Ed Sheeran

It is also well-timed, with Sheeran’s recent splash at the Brit Awards.  The singer/songwriter equaled Adele in awards, winning breakthrough artist and British male solo artist. He also had a great television showcase, performing solo surrounded by a magnificent, technologically advanced light show.

Sheeran will arrive Stateside after racking up historic numbers. In June, “The A Team” debuted No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and spent 11 consecutive weeks in the Top 10, making it 2011’s highest charting, biggest-selling debut single. In September, Sheeran’s full-length album “+”debuted at No. 1 with the highest opening sales figures for a debut artist ever.

The North American sojourn, however, will be advancing the recent U.S. introduction of Sheeran’s debut EP, also called The A Team. The album + will be dropping via Elektra later in the year.

Meanwhile, Sheeran’s agent Marty Diamond at Paradigm says that, after the Snow Patrol tour, which is doing sellout business, Sheeran will return in the fall on a headlining tour.

“I can’t speak at length about the U.K. but Ed had a very extensive viral life,” Diamond said.  “This was not a quick build by any stretch of the imagination. There was a progression that led to the state of his career in the U.K. and obviously, if anything goes on the viral side of things, its tentacles can reach deeply into North America and probably globally.”