Coldplay Music of the Spheres tour sales pass 10m
Coldplay have added new territories to their record-shattering Music Of The Spheres World Tour after ticket sales for the epic trek sailed past 10 million.
Launched in March 2022, the tour was recently confirmed by Billboard Boxscore to have grossed more than $1 billion – matching the feat of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
The 10 new performances in 2025 will include the British band’s first full-length headline touring performance in India since their 2016 performance at Global Citizen Festival. In addition, the quartet will play their first shows in Hong Kong since 2009, Abu Dhabi, UAE since 2016 and Seoul, South Korea since 2017, as they continue to fulfil their vow to reach every corner of the globe.
Coldplay, who are represented by Wasserman Music’s Marty Diamond and Larry Webman in North America and WME’s Josh Javor for the rest of the world, have confirmed they will release a limited number of Infinity Tickets, which are released for every Coldplay show and cost the local currency equivalent of €20 per ticket.
Tickets must be bought in pairs and are restricted to a maximum of two per purchaser. Locations are revealed when fans pick up their tickets in person at the box office on the day of the show.
“Coldplay are the perfect example of a UK band who came through the grassroots circuit on their way to worldwide stadium-filling success”
Earlier this week, Coldplay confirmed six new shows at London’s Wembley Stadium (22-23, 26-27 & 30-31 August) and two at Hull’s Craven Park Stadium (18-19 August) – the only European cities where they will perform next year. The band have pledged that 10% of proceeds from the 2025 UK dates will be donated to grassroots venues organisation, the Music Venue Trust (MVT).
Kicking off in March 2022, the Music of the Spheres Tour has now sold more than 10 million tickets across Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, making it the most highly attended tour by a group of all time.
The group are partnering with DHL on the tour to support their mission to cut tour emissions by 50%. Over the summer, the band delivered an update on their sustainability initiatives, revealing that, on a show-by-show comparison, the current tour has so far produced 59% less CO2e emissions than their previous stadium tour in 2016/17, exceeding their original target. More than nine million trees have already been planted around the world, with a further million to be planted before the end of the year.
Back in June, meanwhile, it was announced that Coldplay would be part of an advisory committee for their study of the live music industry’s carbon footprint.
Their newly announced Asia, India and UAE tour dates are as follows:
January 2025
11: Abu Dhabi, UAE – Zayed Sports City Stadium
18: Mumbai, India – DY Patil Sports Stadium
19: Mumbai, India – DY Patil Sports Stadium
April 2025
09: Hong Kong – Kai Tak Stadium
11: Hong Kong – Kai Tak Stadium
12: Hong Kong – Kai Tak Stadium
16: Seoul – Goyang Stadium
18: Seoul – Goyang Stadium
19: Seoul – Goyang Stadium
22: Seoul – Goyang Stadium
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Coldplay confirm UK shows, pledge MVT donation
Music Venue Trust (MVT) boss Mark Davyd has hailed a “massive day” for the grassroots music sector after Coldplay pledged that 10% of proceeds from their newly announced 2025 UK dates will be donated to the organisation.
The band have confirmed six new shows at London’s Wembley Stadium (22-23, 26-27 & 30-31 August) and two at Hull’s Craven Park Stadium (18-19 August) – the only European cities where they will perform next year – in the latest leg of their record-breaking Music of the Spheres World Tour.
Since the first Music Of The Spheres tour date in March 2022, the band have sold more than 10 million tickets – meaning it is already the biggest tour by a group of all-time.
“It’s a massive day for us and a massive day for the grassroots sector,” Davyd tells IQ. “The biggest band in the world have come out and said, ‘Yes, this is true. This is what needs to happen. We are going to do it.’ It doesn’t have to be a challenge for the music industry. It doesn’t have to be a challenge to any other artists. It could just become the new normal.”
Revealed via a poster placed in the window of the Dublin Castle in Camden, London – the scene of the first ever Coldplay show in February 1998 – on Sunday evening, the donation to the MVT will help fund the Trust’s work supporting UK grassroots music venues and upcoming artists.
