February 5, 2025: As part of his highly anticipated six-city Indian tour, British pop superstar Ed Sheeran took a moment to meet legendary composer AR Rahman and his son AR Ameen in Chennai. The meet-and-greet, which took place at Rahman’s iconic KM Music Conservatory, was a delightful fusion of music and camaraderie, giving Sheeran the chance to interact with budding musicians and even sing a rendition of his chart-topping hit Perfect alongside the Conservatory’s choir.
The meeting wasn’t just about music; it was a bonding experience that Sheeran clearly cherished. Rahman shared moments of the encounter on Instagram, including a picture of Sheeran capturing the maestro’s candid moment at the music console. It was a heartwarming snapshot of two musical legends from different corners of the world sharing a moment of mutual respect.
Sheeran’s Mathematics tour kicked off on January 30 in Pune, and it has been a whirlwind of performances ever since. Sporting a T-shirt with the word “Pune” emblazoned on it, Sheeran excitedly noted his excitement about performing in new Indian cities, having previously only performed in Mumbai. His performance in Pune was electrifying, setting the stage for more spectacular shows. On February 2, he performed at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, with Indian singing sensation Armaan Malik opening the show.
Ed Sheeran thrilled by Chennai Champi
The excitement didn’t stop there. Ahead of his much-anticipated performance in Chennai, Ed Sheeran experienced a traditional champi, a head massage native to Tamil Nadu. A video of the 33-year-old singer’s hilarious reaction to the massage has since gone viral, sending fans into fits of laughter.
The clip, shared by Ed Sheeran’s fan club, EDHQ, shows the singer preparing himself for the champi with a playful countdown: “3, 2, 1, let’s go!” As the masseuse begins his work, the onlookers (likely Sheeran’s entourage) burst into laughter, with Sheeran flashing a wide grin before exclaiming, “This is abuse.” The light-hearted video captures Sheeran’s typically good-natured humor as he experiences the intensity of the traditional massage.
The Shape of You singer also shared the moment on his own Instagram stories with the caption, “This kinda slaps.” Fans quickly flocked to the comments with some hilarious reactions. One joked, “Now we’ll know the reason if you forget lyrics,” while another quipped, “I always thought I wanted a head massage, but I’m not so sure now.” Fans also had fun imagining what it would feel like for Ed Sheeran’s guitar during Bloodstream, with one fan saying, “Now you know how your guitar feels during ‘Bloodstream’.” The comments kept rolling in, with another fan commenting, “This is definitely not a relaxing massage.”
With the Mathematics tour now in full swing, Sheeran’s Indian adventure is one for the books. After Pune and Hyderabad, the tour is set to hit more cities, with Chennai being the next stop. The concert promises to be an unforgettable experience, blending Sheeran’s international pop magic with the unique cultural vibe of India. Stay tuned for more fun moments and musical magic as Ed Sheeran continues his tour across the country!