NexNews — Ed Sheeran, the Grammy-winning British musician, is scheduled to perform in Bhutan for the first time ever, making him the first Western artist to do so. The concert will take place on January 24, 2025, at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital.
In a heartfelt announcement on Instagram, Sheeran greeted his fans in Dzongkha, Bhutan’s national language, saying, “Kuzuzampola!” which means “Hello”. He expressed his excitement about performing in Bhutan, mentioning, “I’ve heard wonderful, wonderful things about Bhutan.”
Bhutan, a small, landlocked Buddhist monarchy with a population of approximately 700,000, has remained relatively isolated from the international spotlight, especially due to its strict tourism policy. Visitors to Bhutan are required to pay a daily fee of $100 as part of the country’s “high value, low impact” tourism model. This fee helps fund Bhutan’s public education and healthcare systems.
Despite being bordered by China and India, Bhutan has maintained a low international profile. The country only started broadcasting TV in 1999 and does not have global brands like Starbucks or McDonald’s. Its capital, Thimphu, is known for being the world’s only national capital without traffic lights, where a uniformed police officer directs traffic at the city’s single roundabout.
Changlimithang Stadium, where Sheeran will perform, is known for hosting significant national events. The stadium was previously used for the live broadcast of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s wedding in 2011 and a historic football match in 2003 between Bhutan and Montserrat.
Tickets for Sheeran’s concert are reportedly 90% sold out, with prices starting at $10—an affordable rate for Bhutan, where the average annual income is around $1,387.
Following his performance in Thimphu, Sheeran will continue his tour, visiting several cities across India and the Middle East.
