Coldplay Review: A Stunning Show That Exceeded Expectations
It was like a childhood dream come to life
Photograph by Anna Lee
It’s been nine days since I saw Coldplay live, and I’m still in awe. At DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, 60,000 fans gathered for what was one of the biggest and brightest concerts the city has ever seen. Coldplay, often called the “happiest band in the world,” were here to kick off the India leg of their Music of the Spheres World Tour, with Jasleen Royal opening for them. This tour has been a global phenomenon, having already become a $1 billion spectacle over the past two years, with over 10 million tickets sold. The tour, which is set to continue until September 2025, has even surpassed Taylor Swift’s Eras tour in terms of attendance, making it the most attended tour of all time. But Music of the Spheres isn’t just about the music—it’s part of an ambitious and far-reaching concept that Coldplay has built up over the years. The band has moved on from their melancholic alt-rock days and embraced an anthemic space-pop sound, beginning with 2011’s Mylo Xyloto, their concept album set on the fictional planet of Silencia. With Music of the Spheres, they’ve expanded this creative universe even further, creating an app for fans to dive deep into the lore of this space-faring world. It’s a bit over-the-top sci-fi worldbuilding, but it all ties into the larger-than-life spectacle of the show.
As the lights dimmed and a black-and-white video of the band appeared on the two circular screens at 8 pm, showing them heading to the stage, the stadium erupted in cheers. It felt like the entire city was holding its breath, waiting to see this iconic band live again after nine years. The moment Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion stepped onto the stage, the crowd’s energy soared. They opened with “Higher Power” from their latest album, instantly setting the mood for the rest of the evening. Adding to the magic were the PixMob-designed wristbands given to the audience, which lit up in perfect harmony with the music. The stadium transformed into a mesmerizing display of vibrant colors, and when “Yellow” played, the entire venue glowed in golden tones, making it feel like we were living inside the song.
What truly stood out was the effort Chris Martin made to connect with the crowd and make them feel special. He spoke a few words in Hindi, took moments to read fans’ signs, invited someone from the audience to join him on stage for a song, and even gave heartfelt shoutouts to Shah Rukh Khan and cricketer Jasprit Bumrah. Throughout the night, Martin was effusive with praise and gratitude, constantly expressing his appreciation for everyone in the stadium. During “Something Just Like This,” he even donned an alien mask and enacted a verse in ASL (American Sign Language), adding an extra layer of connection to the crowd. The production was equally impressive, with massive colorful balloons (shown as floating planets) thrown into the audience to set the vibe. During “Sky Full of Stars,” confetti in the shape of stars and hearts filled the stadium, adding a stunning visual element that perfectly complemented the performance.
The setlist was a perfect mix of old favorites and new hits, divided into four parts with six songs each. Fan favorites such as “The Scientist” and “Viva La Vida” had the crowd singing their hearts out, while newer tracks like “feelslikeimfallinginlove” even inspired a few romantic proposals in the audience. A standout moment was “We Pray,” where Chris Martin invited Royal to join him on stage. She sang a verse in Hindi, which, honestly, sounded quite awesome. Watching the band, Royal, Shone, and Elyanna in action—dancing, playing the piano, and constantly engaging with the crowd—made one forget everything else for those 2.5 hours.
That’s not to say the night was without its little hiccups. A few things didn’t go as planned. The wristband top-up stations faced network glitches, causing long queues and leaving fans frustrated. Merchandise ran out far too quickly, with many unable to grab their preferred sizes. Adding to the chaos, the special Indian Railway X BookMyShow Coldplay train service departed just 45 minutes after the concert ended, leaving many scrambling to catch it in time.
Inside the stadium, finding seats in the dark was tricky because the signage wasn’t clear. The fireworks, which were supposed to elevate certain moments, seemed to be mistimed. And while the tour was advertised as sustainable, the sight of plastic bottles and food scattered around the venue painted a less-than-eco-friendly picture. While these issues could have been better managed, they didn’t take away from the brilliance of the main concert.
The scale of Coldplay’s India tour was massive. In addition to the Mumbai shows, the band performed twice in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium, drawing over 100,000 people each night—making these the biggest shows of their career. It’s a defining moment, not only for Coldplay but also for the Indian music scene. Producing and promoting five stadium shows across two cities is no small feat, and both BookMyShow Live and Live Nation deserve recognition for pulling it off, even with a few bumps along the way.
The Ahmedabad show was also live-streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, giving fans across the country a chance to watch. While the commentary could have been better, the visuals were beautifully captured, instantly bringing me back to the unforgettable experience I had in the Mumbai stadium, feeling truly grateful and alive to be living in that moment.
