Ed Sheeran joined by 85,233 enthusiastic fans, despite a three-hour lightning delay, multiplied by intense fan loyalty, resulted in the creation of late-night history at Empower Field at Mile High on a memorable Saturday.
Ed Sheeran’s creatively named ‘Mathematics’ tour stop in Denver faced an unusual situation. The concert didn’t kick off until after the Denver Broncos suffered a loss to the San Francisco 49ers on the West Coast. This led to a unique scenario at Mile High: Concert attendees passed the time by gathering in front of concourse TVs within the Broncos’ home stadium, witnessing their team’s struggle in a preseason match happening 1,000 miles away.
Nevertheless, the beloved British superstar, who was genuinely cherished, made the prolonged wait worthwhile. When the finicky lightning and consistent light rain finally dissipated, Ed Sheeran initiated his performance to a resounding applause from the audience. By that point, it was slightly past 10 p.m., and his encore concluded at approximately 12:15 the following morning.”
This transformed Sheeran’s high-energy performance into more than just the most massive show in the history of Empower Field, which traces its origins back to its inauguration in 2001. In all likelihood, it also claimed the title of the most sizable concert in the entire history of Colorado’s music scene.
The most extensive assembly within a stadium setting occurred during Pope John Paul II’s visit to Mile High Stadium on August 12, 1993, when 90,000 attendees congregated.
On August 19, 2023, Khalid took the stage at Empower Field, only for his set to be abruptly curtailed by lightning, ushering in a three-hour delay before Ed Sheeran’s appearance.
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Furthermore, this event could have marked the latest culmination of any outdoor stadium concert in the annals of Denver. However, the anticipation was prolonged by an unanticipated early evening lightning storm, which defied the predictions of local forecasters.
Approximately five songs into Khalid’s opening performance, stadium officials halted the show as the National Weather Service released a severe lightning advisory at around 7:15 p.m. Despite sporadic light rainfall in the ensuing three-hour span, lightning persisted. Nearby concerts at Red Rocks and the Levitt Pavilion also experienced temporary suspensions.
Following an incident on June 21 where a hailstorm caused injuries to nearly 100 individuals during a scheduled Louis Tomlinson concert at Red Rocks, the importance of prioritizing safety on Saturday night was crystal clear.
