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  • Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’ Is the First Song to Reach 3 Billion Streams on Spotify

Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’ Is the First Song to Reach 3 Billion Streams on Spotify

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Ed Sheeran is closing out 2021 with a major achievement under his belt. On Wednesday (Dec. 22), the singer posted a video to his Instagram announcing that his 2017 hit “Shape of You” has become the first song in Spotify’s history to reach 3 billion streams. 

“I’ve just heard ‘Shape of You’ has reached 3 billion streams on Spotify, which is absolutely insane. I remember this song hitting a billion and thinking that that was weird,” Sheeran said. “The first song to hit 3 billion streams and I’m really, really chuffed with it. Thank you, Spotify, for your support over the years. We’ve had a great 10 years together and hopefully, we have a great 10 years more.”

The 30-year-old also took a brief moment to share some backstory on how the track became a single in the first place, revealing that he went back and forth with Ben Cook — former president of Atlantic Records UK who signed Sheeran — about making “Shape of You” the first single from his 2017 album, ÷ (Divide).

“The song wasn’t meant to make the album … the album wasn’t done, and when I finished the song, Ben Cook from my record label was basically saying, ‘You  have to put this on the album, it has to be a single.’ I said to him, ‘I want ‘Castle on the Hill’ to be the first single, that’s going to be bigger,'” Sheeran explained. “We agreed to disagree and put both songs out at once, and I have to say that Ben, I was wrong and you were very much right.”

“Shape of You” would go on to spend a total of 59 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; the tracked stayed at the No. 1 spot for 12 weeks. (“Castle on the Hill,” in comparison, peaked at No. 6 on the chart and enjoyed 33 weeks on the Hot 100.) The success of “Shape of You” — alongside “Castle on the Hill” and “Perfect” — helped ÷ become Sheeran’s second longest charting album to date, spending a total of 250 weeks on the Billboard 200.

Watch Sheeran celebrate his Spotify milestone below.

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  • Somerset House Summer Series 2026 Lineup Led By The Cribs, Flaming Lips And Lightning Seeds

Somerset House Summer Series 2026 Lineup Led By The Cribs, Flaming Lips And Lightning Seeds

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The full line up for this year’s Somerset House Summer Series in London has been revealed and you can take a look at it below.

The yearly programme of live music will return to the capital in 2026, with 11 outdoor shows planned between July 16 and July 26.

The series will open with a set from American born French Haitian singer songwriter Naïka, and the schedule also includes performances from The Cribs, The Flaming Lips, Lightning Seeds and Black Country, New Road.

The latter, whose third album ‘Forever Howlong’ was released last spring, shared: “We are very excited to be playing at Somerset House. It is one of London’s most beautiful and prestigious courtyard venues.

“Some of us have very fond memories of a summer’s evening some years ago seeing our friends performing on the same stage. The sun was going down over the Thames and it was very loud. We hope to recapture some of the same magic we felt that evening.”

The Cribs
The Cribs. CREDIT: Steve Gullick

Lightning Seeds also said: “We are very excited to headline one of London’s grandest and most iconic venues. It’s going to be a very special day and we can’t wait.”

The rest of the line up features Palace, Thee Sacred Souls, Mercury Prize winner Benjamin Clementine, Agnes Obel, Raf Saperra and Venna.

Tickets will go on general sale at 10am GMT next Friday March 6 and you can get yours here. American Express cardmembers will have access to a pre sale at the same time on Tuesday March 3, followed by a pre sale for Somerset House subscribers at 10am GMT on Thursday March 5.

Matthew Cook, Head of Live Events at Somerset House, said: “We’re delighted to unveil the curated headliners for this year’s Somerset House Summer Series. Featuring artists spanning a variety of genres and generations, this year’s edition promises to deliver spectacular performances, in the unique setting of the Somerset House open air courtyard.

“From creative trailblazers who have led the way for bold new genres, innovators whose impact can be felt across a vast array of musicians today, distinctly individual talents who continue to surprise, and future greats carving out their own path, Somerset House Summer Series once again stands as a testament to the power of the Arts. We can’t wait to welcome artists and fans to our home this summer.”

The full line up for the 2026 Somerset House Summer Series is:
JULY
16 Naïka
17 Palace
18 Thee Sacred Souls
19 Lightning Seeds
20 The Cribs
21 Agnes Obel
22 Black Country, New Road
23 Venna
24 Raf Saperra
25 The Flaming Lips
26 Benjamin Clementine

Last year’s edition featured artists including St. Vincent, Rizzle Kicks, The Snuts and Giggs. Past line ups have also included performances from Adele, Patti Smith, Amy Winehouse, Olivia Dean, Rosalía, Black Midi, Jorja Smith and many more.

Meanwhile, The Cribs released their ninth album ‘Selling A Vibe’ last month and will be taking it on a UK tour this year, including a major show at Leeds’ Millennium Square in July.

The Flaming Lips will also be touring across the UK this summer, alongside Lightning Seeds who are set to hit the road as well.

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