A year ago when I first reviewed Coldplay’s new album Music of the Spheres, I ended it by looking forward to the hopeful, inevitable world tour that I hoped would be following it. Back then, the idea of a tour was exciting; but life was like looking down a tunnel, not knowing what would come on the other end. We were still in the midst of the first wave of vaccines for young people in the UK, and at the time I couldn’t even imagine the idea of going into such a big crowd again.

​

In October of last year, the announcement I was waiting for came. A new tour, beginning in the summer.

​

Music brings about community, and that brings me to the main segment of this article. I first spoke to Brandon after my last review, and I am excited that today, he will be writing to us about the world tour. Take it away!

​

It’s not everyday you attend a concert where the seemingly miniscule act of buying a ticket and being there is helping execute history’s largest eco-friendly world tour.

​

In 2019, Coldplay made the decision to stop touring until they could come up with a method that was not only sustainable, but also environmentally beneficial. Though a daunting project to fans at the time, the band is now in the middle of their incredible project full of celebrating love, life, and protecting our environment, known as the Music of the Spheres World Tour.

​

Picture this. You are in a stadium under a summer’s night shouting the lyrics to ‘A Sky Full of Stars’, surrounded by 80,000 ecstatic fans and the band on stage. The LED wristband you received on entrance illuminates with every chant and bash of the drum. Star-shaped confetti showers the stadium, complementing the song’s title, whilst streams of fireworks add more euphoria to the crowd and you think the energy couldn’t possibly be topped.

​

Not only do the LED wristbands add an entirely new dimension to the concert, but they are also a part of the eco-friendly ploy. They are made of 100% compostable, plant based materials, with fans being encouraged to return them after the show so they can be recharged for use in the future. The confetti used is also 100% biodegradable, erasing any possible environmental impacts. The pyrotechnics have less explosive charge and are made of substances that either reduce or eliminate harmful chemicals, so that even the fireworks are sustainable. Energy generated from fans jumping on the kinetic floors is used to charge the battery for the band’s C stage, and alternatively, fans can choose to ride the stationary bikes on the stadium floor that also charge the battery. Each show is powered almost solely with renewable energy. Even if you bought a last minute ticket for the top row of the stadium, you have still contributed to the band’s sustainability pledge. Coldplay have partnered with One Tree Planted, so that one tree is planted for every ticket sold. So far, 5.4 million tickets have been sold for the tour. That’s a lot of trees! More information about the band’s sustainability efforts can be found here.

​

This tour, Coldplay have decided to push the boundaries of inclusivity during concerts. They are working with SubPac to provide vests that vibrate in time with the music, so that D/deaf and hard of hearing fans can still experience the show. They have also partnered with KultureCity to provide sensory bags and sensory refuge stations to cater for those with sensory sensitivities. Touch tours are available before the show for guests who are blind or have low vision. Sign language interpreters are also present to perform the songs. One of my favourite moments of the show comes when Chris Martin performs ‘Something Just Like This’; the band’s hit 2017 release, entirely in sign language. This part of the show must mean so much to audience members that rely on sign language, knowing that the band has taken the time to dedicate a section of the show to being even more inclusive of them.

​

Coldplay are also currently touring with two charities, Global Citizen and Love Button. Global Citizen aims to end poverty, encourage sustainability, and promote equity. Concert goers are given the opportunity to sign up to the charity at the concert venues. Love Button has chosen to partner with local charities alongside volunteers in each tour destination to provide extra support. For example, they have worked with Serve the City in Brussels feeding refugees, Crisis in London helping the homeless, and TECHO in Santiago building gardens in rural communities. Each show is so much more than just a typical display of songs ending with a bow from the performers. Thanks to their charity partnerships, with each show comes the opportunity to make a genuine difference in the local community.

​

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill world tour. Coldplay and their team are breaking new ground with every show they perform. If more artists expand on this step in the right direction, the unity that music brings can continue to achieve so much more in years to come.

​

I’m not particularly religious or spiritual, but that is the only way I can describe the connection between such a large group of people, feeling the oneness and friendship in that audience that Brandon describes here.

​

From making polite but restrained conversation with the family next to you, you’re suddenly all accidentally jumping onto each other’s toes, laughing and screaming the words to each other. Boundaries of groups and language falter with such earnest expressions of friendship and love from the band. And for just one night, as you’re trudging out of the stadium, it feels like everyone’s team won the World Cup.

​

You go on with your life as usual- but maybe this time you’re listening to the set list through your headphones on the walk to work. Everything’s the same, but it’s different because just for a moment, you became part of something bigger.

​

Thank you so much to Brandon for his exceptional and insightful coverage of the band, and to Rhys Williams for his stunning tour photos.