'Mathematics tour' recap: Ed Sheeran sends ‘shivers’ rippling through Manila

MANILA, Philippines — With guitar pick-shaped screens, pyrotechnics, a looping pedal and a spinning stage, Grammy-winning Ed Sheeran, his trusty guitar in hand, created an electrifying atmosphere for his thousands of Filipino fans during the Manila stop of his globally acclaimed +–=÷× Tour or known as the Mathematics Tour.

Almost six years since his sold-out Divide Tour, the Grammy-winning artist returned to Manila last Saturday night, putting on an amazing show at the SMDC Concert Grounds for the 60th pit stop and 100th show of the Mathematics Tour. 

In his two-and-a-half hour concert brought by Ovation Productions, Sheeran thrilled the audience with chart-topping tunes from his math-themed albums +, ×, ÷, -, and =, including collab tracks, spanning genres including rock, hip-hop, pop and ballads.

With thousands in the crowd, add the big stage, fireworks and screens, the concert felt massive and grand, yet Sheeran's lyrics pierced through the crowd, resonating on a deeply personal level, especially for the Sheerios who have been following the artist since his debut album, “+.”

Soon as the countdown was displayed on the screens, the crowd went crazy, more so when Sheeran finally appeared and opened the night with performances of “Tides,” “Blow” and “I’m A Mess.”

As he’s always done in his concerts for this tour, Sheeran brought his iconic looping station from which he built the sound layers of his songs through a pedal, on the spot like a one-man band—for the eager audience to hear live. 

Sheeran's performance was a journey through his hits, featuring songs like "Shivers," "The A Team," and "Castle on the Hill," alongside a lively mash-up of "Dont" and Blackstreet's "No Diggity."

Emotions ran high when Sheeran played "Eyes Closed," a tribute to his late friend Jamal Edwards, leading to a heartfelt moment shared with the audience. 

Nostalgia then filled the air as he serenaded the crowd with Filipino favorites such as "Give Me Love," "Lego House," “Dive”  "Photograph," and "Thinking Out Loud." 

Sheeran also added to his setlist “American Town,” a track from his latest album “Autumn Variations,” as well as “Love Yourself” which lyrics he wrote and was performed by