Donations will also be made to the MVT by the concerts’ promoters (SJM Concerts, Metropolis Music and Live Nation), the band’s booking agent (WME), the venues and the official ticket agents (Ticketmaster, See Tickets and AXS).
“This conversation was started in December 2023,” says Davyd. “It was inspired by an organisation called Save Our Scene, which effectively connected us to Coldplay. When Chris [Martin] from the band had expressed to Save Our Scene that he really wanted to do something, they said Music Venue Trust was the right organisation. George [Fleming, founder] at Save Our Scene was particularly instrumental in making this happen.”
“The live music industry needs to think about what artists are telling them and think about what they can be doing themselves”
He continues: “This is Coldplay saying, ‘It’s very important to us and we want to do it this way,’ so it’s an incredibly helpful example. But somebody asked me this morning if this was proof that people in the music industry are going to deliver on the CMS Committee’s [calls for a ticket levy for grassroots venues] and no, this is just proof that artists really, really care about grassroots music venues.
“The live music industry needs to think about what artists are telling them and think about what they can be doing themselves.”
In a world-first for a stadium show, the band plan to continue their sustainability efforts by powering the Wembley concerts’ production with 100% solar, wind and kinetic energy, collected at the venue and elsewhere in the UK, and delivered by a specially-designed electric battery system. In addition, one of the satellite stages at each show will be fully powered by energy generated by the audience via kinetic flooring and power bikes.
Meanwhile, 50% of the tickets for the Hull shows – the band’s first ever concerts in the city – will go to local fans.
In June, Coldplay announced the tour has so far produced 59% less CO2e emissions than their previous stadium tour in 2016/17, exceeding their original target of a 50% reduction. They also revealed that nine million trees have already been planted, with a further million to be planted before the end of the year.
The group’s upcoming new album, Moon Music, which drops next month, will also set new standards for sustainability, with each LP made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.
The Music of the Spheres World Tour resumes in Australia on 30 October this year, taking in four nights at each of Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium and Sydney’s Accor Stadium, before switching to New Zealand for three gigs at Eden Park in Auckland.
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Enhanced security plan for Coldplay’s Austria gigs
Enhanced security measures will be in place for Coldplay’s imminent Austrian residency at Austria’s Ernst Happel Stadium – the first concerts to take place at the venue since the cancellation of Taylor Swift’s three Eras shows.
Coldplay are bringing their Music of the Spheres Tour to Vienna this week for an unprecedented four-night run on 21-22 & 24-25 August. Support will come from Maggie Rogers and Oska.
Swift was due to perform at the 60,000-cap stadium from 8-10 August, only for the shows to be called off after a suspected terror plot was uncovered.
Der Standard reports the Coldplay dates will feature a large police presence, including officers in uniform and plain clothes, as well as special units and extensive video and aerial surveillance.
Large exclusion zones will be set up around the stadium before and during the band’s performances, with access and entry controls to be carried out around the site. Fans have been told to allow extra time for their journeys in the expectation of longer waiting times and increased bag checks. Security on public transport is also being stepped up.
Music of the Spheres’ sold-out 2024 European leg concludes next week in Ireland with four nights at Dublin’s Croke Park
A statement from Vienna Police reads: “To ensure that the events run smoothly and, above all, safely, comprehensive police security measures have been taken. The Vienna Police will be represented by several hundred officers around the stadium on the days of the concert – including uniformed officers, civilian officers and members of various special units.
“Traffic barriers and locks for approaching vehicles will be set up in the vicinity, which will be manned by police officers with special equipment. As with all such events, access controls will be carried out by the organiser’s security service.”
The concerts are being organised by Live Nation and Leutgeb Entertainment Group.
Music of the Spheres‘ sold-out 2024 European leg concludes next week in Ireland with four nights at Dublin’s Croke Park on 29-30 August & 1-2 September, before rolling on to Australia and New Zealand in October/November.
