Ed Sheeran. What a legend.
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In the last three days of his current visit to Australia alone, he’s dropped into a concert in Victoria and then pranked a pair of radio hosts in Wagga Wagga during an impressions competition.
Fans had plenty of warning that Ed Sheeran would be playing at Southern Cross Austereo’s World Famous Rooftop on Sunday.
They just didn’t know where, until the day of the event.
Radio presenters Hamish Blake and Andy Lee announced the location of the gig, at Hanging Rock, to the musician as only they could.
He followed up that stealthy appearance by calling in to Hit 93.1 Riverina’s breakfast show when announcers Whitto and Ash were on the hunt for the world’s second-best Sheeran.
It was not until Sheeran questioned them with “you do know it is actually me?” that Ash realised what was happening.
Sheeran seemed to be taken back when the radio presenters were not convinced of his legitimacy but was ecstatic when they finally realised it was him.
They almost hung up on him, by the way.
He’s due to play at the Sydney Opera House to a small crowd on Tuesday night.
But the weather battering the NSW coast can’t be all that fun. We’ve been thinking out loud of some other places to visit – let’s see where else he could drop into before he heads back to the UK.
17 Places in Australia Ed Could (or should) Pop Up Next
1. Castle Hill, of course
Well, this one is almost an obligatory visit.
Ed’s latest release is Castle on the Hill, so it’s only fitting he visit the western Sydney suburb. Perhaps it’s the perfect location for the music video, Australian edition.
2. Escape Sydney, chill at Wagga Beach, NSW
With all that horrible weather in Sydney, he’s going to need a beach. How about heading a few hours inland and spending some times on the banks of the Murrumbidgee and wait for the 5 o’clock wave at Wagga Beach?
3. Colac, for a B&S Ball
There’s a bachelors and spinsters ball at Colac, west of Geelong, on the weekend.
Ed could stick around and play a set or two with Good Faces 4 Radio to an intimate crowd of 1000 or so at Colac on Saturday night.
Careful, though, Ed, we hear they’re addictive. Once you’ve got a B&S in the bloodstream it could be hard to shake.
4. Nyngan, to visit the Big Bogan
Ed loves a flanno, doesn’t he?
He could don his best button-up (leaving it open, of course), chuck on a pair of thongs and visit the Big Bogan in Nyngan, NSW.
He might even still have the flanno on from the B&S the night before.
6. The Camden Haven for bite to eat
Getting Indian in Laurieton. It wouldn’t be the first time – he dropped into Bollywood for a bite to eat on one of his previous trips Down Under.
7. Gulgong’s Flirtation Hill, for an open-air concert
Oh come on, Flirtation Hill?
The location alone practically sounds like a Sheeran song. And just look at that sunset. Perfect match.
Here’s another one.
8. Head back to the Hunter Valley for a drop
Last time he was in the country, Ed dropped in to Tyrell's Wines in the Hunter Valley for a tipple. The winery couldn’t have been happier to host the superstar for a private wine tasting session.
“Legend of a bloke who has pretty good taste in wines it seems. Vat 1 2009 and Vat 9 2014 were his favourites,” Chris Tyrrell said back in May.
9. Become a footy fan at Narrandera
There’s an AFL pre-season game in the Riverina region next weekend.
Of course, Ed would have to decide if he’ll back GWS Giants or West Coast Eagles before he went – The A Team isn’t playing here.
He’s already played at a grand final, so it won’t be his first game.
What’s another week to wait when you get to hang with an east meets west crowd?
10. Get the ultimate selfie at the Figure 8 pools
If Ed wants to head back to the city, then he can’t miss the iconic Figure 8 pools in the Royal National Park. Slip, slop, slap first Ed, you wouldn’t want to get a sunburn. And don’t forget a phone or camera for that perfect photograph.
11. Your lounge room
He’s already appeared on The Project once this visit, who knows what set he’ll beam into your home from next.
12. Watching the RAAF Hercules take off and land from Richmond's Ham Common.
He could catch some of the country’s finest taking off from Ham Common.
Not sure if Ed’s a fan of planes but he’d certainly be racking up some frequent flyer miles jetting around the world.
13. Get high at Tamworth
Elevation-wise, we mean.
Ed could take in the sights of the launchpad of many an Australia musician from the Oxley Lookout and then peruse the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame.
14. Rooty Hill RSL
Give him a look at real Australia without having to leave the capital of NSW.
15. Newcastle’s Bogey Hole
Ed could head to Newcastle’s iconic Bogey Hole and dive on in to escape this summer heat. The man-made pool opened last month after more than a year of closure. It’s so refreshing, he'll feel like a new man.
16. Gigging in the botanic gardens at Mount Annan
Someone get the man a guitar! Ed might sing about autumn leaves but hopefully some summer blooms will satisfy him this time around. The gardens would be perfect for an on the green-style night of tunes and the great outdoors.
17. Get Ettamogah’d
Get Ed to the Ettamogah Pub in Rouse Hill, or The Fiddler. They have an Irish pub and he has red hair. Match made in heaven.
- For an extra Ed gold star – how many Sheeran song titles did you find in this story?