The English band has been on the road since 2022 with their Music Of The Spheres World Tour and the singer allowed himself to be transparent about how at times, he can be left feeling down and blue whilst on the road.

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Chris took took to Instagram to share with his fans the different ways he tries to keep his spirits up. In the video, take after their Honk Kong show, the artist said: “Hi, this is Chris from the band Coldplay. We’re in Hong Kong… “I’ve noticed a few people recently, including myself, struggling a bit with depression so I was going to tell you some things that have been helping me on tour and in general in hopes that maybe some of them might be good for you too.”

“The first thing I wanted to tell you was that there is a thing called freeform writing where you write for twelve minutes, all your thoughts, and then you burn it or throw it away. That’s very good. Transcendental meditation has been really wonderful for me… There’s a thing called Proprioception which is like body movement to help balance your brain. There is a man called Jim Costello, who did the Costello Method that’s very helpful – especially for young people with ADHD or autism.”

The 48-year-old then holds up a book called The Oxygen Advantage which he says is “great for breathing” and also shares how Chloe Quesha’s music makes him very happy”.

The frontman said, “This is our fourth visit to India, and the second time to play. First time we played a long show and we could not have asked for a better audience. Thank you for coming today everybody!”

He continued: “Thank you for welcoming us even though we are from Great Britain. Thanks for forgiving us for all of the bad things Great Britain has done.”

The concert was attended by around 75,000 people, the band’s first in India since their appearance at Global Citizen Festival in 2016. Crowd members captured the moment and uploaded it to social media.

Fans have been divided by his apologetic statement – some have praised his gesture, with one user jokingly writing “Chris healing intergenerational trauma with a mic, stage and some tunes”. Others were less enthusiastic, dismissing his comments as “virtue signalling”. Some fans had a problem with his willingness to speak on behalf of another continent, with more than one user asking, “Who says India forgave Britain?”

Tone deaf much ? People enjoying your music does not equate to forgiving colonialists murdering and maiming millions of people for centuries https://t.co/JsLYgQFTlw

— YutaPie (@YukkriYoong) January 22, 2025

The British government colonised India, ruling over from 1858 until 1947, during a period known as The British Raj. The legacy of this colonization is a dark one – while the Brits profited heavily from their rule, India were subject to poverty, famine and social division.

Scholars have claimed that prior to colonialism, Indian living standards may have been “on a par with the developing parts of Western Europe”, and that India’s economic inequality can be traced back to colonial times. The Brits also used the pre-existing caste system to separate people into a social hierarchy and limit the power of most citizens.

It’s been argued that unemployment, famine, poor sanitary conditions, lack of access to education and healthcare, caste-based oppression, religious violence and gender-based violence are all a part of the legacy of colonialism. To this day, Britain has never apologised for colonizing India.

The sales for Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres world tour have been successful, with every scheduled stop selling out. But Indian fans were left disappointed while buying tickets, when the official ticketing site experienced technical issues after going live.

Once the sale ended, tickets for the show were price gouged on other sites, with their costs being bumped up from Rs 4,500 (£40.55) to Rs 384,625 (£3,466). Scammers also took advantage of the situation, offering tickets as part of a lucky draw for people who shared their post.

The band have also announced their Indian concert in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will be streamed live on January 26. It will be available to viewers across the country on Disney+ Hotstar and will include exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the band.

The pop-rock giants are also set to launch an immersive installation to accompany their 2024 album, ‘Moon Music’. Titled ‘A Film For The Future’, the event will incorporate visuals, music and interactive storytelling to give fans a captivating experience – you can read more on that here, and Chris Martin’s reflections on mental health and music here.

Much of the album is set to be made up of singles such as ‘June Baby,‘ ‘California Sober,’ and ‘Cake,’ which have already garnered attention for their introspective lyrics and innovative soundscapes. Canal has collaborated with the likes of Låpsley, Jonny Lattimer, Kevin Farzad and Eg White to produce the album.