This month saw the outing crowned as the biggest rock tour of all time, having grossed $945.7 million and sold 8.8 million tickets since launching in March 2022, according to Billboard Boxscore. The quartet also recently broke records in Finland by playing to more than 178,000 people across four sold-out nights at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium.
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Coldplay reach settlement with former manager
Coldplay have reportedly reached a seven-figure settlement with former manager Dave Holmes.
Holmes, who worked with the group for more than 20 years prior to being dismissed in 2022, sued the Chris Martin-fronted band for breach of contract last year, seeking more than £10 million (€11.7m) in allegedly unpaid commission.
The group said they “vigorously disputed” the allegations and counter-sued for £14m, accusing Holmes of failing to “adequately to supervise and control” the budget for their ongoing Music of The Spheres World Tour.
They also alleged that Holmes leveraged his position as manager to secure $30 million in loans from Live Nation, which they claim could have created a conflict of interest in tour negotiations.
A spokesperson for Holmes hit back at the claims, telling MailOnline: “Accusing Dave Holmes of non-existent ethical lapses and other made-up misconduct will not deflect from the real issue at hand: Coldplay had a contract with Dave, they are refusing to honour it and they need to pay Dave what they owe him.”
“Chris and the band are happy they’ve drawn a line in the sand but it has come at a price”
According to documents filed at London’s High Court in May, obtained by The Sun, Coldplay have now agreed an undisclosed seven-figure settlement to stop private details being made public in court.
“Chris and the band are happy they’ve drawn a line in the sand but it has come at a price,” says a source, as per the Daily Mail. “The settlement cost them millions. They just want to move on.”
Coldplay are currently managed by the team of Phil Harvey, Mandi Frost and Arlene Moon. Last Saturday (29 June), the quartet headlined the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury for a record fifth time.
The Music of the Spheres Tour, which kicked off in 2022, could see Coldplay become the first band to gross $1 billion from a single tour. At last count it had earned $810.9m, having been attended by 7.66 million fans.
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Coldplay beat world tour emissions target
Coldplay have revealed they have beaten their target for cutting carbon emissions on their Music of the Spheres World Tour.
The band’s tour announcement back in late 2021 came hand-in-hand with a 12-point plan for cutting their carbon footprint, including a pledge to reduce their direct carbon emissions from show production, freight, band and crew travel by at least 50% compared with their previous A Head Full of Dreams stadium tour.
In their last update in June 2023, the group said the tour had produced 47% less CO2e emissions than their 2016/17 trek. Twelve months on, they have improved on those figures significantly.
“We’re happy to report that direct CO2e emissions from the first two years of this tour are 59% less than our previous stadium tour, on a show-by-show comparison,” say Coldplay in a statement. “These figures have been verified by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to our incredible touring family and to all the brilliant people who’ve made this possible. Most of all, we’d like to thank everyone who’s come to a show and helped charge the show batteries on the power bikes and kinetic dance floors; everyone who’s arrived by foot, bike, ride share or public transport; everyone who’s come with refillable water bottles or returned their LED wristband for recycling; and everyone who’s bought a ticket, which means you’ve planted one of seven million trees so far.
“As a band, and as an industry, we’re a long way from where we need to be on this. But we’re grateful for everyone’s help so far, and we salute everyone who’s making efforts to push things in the right direction.”
A comprehensive study of the live music industry’s carbon footprint is being conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), co-funded by Coldplay, Live Nation and Warner Music Group (WMG).
Coldplay also launched a free app for fans as part of their pledge to make the tour as eco-friendly as possible. Highlights from the ongoing trek have included an 86% average return and re-use rate of LED wristbands, 18 shows powered entirely using the tourable battery system in 2023 made from recycled BMW i3 batteries and 23 partnerships with green travel providers to help fans travel to shows via super-low carbon transport.
“This latest analysis of Coldplay’s impact on the environment from touring is again setting a new standard for the entire music industry”
In addition, 17kWh average power per show has been generated via in-venue solar installations, kinetic dance floors and power bikes – enough to power the band’s C-stage performance each night.
