Melbourne fans react to ‘breathtaking’ Ed Sheeran gigs

More than 200,000 people packed into the MCG across Ed Sheeran’s two Melbourne performances, with fans blown away by the super-sized style.

Ed Sheeran in concert at the MCG. Melbourne. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

A history making night at the MCG was again capped off with a moving tribute to Melbourne icons Shane Warne and Michael Gudinski at Friday night’s Ed Sheeran concert.

More than 109,500 fans packed the stadium to break the Australian record for the most tickets sold to a single concert, passing the record set just 24 hours earlier by Sheeran himself.

Sheeran said Friday night’s show was the biggest he had ever played at anywhere in the world, surpassing Thursday night’s crowd of 105,000 fans.

“Melbourne this is the biggest show of my life,” he said before his first song.

Crowds gather at the MCG for the second Ed Sheeran Concert at the MCG on Friday. Picture: David Crosling

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“So yesterday was my biggest concert ever, today we’ve sold more tickets, this is officially my biggest concert and Australia’s biggest ticket selling concert.”

Sheeran again spoke fondly of his great mate Shane Warne, who tragically died in Thailand a year ago, today (Saturday).

Similar to Thursday night’s show, Sheeran played a cover of an Australian classic – Hunters and Collectors’ Throw Your Arms Around Me – in another tribute to the late great music boss Michael Gudinski and close friend Shane Warne.

“I’d like to dedicate this to Michael but I’d also like to dedicate it to my friend Shane Warne, who has a stand here and is also a brilliant, brilliant Melbourne bloke,” he said on stage.

Hunters and Collectors frontman Mark Seymour with Sheeran and Matt Gudinski.

He said Michael Gudinski would be “thrilled” the see the ‘G at maximum capacity.

“The first time I ever spoke about playing at the MCG was a long, long time ago, it was about eight years ago, and I was sat with Michael Gudinski, and he said ‘you have to play at the MCG’,” Sheeran added.

“I really wish he could have seen this but I know he would have been absolutely thrilled that there’s 110,000 Melburnians (here).”

He spoke of his first time touring Australia and playing in Melbourne over a decade ago, saying he couldn’t believe he was still playing in front of thousands.

There were more than 109,000 tickets sold to Friday night’s concert. Picture: David Crosling

“I first came to Australia in 2011, and my first gig here in Melbourne had like 30 people, and I remember praying it (would go) well, I remember it being a torrential downpour that day,” he added.

“At the time, my dreams were to just play in Australia, not play in the biggest concert ever in Australia, this is pretty nuts.”

Sheeran played all of his smash hits – Shape of You, Thinking out Loud, Castle on the Hill, Perfect, The A Team and more, sending the record-breaking crowd into a frenzy.

The stage setup was immaculate. Sheeran played on a 360-degree rotating platform, giving punters from all areas of the MCG their fair share of action.

A plethora of lights, pyro and fireworks were launched into the night sky from the get-go, adding to the unbelievable concert experience.

“Melbourne what an unbelievable night … this is something I’ll never forget,” he added.