“The title speaks to the sun rising, and I feel it’s emblematic of how you feel when you are growing up,” said Canal. “In your adolescence, everything is a bit hazy and wobbly and you don’t really know what’s going on. Then as you get older, clarity sets in. The album goes from being very young and naive, loud and overconfident, to quite introspective, wise and surrendered. It gets more complex and possibly more wounded or brooding.”

Canal, the German born Spanish American musician, is a name you’ll want to remember—if you haven’t already felt her ripple through the industry. In 2023, she snagged the Rising Star award at the Ivor Novello Awards, a nod from the songwriting elite that signals that, despite only having 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, she is about to bloom into the wider cultural consciousness.

Alongside the Novello Award she has also won the admiration of Coldplay singer Chris Martin, who has heralded her ‘swan song‘ from 2022’s ‘Elegy’ EP as  “one of the best songs ever written.” Its unsurprising high praise, with smoky tones and an uncanny ability to shift from delicate whispers to powerful crescendos, she makes every lyric feel like a secret she’s trusting you with.

Born with one arm shorter than the other due to amniotic band syndrome, Canal has never let anything—even physics—stand in her way. She has performed at the 30 year anniversary of ‘Later…with Jules Holland‘ and watching her play piano in these live performances with such dexterity and emotion feels like witnessing a someone weaving magic into music, taking something which is ostensibly a weakness and harnessing it into a unique strength.

Canal’s music defies easy categorisation, which is part of its allure. She weaves indie pop, soulful balladry, and pop rock into a tapestry that feels both nostalgic and Gen-Z. You can hear whispers of John Mayer’s emotional storytelling and Gavin DeGraw’s bluesy grit in her sound, but there’s an electricity uniquely hers—a kind of ambiguous emotional vulnerability to her voice reminiscent of Billie Eilish that knocks you sideways and leaves you coming back for more. As her Spotify profile states: ‘here is my soul hope u like it.’ Commenting on the deeply emotive nature of her music she has noted the introspection required to produce these songs, “These days I’m writing mostly to confront things about myself in order to gain more of an understanding and acceptance of them”

In a recent Rolling Stone article, Martin shared insights into his personal life and the band’s journey. He reflected on his musical processes, mental health struggles, and the challenges of navigating public opinion while leading one of the world’s most recognisable bands. 

 

 

 

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Coldplay has been shaping modern music for over two decades, from their debut album ‘Parachutes’ in 2000 to their record-breaking ‘Music of the Spheres’ Tour. Their discography is a multitude of emotional anthems that resonate deeply with fans, selling 100 million albums and winning over 300 awards (including seven Grammy’s).

As the second-highest grossing tour of all time, ‘Music of the Spheres’ has not only achieved remarkable commercial success but also set new standards for sustainability. With innovative features like energy-generating floors and kinetic bikes, the band encourages fans to actively engage in eco-friendly practices, cementing their role as pioneers of sustainability in the music industry.

Martin describes his song-writing process as one of discovery and healing: “They wake you up, songs. They’re always a surprise to me. Sometime’s the title is way ahead and it’s waiting for the song to come, the right song.” He views music as “therapy and catharsis” adding that the themes often reflect his own aspirations. “I need our music more than anyone,” he admits.

The theme of yin and yang, love and loss intertwined, prevails throughout Coldplay’s releases. Martin shares: “There’s a part of me that’s always been a bit heartbroken from the beginning. Maybe about the world, maybe just about the human condition. I hope that doesn’t sound pretentious. I don’t care if it sounds pretentious, it’s true. I’ve always had this deep joy mixed with a deep sadness.” 

Chris Martin says many Coldplay songs are aspirational in their messages. “‘A Sky Full of Stars,’ for example, is about complete unconditional love. That’s an almost impossible place to get to in real life.” Cover story: https://t.co/sIYXpXphUW pic.twitter.com/1UEshYEs25 — Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) December 20, 2024

This devoted honesty has earned them a devoted fan base but has also made them a target, and as Coldplay’s influence grew, so did the volume of criticism.

