The “+-=÷× Tour,” or the “Mathematics Tour,” is a world tour comprising 116 shows in support of Ed Sheeran’s 5th and 6th albums, “Equals” and “Subtract.” Ed Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter and one of the world’s best-selling music artists, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide. The tour started on April 23, 2022, in Dublin, Ireland, and will end on September 8, 2024, in Larnaca, Cyprus.
Each concert of the tour lasts around 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the average setlist includes around twenty different songs. Some examples include Sheeran’s hits “Shivers,” “Tides,” “Thinking Out Loud,” and “Bad Habits.” Most of Ed Sheeran’s concerts also feature opening acts, including artists Khalid, Ben Kweller, and Russ.
The tour does not only draw concertgoers in through its music but also its show design. The stage itself is very impressive, in the shape of a circle with a rotating outer ring. The main display above the stage is an open-style halo featuring over 900 square feet of black marble panels. Six giant posts with six mini halos surround the stage, and six displays in the shape of guitar picks hang from the posts. All in all, the show's stage design perfectly complements the concert's vibrancy and atmosphere.
The overall reactions of fans who attended the tour were positive and praised Ed Sheeran’s performance and talent. Many people complimented his genuine interactions with the concertgoers and his humble personality. However, some were unsatisfied with the sound quality and the acoustics of the show and would have preferred if he had performed at smaller, more intimate venues. Most agreed that Ed Sheeran himself was incredible but that the logistics of the concert could use some work.
Ultimately, the Mathematics Tour has been a huge hit, and any fans of Ed Sheeran or people looking to experience his music for the first time should attend.