Ed Sheeran’s 2025 Comeback: 5 Shocking Details About His New Album ‘Play’ And The Global LOOP Tour

The ginger-haired global phenomenon, Ed Sheeran, is back in the spotlight for 2025, marking a "fresh new phase" in his already monumental career. Following a brief period of relative quiet after his deeply personal 2023 album, Subtract ($\text{-}$), the British singer-songwriter has once again dominated headlines with the release of his eighth studio album, *Play*, and the launch of a massive worldwide trek, the LOOP Tour. The new music and tour dates, which began rolling out in the latter half of 2025, confirm that Sheeran is not only back but is also exploring new sonic territory while embracing his stadium-filling acoustic roots. This article breaks down the most current and essential details you need to know about his latest projects.

As of December 2025, the buzz around Ed Sheeran is focused entirely on his bold musical direction and the sheer scale of his live performances. The *Play* album, which dropped in September 2025, has been described as a nostalgic yet experimental body of work, perfectly setting the stage for the highly anticipated, technology-driven LOOP Tour. Fans are eager to see how the Grammy-winning artist balances his classic hits like "Thinking Out Loud" and "Shape of You" with the fresh tracks from his new era.

Complete Biography and Profile: The Man Behind the Loop Pedal

Edward Christopher Sheeran, known universally as Ed Sheeran, is one of the most commercially successful and influential artists of his generation. His career is defined by his ability to blend pop, folk, and soul influences into universally appealing songs, often performed with just an acoustic guitar and a loop pedal.

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• Full Name: Edward Christopher Sheeran
• Date of Birth: February 17, 1991
• Birthplace: Halifax, West Yorkshire, England
• Raised In: Framlingham, Suffolk, England
• Wife: Cherry Seaborn (married 2019)
• Children: Two daughters
• Signature Style: Acoustic guitar, loop pedal, genre-crossing pop-folk music.
• Career Milestones: Released his debut album, $\text{+}$ (Plus), in 2011. Followed by $\times$ (Multiply), $\div$ (Divide), $\text{=}$ (Equals), and $\text{-}$ (Subtract).
• Major Hits: "The A Team," "Lego House," "Thinking Out Loud," "Photograph," "Shape of You," "Perfect," and "Bad Habits."
• Awards: Multiple Grammy Awards, Brit Awards, and Ivor Novello Awards.

Sheeran's journey from busking on the streets to selling out stadium dates globally is a testament to his authentic songwriting and captivating stage presence. His discography, marked by mathematical symbols, is a unique chronicle of his personal life and artistic evolution.

The Shocking New Album: What 'Play' Reveals About Ed Sheeran in 2025

The release of his eighth studio album, *Play*, in September 2025, was a significant moment for the music world. Following the raw, stripped-down emotion of Subtract, *Play* sees Sheeran stepping boldly into a new, more experimental phase, while maintaining the heartfelt lyricism he is known for.

Deep Dive into the 'Play' Tracklist

While the full thematic scope of the album is still being analyzed, the initial tracklist reveals a mix of introspective and nostalgic themes. The promotional singles, "A Little More," "Azizam," and "Old Phone," gave fans a taste of the diverse sounds on the record.

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• "Sapphire": This track, which has quickly become a fan favorite, showcases Sheeran's signature acoustic storytelling, blending seamlessly into the LOOP Tour setlist.
• "Azizam": A track whose title suggests a more global or perhaps romantic influence, pushing the boundaries of his traditional sound.
• "Old Phone": Highlights a theme of nostalgia, a common thread in Sheeran’s work, reflecting on past memories and relationships.
• "War Game" & "Regrets": These titles suggest more serious, perhaps politically charged or deeply personal narratives, contrasting with the lighter "Play" title.

The production on *Play* explores common threads of scale, rhythm, and melody, connecting his various musical explorations over the years. It serves as a bridge between his deeply personal recent work and his earlier, more commercially focused pop hits.

The Global LOOP Tour 2025: A New Era of Stadium Performance

Coinciding with the album release is the launch of Ed Sheeran's sixth concert tour, officially dubbed the LOOP Tour. This massive global undertaking is set to solidify his status as one of the world's most in-demand live acts, with a schedule packed with stadium dates across continents.

Key Tour Dates and Logistics

The LOOP Tour officially began on December 1, 2025, in Paris, France. The tour structure is designed to be a spectacle, focusing on his one-man show setup but amplified for massive venues. The highly anticipated North American leg of the tour was announced to kick off in June 2025, ensuring fans across the US and Canada will get to experience the new production.

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The tour’s name, LOOP, is a clear nod to the core piece of technology that defines his acoustic performance style—the loop pedal. This device allows him to layer vocals, percussion, and guitar riffs in real-time, creating the sound of a full band with just one person.

The Must-See LOOP Tour Setlist

The setlist for the 2025 LOOP Tour is a perfect balance of new material and beloved classics, designed to satisfy both long-time fans and those discovering his work through *Play*. The inclusion of tracks from his entire mathematical symbol series—from *Divide* to *Subtract*—ensures a comprehensive musical journey.

Highlights of the 2025 LOOP Tour Setlist include:

• New Tracks: "Sapphire," "Eyes Closed," and "A Little More" are prominently featured, showcasing the fresh sound of the *Play* album.
• Stadium Anthems: Crowd-pleasers like "Castle on the Hill," "Shivers," and "Bad Habits" are performed with high energy, often with the audience singing along to every word.
• Timeless Ballads: The setlist ensures that his most iconic love songs, such as "Perfect" and "Thinking Out Loud," remain central to the acoustic performance, often creating the most intimate moments in the massive stadiums.
• Early Classics: Dedicated fans can still hear his breakout hits like "The A Team" and "Lego House," connecting his current success back to his humble beginnings.

The LOOP Tour is not just a series of concerts; it is a demonstration of Ed Sheeran's evolution as an artist. By continuing to innovate with his loop pedal technology while writing deeply relatable, genre-defying music, he is setting a new standard for what a modern global superstar can achieve. His 2025 comeback, driven by *Play* and the LOOP Tour, proves that the legacy of this British musical icon is far from complete.