All shows have offered free water refill stations for fans, while over 3,000 tCO2e has been saved by purchasing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for flights, and 72% of all tour waste has been diverted from landfill and sent for reuse, recycling and composting, while 9,625 meals and 90kg of toiletries donated from tour catering to the unhoused and unsheltered.
“For some time now, Coldplay has been leading by example in taking seriously and acting on the various interrelated environmental and social challenges facing humanity; climate change, biodiversity loss, air and water pollution, environmental injustice and more,” says Prof. John E. Fernández of MIT.
“With each subsequent year of their tour they demonstrate an evolving vision and expanded commitment to move the entire music industry toward true and humane sustainability and planetary resilience. From collecting unprecedented amounts of data to taking specific actions today based on rigorous analysis, Coldplay is modelling a trajectory toward a low carbon, biodiverse and equitable future.
“This latest analysis of Coldplay’s impact on the environment from touring is again setting a new standard for the entire music industry. The data and the methods of analysis support the conclusion that substantial progress has been made to reduce emissions in touring.”
The Music of the Spheres Tour could see Coldplay become the first band to gross $1 billion from a single tour. At last count it had earned $810.9m, having been attended by 7.66 million fans. This June, the group will become the first act to headline Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage five times. They previously topped the bill in 2002, 2005, 2011 and 2016. The date will mark the band’s only European festival appearance of the year.
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Coldplay set to become first band to net $1bn tour
Coldplay’s globe-trotting Music of the Spheres run could see them become the first band to gross $1 billion from a single tour.
The group topped Pollstar‘s Worldwide Top 100 Artists chart for Q1 2024, earning $100.5 million from 13 concerts, including six nights at Singapore National Stadium. The top 3 also consisted of U2, whose Las Vegas Sphere residency garnered $95.2m, and Madonna’s The Celebration Tour, which grossed $86.2m.
The Music of the Spheres World Tour, which was the fourth highest-grossing trek of 2023, kicked off in Costa Rica in March 2022 and has an average gross of $6.1m, with 43 stadium dates remaining.
At last count it had earned $810.9m, having been attended by 7.66 million fans.
“It’s no surprise to me that Coldplay has become one of the most successful touring acts of all time”
“It’s no surprise to me that Coldplay has become one of the most successful touring acts of all time,” the band’s international agent Josh Javor of WME tells Pollstar. “The band has been setting trends and pushing the boundaries of how fans experience a concert for years. This show has a great value for the ticket price and is one that attendees truly never forget – the amount of pure entertainment that the band packs into one show is unparalleled!”
Should they surpass the billion-dollar mark, Coldplay would follow in the footsteps of Taylor Swift, whose Eras Tour officially become the first tour in history to surpass $1 billion in revenue last December.
This June, Coldplay will become the first act to headline Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage five times. They previously topped the bill in 2002, 2005, 2011 and 2016. The date will mark the band’s only European festival appearance of the year. Revisit IQ’s Music of the Spheres Tour feature here.
According to Pollstar data, the total of the Top 100 Tours in the first quarter of 2024 was up 35% year-over-year to $1.252bn – passing the billion-dollar mark for the first time in a Q1.
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Deaf community compensated after Coldplay concert
A group of Deaf and hard-of-hearing Coldplay fans have been offered compensation after certain services were either delayed or not provided at the band’s recent Australian concert.
Coldplay performed two sold-out nights at Perth Optus Stadium as part of their Music of the Spheres World Tour‘s November 2023 Asian leg – their first gigs in Western Australia since 2009.
ABC reports that some fans paid A$220 each for Auslan-accessible tickets for night one, with the understanding they would include Auslan interpreters visible for the entire concert, including support acts, as well as a seat in a special section.
