Coldplay made a big splash in New York this week to promote a new album, a world tour, and the possibility of putting away their confetti for good.
While sportos were watching Monday Night Football, Coldplay slummed it at the cozy Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 7, where they got up close and personal with their fans.
And yes, they busted out some live debuts.
The quartet who have been together for 27 years without ever having a lineup change, were celebrating their 10th studio album, Moon Music that had dropped on Friday.
After performing on (a truly excellent episode of) Saturday Night Live, the band took Sunday off and rocked out at the Brooklyn venue that holds just a few more than 600 people.
Singer Chris Martin and his pals kicked off the show with the title track from the new album which was the first live debut of the night.
Some argue one should drop the curtain with a known banger when a show opens.
I am of a different belief.
I think the first song is a fantastic time to play either a new tune or the deepest cut in the set because people are so excited to see the band, and others are still finding their seat.
The distractions are at their highest, so why not get through some new material until you truly have the crowd's attention?
What's Moon Music about?
Chris went on Instagram recently and explained it. Something all bands should get in the habit of doing.
“I think what this album is about is a response to struggling with all the conflict within oneself, within myself, and also all the conflict outside, and working out what the best response is," he said.
"And I think what Moon Music is trying to say is maybe love is the best response.”
While on the media blitz, Martin pushed the sustainability of both the physical copies of the music as well as the mindfulness they have about reducing the carbon footprint of the tour.
"When we first announced the Music Of The Spheres Tour in 2021, we pledged to reduce our direct carbon emissions (from show production, freight, band and crew travel) by at least 50%," the band wrote on its website.
"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 (2016-17), on a show-by-show comparison.
"These figures have been verified by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative," they wrote and then thanked all of their fans for riding bikes to their shows, taking public transportation or used ride share.
The other Moon Music live debut the band performed at the Music Hall was "The Karate Kid," which it turns out is inspired by the 1980s hit film that recently was turned into the successful Netflix series Cobra Kai.
"If you're under the age of 50, really, when I say 'Daniel,' I am singing to that inner part of myself that needs to win that karate competition of life," Martin explained before breaking into the song.
To begin their four-song encore, the band played "Yellow," a tune they've performed more than 1,100 times.
You'll never guess who has covered it five times, earnestly.
Limp Bizkit.
I bring this up because The Music of the Spheres North American Tour are going to play large football stadiums in the US and Canada next year.
According to the press release, the opening act has not yet been announced. Don't you think Coldplay fans would like a little "Nookie" to get pumped for the headliner?
Now about that retirement.
While doing an interview with Apple Music, Martin explained that he wants to end the Coldplay journey after they've released their 12th album.
“For some of our critics, even less would be even more. It’s really important that we have that limit,” he said.
“Having that limit means the quality control is so high right now and for a song to make it, it’s almost impossible, which is great. And so where we could be coasting, we’re trying to improve.”
When Hoda Kotb, who recently announced she will soon be leaving the Today Show, told him she objected to the band quitting after two more albums, he quipped, "aren’t you retiring soon, too?"
Before everyone retires go to Coldplay's website and grab your tickets to the Music of the Spheres Tour. Sign up to register for tickets here.
MUSIC OF THE SPHERES 2025 NORTH AMERICA TOUR:
MAY
31: Stanford, CA - Stanford Stadium (Support: TBA)
JUNE
6: Las Vegas, NV - Allegiant Stadium (Support: TBA)
10: Denver, CO - Empower Field at Mile High (Support: TBA)
13: El Paso, TX - Sun Bowl Stadium (Support: TBA)
JULY
7: Toronto, ON - Rogers Stadium (Support: TBA)
8: Toronto, ON - Rogers Stadium (Support: TBA)
15: Foxborough, MA - Gillette Stadium (Support: TBA)
19: Madison, WI - Camp Randall Stadium (Support: TBA)
22: Nashville, TN - Nissan Stadium (Support: TBA)
26: Miami, FL - Hard Rock Stadium (Support: TBA)