Ed Sheeran's Phone-Free Life Since 2015 Revealed

Ed Sheeran Shares Emotional Story Behind New Song During Sydney Show

Ed Sheeran took the stage at Accor Stadium in Sydney for the first of three shows on his Loop Tour, delivering a performance filled with hits like "Castle on the Hill," "Shape of You," and "Perfect." Amidst the excitement, he shared a deeply personal story about a long-running copyright lawsuit that had shaped his career.

The legal battle, which began in 2015, involved allegations that his 2014 hit "Thinking Out Loud" copied elements from Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." After an eight-year court process, a New York jury ruled in favor of Sheeran, determining that he had not plagiarized the song. During his performance, he reflected on the emotional toll of the case and how it led to one of his most heartfelt songs.

"I've been in the news over the last 10 years because of a lawsuit – a copyright lawsuit in 2015," he said. "I was sued for a song by someone else who claimed I had stolen their work. The only way to prove my innocence was to take it to court."

As part of the legal process, Sheeran was required to hand over his electronic devices for investigation. He humorously noted that he was relieved there was nothing "weird" on them.

A Life Without a Mobile Phone

Sheeran revealed that he has not owned a mobile phone since the lawsuit was filed. He stopped using one during a 2015 Australian tour and later rediscovered the device when it was needed as evidence in court.

"I did a tour in Australia in 2015 and at the end of it, I turned my phone off and decided I wouldn't use it again," he said. "I switched to email and have used it ever since."

When he finally powered the phone back on for the lawsuit, the experience was emotionally overwhelming.

"I opened it again for this lawsuit and turned it on to go through emails and texts. It felt like going through a time machine to 2015, but also to 2007 when I started texting on this number," he said. "It really spun me out. I was frozen in time, finding old conversations with friends who had passed away and family members I hadn’t spoken to in years."

This emotional journey inspired "Old Phone," a track from his 2025 album Play, which he performed for the crowd.

Turning Pain Into Music

Sheeran explained how difficult experiences often lead to powerful music.

"I find that whenever something negative happens in my life, I write a song about it, and it helps make sense of the bad thing. It also works with good things — I write a song about them too," he told fans.

He described his songs as "two-minute extremities," capturing intense emotions. "When the bad days happen, good songs come from it," he added.

A Special Connection With Australia

Throughout the show, Sheeran expressed his deep affection for Australian audiences. He recalled how the country was one of the first outside the U.K. to embrace his music.

"This is why I love coming back to Australia. When I first came here in my early 20s, the crowds have always been amazing," he said. "No matter the occasion or the day, the crowd has always been nuts."

Later, he praised Sydney, saying, "Sydney, it feels amazing to be back. If you haven't lost your voice tomorrow, I haven't done my job."

He also highlighted the significance of Australia in his career, noting that it was the first place outside the U.K. where he achieved a hit.

Upcoming Shows and More

Sheeran is set to perform two more shows in Sydney before continuing his Australian tour in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide. His performance in Sydney was a testament to his resilience, creativity, and deep connection with his fans.