Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran at Hessentag? Tribute show thrills fans

World-famous artists Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift performed at Hessentag on Monday evening! — Or at least, almost. Two Englishmen, Kieran and Ashley, stepped into the shoes of the international stars and brought the duo’s songs to the stage together in this tribute show. And in keeping with the song they recorded together on Taylor Swift’s album *Red*, one thing became clear: “Everything Has Changed.”

This show at the hr-Treff drew not only “Swifties” and “Sheerios,” but everyone who enjoys soulful acoustic sounds and rousing pop anthems. The tribute sensation showcased the signature elements of both artists, from Ed Sheeran’s lyrical depth to Taylor Swift’s captivating stage presence.
For many fans, this was a dream come true: Although Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran have shared the stage on several occasions, they haven’t performed together in Germany for quite some time. With duets like “Everything Has Changed,” “Run,” “End Game,” and “The Joker and the Queen,” the two have often demonstrated their chemistry—and on Hessentag, the numerous guests were treated to two concerts in one.
From “Castle on the Hill” to “You Belong With Me” At the start, Kieran, as Ed Sheeran, enchanted the audience and—after a brief moment of initial shyness—got them singing and dancing along. So, during his well-known songs like “Castle on the Hill,” “Celestial,” “Photograph,” “Galway Girl,” “Thinking Out Loud,” “I Don’t Care,” and “Shape of You,” no one stood still on the dance floor. The romantic song “Perfect” in particular sparked delighted exclamations—in no time, everyone had pulled out their cell phone flashlights and was completely immersed in the song. Ed Sheeran bid farewell to the Hessentag audience with the dance track “Shape of You.”
After a truly brief, quick intermission, the English version of the music industry herself took the stage: Ashley as Taylor Swift in a signature, glittering bodysuit. Right from the first song, “Cruel Summer,” the fans lit up, and the hr-Treff was transformed into a slightly smaller version of the famous Eras Tour. Her other songs, such as “22,” “Red,” and “Blank Space,” also got more than just die-hard Swifties to join in the fun. In true Taylor style, there was, of course, an outfit change: the red-and-black “Red” bodysuit gave way to a dark blue “Midnights” bodysuit. More pop hits followed, including “Style,” “Anti-Hero,” and “I Knew You Were Trouble.” The singing audience was especially unstoppable during “You Belong With Me.” When Ashley and Kieran came on stage together, the hr-Treff fell completely silent once more—only to erupt in cheers the very next moment. Side by side, they sang “Everything Has Changed,” the song that Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran recorded together. A song that perfectly suited the evening, when “everything” really was different—and yet just right.
(Mia Schmitt, Osthessenschau) +++