Life before COVID-19 was once filled with crowded stadiums, packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people from all around the world. As times have changed, we have moved to different alternatives and find entertainment elsewhere. During the COVID-19 outbreak, artists have had to move to other platforms to share their music. The Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity from the U.K., has begun to stream unseen concert footage from some of the world’s most popular music stars in order to entertain and spread awareness about teenage cancer. New streams are released every day and the exciting lineup continues through Oct. 18. 

On Oct. 8, Ed Sheeran’s livestream set was released to viewers on YouTube. The set was about 18 minutes long, featuring some of Sheeran’s most adored songs. He begins with his hit record “Thinking out Loud.” The crowd is heard singing along in unison, reminding viewers of a time when we could attend the concerts of our favorite musicians. Sheeran’s performance is raw and original, as he uses only his guitar and voice to produce his music. He continues the set with “Shape of You,” a more upbeat tune with fast-paced lyrics resembling rap. The conclusion of the livestream includes “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You,” an even faster tempo than the previous songs. Background lights and stage decor are very simple to ensure the focus is purely on Sheeran and his music. 

I have attended two Ed Sheeran concerts before, and this livestream perfectly captures what it is like to attend one of his famous shows. Even though the stream only consists of three songs, the footage seems to last much longer and give viewers a full concert experience. Sheeran puts all of his energy into his performance, articulating every lyric, and creating catchy ballads for fans to enjoy. 

Concerts provided by The Teenage Cancer Trust are free, but they ask for and appreciate  donations to help out with their cause. Even small donations make a difference! They can be easily accessed by scanning a code on the streams or visiting the organization’s website. I strongly recommend music lovers to check out the daily livestreams on the Teenage Cancer Trust Unseen Youtube Channel and to contribute to the efforts of the charity.