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IPSWICH — Speculation has been mounting about a set that is being built downtown behind EBSCO’s Old Mill building.
Clues began trickling out Monday morning, and this much we can confirm: Grammy Award-winning superstar Ed Sheeran is coming to Ipswich on Friday. And he’s building a pub.
The first clue was a photo showing “The Old Phone” written on a piece of the set.
Sheeran recently launched theoldphonepub.com, where he announced that he was working on “something exciting” and asked fans to send text messages to (917) 909 4498.
“I need you to text me something from your old phone, or from your past, that means something to you,” Sheeran says in a video posted on the website.
“‘Old Phone’ is a journey through memories — a bittersweet look at past connections, lost friends, and the echo of moments captured in old messages and photos,” according to the website.
The main page says “the opening” of the Old Phone pub and location are to be announced.
The Old Phone
The whole thing has been kept pretty hush-hush, and details are scant about what the event at EBSCO will actually entail.
However, the Local News did obtain blueprints of the set and a rendering of what the pub will look like when it’s finished.
And the select board on Monday night approved a one-day wine and malt application as well as a weekday entertainment license for Friday, March 28 at the Old Mill building.
So … why little ol’ Ipswich, of all places? Here’s the best we can do:
According to the Sporting News, Sheeran’s family moved to Ipswich, England, when he was three years old. He’s a huge supporter of the Ipswich Town Football Club and became a minority stakeholder in the team in 2024.
Perhaps he’s homesick and wants to grab a pint with his cousins from across the pond in the comfort of his very own pub.
Or, as a huge advocate for music education in England, maybe he wants to check out the Ipswich schools’ world-renowned music program.
The Guardian reported just last week that Elton John, Coldplay, and Harry Styles backed Sheeran’s call for U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to invest £250 million in the country’s school music programs.
Surprise performance
Sheeran, who has been teasing a yet-to-be-named new album, caused quite a stir on St. Paddy’s Day when he popped in to the Dubliner Irish Pub in Boston for a surprise performance.
Those in attendance told WBZ News that the performance was brilliant, unforgettable, and madness.
The “Shape of You” and “Thinking Out Loud” singer is set to kick off a world tour next month by headlining the OFFLIMITS Music Festival in Abu Dhabi. No American tour dates have been scheduled.
As of Tuesday, there has been no announcement of tickets going on sale for the event at Ipswich’s newest pub.
We can only advise that you send a text message to (917) 909 4498 — and keep a close eye on Sheeran’s Instagram and theoldphonepub.com.
Cheers!
