Before he was filling arenas around the world, Ed Sheeran took centre stage in Norwich, playing at various venues across the city.
From The Birdcage to Epic Studios the 26-year-old singer-songwriter from Framlingham made a name for himself locally and as his third studio album, ÷ (Divide) is released, we take a look back at the Norwich shows that helped make Ed Sheeran the international superstar he is today:
The Brickmakers
• 2008
Sheeran played at the live music venue in 2008 during the semifinals of the Next Big Thing competition.
Norwich Arts Centre
• April 2008
• 1 February 2010
Ed has performed several times at Norwich Arts Centre, first opening for Nizlopi,(the band behind the JCB Song), in April 2008 after working as their guitar technician on tour. He later supported American pop rock band Iglu & Hartly there along with The Politics in 2010.
The Forum
• 2009
After winning the Next Big Thing in 2008, the Suffolk star sang at the launch of the competition the following year, outside The Forum on Millennium Plain.
Norwich Fringe Festival
• 1 May 2009
Ed performed You Need Me, I Don't Need You, Let It Out and various other tracks at St Gregory's Church as part of the SoapBox Loves at the Norwich Fringe Festival.
Noir Bar and Cafe
• 25 February 2010
Sheeran did a small show at Noir Bar and Cafe in Norwich back in 2010 before the venue closed later that year.
The Birdcage
While making the rounds on the Norwich gigging circuit, he played at The Birdcage Cabaret.
Norwich House Gig, Dereham Road
• January 2010
The first ever live performance of his hit track, The A Team, took place at a house gig on Dereham Road in Norwich in January 2010. BBC Introducing Norfolk captured the footage.
The Waterfront
• May 2010
• 22 December 2010
• 11, 12, 13 July 2011
• 30 October 2011
Sheeran has graced the stage at The Waterfront various times, supporting acts such as Example in 2010. He then went on to play several headline shows at the venue, where he announced news of his worldwide record deal, and became the first person to ever host three consecutive gigs at the venue in July 2011 when he performed to sold out crowds.
The singer also returned to the venue in October 2011 as a surprise guest at a Wretch 32 concert, where they performed their single Hush Little Baby.
UEA
• November 2008
• 23 October 2011
Ed Performed at The University of East Anglia during the final of the Next Big Thing competition which he won in 2008. The win was controversial according to David Powles, then a news editor at Norwich Evening News, who said: 'Most people had expected up and coming Norwich-band The Kabeedies to win.' He later went on to perform a headline show as part of his October 2011 UK tour at UEA.
Epic Studios
• July 2012
The singer had a gig at Epic Studios in 2012 after returning from the United States supporting Snow Patrol on their tour from March until May. During the show he played a great cover of Nizlopi's All My Life.
• Did you attend one of these shows? Send your photos to courtney.pochin@archant.co.uk
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