Critics have called their music overly earnest and dismissed it as “music for bedwetters”. The New York Times even labelled the band as “the most insufferable band of the decade”. Martin addresses these critiques with a mix of humour and humility: “We’re a very, very easy, safe target. We’re not going to bite back. We are four white, middle-class men from England. We deserve to take some shit for what our people have done.” 

Despite the negativity, he remains focused on the band’s music and connection with fans: “As you become the biggest band in the world, you also become the least popular band in the world. You can never escape. You can never win, if you’re looking for just winning. The stronger the light, the darker the shadow.”

After 28 years, Chris Martin has seen the utility in letting Coldplay be precisely the Coldplay they know how to be. “That’s part of my journey to be like, ‘Well, I love you, and this is what we’re doing.’” More: https://t.co/sIYXpXphUW pic.twitter.com/Gkh9HmXHOu — Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) December 19, 2024

In addition to addressing external criticism, Martin openly reflects on his internal struggles, particularly regarding mental health and the pressures of touring—an issue that is increasingly being acknowledged by musicians.

He shares how he feels driven to use Coldplay’s platform to connect with fans who may be facing similar challenges and searching for hope. “It’s a daily thing not to hate yourself. Forget about outside critics – it’s the inside ones, too. That’s really our mission right now: We are consciously trying to fly the flag for love being an approach to things. There aren’t that many [groups] that get to champion that philosophy to that many people. So we do it.” 

To combat these challenges, he relies on the philosophy of gratitude and mindfulness. “If you feel a bit down, go for a walk and just look up. And it lifts you,” he says, crediting spiritual teachings and personal connections for helping him maintain perspective. 

Coldplay drummer Will Chamption on Coldplay’s staying power: “I wouldn’t ever want to take any breaks on [Chris Martin’s] creativity because he really needs it to make sense of [his life].” Read the cover story: https://t.co/sIYXpXphUW pic.twitter.com/E4AYRwnH5O — Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) December 19, 2024

Looking ahead, Coldplay has two more albums on the horizon: an animated musical and a homecoming album that Martin has envisioned since 1999. He also hinted at compiling unreleased tracks in a collection called “Alphabetica”. 

Over 25 years, the band has consistently defied critics and produced chart-topping, emotional albums with record-breaking tours that set standards both musically and environmentally. Chris Martin’s candid reflections in the Rolling Stone interview highlights the deeply personal, aspirational ethos that drives their work, as well as the challenges they face in the spotlight. As they prepare for their final albums, the band’s legacy continues to evolve and endure, and they continue to champion positivity and innovation.

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In the interview Martin suggested the band were approaching the end of writing new material, expanding on a comment made in 2021 that Coldplay’s catalogue would end after 12 albums – set to be concluded in 2025. However, this deadline has been extended after the success of their Glastonbury set this year and the high demand for their upcoming tour.

When discussing the conclusion of new material at 12 albums Martin stated: “The 12 album thing is very real, and it’s a nice feeling. It doesn’t mean we won’t tour or finish some compilation things or outtakes or whatever. It just means that the main story is told. That’s just what feels really right. Just knowing that’s happening supercharges all the work we’re doing now”. This interview with NME marked Martin’s first promotional interview for ‘Moon Magic’. With incredible amounts of honesty, he indicated that his capacity to discuss the meanings of his songs had declined over time and hopes fans can listen to the new tracks and decipher their meaning.

Honesty and care take precedent on ‘Moon Magic’ as Martin delved into the creative process, emphasising: “Right now, and since about 2008, if something lands in me as a song or as a good idea and it feels authentic, we’ll do it.” The creation of Coldplay’s latest album saw Martin at a new stage in his life, he continued: “Moon Magic is kind of the story of waking up in the morning and feeling terrible about yourself, terrible about the world – depressed, isolated, separate, alone, and not able to be yourself… through the album, it’s a journey to feeling the complete opposite at the end of the day”.

