Orange Amps and Ed Sheeran have launched a global new initiative called “Play It Home”, a campaign designed to celebrate grassroots music, local communities, and the early spaces where artists first learn to perform and write songs.

The project launches alongside a new product collaboration titled “Outlowd by Ed Sheeran”, a range of portable amplifiers and Bluetooth speakers created with accessibility and everyday music-making in mind. The ES Series is designed to be simple, portable, and encouraging for people who want to start playing music wherever they are, whether at home, in rehearsal spaces, or out in public.

The campaign officially began in Ipswich, Suffolk, Ed Sheeran’s hometown, on June 5. Around two thousand fans gathered for a surprise appearance from Sheeran, who performed a six-song set with local singer-songwriter Lianne Kaye. The event had a strong community focus, highlighting local talent alongside an international artist in a shared performance space.

One moment that stood out came when Sheeran gave his own amplifier to a nine-year-old fan named Felix after the set. Felix will also receive 12 months of funded music lessons as part of the campaign’s effort to support young musicians. The initiative aims to extend similar forms of support in each city it visits.

Following the Ipswich launch, “Play It Home” will travel to cities around the world including Guildford, Toronto, Paris, Sydney, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Bamberg. Each stop will involve local events run with Orange Amps and retail partners, with a focus on supporting music education, donating equipment, and funding community music spaces.

Sheeran said the project reflects where music truly begins, pointing to bedrooms, schools, pubs, parks, and street corners as the places where most musicians first find their voice. He said the collaboration was built around keeping music fun, accessible, and rooted in real-life experiences rather than online trends or algorithms.

Cliff Cooper, founder and CEO of Orange Amps, described the partnership as a positive opportunity to introduce more people to music and help communities connect through creativity. Managing director Sarah Yule also emphasized that the campaign is about more than product development, focusing instead on giving back to local music cultures and supporting emerging talent.

At the heart of the project is the idea that every musician starts somewhere. The ES Series, developed with Ed Sheeran, includes the ES3 Bluetooth speaker, ES60 busking amplifier, and ES100 performance amp. The range will launch globally, with prices starting at £149 for the ES3, £499 for the ES60, and £1099 for the ES100, which will be available for pre-order later in 2026.

The “Play It Home” campaign will continue rolling out worldwide from June, with opportunities for fans and local communities to take part and share their own music stories under a wider “Play It Back” initiative.

Read more: https://orangeamps.com/pages/playithome

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.