Shillong, July 22: Global music sensation Ed Sheeran has revealed that Shillong holds a special place in his heart, calling it his “favourite city in India.” The British pop icon, who performed in the Meghalaya capital earlier this year as part of his global “+ ? = Õ x (Mathematics) Tour,” made the statement during a candid segment titled Spin the Wheel with Ed Sheeran, hosted by content creator Shabaz Says.
“She just felt very different,” Sheeran said about Shillong, expressing how the city’s charm stood out during his India tour. His February 12 concert at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium saw an electrifying crowd of over 30,000 fans, where he had earlier praised them as “the loudest.”
Sheeran’s love for Shillong extended beyond the stage. His chart-topping music video Sapphire, which has amassed over 12 crore YouTube views, prominently features the city — with 27 scenes shot in iconic locations. The video shows Sheeran enjoying local ‘sha’ (tea), buying fruit from street vendors, playing football with local children, relaxing in Mattilang Park, and even riding the symbolic “Bus Smit.”
Reflecting on India’s diversity, Sheeran said, “Every place offers a new language, a new cuisine, a new rhythm.” A keen football enthusiast, he compared Shillong’s energy to a heated match between Newcastle United and Plymouth County.
Shillong’s growing reputation as a football hub was also acknowledged, with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma frequently voicing aspirations to brand the city as the football capital of India.
