Coldplay, the iconic British band known for their captivating melodies and larger-than-life performances, is set to return to India next year. The band last performed in Mumbai in 2016, leaving an indelible mark on their fans and the Bollywood elite alike. As the anticipation builds for their January 2025 concert, let’s turn back the clock and revisit the memorable night when Coldplay’s Chris Martin, alongside his bandmates, mingled with Bollywood’s biggest stars at a party hosted by none other than Shah Rukh Khan.
In 2016, Coldplay’s visit to India was a significant cultural event. The band, led by frontman Chris Martin, was invited to perform at the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai. What made the trip even more special was the star-studded party at Mannat, Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic residence. The who’s who of Bollywood made their way to the event, making it a night to remember.
An old photograph recently went viral, reigniting memories of that night. The picture features Chris Martin casually chilling with Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone and actress Freida Pinto. This image hasn’t just been a trip down memory lane for fans but has also intensified the excitement for Coldplay’s upcoming performance in India.
The guest list for Shah Rukh Khan’s party in 2016 was a testament to Bollywood’s glittering world. As expected, it included some of the industry’s finest, such as Shraddha Kapoor and her brother Siddhanth, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, and popular actors Riteish Deshmukh accompanied by his wife Genelia, and Sonakshi Sinha. Fans were also delighted by unexpected appearances from Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Shriya Saran, Dia Mirza, and Vivek Oberoi. Among the attendees was also Ranveer Singh, then known to be dating Deepika Padukone, adding another layer of interest to the viral photograph with Chris Martin.
Coldplay’s charismatic frontman, Chris Martin, openly admires Shah Rukh Khan, often referred to as Bollywood’s Baadshah. In fact, Martin’s admiration transcended the mere exchange of pleasantries at the party in 2016. In 2019, he took to Twitter, via Coldplay’s official handle, to share his love for SRK. Martin tweeted, “Here is some music I love at the moment… Tal Uno by Barrie, Dwa Serduszka by Mazowsze, A New Beginning by John Williams from the Minority Report and Batard by Stromae..
.. Ok enough tweeting for one month. Shah Rukh Khan forever (sic).”
Shah Rukh Khan was quick to respond in kind, saying, “Will surely listen to the music… will send you some Indian music too (sic).” The exchange delighted fans of both Coldplay and Shah Rukh Khan, highlighting a cross-cultural bond and mutual admiration.
Fast forward to the present, Coldplay has announced the dates for their ‘Music of the Spheres World Tour’ in India. Fans will be able to catch the Grammy-winning band live in Mumbai on January 18 and 19, 2025, at the DY Patil Sports Stadium. Due to the immense rush for tickets, a third show has been added for January 21. This addition is sure to thrill fans who have been eagerly awaiting the band’s return to Indian shores.
In an effort to make their concerts accessible, Coldplay will be offering a limited number of ‘Infinity Tickets’. Priced at around Euro 20 (approximately Rs 2000) per ticket, these will be available for sale starting from November 22, 2024. The tickets can be purchased in pairs, making for a perfect concert experience with friends or loved ones.
The upcoming concerts promise to be a musical extravaganza, featuring songs from Coldplay’s critically acclaimed album ‘Music Of The Spheres’ and new singles ‘We Pray’ and ‘feelslikeimfallinginlove’ from their soon-to-be-released album ‘Moon Music’. Of course, Coldplay won’t leave out their timeless hits that have won hearts globally, including ‘Yellow’, ‘The Scientist’, ‘Clocks’, ‘Fix You’, ‘Viva La Vida’, ‘Paradise’, ‘A Sky Full Of Stars’, and ‘Adventure Of A Lifetime’.
For many fans, Coldplay’s previous performance in India in 2016 remains an unforgettable experience. The band, formed in 1997, consists of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion. As the date approaches for their 2025 concerts, Indian fans are eagerly counting down the days to once again witness the magic of Coldplay live.
Indeed, Chris Martin’s admiration for Shah Rukh Khan and the band’s enthusiasm for performing in India create a unique bridge between Western and Indian pop culture. With Coldplay’s return to India, not only will the music be a treat, but memories of their 2016 visit will surely be rekindled, making this one of the most anticipated musical events of the coming year.
