Despite the controversy surrounding people being turned away, it appears that Ed Sheeran's VH1 Storytellers gig was a resounding success.
Hey @edsheeran you've got a couple people excited for your arrival here at @whelanslive... 😉 #Storytellers pic.twitter.com/o0eL2NyN1W
— VH1 (@VH1) January 24, 2015
The red-haired singer / songwriter took to the stage shortly after 12 and was greeted by a capacity crowd, as well as millions watching at home and online via VH1.
I love being back in Ireland
— Ed Sheeran (@edsheeran) January 24, 2015
Ed Sheeran live @whelanslive #storeytellers #vh1storytellers #dublin #EdSheeran #Whelans #VH1 pic.twitter.com/aT9sSawRcD
— elisa duncan cullen (@ElisaD_C) January 24, 2015
The gig included old favourites, as well as the stories behind each of them and what inspired him.
The audience was peppered with Irish celebrities, including footballer Robbie Keane and his wife Claudine, singer / songwriter Gavin James, Jedward and the cast of Love / Hate.
Unfortunately, for those left out in the cold, it wasn't such a magical experience. Many fans took to Facebook and Twitter to vent their frustration.
The jealousy I have towards those 400 people in Whelan's right now with Ed Sheeran is ridiculous
— Tea is for Tara (@teabiscuit101) January 25, 2015
Watching Ed Sheeran at Whelan's on MTV and seeing people in the crowd not knowing lyrics and hardly smiling. They don't deserve to be there
— Holli Breslin (@HolliB123) January 25, 2015
Despite all this however, for the lucky few who got in, it was something special.
"Everything for me started here, and I hope to always play here if you'll have me!" @edsheeran @vh1 #storytellers pic.twitter.com/yFS2kI1G5O
— WhelansLiveâÂ?Ž (@whelanslive) January 24, 2015