In a poignant testament to nostalgia and community, Ed Sheeran, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, revealed a pop-up pub in Ipswich, Massachusetts, to film the music video for his newest single, “Old Phone.” The temporary venue, fittingly titled “The Old Phone Pub,” was a filming site and a community setting where fans came together to appreciate the themes of memory and togetherness that pervade the song.
A Journey Through Time
“Old Phone” is inspired by Sheeran’s own discovery of an unused old mobile phone he had not touched since 2015. The phone, discovered during litigation, held a treasure of past relationship messages, friendship photos, and memories that had slipped from mind. Such a nostalgic retrieval led Sheeran to write a song expressing the passage of time and how past connections affect us even in the present.
“I’m from a small town in the U.K., and it’s close to a big town called Ipswich. I’d heard about this place, and I wanted to come here and construct the pub here, and just mingle with the locals for the day,” Sheeran said.
In order to make the idea a reality, Sheeran partnered with design company Pink Sparrow to build a real English-style pub in a parking lot in Ipswich’s old town. Inside, there were wood-paneled walls, leather booths, a dartboard, and memorabilia, which brought about an air of nostalgia like that of old pubs across the U.K. and Ireland. The look tried to incorporate bits of Ipswich, U.K., and New England style so that people could feel a sense of familiarity and warmth.
“We wanted the Old Phone to have always existed, even if it was suspended between worlds—part Ipswich, U.K., part small-town New England, and part something more imagined,” said Cat Garcia-Menocal, creative director at Pink Sparrow.
During the weeks leading to the event, Sheeran established a website, theoldphonepub.com, where he invited fans to send in personal messages and photos from their old phones. The submissions were then displayed on the pub’s walls, creating an immersive experience celebrating personal history and shared memory.
Admission to the pub was provided through a system of lottery drawings, choosing the attendees that had posted their nostalgic material. Within, visitors indulged in traditional pub cuisine, such as roast beef sandwiches and French fries, and Sheeran performed on stage, creating a personal and introspective atmosphere.
A Personal Connection
Sheeran’s selection of Ipswich, Massachusetts, is of personal significance. Having spent his childhood years in Suffolk County, England—where Ipswich Town Football Club, of which he is co-owner, is based—Sheeran was drawn to the town. “I built this pub to bring a bit of myself to Ipswich,” he explained.
The video for “Old Phone” features scenes from throughout Ipswich, cut with footage from within the pub, which captures the emotional impact of the occasion. The video is a visual account of reconnection and the lasting strength of memories, complementing the song’s reflective lyrics.
Continuing the Journey
Sheeran’s nostalgia exploration is not limited to the pub. He has also started a secondary Instagram account, @teddysoldphone, where he posts pictures and accounts of his re-discovered phone, giving fans a peek into his personal life.
“Old Phone” is included in Sheeran’s new album, “Play,” which explores introspection, personal growth, and the passing of time. The album is a new chapter in Sheeran’s life as an artist, characterized by going back to storytelling in close, personal style and emotional truthfulness.
As Sheeran continues to resonate with listeners through personal stories and shared experiences, “The Old Phone Pub” is a testament to the lasting power of shared memories and the ability of music to bridge past and present.
