September 30, 2015 9:50PM ET

Go Behind the Scenes With Ed Sheeran at Global Citizen Fest

Singer-songwriter caps magical year with headlining appearance at 2015 Global Citizen Festival

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Ed Sheeran has had a huge year. He joined the Rolling Stones onstage, partied with Keith Richards, sold out three nights at London's Wembley stadium and, this past weekend, turned up at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, where he duetted with none other than Beyoncé and Coldplay's Chris Martin. We shadowed the 24-year-old British star for the full day, catching both private moments and onstage triumphs.

Ed Sheeran waits a moment in his car after arriving at Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, New York City on September 26th, 2015.

Leslie dela Vega

Ed Sheeran prepares to head into the fray after arriving at the Global Citizen Festival at New York City's Central Park on September 26th, 2015.

Ed Sheeran stands in front of his trailer just outside Global Citizen Festival grounds.

Leslie dela Vega

Upon arrival, Ed walks directly to his trailer — just outside the festival grounds — to unwind.

After arriving at the VIP entrance at the rear of the mainstage, Ed Sheeran had bypassed a long and crowded security line and quickly passed through only to be approached by fans who had been waiting for him on the other side who he graciously stopped for.

Leslie dela Vega

Sheeran bypassed a long security line, only to be approached by fans who had been waiting for him on the other side. He graciously stopped to pose for a few photos.

As Ed was walking towards the meet and greet, the mainstage was to his right, he heard Coldplay performing and listened for a few moments.

Leslie dela Vega

As he left security and started walking the grounds, Sheeran caught a few moments of Coldplay's main-stage set.

Ed waiting for fans at the meet and greet.

Leslie dela Vega

After a long backstage walk, Sheeran arrived at the festival's meet-and-greet area and waited for the fans to line up.

Ed had met and posed with a handful of fans at the meet and greet backstage.

Leslie dela Vega

A handful of lucky Global Citizen–goers lined up to pose for pictures with Sheeran.

Leslie dela Vega

Sheeran was all smiles as he snapped photos with fans.

With guitar in hand, Ed goest to meet with Beyonce in her tent, his pass sits on one of her cases.

Leslie dela Vega

With guitar in hand, Sheeran went to meet with Beyoncé in her tent — no doubt to prepare for their glorious duet on "Drunk in Love" — his pass sitting on one of her cases.

Outside his trailer, many artists passed by to say their hellos. Here he chats with Ice Prince (Panshak Zamani).

Leslie dela Vega

Many artists passed by Sheeran's trailer to say their hellos. Here he chats with Nigerian MC Ice Prince (Panshak Zamani).

Leslie dela Vega

Ed hoists an iPhone to take a selfie with Nigerian musician Cobhams Asuquo and his wife.

Ed stands in front of his trailer with a few guests

Leslie dela Vega

Sheeran chats holds court in front of his trailer before it's time to go onstage.

Leslie dela Vega

Minutes before he performs for thousands of fans, Sheeran savors a few private moments with friends and family inside his trailer.

Labels mark his very minimal gear for his performance.

Leslie dela Vega

Labels mark the crates that hold Sheeran's surprisingly minimal gear.

Fans await Ed's arrival to perform onstage.

Leslie dela Vega

Fans await Ed's arrival onstage.

Ed performs at Global Citizen Festival.

Leslie dela Vega

Alone onstage as usual, Sheeran performs for the huge Global Citizen crowd.

As a crew member is ready sidestage with a copy of the set list, Ed passes his guitars to him for tuning after he plays with them.

Leslie dela Vega

A crew member at the side of the stage keeps an eye on the set list, assisting Sheeran with guitar tuning.

Leslie dela Vega

The crowd went wild when Sheeran brought Coldplay's Chris Martin onstage for a rendition of the Sheeran smash "Thinking Out Loud."

Under a perfect sky, Ed asked the audience to pose with Chris Martin for a special photo opt displaying the heart symbol with their hands. The cameraman at far left joined in.

Leslie dela Vega

Under a perfect sky, Ed asked the audience to pose with Chris Martin for a special photo op displaying the "o" in the Global Citizen logo. The cameraman at far left joined in.