Ed Sheeran Brings Mathematics to Acrisure; Star Lake Hosts (Eric) Church Service (Sat., 7/8/23)

1) He’s a Grammy and BRIT-award winner, regular tabloid fodder, and possibly the most famous redhead in music right now. Ed Sheeran has moved up in popularity and venue size from PNC Park to Acrisure Stadium. Having recently won a copyright infringement case about the song “Thinking Out Loud” over the estate of the late Marvin Gaye, he will most likely be performing that big hit and many others. Sheeran has performed in his native England since 2004; he broke internationally after co-writing and performing on Taylor Swift’s “Everything Has Changed,” from  her 2012 album, Red. He later opened for her on The Red Tour. His affinity for numerical equation functiion signs has been quite evident over the years with albums titled +, x, ÷, =, and now his most recent album, – . Subtract was released in May, reaching no. 1 on many international charts and no. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. Hot singles from the album include “Eyes Closed,” “Boat,” and “Life Goes On.” The National’s Aaron Dessner produced the album. It’s no surprise that Sheeran is calling this the Mathematics Tour. Sheeran’s headlining show is a treat; those who don’t know his sweet, folky tunes are likely to have their hearts quickly stolen. Special guests are Khalid and Rosa Linn. 6 p.m. 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore. (C.M., R.H.)

2) Country star Eric Church visits The Pavilion at Star Lake on his Outsiders Revival Tour. His most recent album is Heart & Soul, which he released as three records (Heart, &, and Soul) over three different days in April 2021. & was released exclusively to his fan club, the Church Choir, as a vinyl record. Church is from North Carolina, but like many country artists before him, he pursued his musical dream in Nashville. He released his debut album, Sinners Like Me, in 2006. His first song to enter Billboard’s Hot 100 Top 20 was “Springsteen.” You bet a song named after the Boss is going to have crossover potential. It helped that the tune told a vivid story over uplifting guitar chords, just as the Boss’s songs do. The video’s pretty good too. Special guests are Koe Wetzel and Shane Smith & The Saints.  7 p.m. 665 PA Route 18, Burgettstown. (C.M., M.V.)