You’ll often hear Coldplay referred to as “unassuming” or “unlikely superstars”. And sure, if all you’d ever seen of them was a normal-looking guy in a waterproof jacket running around a beach and singing about yellow stars, it’s easy to see how you might come to that conclusion.
But all the above misses the point of Coldplay entirely. The simplicity yet enormity of the melodies and sentiments in their songs. The phenomenal energy of their live performances. Their single-minded devotion to connection on record and in person. Really, it was impossible for Coldplay to be anything other than superstars.
It was all 'Yellow'. Chris Martin (vocals, keys), Jonny Buckland (guitar), Will Champion (drums) and Guy Berryman (bass) formed Coldplay while studying together at UCL and a couple of early EPs earned them a deal with Parlophone and a rapidly growing reputation in the UK music press. Their debut Parachutes was released in 2000 and ascended the charts quickly off the back of the aforementioned smash hit single 'Yellow', a beautifully simple and relatable love song with a soaring melody.
Parachutes sold by the bucket load on both sides of the Atlantic, setting Coldplay up for a make-or-break second album. A Rush Of Blood To The Head was very much the former, offering up more hits with 'In My Place' and 'The Scientist', a fixture on MTV thanks to its cleverly constructed video. While Coldplay were bundled in with other pop-minded guitar bands like Travis and Elbow, Rush Of Blood’s arena-ready sound and restless creativity made it clear that they had even bigger aspirations.
By the time X&Y arrived in 2005, Coldplay were one of the biggest bands on the planet. X&Y was designed to be played to huge crowds in huge venues and Martin once again nailed the conveyance of relatable emotions on a majestic scale with the single 'Fix You'.
Working with Brian Eno (U2, James, David Bowie) on 2008’s Viva La Vida allowed Coldplay to venture to the furthest limits of their creativity and adventure, expanding their sound without drastically altering it. The great producer was involved again three years later for the immensely joyous Mylo Xyloto, whose candy-coloured cover was very much in keeping with the dayglo explosion that was the band’s live show.
If Mylo Xyloto was the life-affirming apex of the party, 2014’s Ghosts was the haunted morning after – a darker, more sombre affair that suggested a heart in turmoil. Guest stars included Timbaland and Swedish EDM DJ Avicii.
The shadows were well and truly dispersed when the band returned with A Head Full Of Dreams, which saw them collaborate with a host of huge names including Noel Gallagher and Beyoncé. The more subdued Everyday Life followed in 2019.
In October 2021, Coldplay released their ninth studio album, Music Of The Spheres. The album was preceded by the singles Higher Power and My Universe, a collaboration with K-Pop superstars BTS.
The Music Of The Spheres launched in March 2022 and went on to become the most-attended tour in history. 2024 saw Coldplay headline Glastonbury for a fourth time, announce the release of their tenth album (Music Of The Spheres Vol. II: Moon Music, due out on 4 October) and plans for their 2025 UK tour dates.
In August 2025, Coldplay will play a huge run at Wembley Stadium after two dates at Craven Park in Hull, with 10% of the proceeds going to the Music Venue Trust and 100% of the shows powered by solar, wind and kinetic energy.