Ed Sheeran to Headline Madison Square Garden Debut, 11/1

Elektra recording artist Ed SHeeran continues his extraordinary year with still another career milestone after playing his first NYC show ever at the Mercury Lounge in early 2011, the 22-year old singer-songwriter has announced his debut headline performance at The World's Most Famous Arena, New York City's famed Madison Square Garden, set for Friday, November 1st.

"My dad always said you haven't made it 'til you've played Madison Square Garden so it's a massive honour," says Sheeran.

Tickets go on sale at 12 noon ET this Friday, August 23rd. Ed SHeeran fan pre-sale tickets will be available beginning Wednesday, August 21, at 12 noon ET (details at http://edsheeran.artistarena.com/) while a second presale runs from 12 noon ET on Thursday, August 22nd, through 10am ET on Friday, August 23rd (details at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D004B0FBDFD88A5). For complete ticket information, please see http://edsheeran.com/live.htm.

Sheeran will be on the go until then, with a wide range of high profile activities already slated for the coming months. Among the many highlights, the GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter will be seen as an advisor on the imminent fifth season of NBC's smash singing competition, The Voice. Sheeran will be part of Christina Aguilera's team, working with contestants before their performances in the series' ever-popular "Battle Rounds," scheduled for Monday, October 14th and Tuesday, October 15th at 8 pm/7c (check local listings).

"Lego House" the top 10 hit single from Sheeran's RIAA gold certified debut album, "+" is among the prestigious "Best Male Video" nominees for the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, airing live from Brooklyn's Barclays Center on Sunday, August 25th at 9 pm/8c (check local listings). The nomination follows close on the heels of Sheeran's most recent awards triumph, winning the coveted "Choice Music Breakout Artist" surfboard earlier this month at Fox's Teen Choice 2013.

Sheeran was recently seen on public television stations nationwide headlining a highly rated installment of Live From The Artists Den. A never-before-seen bonus performance of "Wake Me Up" from the intimate concert filmed earlier this year at the historic New York Society for Ethical Culture can be viewed now exclusively at http://youtu.be/kR-BPVSqZqk.

The British troubadour's non-stop schedule continues a run of high profile, nationally televised performances, highlighted by a stunning live set in New York City's famed Rockefeller Plaza for NBC's TODAY, presented as part of the annual Toyota Concert Series. That stellar appearance followed prior visits to CBS' Late Show with David Letterman and CBS This Morning, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, NBC's TODAY, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Last Call with Carson Daly, TBS' Conan, CNN's Piers Morgan Live, and the nationally syndicated Ellen Degeneres Show, LIVE with Kelly & Michael, and Katie. In addition, the gifted tunesmith stole the show at both this year's Billboard Music Awards 2013 and the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards, the latter event featuring a performance of his breakthrough single, "The A Team," accompanied on piano by the one and only Sir Elton John.

Sheeran has already begun work on the massively anticipated follow-up to the global phenomenon that is "+" even as he continues to travel North America as special guest on Taylor Swift's epic "Red Tour," currently hitting sold out arenas and stadiums across the continent through mid-September (see itinerary below). "Everything Has Changed (Feat. Ed SHeeran)" co-written by Swift and Sheeran, and featured on Swift's blockbuster "RED," is one of the summer's brightest singles, a top 20 favorite on Billboard's "Adult Pop Songs" tally as well as a top 10 smash around the world. The track proved an immediate sensation upon its initial release late last year, debuting at #1 on the iTunes "Top Singles" chart. A prolific and diverse writer, Sheeran has also contributed a number of his distinctive tunes to fellow British superstars One Direction, including "Moments" (found on 2012's worldwide #1 debut, "UP ALL NIGHT") as well as two top tracks "Over Again" and the U.K. #1 hit, "Little Things" on the million-selling, chart-topping "TAKE ME HOME."

The "Red Tour" follows upon Sheeran's own 2013 North American headline trek, a hugely successful run which featured sold out dates at such renowned venues as New York's world famous Radio City Music Hall, Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, and Los Angeles' Hollywood Palladium. For up-to-the-minute news and ticket information regarding all live dates, please see http://edsheeran.com/live.htm.

Masterfully blending soulful vocals with organic folk introspection and irresistible hip-hop hooks, British singer/songwriter Ed SHeeran is a genuine global phenomenon. The 22-year-old's debut album "+" has enjoyed multi-platinum, platinum, and gold sales in nine countries around the world, including the U.S. where his international smash "The A Team" has also been certified 2x-platinum and received a prestigious "Song Of The Year" GRAMMY nomination. Additionally, Sheeran nearly stole the show at this year's 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards, performing the song accompanied on piano by Sir Elton John. His ever-growing stateside fanbase has resulted in back-to-back, sold-out headlining tours of North America. Sheeran is currently hitting arenas and stadiums around the country as main support on Taylor Swift's North American RED Tour. Back in his native England, Sheeran is a two-time BRIT Award winner (Best Male Artist, Best Breakthrough Artist) after leading the field with four nominations, while "The A Team" received the high honor of a 2012 Ivor Novello Award in the "Best Song Musically and Lyrically" category. "+" entered the U.K. Albums Chart at #1 with the highest opening sales figures for a debut male solo artist ever and is now certified 6x platinum. For additional news and information, please see www.edsheeran.com, www.twitter.com/EdSheeran, www.facebook.com/EdSheeranMusic and www.elektrarecords.com.

(TOUR ITINERARY BELOW)

Ed SHeeran
NORTH AMERICA 2013
(All Dates w/Taylor Swift "THE RED TOUR" Except *)

AUGUST
19		Los Angeles, CA		Staples Center
20		Los Angeles, CA		Staples Center
23		Los Angeles, CA		Staples Center
24		Los Angeles, CA		Staples Center
27		Sacramento, CA		Sleep Train Arena
30		Portland, OR		Rose Garden Arena
31		Tacoma, WA		Tacoma Dome
SEPTEMBER
6		Fargo, ND		Fargodome
7		St. Paul, MN		Xcel Energy Center
8		St. Paul, MN		Xcel Energy Center
12		Greensboro, NC		Greensboro Coliseum
13		Raleigh, NC		PNC Arena
14		Charlottesville, VA		John Paul Jones Arena
19		Nashville, TN		Bridgestone Arena
20		Nashville, TN		Bridgestone Arena
21		Nashville, TN		Bridgestone Arena
NOVEMBER
1		New York, NY		Madison Square Garden