British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran stunned fans in Mexico City with an impromptu 30-minute set at historic Salón Tenampa, performing hits like “Shape of You” and a bilingual “Thinking Out Loud.”
Yesterday evening (May 14, 2025), Mexico City’s Plaza Garibaldi was alive with an unexpected thrill when British superstar Ed Sheeran slipped into the legendary Salón Tenampa and treated an intimate crowd to a spontaneous mini-concert. Without any advance announcement, Sheeran took the stage just after 9:30 p.m., guitar in hand, to perform a tightly crafted 30-minute set that left longtime mariachi devotees and casual patrons equally astonished.
Drawing on both his global hits and local collaborations, Sheeran delivered renditions of “Shape of You,” “Don’t, I Don’t Care,” “Photograph,” and “Angels to Fly,” seamlessly blending his pop-folk sensibilities with the cantina’s vibrant atmosphere. Midway through the set, he was joined by Venezuelan-American singer Elena Rose for a bilingual banda-style version of “Thinking Out Loud,” switching effortlessly between English and Spanish to pay homage to the venue’s mariachi roots.
Accompanied by Mexico City’s acclaimed Auriga band, Sheeran’s performance underscored the unique acoustics and storied history of Salón Tenampa—Mexico’s foremost mariachi cantina since its founding in 1925. Over the course of half an hour, the walls that once showcased charro film stars became a stage for a ballad-driven pop icon, illustrating the venue’s century-long tradition of musical fusion. As the final chords of “Perfect” mixed with the lingering echoes of corrido tumbado arrangements, fans erupted into applause, their cheers filling every corner of the cantina.
The singer documented the surprise jam in his Instagram stories, writing, “Back in Mexico after a very long time. Did a pop up jam here with local musicians and loved it,” a candid acknowledgment of his affection for the city’s vibrant live-music scene. His social-media posts quickly went viral, with clips of the intimate rendezvous circulating across TikTok and Twitter, sparking conversations about the global appeal of Mexico City’s historic cantinas.
Salón Tenampa stands on the north side of Plaza Garibaldi, which itself was renamed in 1920 to honor revolutionary hero Peppino Garibaldi. Over the decades, the cantina has hosted luminaries ranging from Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete to Frida Kahlo and Chavela Vargas, cementing its reputation as the birthplace of mariachi tradition in Mexico’s capital. Founded by Juan Indalecio Hernández Ibarra in 1925 to showcase the sounds of Jalisco’s Mariachi Cocula and Mariachi Reyes, the venue will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary—a centennial milestone that Sheeran’s visit helped herald.
Local concertgoer Mariana Torres, who has frequented the cantina since childhood, described the evening as “once-in-a-lifetime,” noting that “it felt like the entire history of mariachi met the future of pop music in one room.” Similarly, tour guide Luis Hernández remarked that Sheeran’s pop sensibility “brought a new energy to a space that thrives on tradition,” creating an unforgettable cultural exchange.
In a brief address to the crowd, Sheeran announced that his next world tour leg would include Mexico in 2026, promising full-scale stadium performances but hinting that intimate pop-up shows could still be in the cards. As the night wound down, staff reported that they had not anticipated capacity for such an event, yet managed to accommodate over 200 fans, many of whom stayed long after the last note faded, savoring the historic moment.
Sheeran’s unscheduled appearance at Salón Tenampa not only reaffirmed Mexico City’s status as a must-play destination for international artists but also highlighted the enduring magic of Plaza Garibaldi’s most iconic venue. As the cantina approaches its centenary, last night’s performance will be remembered as one of its most memorable chapters—a testament to the power of live music to bridge genres, generations, and cultures.