Blanco and Courteney Cox -- who made it a family affair with fiance Johnny McDaid, daughter Coco, and Cougar Town co-star Christa Miller and her kids.

Turns out, Cox and McDaid were in the house to support Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody, who joined Ed on stage during the encore for a soulful duet on "Chasing Cars." Sheeran said the song was one of his "top 10 favorite songs ever written."

Sheerios are known to get rowdy when their leader is in the room, and Ed did need to gently shush the crowd for his "Chasing Cars" performance. He asked the audience to pipe down just once earlier, when he delivered the heart-wrenching ballad "Afire Love." (For those who took time to soak in the moment, hearing his voice and seeing an entire stadium filled with tiny iPhone lights was unforgettable.)


Photo courtesy of Kyleen James

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"My name is Ed and my job is to entertain your. Your job is to be entertained. Everybody say 'Hell yeah!'" Sheeran told the audience early in his set. Later, he marveled at his first ever headlining stadium tour. "I didn't expect to get to this point," he confessed. "Now we're here and it feels good."

Moretz posted two videos to her Instagram account Wednesday night. One caption read "@TeddysPhotos killin' it" while another simply quoted his lyrics, "Out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now."

Modern Family star Hyland posted this backstage shot with pals Hailee Steinfeld, Jenna Ushkowitz and Alexander DeLeon.

Fellow singer/songwriter Mayer offered high praise for Sheeran on Twitter.

Lightbody found himself star struck by one of the dads in the audience.

He also shared this image from the performance.

Braun made it a date night with wife Yael Cohen and used social media to congratulate Sheeran on his sold-out show.

"A great show and a great night. Sold out Staples Center. Well done"

He also tweeted a declaration of love to his new wife... with some help from Sheeran's lyrics.

This reporter was loving Sheeran's "I'm a Mess" opening, posting this shot on Instagram and even coughing up $35 for the "I'm a Mess" lyric tank. (Worth it!)

The performance comes just days after Sheeran nabbed the MTV VMAs Moonman for Best Male Video for "Sing." Want to hear it live? His tour continues through September 9.

Follow Sophie on Twitter: @SophieSchillaci

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