WORLD renowned singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran will perform a free concert in Coventry as part of this year’s UK City of Culture.
There are 700 tickets available which will be allocated via a prize draw.
Sheeran, who has sold more than 150million records across the globe, will perform at the hmv Empire Coventry, Hertford Street, as part of hmv’s centenary celebrations.
The multi-Brit Award winner has several UK chart toppers, including ‘Perfect’, ‘Shape of You’ and ‘Thinking Out Loud’.
The concert is one of a series of events planned by hmv to celebrate its contribution and impact on the music industry, and will be one of the musical highlights of Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture.
Coun Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, said: “It is brilliant news for Coventry that such a massive worldwide superstar is to perform a free gig at the new hmv Empire.
“This is exactly the reason that I agreed a new lease with Phil Rooney joint owner of the hmv Empire – for brilliant news like this.
“We have all been waiting for live music to be back – and now hmv have made sure it’s back with a bang in Coventry. Many of us are desperate to get back to live gigs and performances at our great city venues, and the atmosphere at the hmv Empire will be amazing.
“We have hosted major stars before and they have been truly memorable nights, but to have Ed Sheeran play in a new city centre venue during our year as UK City of Culture will be something really special.”
He added the hmv Empire was a great attraction for Coventry and – thanks to the vision of the owners, the City of Culture Team and the council, it now had its rightful place at the heart of the city.
“This concert is a credit to the team there and to their faith in our city’s future. Thank you to them and to hmv for bringing us what will be a great party for everyone that can get their hands on a free ticket.”
The venue moved from Far Gosford Street to the old cinema and JJB Sports building, and announced a three-year long partnership with entertainment retailer hmv.
Phil Rooney and Dave Brayley, co-owners of hmv Empire said, “hmv is the face of music in the UK and has been for 100 years.
“We are extremely proud to be part of their centenary celebration, and the cherry on the cake is just the stuff of dreams: to have Ed Sheeran – one of the world’s biggest artists – not only coming to Coventry but performing in our new venue, the hmv empire, is simply mind-blowing.
“We have been working hard on the venue and we are very excited to open and to show local people and visitors just how impressive it is. It’s an exciting time for Coventry.”
It has undergone around £500,000 worth of development and has a capacity of around 1,300.
Those who want to be among the 700 lucky fans attending on August 25 should apply at https://centenary.hmv.com/ for tickets.
Fans who register by 11.59pm on Sunday, August 8, will be entered into a free prize draw for tickets to the show.
