It seems that nothing can resolve this issue, unfortunately. In September last year, I, along with countless others, patiently waited online for the opportunity to purchase Coldplay tickets for Wembley Stadium, a show scheduled almost a year ahead.
Following a span of five hours where I constantly moved between waiting areas and repeatedly updating the page every 10 minutes, I managed to access the active marketplace, but was subsequently kicked out and instructed to re-queue from the start once more.
That day, I wasn’t by myself. The figures for the band’s Music of the Spheres world tour are nothing short of astounding. Kicking off in Costa Rica back in March 2022, it has already performed for over 11 million fans, making history as the first tour to surpass $1 billion in gross earnings. Not only that, but it has managed to outdo Taylor Swift’s record for the most attended tour ever. Starting this Friday, it will set a new record with a 10-night run at Wembley Stadium, following a brief stopover in… let me check… Hull.
Indeed, you’ve got it correct! A city in northeastern England, known primarily for the Humber Bridge and Philip Larkin, is the only UK location apart from Wembley where Coldplay will perform on stage in 2025. The story of how this seemingly unconventional happening came to fruition is quite an interesting tale.
Neil Hudgell, a solicitor and proprietor of a rugby field in the city’s east, generously offered his Craven Park when he learned that a musically mindful band was seeking a remote location outside London for their concert. Delighted by the offer, the band promised to contribute 10% of the event earnings to local music-focused community projects. In this scenario, everyone stands to gain – not even I, as it turned out.
On Monday, just like 25,000 other enthusiasts, I found myself at a seemingly regular rugby stadium with a covered field, eagerly anticipating Coldplay’s arrival as they made their journey towards Wembley.
Initially, the ambiance had a strongly regional vibe. Before Ayra Starr took center stage, Hull rapper Chiedu Oraka warmed up the audience. Later, two local women graced the stage to announce the main act. But when the band stepped in, it felt like we were whisked away from Hull, or even beyond Earth.
Over the past two decades, anyone who’s attended a Coldplay concert would be familiar with the blend of music, visual spectacle, special effects, top-notch audio production, and sincere emotions that create a goosebumps-inducing collective experience. This tour, garnering enthusiastic reviews worldwide, has certainly lived up to this tradition.
Interestingly, despite playing to a massive audience like at India’s Narendra Modi Stadium (111,000 fans per night in January), or even just 25,000 in Hull, Coldplay never fails to create an impressive show for their fans.
At the event, we were treated to a spectacular display with twinkling stars and butterflies, colossal balloons floating overhead, fireworks bursting, love hearts materializing on our 3D glasses, and not forgetting the massive screens flanking the stage, although many of us didn’t need them as everything unfolded before our very eyes.
Instead of toning down the volume, they kept delivering hit after powerful hit. As always, Coldplay graced the stage with their three top-notch musicians – drummer Will Champion, bassist Guy Berryman, and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, who are so talented that they could easily walk unnoticed through Hull High Street – creating a harmonious symphony of both old and new tunes. Meanwhile, energetic frontman Chris Martin moved between the two main stages, took his seat at the piano, collaborated with his bandmates on guitar, and improvised spontaneous songs about audience members.
I’ve attended five Coldplay concerts so far, and each time, a fresh, powerful hit song has been incorporated into their extensive repertoire. Yet, what remains consistent is their comfort with each other and Chris Martin’s dedication to capturing and conveying the emotion of the moment – often by lying down on stage or raising his arms. With less catchy songs, it might seem self-indulgent. But for the artist behind “Clocks” and “Viva La Vida,” it feels entirely fitting.
For two hours, I bore witness to an exhilarating spectacle: a non-stop explosion of energy, rhythm, and soulful melodies. Even though Martin had shared with us that it was the 212th night of the tour, none of the technical prowess left me unimpressed. What truly took me by surprise, however, was the electric atmosphere created in such an intimate setting, witnessing a grand performance up close.
In simpler terms, “sensory overload” doesn’t fully capture the intense experience we had when standing in that small area, surrounded by powerful sounds and emotions swirling around us. When our LED bracelets illuminated for the song Yellow, and every direction I looked was filled with flashing amber lights, it felt like a hallucinatory trip, guided by Martin as our puppeteer.
Lucky for us, he was determined to use his abilities solely for good, encouraging everyone to greet a stranger in the audience like they’re an old friend you’ve never met before. He then waved to a designated section filled with NHS workers, whom he referred to as our caretakers, and to the people generating power onstage. Beyond the music, Coldplay consistently demonstrate what can be achieved to other musicians and artists.
This tour concludes within a month from now. By that time, the band is expected to have performed for over 12 million fans, some of whom are larger than certain national populations. Notably, our gathering in Hull on Monday evening will not be among the smallest. To be part of it all was more than enjoyable – it felt like an honor.
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2025-08-20 15:26