Vocalist and artist, The Multiverse, takes us behind the scenes for the exclusive know-how following Flames Collective’s appearance on The Graham Norton Show with the main man, Ed Sheeran…

If you’ve been following Flames Collective for a while, you might remember our first time performing with Ed Sheeran for his recent Play album launch in Kings Cross, London. When the harmony came in, I saw Ed’s expression change, that small grin every musician recognises. It was clear we’d done something right. I thought to myself, maybe we’ll get the call again someday… Turns out we didn’t have to wait long.

Not long after, Ed invited Flames to feature on the acoustic version of his single, ‘Camera‘. Once the track was released (listen here), we were thrilled to find out he wanted to recreate that version live – and not just anywhere, but on The Graham Norton Show. It took me a few days to process that. I always try to stay professional and calm but then it hits. Maybe it’s just me but, I often circle back to each event in my past and the butterfly effect from being born in the East of Ukraine to being in a television studio in the West of London doing my dream job with an artist whose work is special enough to be admired by millions globally – frankly, it’s quite something.

Before the big day, we met up with the Flames team to rehearse and get everything tight. Then came the morning of the show. We arrived at the BBC studios in White City and found our dressing rooms. The atmosphere was calm but charged, that quiet kind of excitement that sits just beneath the surface. I knew it was really happening when Graham himself walked past in the hallway, casually greeting his team like it was just another day at work.

We soon met Ed’s musical director, Ashton Miranda, who was on keys for the performance. Ashton gave us some notes, helped fine-tune how Ed wanted the arrangement to feel, and made sure everything blended perfectly. Then it was time for soundcheck.

The BBC team had already set up our microphones, each labelled with our names instead of just numbers –  a small detail, but one that showed genuine care. When we walked onto the set, it was hard not to be a little starstruck. There was the iconic orange backdrop, the famous long red couch that somehow looks even bigger in person, and that unmistakable studio glow that makes the show what it is.

Our own stage setup was stunning. The colours followed Ed’s Play project and its deluxe edition, which we were promoting with our performance, all covered in that signature pink shade that honestly deserves to be called Ed Sheeran Pink. The stage was built on different levels, creating a kind of panorama with Ed in the centre and all of us surrounding him. Behind us, the lighting rigs hung from the ceiling, setting a soft glow that tied everything together. It’s mad to think how much care and planning goes into just a few minutes of TV, but that attention to detail is what makes it all feel so special.

Even though our literal chorus tagline is “I don’t need a camera to capture this moment”, there were actually quite a few cameras involved in making sure everything was picked up for the TV screen. And as is tradition in our Flames family, everyone had to make sure we captured the moment ourselves too – by taking about five thousand pictures from every possible angle of the place. I’ll admit, I was just as guilty. But in my defence, it was purely for a fair reason – so that you can enjoy them here!

The crew were especially pleased when the producers let us sit on the famous red couch and grab a few snaps there. Keeping on the camera theme, I also got to test out my new personal obsession – a little instant film camera I’d recently been gifted. As an analogue gear lover, both in music and media, I’d always wanted one. So I’ve included a small gallery of the photos I took of me and my friends on the day, plus a few taken by our none other than our Musical Director, Andy Gilbert, who I quickly handed the camera to for a group shot with Graham after the show. He absolutely nailed it.

When it was time to perform, we stood quietly as the talk segment wrapped and the studio shifted into performance mode. Then Ed joined us on stage, Ashton took his place at the keys, and we began. The song opened softly, Ed’s voice carrying through the verses with that unmistakable warmth.

After the show, when everyone full of adrenaline poured out into the hallway, Ed came up and suggested we take a picture together – and we couldn’t resist capturing this moment! As we lined up in front of the photographers, the lovely Michelle Yeoh – one of the show’s other guests that night – came over and photobombed from behind, which was a brilliant touch. On the way back to our dressing room, already used to the star-filled atmosphere of the place, Glen Powell stopped us to say he’d loved the performance – the perfect way to wrap up the night.

You don’t always realise how big a moment is until it’s done. That night on The Graham Norton Show was one of those times that quietly stays with you – it was non-stop smiling on my bike ride home.

Words: The Multiverse