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.

Having only a few years ago said “I’m apolitical. I’ve got nothing to say about politics whatsoever” it seems Van has made quite the U-turn in recent years. With these songs he joins a growing list of high profile anti-vaxers such as Eric Clapton, Robert DeNiro, Charlie Sheen, Selma Blair, Jim Carey, and Jessica Biel, in his criticism of his countries handling of the pandemic. Few public announcements of doubt have led to a legal showdown though, for that the esteemed singer-songwriter raises his head above the parapet.

The Northern Ireland Department of Health told the BBC it would not comment on active legal matters, but it seems Morrison wasn’t the first to draw blood. Back in November 2021 Robin Swann issued proceedings against the singer following a cancelled hotel gig where Morrison chanted that the Health Minister was “very dangerous” after a last minute blanket ban on live music forced him to lay down his guitar in defeat. Swann’s proceedings against Morrison also included reference to an interview he had done where he called Swann a “fraud” and again made reference to him being “dangerous”. Morrison’s legal team responded at the time by saying “Mr Morrison asserts within that defence that the words used by him related to a matter of public interest and constituted fair comment.”

It’s all got a little sticky then, with all the back and forth it’s difficult to know who will end up on top and what that victory will actually mean for whoever claims it. Until Van reveals on what grounds he is pursuing legal action we won’t know, but he’ll certainly have an uphill struggle against the legal muscle the Northern Irish government is likely to put behind their defence.