Ed Sheeran joined by Elton John as 48000 fans go mad at Allianz Stadium in Sydney

ONE man with a guitar and loop pedals proved to be as entertaining as AC/DC and Taylor Swift. Rain and thunder could not stop Ed Sheeran.

SO how much did Ed Sheeran pay for the lightning show which opened his Sydney show at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday?

It was an electrifying backdrop for a powerful one man concert which underscored exactly why the engaging English everyman has become one of the biggest pop stars in the world.

That was reaffirmed when he was joined in the second half by his mate Sir Elton John for a couple of songs.

Instead of delaying the show as it bucketed down right on showtime, Sheeran got on the stage and was greeted by his adoring crowd dancing and singing in the rain to the opening songs I’m A Mess and Lego House.

It must have looked goosebumpingly spectacular from his vantage point because it was an impressive view from the stands.

By Drunk, the rain had eased from its Armageddon threat but the enthusiasm for Sheeran did not wane.

“I have to say I have never done a concert like this and the atmosphere is ... already you are the loudest crowd in Australia,” he said.

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Crowd joined in ... Ed Sheeran in concert at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd

That is unsurprising considering there were more than 48,000 people in full joyous voice as the lightning crashed around the stadium and one man and a guitar and loop pedals proved to be as entertaining as the pop and rock spectaculars staged by AC/DC and Sheeran’s mate Taylor Swift in recent weeks.

Try beating those decibel levels, football fans!

They swelled to deafening levels when Sir Elton John, who also happens to manage Sheeran, joined him for Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.

As on his previous Australian gigs he mixed up his hits with inventive mash ups including Superstition, Ain’t No Sunshine and No Diggity.

But it was the magic of his own songs which cast the most potent spell over the crowd.

Those songs of love and yearning and celebration, Photograph, Thinking Out Loud, The A Team and Sing provoked the fans into the loudest karaoke moments.

Left nothing in the tank ... Ed Sheeran showed why he is the world’s top male pop star. Pictures: Justin Lloyd

‘Awesome’ ... The rain and thunder did not damper Ed Sheeran — it merely inspired him. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Sheeran physically throws himself into the performance, not so much playing the guitar as employing it as another agile, muscled limb as he did on Bloodstream.

Like any concert, there were dips in the energy levels with the ballads but Sheeran always quickly switched it up with an up-tempo hip-pop favourite like Don’t.

“Awesome! One dude, his voice and a guitar and top songs,” a fan near me said.

Sometimes that is all you need to prove why music matters to so many.

COMMENT BELOW: If you went what was Sheeran like to you?

Played his hits and also cover songs ... Ed Sheeran left 48000 wet people very happy. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Loved @edsheeran in the rain ! Thunder, lightning, torrential down pour and Sydney was rocking!! What a great gig !

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) December 9, 2015

Surprise.... Sir Elton John no palco com Ed no Allianz Stadium em Sydney © mizzue ❤ #EdSheeran #MTVStars Ed Sheeran pic.twitter.com/G4myFewFF3

— Team Sheeran (@TeamSheeranBRA) December 9, 2015

Ed Sheeran was phenomenal as expected.DRENCHED in rain but the crowd maintained its energy 🙌🏼#EdSheeran

— Imz (@imz92) December 9, 2015

One of the best concerts I have ever been too! #Edsheeran

— Scott L (@pissot2000) December 9, 2015

Despite getting poured down on by rain in sydney. @edsheeran you smashed it tonight! #EdSheeran pic.twitter.com/LE4RBpeNDS

— Angela | TODAY!!! (@aussieswiftie95) December 9, 2015

Originally published as Ed Sheeran joined by Elton John as 48000 fans go mad at Allianz Stadium in Sydney