In addition, the tickets were meant to include use of haptic vests, known as SUBPACs, which translate sound onto skin via vibrations and are mentioned on Coldplay’s inclusivity webpage. However, SUBPACs were reportedly not provided, the interpreters did not start until midway through the final opening act, and there was insufficient light to see them when they did.
“Regrettably, it sounds like there were some Deaf fans who had an imperfect experience in Perth”
Promoter Live Nation immediately apologised to those affected and offered tickets to the next night’s show, with those unable to attend offered a refund or a ticket to one of Coldplay’s 2024 shows in Melbourne or Sydney, plus the cost of travel and accommodation.
“Coldplay are trying their best to lead the live music industry on accessibility support, with the artist team, venues, and promoters all contributing,” says a Live Nation spokesperson. “Regrettably, it sounds like there were some Deaf fans who had an imperfect experience in Perth. Specifically, the four Auslan interpreters were not in position for the support acts, nor were there sufficient numbers of SUBPACs to enhance the experience of all Deaf fans in attendance.
“We are in communication with fans who missed out on this support in Perth and have offered them tickets, travel, and accommodation to another Coldplay show in 2024.”
Coldplay recently confirmed a run of Australia and New Zealand dates for next October-November, which will see the group perform in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland for the first time since 2016.
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Coldplay world tour powers to ticket sales record
Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour is set to become the most well-attended concert tour of all time.
The band have now sold more than nine million tickets for the ongoing run, which began in Costa Rica in March 2022, according to Live Nation.
The current verified attendance record-holder is Ed Sheeran, whose 2017-19 ÷ (Divide) Tour attracted 8,908,150 fans. Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, which pulled in 6.1m attendees, surpassed ÷ as the highest-grossing tour earlier this year.
Coldplay’s latest milestone coincides with them confirming an additional run of Australia and New Zealand dates for October-November 2024, which will see the quartet perform in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland for the first time since 2016. Stopping at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium (30-31 October 2024), Sydney’s Accor Stadium (6-7 November) and Eden Park in Auckland (13 November), support will come from PinkPantheress and Emmanuel Kelly.
“This is a huge coup for Auckland and New Zealand,” says Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner. “Coldplay’s global status, the band’s commitment to sustainability, and their ability to deliver unforgettable performances make them the perfect fit to perform at New Zealand’s national stadium.”
The announcement comes on the heels of Coldplay performing two sold-out nights at Perth Optus Stadium as part of their November 2023 Asian tour leg – their first gigs in Western Australia since 2009. A limited number of Infinity Tickets, released for every Coldplay show to make the tour accessible to fans for an affordable price, will be made available at a later date, priced A$32/NZ$32 per ticket, restricted to two tickets per purchaser.
The band’s debut concert in Jakarta, Indonesia on 15 November was reportedly rocked by a ticket scam
“Coldplay’s two shows in Perth attracted over 40,000 interstate visitors and close to 10,000 international fans,” notes Sautner. “This underpins the immense appeal of Coldplay’s live performances and demonstrates the impact major events have on our hospitality and tourism sectors, employing thousands of casual and full-time staff.”
Earlier this year, the group issued an update on the tour’s sustainability initiatives, revealing that, on a show-by-show comparison, Music of the Spheres has so far produced 47% less CO2e emissions than their previous A Head Full of Dreams stadium tour in 2016/17. More than seven million trees have already been planted around the world, with one being planted for each concert-goer.
“Coldplay’s commitment to reducing the impact global music tours have on our environment aligns with Eden Park’s focus on sustainability,” adds Sautner. “The collaboration will showcase how two globally renowned brands can come together to create an unforgettable, environmentally-conscious event.”
Meanwhile, The Jakarta Post reports Coldplay’s debut concert in the Indonesian capital on 15 November was rocked by a ticket scam.
Central Jakarta Police are investigating hundreds of reports from people who claimed they bought tickets from third parties online for last week’s performance at Bung Karno Sports Stadium, but were denied entry after the tickets either turned out to be fake, or never arrived. Police say 400 people lodged complaints, claiming a total of Rp1.3 billion (€76,373) in losses.
