According to Radio Hamburg, the audience was initially contemplative, absorbing the new Subtract songs which carried a somber tone. However, the atmosphere took a lively turn as Sheeran declared it was time to shift gears from melancholy to celebration, marking “Afterglow” as the concert’s pinnacle moment. A memorable instance occurred when Ed invited a fan to join him on stage, and she performed wonderfully, as you can see in this video:
The concert faced a unique challenge with Admiralspalast’s 10 pm curfew, which meant shutting down all technological aids when the clock strikes. Undeterred, Sheeran chose to immerse himself among his audience, finding a makeshift stage in the middle of the crowd to continue his performance unplugged, serenading fans with hits like “Perfect” and “The A Team.”
The video highlights Ed Sheeran’s transition to an a cappella rendition of the traditional Irish farewell, “The Parting Glass,” setting the tone for the evening’s end. This led seamlessly into “Afterglow,” during which Sheeran noticed a young woman harmonizing beautifully beside him. Encouraging her to “sing it!” she joined him, creating an unexpected yet unforgettable duet. For those who wish to relive this moment, another audience-recorded video offers a fresher perspective.
The video that captured this magical duet was shared by none other than Annemarie Schmidt herself, the talented fan who joined Ed Sheeran on stage. Beneath the video, she expresses her gratitude: “When an incredibly special concert by your greatest musical role model with only 1500 people turns into an unforgettable memory. I am so thankful for this moment and will cherish it forever. What else can I say: ‘Stop the clocks, it’s amazing!’”
In an interview with DASDING, Annemarie revealed she had no idea Sheeran could hear her singing along. She also mentioned how astonished she was by her own calm demeanor in the video, saying it felt like watching a movie unfold before her eyes.
Ed Sheeran himself has stated that the collaboration was completely spontaneous. “She did an incredible job,” he praised, while also thanking Annemarie for “making his concert special.” Kudos to you, Annemarie Schmidt! And Ed Sheeran always impresses with the generosity and warmth that makes him such a gentleman
Want to hear more from Ed Sheeran and check out his music? Here’s the singer’s YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram.