Ellie Banke
Ellie Banke (born December 7, 2000) is a singer-songwriter from Downers Grove, Illinois.[1] After a viral collaboration with singer Ed Sheeran, Banke was an opener for his Loop Tour in 2026.
Education
[edit]Banke attended Downers Grove North High School, where she sang a cover of "Photograph" at a pep assembly as a freshman.[2][3] She is a student of Cheryl Porter, an internet-famous vocal coach and Broadway actress.[4]
Music career
[edit]Banke released her first song when she was sixteen years old. Her discography includes “I Got U, U Got Me,” “928 Miles,” and “Ireland,” each of which has more than a million streams on Spotify.[5]
After going viral for a cover of Ed Sheeran's song "Dive", Sheeran flew Banke to London for a collaboration.[6] Sheeran and Banke's duet of "Dive" also went viral with more than 20 million views.[7] In September 2025, it was announced that Banke would open for the Chicago and Minneapolis stops of Sheeran's Loop Tour.[8][9][10]
In June 2026, Banke opened for Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour at Soldier Field alongside Myles Smith.[11][12]
Banke plans to release her debut album, Starlight, in August 2026. Songs on this album will include the titular song Starlight, Tenacity, and Her.[13]
Banke's musical style has been described as a mix of pop, indie, and R&B.[5]
References
[edit]- ↑ Quadri, Queen (June 18, 2025). "TikTok Cover Song Gets Illinois Singer Surprise Performance with Ed Sheeran in London". B1039. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ↑ Banke, Ellie (September 29, 2025). I had a blast singing “Dive” at my old high school's homecoming assembly! (Video). Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Ellie Banke (May 26, 2016). Ellie Banke Photograph. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Cheryl Porter Proves It's Never Too Late to Achieve Your Dreams". Playbill. Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- 1 2 "Ellie Banke - Bitter Jester Music Festival Judge". Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts, NFP. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Local musician sings with Ed Sheeran in London". CBS Chicago. June 16, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ↑ Kaufman, Elyssa (September 24, 2025). "Local musician sings with Ed Sheeran after 'Dive' cover goes viral". CBS News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ↑ Ducrocq, Louise (September 27, 2025). "Viral Tiktok Singer To Open For Ed Sheeran US Tour". Ireland's Classic Hits Radio. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ↑ Danson, Jake (September 24, 2025). "Ed Sheeran Taps Three Rising Irish Acts to Join His 2026 US Stadium Tour". Ireland's Classic Hits Radio. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ↑ "Interview With Local Superstar Ellie Banke". Moug and Karla Mornings (Podcast). Audacy. April 13, 2026.
- ↑ Jiggetts, Lauren (June 29, 2026). "Live performance from Ed Sheeran's opener, Ellie Banke". Chicago's Very Own WGN9.
- ↑ Bland, Travis (June 13, 2026). "Ed Sheeran to Kick Off Massive "Loop Tour" of North America". Consequence. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ Hardy, Valerie (April 23, 2026). "Ellie Banke's journey from small stage to stadium tour". Downers Grove Magazine. Retrieved June 30, 2026.