Moon Music, our 10th album, is finally here

https://t.co/T8bLqK7kpV Wherever you are in the world, we send you our love pic.twitter.com/gkFu0fwABC — Coldplay (@coldplay) October 4, 2024

These themes for ‘Moon Magic’ allow fans to relate to the world around them, offering a relatability for fans to listen to their own thoughts . The stories told by Coldplay throughout their discography have evidently hit close to home for fans. As the Official UK Chart announced Coldplay as the most played British group of the 21^st century.

The Official UK Chart estimated that Coldplay’s most played hit ‘Viva La Vida’ is played an average of 27 times a day in the UK. This means the band have racked up 400,000,000 seconds – 13 years – of airplay this century. Other groups in the list included: Queen (2), Take That (3) and Little Mix (4).

BREAKING NEWS @coldplay‘s Moon Music is already the fastest-selling album by a UK act in 2024 https://t.co/9FEzQDBlST

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) October 7, 2024

Despite Chris Martin alluding to the end of Coldplay’s written material it is no doubt the band’s momentum will continue soar. With continuous chart-topping hits and sold-out stadium shows, fans do not need to fear as Coldplay will not escape the mainstream any time soon.    

The 22-year old singer-songwriter, gaining popularity for her bubbly melodies and alternative pop hooks, has recently joined some of music’s biggest names on tour – supporting Dua Lipa on her Future Nostalgia Tour, Coldplay for their Music of the Sphere’s Tour and Ed Sheeran on his Mathematics Tour.

Griff took to Instagram to share her excitement, stating, “Guys, news!! I’m going on tour next year across the UK and Europe. It’s going to be my first headline shows in Europe! And I’ll be playing across UK again too. Can’t wait to be in the room with you all and play you the new music. Tickets are on sale this Friday. Come and find me in your nearest city.”

The Brit-award winner has recently released her new single ‘Vertigo‘, gaining attention and acclaim from US pop star, Taylor Swift, who shared the song on her Instagram page. The single has been followed by the release of her EP, Vert1go.vol.1, which gives listeners a closer insight into Griff’s personal life, saying, “This collection of songs are fragile and insular and desperately heartbroken (as usual).  Can’t wait for them to be yours.”

To celebrate the release of this latest EP, Griff has been playing a trilogy of intimate shows in London, Berlin and Paris. Playing unreleased songs to fans in London, Griff shared the news that she has collaborated with Chris Martin to write upcoming song, ‘Astronaut‘. Her return to the stage has seen fans sell-out these shows within days.

“On Wednesday I played an intimate show with some of you guys, and played the songs on volume 1. It’s been so long since I’ve been in the room with you guys for my own show and it felt so good,” she stated on X, “I hope volume 1 can become some kind of soundtrack to your days and nights.”

This latest era for Griff comes after her critically acclaimed debut mixtape, One Foot in Front of the Other, which saw the singer enter the UK album charts for the first time and peak at no.4. This also saw Griff win the Rising Star Award at the Brit Awards, making her one of the youngest recipients at just 20 years old.

Beginning in March 2024, Griff will begin her tour in Stockholm and continue her run, finishing up in London’s iconic Roundhouse venue.

Tour dates are as follows and tickets can be purchased here.

10/03/2024 – Debaser Strand – Stockholm, Sweden
11/03 – Parkteateret – Oslo, Norway
15/03 – Mojo Club – Hamburg, Germany
16/03 – Heimathafen – Berlin, Germany
18/03 – Gloria Theater – Cologne, Germany
19/03 – Tolhuisten – Amsterdam, Netherlands
21/03 – Botanique Orangerie – Brussels, Belgium
22/03 – La Machine Du Moulin Rouge – Paris, France
24/03 – O2 Academy – Bournemouth, UK
26/03 – Olympia Theatre – Dublin, Ireland
28/03 – Albert Hall – Manchester, UK
30/03 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow, UK
31/03 – O2 Institute – Birmingham, UK
02/04 – Roundhouse – London, UK

According to their claims, Holmes borrowed $20 million (£16.3 million) from the promoter in 2015. Holmes has been instrumental in managing Coldplay’s recordings and live performances since their third studio album, X&Y, released in 2005. Throughout his tenure, he contributed to the successful production and release of seven albums and six tours, including the highly lucrative Music of the Spheres worldwide tour.

Additionally, Coldplay has accused Holmes of insufficiently overseeing and managing the financial aspects of the extensive 165-stop tour. Consequently, the band alleged they were burdened with the responsibility of covering expenses incurred for costly equipment that ultimately proved to be either unnecessary or unusable. They allege that the production of 16 custom-made stage pylons amounted to a staggering €10.6 million, yet they were never utilised throughout the tour. Similarly, they claim a visual projector named the Jet Screen, valued at £9.7 million, was allegedly constructed with incorrect dimensions and could only be employed for a mere 10 performances.

As per the lawsuit obtained by Billboard, Mr. Holmes has alleged that he was responsible for organising recording sessions, samples, and string arrangements for Coldplay’s 10th album and their potential 11th studio album release. Additionally, he has claimed that he is entitled to commission for the advances made towards Coldplay’s upcoming albums, including the £35m paid by Parlophone Records, a subsidiary of Warner Group, for their 10th album.

Iconic British rock band ‘in advanced talks to headline Glastonbury 2024′ https://t.co/2bYGMMU9wz pic.twitter.com/CuEfZ8KPHu

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) July 21, 2023

Fresh off of their announcement that the band will be taking their Music Of The Spheres World Tour through Europe for three additional runs, rumours that the band have also set aside a slot for Glastonbury are starting to gather pace. With Coldplay adding 16 new dates in Europe for the summer, a Glastonbury show is certainly not outside the realms of possibility, although no confirmation has been made by the band.

The newly announced European run will also include performances in Greece, Romania and Finland-three countries the band have never played in before. Unfortunately, the new dates do not include any UK shows but the band will wrap up their tour with two nights in Dublin.

New European dates announced for summer 2024 in Athens, Bucharest, Budapest, Lyon, Rome, Düsseldorf, Helsinki, Munich, Vienna & Dublin Register now for first ticket access at https://t.co/x6SOofcfN1 Delivered by DHL#MusicOfTheSpheresWorldTour pic.twitter.com/f3Ri4mKu7W — Coldplay (@coldplay) July 20, 2023

Media outlets have been buzzing with excitement after it was noticed that the band have, perhaps conspicuously, left the dates from 26-30 June open, which is when Glastonbury will take place in 2024. Coldplay are certainly fond of what is one of the largest festivals in Europe, with the band playing its famous stages four times and Chris Martin, the band’s frontman, joining Kylie Minogue and Stormzy during their respective performances in 2019.

The band were also involved in the Live At Worthy Farm livestream in 2021 after the festival was cancelled due to covid. Adding to the growing speculation is also the hinted at release of a new album, titled Moon Music, sometime within the next year. The album is reportedly closley linked to Music Of The Spheres, with Martin commenting, “I wouldn’t say it’s a sequel but it’s related. It is its own thing but it will be part of this same tour. It’s like a cousin.”

Coldplay surprised many when, shortly after Music Of The Spheres was released in 2021, Martin announced that the band would release three more albums and then call it quits. With no set in stone timeframe for when these three releases will happen, fans can rest assured that Coldplay will be around for the foreseeable future and live performances will continue to be a major draw for concert-goers and the band alike.

Coldplay concerts have garnered rave reviews and high praise from critics in the past, with commentators often citing their ability to make huge venues feel as intimate as possible. The band have also recently been praised for their commitment to making their shows and tours more environmentally sustainable, producing lower carbon emissions than their previous tours. Tickets for the world tour are on pre-sale and can be found here.

