Sheeran Debuts Eighth Album “Play” With Historic Tiny Desk Livestream

Ed Sheeran released his eighth studio album, Play, today and celebrated with the first-ever full-scale Tiny Desk concert livestream from NPR’s offices on September 12, 2025. The intimate performance marked a bold new chapter for the British superstar as he showcased tracks from his globally influenced record.

Nut Graf Play arrives after Sheeran closed out his +−=÷x Tour, blending Irish folk with Indian and Persian musical traditions to craft a vibrant, boundary-crossing sound. The Tiny Desk event underscored his evolution, offering fans a stripped-back glimpse of new songs in an iconic, small-stage setting.

Tiny Desk Milestone

Sheeran headlined NPR Music’s Tiny Desk at 5 p.m. BST, looping vocals and guitar live.
First artist to stream a full Tiny Desk concert of this scale, reaching millions online.

Global Inspirations and Video Release

Play draws on Indian tabla rhythms, Persian santoor textures, and Sheeran’s signature acoustic balladry.
Official music video for lead single “Camera,” directed by Emil Nava and starring Phoebe Dynevor, premiered alongside the album. Shot on iPhone in Croatia, it captures romantic wanderings through Old Town streets and midnight bar-hops.

Closing One Era, Opening Another

Sheeran concluded the Mathematics Tour in Düsseldorf on September 7, 2025, after 168 shows. Play now sets the stage for his upcoming Loop Tour, kicking off December 1 at Paris’s Zénith, with additional European arena dates in Munich, Coventry, Manchester and Dublin.

What’s Next?

Loop Tour (22 shows) begins Dec. 1, 2025, supporting Play across Europe, then Australia and New Zealand in early 2026.
Sheeran is slated to perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on September 20, 2025.