The concert was also reportedly hit by protests and clashes with police outside the stadium ahead of the show over the group’s support for the LGBTQ community. Several Islamic groups had called for the gig to be cancelled.
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Coldplay launch contest to find Aussie support act
Coldplay have launched a competition to find a homegrown support act for their sold-out shows in Perth, Australia later this year.
The band will play two nights at Perth’s Optus Stadium – their first gigs in Western Australia since 2009 – on 18-19 November.
Western Australia residents are invited to apply for the “once in a lifetime opportunity” to open for the group at the concerts by completing a form and include YouTube links to one original studio recording and one original live performance by 4 September.
According to Live Nation Australia, all entries will be assessed by Coldplay’s team and a panel of music industry professionals before the winner is announced on 2 October.
In addition, the Western Australian (WA) Government will provide grant funding of up to A$15,000 (€8,900) through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries’ Contemporary Music Fund to support the victor.
The Australian-exclusive concerts are being promoted alongside hotel packages designed to encourage visitors to stay longer and explore further
Further support for the Perth dates will come from special guests Amy Shark and Thelma Plum.
Presented by the WA Government, through Tourism WA, and Live Nation, the Australian-exclusive concerts are being promoted alongside hotel packages designed to encourage visitors to extend their stays.
“This partnership with the Western Australian Government is set to make history, by bringing one of the world’s most iconic and successful bands, exclusively to Perth in 2023,” said Luke Hede, Live Nation’s VP of touring earlier this year. “It’s hard to think of a better city for Australians to see Coldplay’s spectacular Music of the Spheres show, while making a weekend of it in our country’s sunniest capital city.”
More than 7.5 million tickets have been sold for the Music of the Spheres World Tour, with Coldplay recently confirming the run will extend to a third summer.
Earlier this month it was announced that UK-based agent Josh Javor, who spent 18 years at X-ray Touring, working closely with the late co-founder Steve Strange on acts including Coldplay, is joining WME as partner and co-head of the London music department.
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Coldplay extend tour as ticket sales hit 7.5m
Coldplay have confirmed their Music of the Spheres World Tour will extend to a third summer, with more than 7.5 million tickets already sold.
The dates for 2024 include the band’s first ever shows in Greece, Romania and Finland, as well as their first show in Rome since 2003 and first visit to Budapest since 2008.
The group will play Athens’ Olympic Stadium, Greece (8 June 2024), Arena Națională in Bucharest, Romania (12 June), Budapest’s Puskás Aréna, Hungary (16 June), Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France (22-23 June), Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy (12-13 July), Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany (20-21 July) and Olympiastadion in Helsinki, Finland (28 July).
The tour will then stop at Munich’s Olympiastadion in Germany (15&17 August), Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, Austria (21-22 August) and Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland (29-30 August). A presale begins on Tuesday (25 July), followed by the general sale on Friday 28 July.
The tour was a new entry at No.6 in Billboard‘s updated list of the all-time top 10 highest-grossing concert tours
Coldplay will make a limited number of Infinity Tickets available for the shows at a later date. Costing the equivalent of €20 per ticket, they are restricted to a maximum of two tickets per purchaser and must be bought in pairs.
The stadium tour, which began in Costa Rica in March 2022, has already comfortably outsold Coldplay’s previous A Head Full of Dreams tour of 2016/17, which was attended by 5.38m people. The trek was a new entry at No.6 in Billboard‘s updated list of the all-time top 10 highest-grossing concert tours, having garnered $561.2m at last count.
Last month, a report by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology revealed the tour has so far produced 47% less CO2e emissions (on a show-by-show comparison) than A Head Full of Dreams, and that five million trees have already been planted around the world (one for each concert-goer so far). The band are represented by Marty Diamond and Larry Webman of Wasserman Music in North America, and Josh Javor of X-ray Touring for the rest of the world.
Subscribers can revisit our in-depth look at the Music of the Spheres trek, first published in Issue 113 of IQ Magazine, here.
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