Coldplay Music Of The Spheres World Tour, European leg:

08/06/2024 – Olympic Stadium – Athens, Greece
12/06 – Arena Nattionala – Bucharest, Romania
16/06 – Puskas Arena – Budapest, Hungary
22/06 – Groupama Stadium – Lyon, France
23/06 – Groupama Stadium – Lyon, France
12/07 – Stadio Olimpico – Rome, Italy
13/07 – Stadio Olimpico – Rome, Italy
20/07 – Merker Spiel-Arena – Düsseldorf, Germany
28/07 – Merker Spiel-Arena – Düsseldorf, Germany
15/08 – Olympiastadion – Munich, Germany
17/08 – Olympiastadion – Munich, Germany
21/08 – Ernst-Happel-Stadion – Vienna, Austria
22/08 – Ernst-Happel-Stadion – Vienna, Austria
29/08 – Croke Park – Dublin
30/08 – Croke Park – Dublin

Iranian Actress Golshifteh Farahani who has been exiled from Iran since 2009 after appearing in an American movie, joined Coldplay on stage to sing the song in Farsi at this concert. This concert was broadcast live to 80 different countries, as lead singer introduced the song he said “Maybe you see on the news right now that there are so many places where people are not able to gather like this and be free to be themselves” he continued to say “Whether that’s to listen to what they want to listen to, to wear what they want to wear, to think what they want to think, to love who they want to love and particularly at the moment this is very clear in Iran.”

The Coldplay frontman also acknowledged the fact that the show was being broadcast to thousands of people and decide to say a few words “We would like to do something to show that we support all the women and everybody fighting for freedom in Iran and everywhere in fact.” He also continued to say “Now this song is in Farsi, so I can’t really sing it, but were going to sing it together and we send love from Buenos Aires”

Masha Amini the 22-year-old woman who lost her life after being arrested by the country’s well renown “morality police’, for wearing her hijab too loosely. Amini was in a three-day coma and eventually died which sparked national and international protests. The punishment in Iran for being seen without a headscarf can include flogging as well as a fine or prison sentencing. Amini was originally supposed to be held in a detention centre but ended up in Kasri Hospital where she later lost her life. Many women have taken it upon themselves to fight the “Morality Police” head on by protesting which has led to more violence and arrests towards women since the death of Amiri.

Despite the official cause of death not being announced, the Foo Fighters’ social media stated that they’re “devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of Taylor Hawkins. His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.“

pic.twitter.com/ffPHhUKRT4

— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) March 26, 2022

News travels fast, and on the same day, British band Coldplay felt the need to pay tribute as well in the way they know best – music. Playing a gig in Mexico’s Estadio BBVA as part of the tour for recent album Music of the Spheres, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin dedicated a performance of their track “Everglow“ to Hawkins.

Before playing the track, Martin said “We heard that a friend of ours in a great, great band called the Foo Fighters has passed away. We weren’t sure whether to talk about it in this concert but we have to because they’re our friends and we care about them. We feel like we should send love to the Foo Fighters, because we all knew Taylor, their drummer, who was a beautiful beautiful man, and so we’re gonna play this song for the Foo Fighters.”

.@coldplay le dedicó “Everglow” a Taylor Hawkins durante su show en el Estadio BBVA en Monterrey. Chris Martin reveló que justo antes de subir al escenario, la banda se enteró de la triste noticia del fallecimiento del baterista de los @foofighters pic.twitter.com/FZo9vmoEVD — Sopitas (@sopitas) March 26, 2022

It’s devastating news for all, taking the music industry completely by surprise. Hawkins had been up and active till only recently, playing a gig with the Foo Fighters in Buenos Aires’ Hipódromo de San Isidro just last Tuesday. Tom Morello said of him that “I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend“, with Brian May admitting “you were family to us. Our friend, our brother, our beloved child. Bless you. We will miss you so bad.“

It’s not the only unfortunate passing that Chris Martin has paid tribute to this month through music. Cricket player Shane Warne’s death earlier this month (March 4th) caused Martin to send in an instrumental track titled “The Eulogy“ for his funeral last Sunday. Other Coldplay classics such as “Fix You“ and “Yellow“ (reportedly one of Warne’s favourites) featured at the event. A special state funeral coming up this Wednesday for Warne’s fans is expected to feature special video messages from Martin and fellow music icon Ed Sheeran.