Melbourne, Australia — 2025 — Ed Sheeran’s long-awaited return to Australia took on a deeply personal tone when the singer-songwriter paused his Melbourne concert to pay tribute to the late music mogul Michael Gudinski, who died in 2021.
It had been three years since Sheeran last set foot on Australian soil, and from the moment he stepped onto the stage, the energy was electric. But midway through the set, the mood shifted as the lights dimmed and a single spotlight followed Ed to the front of the stage. Holding his guitar, he addressed the sold-out crowd at Marvel Stadium with a voice that wavered between strength and grief.
“I still feel him in every crowd here,” Sheeran said, referring to Gudinski, the founder of Mushroom Records and a towering figure in Australian music.
He then launched into “Visiting Hours”, the poignant ballad he originally wrote for Gudinski’s memorial service in 2021. The venue fell silent except for the sound of Ed’s voice and guitar, his performance raw and unadorned. Many in the audience could be seen wiping away tears, and camera phones swayed gently in the dark, their lights glowing like candles.
Gudinski was more than a business partner to Sheeran — he was a close friend and champion of his career in Australia. The two shared a deep bond, with Sheeran often calling him “my Australian dad.” That connection was felt in every lyric, especially during the line: “I wish that Heaven had visiting hours.”
As the final chord faded, Sheeran looked upward, visibly emotional, before stepping back to the mic.
“I know he’s watching. And if he is, I hope he knows how much we all love him.”
The crowd responded with a thunderous ovation, chanting Gudinski’s name. The moment stood out as the emotional centerpiece of the night — a reminder of the enduring legacy the late promoter left on Australian music and the artists who loved him.
The tribute underscored the personal connection Sheeran has with his Australian audience, a bond forged not only through music but through shared history and loss. For those in attendance, it was more than just a concert — it was a collective moment of remembrance.
