Ed Sheeran Lets Fans Pick the Songs — and It Might Be the Future of Live Shows

Turning Concertgoers Into Collaborators

Ed Sheeran has never been shy about experimenting with how he connects with fans, but his latest tour twist takes that relationship to a new level. Last week, as he kicked off his run of shows across New Zealand and Australia, the pop superstar invited audiences to help shape each night’s performance by selecting part of the setlist themselves. The result? A more interactive concert experience that turns fans from passive spectators into active collaborators.

Ahead of recent shows, Sheeran shared the idea via Instagram Stories, telling concertgoers that they’d see a prompt on the big screen before the show asking them to “text in song recommendations.” He explained that there would be “five slots in the gig where I’ll play any song that you guys decide,” adding, “Whatever the song is. I will learn it before the show.” In other words, fans aren’t limited to just his own catalog — they can request anything, and he’s willing to put in the work to make it happen. “So, surprise me and see you tomorrow,” he told them.

Why Fan-Curated Setlists Matter

While it’s an impressive flex from a chart-topping artist, the bigger takeaway isn’t just about Sheeran. It’s about what happens when audiences feel genuinely involved in shaping a live experience. When fans hear a song they requested, the moment feels personal, memorable, and emotionally charged. That sense of ownership can deepen loyalty long after the encore, strengthening the artist–fan relationship in ways traditional, fixed setlists rarely do.

There’s also a community effect at play. Collective reactions to fan-picked songs highlight shared favorites and deep cuts, reinforcing the feeling that a crowd isn’t just a group of individuals, but a connected audience with shared taste and history.

Built-In Engagement, On and Off the Stage

Add in the social media factor — fans posting that “they played my song” — and suddenly the show generates organic, authentic buzz that no promo campaign can fully replicate. Plus, artists gain real-time feedback on what resonates, without relying solely on streaming numbers or algorithms. Fan requests can reveal regional favorites, rediscovered older tracks, or even interest in unreleased material.

Of course, not every artist can learn new songs every night or run large-scale text-in systems. But the principle behind Sheeran’s experiment is scalable. Polls, rotating request slots, or pre-show fan votes can all invite participation in ways that fit different budgets and band setups.

At its core, fan-curated moments signal something powerful: your voice matters here. As live music continues to evolve, Sheeran’s approach offers a compelling reminder that sometimes the best innovation isn’t bigger stages or brighter screens — it’s simply letting fans help choose the soundtrack of the night.