Coldplay review

A review of Coldplay's Music of the Spheres tour that notes its scale and audience engagement at Hull and Wembley

Coldplay dazzles stadium crowds with massive production

Coldplay's Music of the Spheres tour has sold more than 12 million tickets, making it the most attended rock tour in history. In Hull, the stadium lights up with fireworks, lasers, bouncing giant balls and LED wristbands that pulse in time with the music. Fans wear 3D glasses that turn the stage into a sea of hearts while the band dresses as aliens, adding to the playful vibe. The tour is in its third year and is set to spend ten more nights at Wembley before it is expected to return in 2027.

Chris Martin is in upbeat form, praising the Hull crowd and delivering high energy performances. The show blends bright visuals with an earnest, uplifting mood that can feel heavy at times. Fix You becomes a mass singalong as wristbands glow yellow, and the set moves from a pounding version of Clocks to the softer ballad Sparks. A karaoke-style moment during All My Love falls a little flat, yet the production keeps driving ahead as fireworks flare and the whole arena rides the wave of spectacle.

The gig illustrates how large-scale live music now blends sensory spectacle with communal emotion. The sheer scale can create a shared mood that feels almost tangible, turning a stadium into a single, immersive experience. That approach works best when the performer's warmth and the crowd’s energy align, which Coldplay achieves here through constant audience prompts and color-driven storytelling.

At the same time, the show raises questions about balance. The earnest tone and relentless positivity are central to Coldplay’s brand, but some moments risk fatigue for casual listeners. The business model of touring on this scale also raises considerations about costs, sustainability, and the long-term appetite for such all-encompassing experiences.

Highlights

Live moments matter when they feel earned, not manufactured.