Ed Sheeran excelled as a one-man band for nearly all of Friday’s performance at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, but the singer-songwriter represented only one-third of the show.

Playing to a sold-out crowd, Sheeran received assistance from his audience (via full-throated sing-alongs) and distinctive stage/video/lighting production that made his solo act big enough to dominate the arena.

While Indianapolis music fans will get an eyeful of cutting-edge video when U2 plays Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, Sheeran’s visual presentation may rank as equally memorable.

Five curved video screens rise vertically from the floor of Sheeran’s stage to make a shape nicknamed “the chalice” by its designer. Wedges of lighting separate the video screens above the "Castle on the Hill" singer.

The combined elements imply an old-school boombox or a “Mothership” in the tradition of Parliament Funkadelic.

Sheeran’s face sometimes filled the video screens, which also were devoted to suggesting a rain-streaked window of a nightclub (during “Galway Girl”) and a rose-petal snow globe (during “Perfect”).

At 26, Sheeran is three years older than Justin Bieber and Harry Styles and one year younger than Taylor Swift. But the Englishman gives the impression of being more grounded than his fellow superstars.

Sheeran told the audience he made the most of Friday's "lovely weather" by riding a bicycle around Downtown Indianapolis. He also mentioned a 2012 show at Old National Centre's Egyptian Room in which he felt like he'd "made it" by attracting a good-sized crowd in the Midwest.

Now Sheeran is playing the biggest concert halls and he appears ecstatic to deliver one hit song after another.

Fans responded Friday by illuminating Bankers Life Fieldhouse with phone lights during a rendition of "A Team." During "Photograph" and "Thinking Out Loud," fan voices merged into a monolithic duet partner for Sheeran.

The only musician to join Sheeran onstage was keyboard player P.J. Smith (who Sheeran introduced as a road-crew carpenter) for "How Would You Feel (Paean)," a selection from 2017 album "Divide."

Elsewhere, Sheeran masterfully worked his loop station — an effects board that lets the vocalist-guitarist record himself live and then perform with those recordings.

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"Bloodstream," from Sheeran's 2014 album "Multiply," stood out as one of the night's most impressive arrangements. Against a "sparks fly up" video display, Sheeran built a slow burn of vocal and string parts until he slapped the body of his guitar in a frenetic finish.

A combination of "Don't" and "New Man" showcased the best of Sheeran's musical interests: folk-tinged storytelling and rapid-fire rapping.

And if hadn't done enough to impress his Indiana faithful, Sheeran walked onstage for his two-song encore wearing a No. 33 "Hickory" Pacers jersey.

Call IndyStar reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.