Live Review: Ed Sheeran, Rudimental, Passenger, Foy Vance

As Ed Sheeran fans pour into Suncorp Stadium on this typically toasty Brisbane eve, it is hard to fathom that it was not even a year ago Sheeran was selling out the Brisbane Riverstage after the release of his second album X. Sheeran has returned to Australia, along with Foy Vance, Passenger and Rudimental to flex his performing chops yet again, playing shows around the country in stadiums. Not to mention the 24-year-old is performing the tour solo, taking to the stage with nothing but a loop pedal station and his trusty acoustic guitar.

Foy Vance and Passenger open up proceedings in Suncorp tonight, performing particularly short sets at dusk to warm the punters up. Foy Vance takes to the stage with just a drummer, keeping with the minimalist nature of this evening's line-up. Michael Rosenberg, aka Passenger, takes up the stadium stage soon after presenting his unmistakable signature gentle folk tunes. Rosenberg closes out the sets with the self-proclaimed "only famous song" he has ever written, Let Her Go. Credit points for honesty.

The ruckus on tonight's bill was about to be brought, as Rudimental's insane line-up take to the stage. Suncorp lights up with the band's infectious mix of drum'n'bass, soul and rap tracks, swapping out singers for most of the songs during the group's set. As expected Rudimental performs banger after banger, including Waiting All Night, Rumour Mill, Free and of course Lay It All On Me but disappointingly without Sheeran on vocals. Although it is hard to feel the full extent of Rudimental's passion and ferocity on the outskirts of the stadium, undoubtedly making those who missed them at Eatons Hill Hotel the night before jealous, they definitely made themselves a hard act to follow.

After a short wait, Ed Sheeran appears on stage, opening up with I'm A Mess. It is exceedingly apparent that although Sheeran is alone on stage tonight this in no way hinders the performer's reach to those who were not in the front of the mosh pit. Sheeran's looping ability is captivating in itself, creating flawless vocal melodies over his own vocal line and cutting the layers he created in and out for a full band effect.

Impressively, Sheeran manages to play for close to two hours, despite having only two albums under his belt. He bulks up his set with covers and mash-ups including Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse's Feeling Good and Stevie Wonder's I Was Made To Love Her. Sheeran closes out the set with Sing, leaving thousands of people singing the catchy chorus line. All up, tonight's huge show exemplified the artist's popularity and showmanship, truly a sight to behold.