KUALA LUMPUR – Spending RM200 per t-shirt, RM80 for a wristband, and RM150 for a pair of socks are all worth it for the love of Ed Sheeran, say his die-hard fans, also known as “Sheerios”.
Around 5pm, after gates opened at tonight’s concert venue, Bukit Jalil National Stadium, fans who had been queuing patiently made a beeline for the official merchandise booths, snapping up items sold in conjunction with Sheeran’s “+-=÷x” (The Mathematics) Asia Tour.
On sale were also hoodies, tote bags, sweatshirts, sticker cards and a RM150 special edition photobook of photos of the British singer-songwriter.
Filipino Andrea Arazas, 30, who flew here to attend the concert, considered the prices “affordable” as they are similar to what was offered online.
“I bought two concert t-shirts (the Kuala Lumpur edition) for me and my boyfriend, for memories of the concert here. They both cost RM400,” she told Scoop here today after making her purchase.
She planned to change into her new t-shirt for the show tonight.
Thai fan Thanyarad, 34, said she drove down to Kuala Lumpur from her country up north, as she showed Scoop her purchase of a t-shirt and a pair of pastel-coloured socks.
“The socks alone are RM150. It is quite expensive but it is fine since I am a big fan and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she said.
Sarah Feizal, 24, from Shah Alam, said spending on concert merchandise was not a problem for her as a working adult.
Showing Scoop the items in her cart, she said she had chalked up over RM1,000 in shopping on merchandise alone in a single afternoon.
“I have some t-shirts, a blue ‘Cookie Monster’-like hoodie, black and white posters and also a Calum Scott’s t-shirt,” she said, referring to the guest artist performing tonight.
Asked about her willingness to spend so much on Sheeran memorabilia, Sarah said it was fine “as this is a once-in-a-while event”.
“He (Sheeran) does not come to Malaysia very often and having followed his music since the earlier days, it is worth spending for him.
“He is not a new artist, he is been selling out in the stadiums everywhere,” Sarah added.
Last week Friday, Sheeran performed in Singapore to a sell-out crowd of 60,000, making it his largest show in Asia.
Sheeran has previously performed in Malaysia in 2017 and in 2019 for his “÷” (Divide) world tour.
The concert tonight is expected to bring a fresh experience for Malaysian fans, with a stage set in the middle of the audience to give fans a 360° experience. – February 24, 2024