Ed Sheeran: The Next Big Thing
“I’d definitely recommend the competition to anyone,” said Ed Sheeran, winner of the 2008 contest.
Ed Sheeran performs in the semi-finals of the 2008 Next Big Thing competition. [x]
Ed Sheeran performs in the finals of the Next Big Thing competition and wins, November 9, 2008. [x]
After winning in 2008, Norfolk musician Ed Sheeran was signed to Island Records on a contract to release one single.
“It was a big surprise. I didn’t think anything like that would come this quickly,” said Ed. “There’s been lots of gigs, lots of new opportunities and I’ve met some very exciting people. It’s all been a good learning curve,” he added.
After finding out about the 2008 contest on MySpace, Ed made it through to the semi-final and eventually the final, where he admits that it didn’t all go to plan. "It wasn’t the best show because as soon as I got on-stage, I snapped a lot of strings and had to ad-lib a bit,“ he said. “From that point on I didn’t enjoy it as much because I was panicking, but it was a really fantastic thing to do and it was a surprise to win it. It’s always really good promotion for yourself even if you don’t win. It’s a win-win situation!” he added.
Ed Sheeran’s single for Island Records is called The City and will be released in February 2010. [x]
“This is a huge thing for me and I just can’t believe I have won, especially after it all went so wrong with four strings breaking. I never normally break strings. I know it is a cheesy thing to say but everybody should be the winner tonight, they are all the next big things.”
“I love performing and the atmosphere that comes with it. Even on Sunday night I enjoyed it despite the fact that everything went wrong and I thought the crowd would hate me. It’s been a really tough week and all I want to do is get some sleep. I think I’m going to sleep well.” [Complete text of article].
Next Big Thing winner Ed Sheeran will be returning to play at the UEA after landing a support gig. The 17-year-old performed at the university’s LCR venue on the night he won the band competition on Sunday, November 9, which was organised by Future Radio and supported by the Evening News.
Now the teenager, from Framlingham in Suffolk, will be returning later this month to support UK RnB star Jay Sean and international artist Magnet Man. Organisers of the gig said they had signed up Ed Sheeran because he was a “star in the making”. [x]
As the 2008 winner, 18-year-old Ed Sheeran performs at the launch of the 2009 Next Big Thing competition. [x] [x]
Ed Sheeran performs at the 2009 Next Big Thing finals. [x]
Future Radio station manager Terry Lee said: “The Next Big Thing is established as the best up and coming music competition in the eastern region, with a fantastic list of previous winners. Ed Sheeran, who won in 2008, has gone on to win two Brit Awards, and he still plays the guitar he won as a prize in his live performances today.” [x]
