All About Ed Sheeran's Brother, Matthew Sheeran

Mar. 15, 2025

Ed Sheeran at the US premiere of “Extraction 2” on June 12, 2023 in New York City.Photo:ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty

Ed Sheeranisn’t the only musical star in his family.

So who is Ed Sheeran’s brother? From his own musical career to their shared aversion to technology, here’s everything to know about Matthew Sheeran and his relationship with the “Shape of You” singer.

He grew up in a creative and musical family

Ed Sheeran, June 6, 2023 in New York City.NDZ/Star Max/GC Images

NDZ/Star Max/GC Images

Matt was born on March 17, 1989, to Imogen and John Sheeran. He was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and became a big brother two years later, when Ed was born on Feb. 17, 1991. The family later moved to Framlingham, Suffolk, where both boys were raised.

Both Matt and Ed’s musical talents took hold in their childhood, when they each began singing in the local church choir. Matt took up the violin and viola as a teenager, according toLittle Black Book, and began composing soon after.

He studied music in college

The composer continued to pursue his love of music through his studies, going on to receive a bachelor’s in music from the University of Sussex in 2010.

He was laterinvited to speak at his alma materin 2023 at their annual School of Media, Arts and Humanities Undergraduate Showcase. After graduating, he also earned a master’s degree in composition from King’s College in London.

He’s a talented composer

From film scores to hit singles, Matt has tackled a wide range of projects. Speaking toLittle Black Bookabout how he approaches the variety of projects, he explained, “It really varies depending on the project. You don’t always have the luxury of looking at visuals, so you have to imagine them or find something visually similar, or I can do it in sheet music or using samples,” he said. “It’s much easier with musically trained directors, as they already have the right vocabulary to ask for what they want. But even if they’re not, you always get there in the end through trial and error.”

Matt has written or arranged a number of reversions of hit songs, fromDua Lipa’s “New Rules” toLizzo’s “Juice,” KT Tunstall’s “Little Red Thread” and more. He’s also teamed up with composer Dean Valentine for a handful of projects, including reversioning music forNelly Furtadoand orchestrating the trailer music for the Oscar-winning filmThe Shape of Water.In 2018, he signed with BMG, a publishing and record company.

While his original music is available on his personalSoundCloud, his orchestral covers of hit singles are all available onhis YouTube channel.

He doesn’t own a smartphone

Much like his brother, Matthew hasseparated from his smartphone— a decision that he’s said has helped him find more time to nurture his creativity.

Ed opened up about his decision toswap out his smartphoneback in 2017. “I got rid of my phone! I don’t have a phone,” he explained toiHeartRadio host Elvis Duran. “I just bought an iPad so I have all my socials on the iPad, but no one can ring or text me,” he explained, describing his reason for unplugging: “I was an unsociable guy who would always be glued to my screen, and I needed to change that.”

He’s collaborated with Ed on several songs

Ed Sheeran speaks onstage at Apple Music Presents With Ed Sheeran in Los Angeles on August 27, 2018.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

The musically-inclined brothers have teamed up on several occasions, from co-writing songs together to arranging Ed’s albums. Most notably, the pair collaborated on an updated version of “Perfect,” Ed’s 2017 chart-topping single. Matt created an orchestral version, resulting in “Perfect Symphony” — the making of which was captured inSongwriter, a 2018 documentary about Ed’s life and music. The video showsMatt and Ed at Abbey Road Studiostogether, watching the orchestra perform the piece while Ed puts an arm around his older brother.

Ed has addressed Matt in his music

While Ed’s albumSubtractis his most candid and diaristic yet, he’s drawn on his family life for inspiration before in his music — notably inCastle on the Hill, a nostalgic tune about growing up in England.

The lyrics open with a nod to his brother: “When I was six years old, I broke my leg / When I was running from my brother and his friends / And tasted the sweet perfume of the mountain grass I rolled down / Well, I was younger then, take me back.”

He lives in Bristol

Ed Sheeran attends a private view of artist Jelly Green’s new exhibition “Burn” on March 30, 2022 in London, England.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

Matt moved to Bristol, one of England’s historic music capitals, back in 2018. The city has famously been the backdrop for several breakout musical groups, including Massive Attack and Portishead.

Matt chatted about the city’s heritage withLittle Black Bookat the time, calling it “such a cool place.” He added that beyond the “legendary bands” that had formed locally, the area is also home to BBC’s Natural History Unit, which handles programming includingPlanet Earth II.

While he doesn’t have social media and rarely shares updates about his home life, he confirmed that he’s still based in Bristol during an August 2023 chat with Matteo.

He’s won major awards for his compositions

Matt’s work has been recognized a number of times through the years.

In 2010, he was awarded the Presteigne Festival Competition for British Composers Under 35, a festival dedicated to highlighting up-and-coming composers. That same year, he also took home the Chairman of the Jury Award at the Shipley Arts Festival, according tohis website.

In 2015, he wrote the music forCarmilla, an Audible Original audiobook starring David Tennant andRose Leslie, which was then nominated for an Audie award.

source: people.com