Ed Sheeran will be first-ever Western artist to perform in Bhutan

Ed Sheeran is making history by becoming the first Western artist to perform a concert in Bhutan, scheduled for January 24, 2025, at Changlimithang Stadium in the capital, Thimphu. Known for its unique "high value, low impact" tourism model and a strong focus on preserving its culture, Bhutan provides an extraordinary setting for Sheeran’s performance.

In his announcement on Instagram, Sheeran greeted fans with "Kuzuzampola," meaning "Hello" in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. He expressed his excitement about visiting the Buddhist kingdom, which has a population of roughly 700,000 and is renowned for its limited interaction with global commercialization and media.

Changlimithang Stadium, previously famous for hosting significant national events like the royal wedding broadcast in 2011, has a 15,000-seat capacity. Tickets for the concert, which start at just $10, are almost sold out, despite the country's modest average annual income of $1,387.This concert marks a cultural milestone for Bhutan, which only introduced TV broadcasts in 1999 and maintains its unique charm as one of the few places in the world with a capital city that operates without traffic lights. Following the Bhutan show, Sheeran's tour will continue to India and the Middle East.