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Ed Sheeran gigs are known for their electric atmosphere, but his latest performance in Norway quite literally shook the earth.
The British singer-songwriter was performing at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo last weekend when thousands of fans began jumping in time to the beat of his smash hit Shape of You. But what seemed like just another euphoric crowd moment actually registered on specialist seismic equipment nearby.
According to scientists at the Norsar Foundation, an organisation set up to detect earthquakes and nuclear explosions, there was a clear increase in seismic energy during the song. The spike measured around two to three hertz, which falls within the range typically recorded during small seismic events.
The cause? Pure Sheeran-fan enthusiasm.
A Norsar spokesperson explained:
“When tens of thousands of people move in synchrony like this, the vibrations travel through the ground and are registered as small but clear signals by seismometers. When about 40,000 fans jump at the same time, even an earthquake station can’t help but dance a little.”
Fans in Oslo jumped so hard at Ullevaal Stadium that they shook the place - Credit: Andrew Barr/ The Sun Glasgow
The discovery quickly spread across social media, with fans joking that Ed’s music had “the power to move the earth” and that “Shape of You” was now a certified seismic banger.
During the gig, Ed encouraged the packed stadium to “jump with me” during the chorus, with the crowd bouncing in unison as his loop pedal kicked into overdrive. The energy was so intense that people in nearby areas reportedly felt faint tremors, although nothing strong enough to cause damage.
This isn’t the first time concerts have been linked to seismic activity. Similar readings have been recorded at massive music events and football matches, including Bruce Springsteen gigs and World Cup games. However, it’s a rare honour for an artist to literally get the earth moving, and Ed now joins that select club.
The singer is currently touring Europe as part of his ongoing Mathematics Tour, with Oslo being one of the final stops before heading to more festival dates later this summer. Known for his ability to connect with audiences of all ages, Ed’s blend of acoustic charm, pop hooks, and crowd participation has made him one of the most successful touring artists of the last decade.
