Atlantic recording artist Ed Sheeran has announced the release of “x – WEMBLEY EDITION,” a deluxe two-disc CD/DVD set of his album “x” (certified 4x platinum by Music Canada) paired with previously unreleased bonus tracks and the new full-length concert feature, Ed Sheeran: Jumpers for Goalposts. “x – WEMBLEY EDITION” arrives in stores as a two-disc CD/DVD on Friday, November 13th, with the expanded album and long form video each available individually via all leading digital retailers.
“x – WEMBLEY EDITION” is available for pre-order beginning today at Ed Sheeran’s official website – www.edsheeran.com – and all leading digital retailers. The new edition features a number of bonus tracks, with both physical and digital versions highlighted by three previous unreleased tracks that see Sheeran collaborating with such top studio hands as Emile Haynie (Eminem, Kanye West, Lana Del Rey), Jeff Bhasker (fun., Jay-Z), Johnny McDaid (Snow Patrol, Paul Van Dyk), and the legendary Rick Rubin (see attached tracklisting). As if that weren’t enough, “x – WEMBLEY EDITION” also features Sheeran’s new collaboration with Rudimental, “Lay It All On Me (Feat. Ed Sheeran),” which Ed unveiled last month with a tweet announcing it as “the final thing I’m releasing for a while.”
Sheeran’s second full length album, “x” (pronounced “multiply”), proved a global sensation upon its initial release, reaching #1 on album charts in 14 countries around the world before achieving platinum sales in 18 countries including his native United Kingdom, where it was the biggest selling album of 2014. With worldwide sales now exceeding 10 million, “x” is highlighted by its four consecutive, platinum singles: “Sing,” “Don’t,” “Photograph”, and, of course, “Thinking Out Loud,” Sheeran’s biggest overall hit to date.
Filmed earlier this year before almost a quarter million fans over three sold out nights at London’s Wembley Stadium, Ed Sheeran: Jumpers for Goalposts includes 90 minutes of never-before-seen concert footage, showcasing such classic hits as “Sing,” “The A Team,” and “Thinking Out Loud” (see attached credits). Directed by multiple GRAMMY® Award nominee Paul Dugdale (One Direction: Where We Are, Coldplay: Ghost Stories), the Warner Music/Screenlive Entertainment film is appended here with a number of exclusive extras, including Sheeran’s inimitable mash-up of his own “Take It Back” with Steve Wonder’s immortal “Superstition.” Ed Sheeran: Jumpers for Goalposts recently enjoyed a special, worldwide theatrical run, following an exclusive London premiere that featured “green” carpet arrivals and a live performance from Sheeran himself.
One of the planet’s most popular live performers, Sheeran has spent much of the past year on tour, including sold out headline shows, charity concerts, stadium dates – including Dallas’s Toyota Stadium and three sold out nights at London’s Wembley Stadium – and top-billed festival appearances. Sheeran recently culminated the North American “x tour” with a mega-finale at Foxboro, MA’s Gillette Stadium. Performing before a rapturous sold out crowd over 50,000 strong – Sheeran’s biggest US audience thus far – the British troubadour performed solo renditions of his numerous greatest hits, with special guest Chris Martin joining him for very special renditions of “Thinking Out Loud” and Coldplay’s “Yellow.” An additional series of stadium concerts are slated for Australia and New Zealand beginning in late November. For regular updates, please visit www.edsheeran.com/live.htm.
In other news, Sheeran will be among the superstars performing on A+E Networks and iHeartRadio’s “Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America,” slated to be filmed live at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium on Wednesday, November 18th and then broadcast on Friday, November 20th at 8PM ET/PT (check local listings). Produced by Ken Ehrlich Productions in conjunction with A+E Networks and iHeartRadio, the two-hour special event – which will also feature such iconic artists as Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Pink, Pharrell Williams, Zac Brown Band, Sia, Eric Church, Jamie Foxx, John Legend, and Miguel, with more to be announced – will air across the entire A+E Networks portfolio, including A&E, HISTORY, Lifetime, H2, LMN, and FYI, as well as the top 150 iHeartRadio music stations nationwide. “Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America” will kick off A+E Networks’ campaign to promote unity and progress on racial equity, inspired by the response of the Mother Emanuel family members in Charleston and others working for reconciliation and change around the country.
Named “Songwriter of the Year” at the 2015 Ivor Novello Awards, Sheeran was also among the superstars appearing at the 2015 Global Citizen Fest in New York City’s Central Park, performing both with Martin as well as the one and only Beyoncé, with whom he teamed up on an acoustic cover of “Drunk In Love.” Sheeran’s complete performance – including renditions of “Lego House,” “Sing,” and “Photograph” – can be viewed now at the official Global Citizen YouTube channel.
Sheeran is also among the top nominated artists for the 2015 American Music Awards. Earning 5 nominations in total, Sheeran is up for Song of the Year (“Thinking Out Loud”), Favorite Male Artist-Pop/Rock, Favorite Album-Pop/Rock, Favorite Artist-Adult Contemporary, and the night’s top prize, Artist of the Year.
