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Ed Sheeran Breaks Record for Biggest Live Music Performance on TikTok
Ed Sheeran Breaks Record for Biggest Live Music Performance on TikTok
Ed Sheeran has broken the record for the biggest ever live music performance on TikTok. Over 5.5 million unique viewers watched the show across the live stream last Friday, June 25th, and two replays on Saturday, June 26th. The performance took place at Portman Road, the home stadium of Ed's beloved Ipswich Town football club, and was streamed globally on his TikTok channel.
The show was specifically designed for the TikTok audience, featuring a bespoke stage and special effects. Ed used an on-stage mobile phone to interact directly with the audience, and augmented reality was integrated with the backdrop of the football stadium, changing with each song. The performance was both intimate and grand, captivating millions in the TikTok community.
The show also premiered Ed's new single 'Bad Habits', which had an exclusive preview on TikTok the week before. Fans were able to create videos using a clip of the song, resulting in over 400,000 creations using the sound since its launch. This preview became the biggest global song preview on TikTok, setting a new record.
The TikTok UEFA EURO 2020 Show celebrated the partnership between TikTok and UEFA as the home for football fans during the tournament. Ed performed a 12-song set, including classics like 'A Team', 'Sing', and 'Shape of You'. He also emotionally performed his song 'Visiting Hours' from a local pub, dedicated to his late friend, former Australian music exec Michael Gudinksi.
The show marked several firsts for Ed, including his first global broadcast, his first full show with a live band, and the premiere live performance of 'Bad Habits'. The campaign leading up to the show, featuring videos with football icon David Beckham, garnered 150 million views on TikTok.
Paul Hourican, Head of Music Operations, UK, TikTok, praised the show as a groundbreaking moment for live music streaming and a demonstration of TikTok's scale and ambition for artists. Ed Howard, Co-President of Atlantic Records, expressed excitement over the success of the show and the partnership between Ed, TikTok, and Atlantic Records.
For those who missed the show, it will be available for viewing on TikTok on Friday, July 9th at 1 PM ET. To watch the show, simply download the TikTok app for free from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon.