Ed Sheeran

Well we were at a place I so did not expect to be yesterday.  Someone we knew had bought tickets to an Ed Sheeran concert. They had another more pressing engagement out of town and offered us the tickets.  We went and I am so glad we had the opportunity.
It was a huge day.  We had church in the morning and walked to the train in the arvo and got to Suncorp in time for all acts.  Someone had offered to pick us up after the show (turned out at Petrie) and we got to sleep about midnight.
I admit I did not know much about what Ed Sheeran had written so I binge listened to his music on the way to the concert.  He is bigger than big.  This was the third concert in Brisbane attracting about 60,000 to each.  So about 180,000 heard him.
He performed way longer than a lot of headline acts.  His tour was called Loops and much of the show he performed alone with a device that allowed him to layer tracks on the spot, and made it sound like a whole band was accompanying him. 
He also did a segment with a band.  I loved it.  I have never seen a stage so well organized with all speakers high up and in many places.  I admit I like music to be loud, and this was loud.  I actually felt the music as well as heard it.
His segment I loved best though was when he performed with his guitar alone.  He is an extraordinary guitarist.  His songs are loved and obviously well known.  There was sing along to many of the songs and the crowd clearly knew the words.
The most surprising part of the night for me was the guy who performed before him.  He was called Vance Joy.  I loved his music and also that he had a trumpet and saxophone player in his band.
I have since found out he wrote a song called “riptide” which I love.  I did think it said sus things until I had a good look at the words.  A site which talks about the meaning of words (https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=425&q=Vance+Joy+Riptide+meaning&cvid=fb785c5ffafd4d8f9407d32ce4863071&gs_lcrp=EgRlZGdlKgYIABBFGDsyBggAEEUYOzIGCAEQABhAMgYIAhAAGEAyBggDEAAYQDIGCAQQABhAMgYIBRAAGEAyBggGEAAYQDIGCAcQABhAMgYICBBFGDzSAQg5ODI0ajBqMagCALACAA&FORM=ANNTA1&adppc=EDGEESS&PC=NMTS&pq=vance+joy+riptide&mturn=1) said, “ Ultimately, "Riptide" is both a love song and an exploration of youthful vulnerability and attraction. It combines Joy’s personal fears, romantic fascination with a specific figure (the “magician’s assistant”), and a playful mixture of metaphors, pop culture, and musical whimsy to create an evocative story of desire, uncertainty, and the pull of emotions that feels as thrilling and unpredictable as a literal riptide”
It was a great night.  Ed was great and so was Vance Joy.