Ed Sheeran Surprises Florida HS Band Members By Working Out Rough – Billboard

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Ed Sheeran took a few minutes between gigs in Florida this week to wow some members of the high school band when he casually strolled through their practice with his guitar as they performed his latest hit, “Eyes Closed.” The singer – who performed at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday – not only crashed the band’s practice last week, but also surprised students by handing them tickets to last weekend’s stadium concert in their city native.

“I thought I’d come over and play some songs for you guys,” Sheeran told the high schoolers. “I also brought some guitars to donate to you for (your) music department,” he told the whoops in the room. “Tomorrow is for 72,000 people, but here I’m going to play a little (unintelligible) if that’s okay.”

As some openly wept, Sheeran played his new single, “Perfect,” while the Blake High School band captured the shock moment on their phones, then he stayed for selfies and autographs. In footage on the school’s Facebook page, Sheeran was even seen signing the back of a student’s midnight blue electric guitar. As if that weren’t enough, Ed provided expert backing vocals for a quartet of kids playing his hit “Photograph” on acoustic guitars while allowing one of the students to confidently take the lead.

Amid his massive North American stadium tour, Sheeran is also taking part in more intimate concerts, including a show on Friday, May 26 at the 2,600-seat Tabernacle club in Atlanta; the following evening, he’ll be back in style with a concert at the city’s 71,000-seat Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Watch the high school video here.