Ed Sheeran’s concerts at Croke Park will be staged “spectacularly” the likes of which have never been seen in this country, the promoter claimed last night.
Peter Aiken was speaking before the Shape Of You hitmaker performed amid 160,000 fans at the GAA venue on Saturday and Sunday night.
Last night the star performed an intimate warm-up show at Whelan’s in Dublin in front of hundreds of lucky fans.
Read more:Ed Sheeran pulls pints and enjoys Jaeger bombs with South Dublin pub staff ahead of Croke Park gigs
Tonight he will perform another preview event at Vicar Street in the city. Mr Aiken said Sheeran’s concerts at Croke Park will have “all the bells and whistles” as part of his maths tour.
He said: “This is the first year of his three-year world tour.
“It’s great that we have our first date and he’s in town right now and he’s getting ready for Whelan’s tonight.
“So who knows what happens after that.”
Peter described Sheeran’s directing as “spectacular”.
He added: “It’s like I’ve never seen anything, and I’ve seen everything. It’s in the round and it’s all bells and whistles.
“It’s going to be so different from anything he’s done before.” Since landing in Ireland, the 31-year-old superstar has already gone local.
The Bad Habits singer posed for photos at the Fitzgerald pub in Dublin’s Sandycove and even served pints behind the bar.
Dressed in a baseball jacket, Ed was praised by the owner as he pulled down a pint in a video.
The singer seemed pleased with his achievement as he waited for Guinness to stabilize.
He also dined at Indian restaurant Rasam Restaurant in Glasthule on Monday night before heading to the pub.
(Image: Phillip Massey/WireImage via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, at a press briefing yesterday, Croke Park bosses encouraged spectators to ensure their phones were fully charged as tickets for concerts are digital only.
Partygoers are advised to download passes from their Ticketmaster account to their phone prior to the show.
Details on how to download or transfer tickets have been mailed to customers.
Event controller Eamon O’Boyle said it would be a special show.
He added, “One of the things that will be different about it is that it will be an in-the-round gig.
“It will be very exciting. The best advice I can give anyone is to come early as I think the show and the staging is going to be very exciting.
The gates to Croke Park open at 4pm and spectators are asked to be mindful of residents and not to congregate in advance.
Supporting acts are Denise Chaila and Maisie Peters with Sheeran’s set scheduled to start at 8 p.m.
(Image: grahamkeogh.com)
A comprehensive policing plan will be put in place over the weekend aimed at providing a safe environment for those attending the concerts.
It also aims to minimize disruption to residential and community life.
Area residents are often concerned about the impact concerts can have on their neighborhood.
Garda Superintendent Martin Mooney said plans were in place to prevent anti-social behaviour.
He added that his officers want people to enjoy their evening but be considerate of residents.
Superintendent Mooney said: “There will definitely be zero tolerance for street drinking.
“I’m not a party pooper, neither are the guards, but inside the cordon anyone who has alcohol will have it taken away and fined.
“There is zero tolerance for urination and zero tolerance for littering.
“Illegal parking will be dealt with. There are blockers working on the night in question and we will take care of that too. Croke Park is in a residential area, please respect the residents and treat them as you expect to be treated yourself.”
Spectators are advised to plan their trips in advance and use public transport whenever possible.
In all, Ed Sheeran will play 10 gigs on the Irish leg of the world tour with dates this month and next in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Belfast.
Read more:Are Ed Sheeran Croke Park tickets still available and how much do they cost?
Read more:How Damien Rice inspired a 13-year-old Ed Sheeran at the Whelan concert
Sign up for the Newscast live from Dublin to receive all the latest news from Dublin straight to your inbox.
