Ed Sheeran surprisingly debuts new song 'Azizam' during a French Quarter performance

Ed Sheeran surprised New Orleans' French Quarter on March 15, 2025, with a sudden appearance that drew a crowd by way of an impromptu performance. Unannounced and appearing at around 11 a.m., the singer had brought a portable amplifier and microphone along.

He sported a laid-back tie-dyed T-shirt and blue trousers and sang with The Soul Rebels, the local brass band that has performed with other acts in the past, including Kendrick Lamar. The performance instantly caught the eye, with people on the street stopping to watch the set.

One of the songs he played was a new, as-yet-unreleased track called "Azizam." The tune, which is said to have been written about Ed Sheeran's wife, Cherry Seaborn, received its first outing in public. "Azizam" is a Persian word that means "my dear" or "my beloved." Fans recorded clips and shared them online, with people speculating about whether the track will feature on his next album.

Ed Sheeran sang 'Azizam' live for the first time, possibly taking inspiration from his own life

While singing, Ed Sheeran presented "Azizam" as a personally connected song, suggesting that he had written it for his wife. The Persian title gives the impression of being about great affection by his background of composing on personal incidents.

The acoustic composition of the song and its lyrical material, as recorded in fan footage, indicate a gentle, emotive tone. Though no official version of "Azizam" has been officially released, those who attended the French Quarter concert said the song was indicative of Ed Sheeran's own style of songwriting.

The fact that he premiered it in a casual street environment instead of a professional concert was a shock to many, reinforcing his style of connecting directly with fans.

The Soul Rebels brass band accompanied him, incorporating jazz sounds into the show

Sheeran was joined by The Soul Rebels, one of the prominent brass bands from New Orleans. The band is famous for mixing old brass music with contemporary sounds.

Their involvement provided Ed Sheeran's performance with a unique sound, incorporating pop with elements of jazz. The Soul Rebels have had experience working with big-name artists in the past, such as performing with Kendrick Lamar during the Super Bowl halftime show.

The fact that they were part of Sheeran's street performance was a testament to the singer and the band's versatility since they blended different styles in real-time. The surprise collaboration was received positively, as it presented a new spin on Sheeran's music.

Such surprise performances have occurred elsewhere in the recent past

This was not the first time Ed Sheeran caught fans off guard with an impromptu performance. Earlier in the week, he stopped by Tootie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville, playing a set of original material and covers.

In February, he tried to do an impromptu street performance in Bengaluru, India, but local officials requested he stop because of issues with crowd control. These concerts indicate a continued push by Sheeran to engage with fans in smaller, more casual environments.

By performing in places other than large venues, he seems to be emphasizing personal connection over grand production. His recent shows have also generated rumors regarding his next album, as each show has debuted either new material or acoustic renditions of familiar songs.

Anticipation of his next album builds as fresh tracks keep emerging

Although Ed Sheeran has not yet officially announced a new album, "Azizam" and other recent shows indicate that new music is in the pipeline. His previous album, Autumn Variations, came out in 2023; fans have been waiting for his next album.

Rumors say that his next album will be called Play, but no confirmation has been made. The fact that he chose to launch "Azizam" in an informal context instead of via a conventional release plan indicates that Sheeran is adopting a more impromptu strategy.

With more new tracks surfacing in his live performances, fans will probably continue to make educated guesses about his next album's trajectory. Sheeran's impromptu show in the French Quarter was an unexpected but significant occurrence, giving a glimpse of his changing sound. By working with local artists and performing in public areas, he continues to engage fans in various ways.

Edited by Sangeeta Mathew

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