The pop megastar was raised in Framlingham, a town north of Ipswich, and is a lifelong supporter of Ipswich Town FC, in which he now owns a minority stake. 

Ed Sheeran will be playing three shows at Ipswich Town Football Club’s home stadium, Portman Road, from 11 July to 13 July. Each night, he’ll be accompanied by special guest performers, such as Busted, Tori Kelly and James Blunt to name a few. 

To celebrate, Ipswich Borough Council, along with Ipswich Central Business Improvement District, have announced they will decorate the town in pink bunting, the same shade of pink that features on the cover of Sheeran’s upcoming album ‘Play’. 

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A post shared by All About Ipswich (@allaboutipswich)

Leo Walker, CEO of Ipswich Central, shares his enthusiasm: “When we heard that global superstar, dedicated Ipswich Town fan and local lad Ed Sheeran was coming home to perform in Ipswich this summer, and bringing 90,000 fans with him, we knew we had to celebrate.

“As we ‘Welcome Home Ed’, it is a chance for the whole town to celebrate as the eyes of the world fall on the town.

“We are the only town getting this opportunity this summer. Ipswich has a proud history of turning out and turning up to celebrate its successful sons and daughters, so let’s seize the opportunity once more as we ‘Welcome Home Ed’.” 

This wouldn’t be the first time Ipswich has turned pink for Ed Sheeran. In August last year, Ipswich Town unveiled a Suffolk-inspired football kit, in a collaboration with the artist. Instead of ‘Play’ pink, the kit took inspiration from Suffolk pink, a unique shade of pink paint which covers homes all across the county. It also featured mathematical symbols, from Sheeran’s iconic albums and ‘Mathematics’ tour, and a silhouette of Framlingham Castle, a reference to his hometown, and in Sheeran’s opinion, “a huge landmark of Suffolk.” 

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Throughout July, Ipswich Borough Council will also provide a variety of street entertainment, such as live performances from local talent, and on concert days, there will be a fan zone in the town square, where customers can enjoy food, drink and merchandise. 

As well as this, Ipswich Central is hosting a window dressing competition, challenging businesses to decorate their windows in ‘Play’ themed colours. The winner will receive a £500 cash prize.  

Venues that have a connection to Sheeran will be highlighted in walking tours hosted by All About Ipswich. 

Borough Councillor Neil MacDonald added: “Ipswich is really excited about the gigs coming up on Ed’s home turf and I’m sure plenty of people will be on board with painting the town pink. 

“We are very happy to welcome him back, and the whole area will benefit from the boost to the local economy.” 

You can get your tickets to Ed Sheeran’s Portman Road shows here. 

Applications for Ipswich Music Day 2024 are now OPEN!

Are you an aspiring musician from Ipswich, Suffolk or the East Anglian region? We want to hear your music!

Apply now for your chance to perform at Ipswich Music Day – https://t.co/OrcA1HM28j pic.twitter.com/hzKkQDWa7P

— Ipswich Entertains (@IpswichEnts) January 9, 2024

Ipswich Music Day has a rich history of showcasing talented musicians, with even the likes of Ed Sheeran gracing its stages before achieving international fame. In 2009 and 2010, Sheeran performed at this festival, leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and organisers. Now, with the opportunity for DJs to apply, the festival is set to expand its musical offerings even further.

With six stages, including one hosted by BBC Radio Suffolk, performers only need to apply for the stages other than the one hosted by the radio station. Wayne Bavin, the breakfast presenter, has promised a bigger venue, a larger stage, and an impressive lineup that is already in the works, he said “We’re going to have a bigger venue, a bigger stage and we have a brilliant line-up that’s already being prepared for you.” This assurance has generated excitement among musicians, who are eager to be a part of this renowned festival.

Last year, the council received applications from 233 performers, resulting in 52 successful musicians entertaining a crowd of 24,500 people. This demonstrates the festival’s popularity and the high level of talent it attracts. Neil MacDonald, the Labour leader of the council, has emphasised the festival’s significance in providing a platform for emerging artists. MacDonald said, “It’s a fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming artists to showcase their talent and for Ipswich to come alive with the sound of music, fun, and entertainment.” Ipswich Music Day not only showcases established musicians but also nurtures and supports up-and-coming talent, contributing to the vibrant music scene in Ipswich.

Overall, the announcement of the first-ever opportunity for DJs to apply to perform at Ipswich Music Day has generated excitement and anticipation. With its rich history, diverse lineup, and commitment to supporting emerging artists, this festival continues to bring the vibrant spirit of music, fun, and entertainment to Ipswich.

Applications for the festival are currently being accepted by Ipswich Entertains until March 31st. Successful candidates will receive notification of their selection by April 12th. Neil MacDonald, the council’s Labour leader, highlights the festival as a fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming artists to showcase their talent and for the community to indulge in a day brimming with music, amusement, and entertainment.