On Saturday, June 20, Ed Sheeran brought the second North American stop of his global “Loop Tour” to Nashville, delivering a high-energy performance that highlighted his distinct, heartfelt singer-songwriter style right in the heart of one of the world’s premier music hubs.

The four-time Grammy winner took over Nissan Stadium for a marathon two-hour set. Rather than relying on a traditional backing band, Sheeran captivated the audience with his signature live looping technique. By layering intricate instrumentals, rhythmic percussion, and vocal harmonies in real-time, he masterfully built his sonic architecture from the ground up, giving fans an intimate look at the creation of global smashes like “Perfect” and “Shape of You.”

“It always feels like I’m returning home when I play here,” Sheeran shared with the crowd. His deep ties to Nashville are well-documented; beyond performing at legendary venues like the Ryman Auditorium, he once resided in Hendersonville, Tennessee, in 2013—a pivotal era that heavily influenced his 2014 album, x. His Nashville roots run deep, bolstered by ongoing creative collaborations with artists like Taylor Swift, Luke Combs, and Megan Moroney.

The evening kicked off with an interactive touch: a vintage cassette graphic appeared on the massive stadium screens, inviting attendees to submit song requests. This helped shape a setlist that blended staples like “Thinking Out Loud” and “Give Me Love” with fan-requested favorites including “Dive,” “A Little More,” and the moving “Supermarket Flowers.”

Spanning the stadium with a retractable bridge that linked the main stage to a secondary platform, Sheeran kept the energy white-hot with bursts of pyrotechnics and fireworks. He also surprised the Nashville crowd by inviting local heroes Dan + Shay—with whom he shares a decade-long friendship—to the stage, along with the traditional Irish folk band Beoga.

Supported by opening acts Myles Smith, Amble, and Aaron Rowe, Sheeran’s tour is set to continue its run through major markets including Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, and Las Vegas.