The musician was joined by The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon enlisted Ed Sheeran for the latest session of “Subway Busking” on The Tonight Show. The late-night host and the British musician snuck into the 50th Street subway station disguised in emo-looking wigs, sunglasses, and all-black outfits, and announced themselves as Frat Poison when they started playing.
Sheeran kicked off the performance with an acoustic cover of Chappell Roan‘s “Pink Pony Club,” which immediately drew a massive crowd. The duo then revealed themselves before showcasing Sheeran’s new single, “Azizam,” with Fallon on tambourine and back-up vocals.
Sheeran shared “Azizam” last week as the first official track off his forthcoming LP, Play. The song is a collaboration with producer Ilya Salmanzadeh, who encouraged Sheeran to make music inspired by his Persian heritage and culture.
“I love learning about music and different cultures the more I travel and connect with people,” Sheeran shared on Instagram. “It was like opening a door to a completely new and exciting world. I loved how a lot of rhythms, scales, melodies and instruments were different but similar to the Irish trad music I had grown up with. It was showing to me music connects us all, and really is a universal language. This whole album is about being playful, explorative, and celebratory.”
The music video for “Azizam” includes footage of the musician’s recent surprise street performance in New Orleans, where he played “Azizam” live. Sheeran also recently showed up at an Irish bar in Boston on St. Patrick’s Day, and at Kings Cross Station in London.
Earlier this week, Sheeran was added to the Coachella lineup alongside Weezer. He will perform on the Mojave Stage on Saturday for Weekend Two.
