Apple Music Live: Ed Sheeran (2023 TV Special) User Reviews

A.I. Music for no one.

[seven-johnson · 1/10 · 12 May 2023]

I've seen the latest Sheeran album described as "may as well have been written by A. I." and yeah, that's a fair criticism. It just reminds me of that Bill Hicks diatribe about Debbie Gibson.

No doubt some consumer is reading this with the attempt at thought of "but he writes his own songs", yeah "well done Ed - "no, I don't want fries with that".

It's just generic, sterile muzak that won't upset my gran, better than "that noise" or "that bang bang bang music you listen to" - that's Mussorgsky nan x

I just don't understand who this is aimed at? For a generation that are willing to take on trans rights and the alt-right - are they the ones buying into this? I just do not get it, it's baffliing - the only context this makes sense for me is a hypothetical (non-litigious) situation where Tim Cook's hanging with Jeffrey Epstein and forcing "sniffing powder" on "young models" so Cook can think he's decadent and cutting edge. Credit, where credit's due though - I imagine Epstein had better music taste than this.

Supurb Concert with Subpar material

[pebsdad · 4/10 · 11 May 2023]

There are going to be many who disagree and actually hate this review, but here goes...

Writing music with Aaron Dessner is going to get you bland pop songs (have you tried to listen to The National, his band)? While a terrific musician and producer, that is what you are going to get with Aaron. In this concert, most of the songs, all about 2 minutes in length, sound the same. Only the songs Ed states he wrote himself really stand out as different.

The concert was held at the Hammersmith Apollo in London in support of his new "Subtract" album and was performed in its entirety. Ed's vocals were stunning and clear. He introduced each song with the story behind its meaning, written during a difficult time for him. He is supported by what I assume is his band and a string section which unfortunately gets lost in the mix. A very annoying video projection is behind him which splashes blaring yellow at the start of each song. The audience clearly had their phones confiscated and were very polite and actually quite subdued.

Ed's amateurish arm graffiti is on full display as he performs in a white t-shirt and black sweats. Dude...there are really nice and comfortable clothes you could have been wearing instead. You're a very wealthy star...start dressing like one (you too Aaron).