Ed Sheeran Confirms Release Date For 'Play', Shares New Single Old Phone
Thursday, 01 May 2025
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Petros Studio
Ed Sheeran has confirmed a release date for his new album.
Having announced 'Play' in March, the British singer-songwriter has revealed that the follow-up to his 'Mathematics' run of albums (2011's '+', 2014's 'x', 2017's '÷', 2021's '=' and 2023's '-') will arrive on September 12. He said:
"'Play' was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life. Coming out of all of that I just wanted to create joy and technicolour, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring. I made this record all over the world, finished it in Goa, India, and had some of the most fun, explorative creative days of my life.
"It’s a real rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish, it encapsulates everything that I love about music, and the fun in it, but also where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father.
"Going into this album campaign I said to myself ‘I just want everything I do to be fun and playful’ - so that’s why we are building pubs for folk jams, doing gigs on open top buses and singing in pink cowboy hats on bars. The older I get the more I just want to enjoy things, and savour the moments that are mad and chaotic. You can pre-order 'Play' now, many many more playful things to come before it’s out x"
Alongside the news, Sheeran has shared Old Phone, a rousing acoustic offering inspired by finding an old phone, unused since 2015, including messages from family and his late friend Jamal Edwards, as well as an argument with an ex.
It follows his April single, Azizam, which marked a notable switch in style, serving up a more summery, uplifting sound compared to his signature emotive ballads.
Sheeran will resume his Mathematics World Tour this summer, with shows in Europe between May and September. Tickets are on sale now.
Ed Sheeran Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Fri May 30 2025 - MADRID Civitas Metropolitano (Spain)
Fri June 06 2025 - MARSEILLE Orange Velodrome Stadium (France)
Sat June 14 2025 - ROME Stadio Olimpico (Italy)
Fri June 20 2025 - LILLE Decathlon Arena Stade Pierre Mauroy (France)
Sat June 28 2025 - STUTTGART MHPArena (Germany)
Sun June 29 2025 - STUTTGART MHPArena (Germany)
Fri July 04 2025 - HAMBURG Volksparkstadion (Germany)
Sat July 05 2025 - HAMBURG Volksparkstadion (Germany)
Sun July 06 2025 - HAMBURG Volksparkstadion (Germany)
Sat July 26 2025 - OSLO Ullevaal Stadion (Norway)
Sun July 27 2025 - OSLO Ullevaal Stadion (Norway)
Sat August 02 2025 - ZURICH Stadion Letzigrund (Switzerland)
Thu August 07 2025 - ANTWERP Middenvijver Park (Belgium)
Fri August 08 2025 - ANTWERP Middenvijver Park (Belgium)
Sat August 16 2025 - WROCLAW Tarczynski Arena (Poland)
Fri August 22 2025 - STOCKHOLM Strawberry Arena (Sweden)
Sat August 23 2025 - STOCKHOLM Strawberry Arena (Sweden)
Fri August 29 2025 - COPENHAGEN Oresundsparken (Denmark)
Sat August 30 2025 - COPENHAGEN Oresundsparken (Denmark)
Sun August 31 2025 - COPENHAGEN Oresundsparken (Denmark)
Fri September 05 2025 - DUSSELDORF Merkur Spiel Arena (Germany)
Sat September 06 2025 - DUSSELDORF Merkur Spiel Arena (Germany)
Sun September 07 2025 - DUSSELDORF Merkur Spiel Arena (Germany)
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