Ed Sheeran has performed his single ‘Drive’ with an all-star band featuring the likes of Dave Grohl and John Mayer. Watch below.
The singer-songwriter appeared as the musical guest on last night’s episode of the ABC talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! (Wednesday January 14). He delivered the debut live rendition of his collaborative song from the F1 film soundtrack.
Sheeran was joined on stage by Foo Fighters frontman Grohl on drums and the band’s Rami Jaffee on keys. The ‘Play’ artist took on electric guitar duties on ‘Drive’, which he previously described as “a proper rock song”.
The live band was completed by Mayer (guitar), Blake Slatkin (guitar) and Pino Palladino (bass). Slatkin and Mayer are credited as co-writers and co-producers on the single. Some backing singers also performed on stage with the musicians.
‘Drive’ was shortlisted for the Oscars 2026’s Best Original Song last month, alongside cuts by Nick Cave, Nine Inch Nails, KPop Demon Hunters, Miley Cyrus and more.
Upon releasing the track last summer, Sheeran wrote: “I knew that I wanted to make a proper rock song for [F1], a proper driving song. Something you’d wanna turn up to the fullest amount whilst driving.”
He explained that Grohl and Palladino were “the final jigsaw pieces of the song”, adding that his collaborators were a “pure dream team for the genre of rock”.
“I really feel what we created fits the scene in the movie so well,” Sheeran added. […] “I’m so honoured to work with such great musicians on it, and hope you guys love the end result.”
Sheeran released his latest studio album, ‘Play’, last September. In November, he shared a Netflix special titled One Shot, directed by Philip Barantini (Adolescence, Boiling Point).
Last month, La Blogothèque accused the streaming platform of ripping off its many iconic one-take gigs with the show.
Meanwhile, Foo Fighters played their first live show of the year last weekend in Mexico. They are currently out on the road without guitarist Pat Smear, who has broken his leg.