Ed Sheeran Performs ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ With Wheatus’ Brendan B. Brown In Hamburg

Ed Sheeran staged a three-show stand at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany. The singer-songwriter welcomed a special guest each night of the run, with Brendan B. Brown of Wheatus taking part in a performance of the band’s meme-favorite “Teenage Dirtbag.”

The first concert at Volksparkstadion saw Sheeran joined by Tori Kelly for a collaborative take on her song, “I Was Made for Loving You.” The third show saw the emergence of Myles Smith, who joined Sheeran for the former’s song, “Stargazing.”

Night two brought Wheatus founder Brendan B. Brown into the fold. Sheeran previewed the collaboration, telling the Hamburg crowd:

“I had a school band, and we used to play together. We were called Rusty, and we stopped playing together when I started playing acoustic guitar. We started doing other things, but we remained really close friends. We’re best friends to this day.

“Our friend Doug got married in April, and he said as a wedding gift to him, would we reform after 20 years of not playing together? So we did a lot of practicing for Doug’s wedding, and we played it in April. We rocked it and had a good time. When we were there in April, I said ,‘We should do this at one of the big shows.’

“Before I get into the surprise, I want to introduce — this is Rory Clifford here on the drums. This is my mate from school who I’ve known since I was 12 years old. Then this is his brother Freddy Clifford, who I’ve known since I was 11 years old. He’s one of my closest friends.

“When we were playing, we played a song that we used to play when we were 12, and I said, ‘Fucking hell, isn’t this a great song? I really want to play this live in Hamburg.’ And then I chanced it and I said, ‘Do you know what? I’m going to email the lead singer and see if he’ll come and sing with us.’

“He’s flown over especially from New York just for this, and it’s going to be awesome. I can’t wait. This is one of my favorite songs of all time — I’d say top 10 favorite songs of all time. Will you welcome to the stage, Brendan from Wheatus!

“You’re going to know this song just as well as I know this song. We didn’t even have to rehearse this song today because we know it so well, and you’re going to know it so well.”

Brown played acoustic guitar alongside Sheeran’s electric guitar for “Teenage Dirtbag.” Originally released by Wheatus in 2000, “Teenage Dirtbag” resurfaced recently as part of a TikTok meme. Wheatus released an updated recording of the song in 2020.

Watch footage of Ed Sheeran and Brendan B. Brown performing Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag” in Hamburg: