Coldplay at Glastonbury: Actor Michael J Fox joins Chris Martin on stage
Celebrities Attend Coldplay Concert
Coldplay played their song "A Sky Full of Stars" at Glastonbury in 2024.
Can a band be too popular to perform at Glastonbury?
If that's the case, Coldplay could be the answer.
People are scaling the scaffolding, security guards are perched on emergency vehicles, the real Tom Cruise is observing from a viewing platform, joined by Gillian Anderson and Simon Pegg.
Michael J Fox also participates in playing the guitar during the performance of Fix You.
In different areas of Worthy Farm, top-tier artists struggled, and some fields were only filled to about one-third.
It appears that everyone is eagerly trying to catch a glimpse of the band known for their generosity in the rock music world.
Coldplay never fail to impress.
Picture credit, Getty Images
The band performed for two hours, playing popular songs such as Fix You and Yellow at a fast pace.
Picture credit goes to Stephen Fildes from the BBC.
Tom Cruise watched the performance from an elevated platform next to the stage.
Similar to Dua Lipa's performance on Friday night, they grasp the concept: when performing at Glastonbury, you can't just play your usual festival set. It needs to be unique and stand out.
They begin with the color Yellow. A choice that may surprise many, as most bands typically save their best songs for the end of the show.
For the following hour, the popular songs keep coming: Higher Power, Paradise, The Scientist, Hymn For The Weekend, Viva La Vida. There are a lot of great songs in the setlist.
But it goes beyond that. Chris Martin is dedicated to connecting with each person in the crowd on a personal level.
That's why they distribute wristbands that transform the entire field into a massive LED screen. That's why fireworks go off every five minutes. That's why many of their songs contain a part where everyone can join in with a "woaaaaah" - even those who are just casual fans.
At The Scientist concert, Martin expresses his gratitude to the fans who patiently stood at the front barriers all day.
"It's astounding that none of you needed to use the restroom," he chuckles.
However, he also recognizes all the people who are in the center of the area and also the individuals who arrived late and are positioned at the back, far away in different time zones, wearing their rubber boots.
We appreciate all the support, enthusiasm, and everything else. This is our most cherished activity, so we are grateful for the opportunity to do it.
The show is overwhelming with its lasers, huge balloons, and confetti canons, to the point where you may feel a bit disoriented after experiencing it.
However, it is that generosity and kindness that makes Coldplay unique.
Skeptics may see it as trying to appeal to everyone's lowest level of understanding. I see it as a kind gesture, a way to bring people together.
Their extensive collection of popular songs also plays a role in their success.
Clocks has a captivating piano melody that gives off a sense of unease, making it a stadium anthem that taps into feelings of paranoia ("am I helping or hurting?"). On the other hand, Sky Full Of Stars is a perfect example of catchy pop music that leaves you feeling energized and excited.
The energetic and powerful Viva La Vida song could be about a former dictator looking back on his past success, but it's most famous for its catchy five-note hook that continues to be heard around the Pyramid Stage even after Coldplay has finished performing.
The collection overwhelmed all the senses
However, the most interesting part came in the middle of the performance, when Coldplay played some new songs and lesser-known tracks.
The show included the first performance of the song We Pray, with Nigerian artist Burna Boy and UK rapper Little Simz. They also played a lively version of Arabesque, from the underrated album Everyday Life released in 2019, which featured an exciting saxophone solo by African legend Femi Kuti.
The second option, in particular, showed how Coldplay could work in a different style than their usual stadium rock sound.
However, it wasn't long before they returned to entertaining the audience, playing popular dance songs like Something Just Like This and My Universe, which was a joint project with the popular K-pop group BTS.
For the final performance, the band appeared on a smaller stage away from the main one. Martin fondly remembered their very first trip to Glastonbury, which happened 25 years ago in the same month.
They performed at the new band tent, but they arrived behind schedule and their performance was not well received by the critic who described them as "absolutely terrible."
To mark the occasion, they performed Sparks, a seldom-played acoustic song from their first album, Parachutes.
Next, the highlight of the evening.
Coldplay is the band that has performed as the main act at the Glastonbury festival five times, making them the only band to achieve this milestone.
When Martin turned the cameras around towards the crowd, he began spontaneously creating poems for each individual fan.
"He sung to one group about five attractive men in their sportswear who have reached the top of the front section."
They didn't show up today wearing outfits that looked like they were imitating Coldplay.
"They arrived wearing outfits that resembled One Direction."
Following a couple more songs, the cameras quickly switched to Glastonbury co-creator Sir Michael Eavis, causing the crowd to cheer loudly.
Once more, Martin started to sing.
Sir Michael, we simply want to express our gratitude towards you.
You are truly exceptional among all kinds of people
"You have a captivating musical talent."
"You are the most amazing farmer in the world."
"Who was the person that was knighted while wearing shorts?"
Michael J Fox appeared as a guest on stage with Coldplay, playing the guitar while they performed their song, Fix You.
Just as it seemed like things couldn't get any better, actor Michael J Fox made a surprise appearance on the screen.
The performer, who just put out a film about dealing with Parkinson's disease, was sitting in a wheelchair, but the crowd went crazy.
Martin said that the 1985 movie Back To The Future was the primary inspiration for their band. Fox then joined him on stage to play Fix You using a peach-colored guitar.
Sir Michael Eavis was greeted with a musical performance while on stage.
Every Glastonbury festival requires a standout moment, and this one seemed to be the one for 2024.
This was the fifth occasion Coldplay has headlined Glastonbury, having previously topped the lineup in 2002, 2005, 2011, and 2016.
Chris Martin had expressed concerns to the BBC about coming back to the festival due to criticism he received for appearing as a guest during performances by other artists, such as Stormzy and Kylie Minogue.
I remember seeing a post on social media later on that said, "You can always count on him to show up in casual clothes and mess things up."
Tonight, it seemed like something from a long time ago.
Tom Cruise gave a brief and enthusiastic "awesome" in his review.
Coldplay filled the Pyramid Stage with vibrant hues and dazzling lights.
The topic of today's blog post is the concept of the "Music of the Spheres." This idea has been around for centuries and suggests that the movement of celestial bodies in the universe creates a harmonious sound or music. This theory has been embraced by many philosophers and thinkers throughout history, who believed that there was a cosmic symphony playing in the heavens. This concept has also been used in art and literature to convey a sense of beauty and order in the universe. Feel free to read more about this fascinating topic and share your thoughts in the comments below.
5. Epic Journey of a Lifetime
The Scientist with a Bend Back
Who doesn't love a good tune to get them through the weekend? Whether you're relaxing at home or out with friends, music can always set the mood just right. So, why not put on your favorite hymn and let the weekend vibes take over? Whether it's a peaceful melody or an upbeat jam, let the music be your guide to a fun and memorable weekend.
11. Long Live Life
Title: Something So Similar / Escape In this blog post, we will discuss a song called "Something Just Like This" and a concept known as Breakaway.
The night sky was filled with countless twinkling stars.
Picture credit, Getty Images.
Little Simz had an electrifying show right before Coldplay took the stage.
Before Coldplay performed on the Pyramid Stage, Little Simz took the stage for her only show in the UK for the year. Despite possibly not performing in a while, she showed no signs of being rusty.
The person from London performed an impressive hip-hop lesson that showcased her clever lyrics and captivating stage charisma.
She was the only one on stage for the beginning of Silhouette, No Merci and I Love You, I Hate You - all of which showcase the independent artist's well-deserved achievement.
"Do you not realize that I am a child of God? I made it here all by myself," she rhymed on the Silhouette track.
She brought up this theme again during the performance of the night's only new song, The Code. In this song, she cleverly responded to her critics with the line: "You can change the rules and I'll still come out on top."
After proving her talent, she became more at ease, inviting Nigerian singer Obongjayar to join her for the smooth song "Point And Kill" before moving on to softer tunes like "Woman" and "Selfish".
The noise and anticipation increased as she performed. As she neared the conclusion, the rapper took off her sunglasses and scanned the crowd, appearing emotional.
"I can't believe this," she exclaimed. "I've been singing since I was a little kid and this is the largest audience I've ever performed for."
"This is like a dream come true."
Picture from Getty Images - - - Image credit: Getty Images
The debut performance of The Last Dinner Party brought in a large audience at The Other Stage.
Additional performances on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday included sets from Cyndi Lauper, who experienced technical difficulties that impacted her singing, and indie group Keane, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their successful first album Hopes and Fears.
"It made a huge impact on us," frontman Tom Chaplin exclaimed, as he guided the crowd in a passionate singalong of popular songs like Somewhere Only We Know, Bedshaped, and Everybody's Changing.
The Other Stage featured a diverse range of artists like the popular indie group Bloc Party, up-and-coming band The Last Dinner Party, and pop sensation Camila Cabello. Camila's unique performance included her showcasing her riding skills on a BMX bike.
Picture credit, Getty Images
Jessie Ware delivered an energetic performance, even though there were fewer people in the audience at the West Holts stage.
Kasabian performed a surprise set at the Woodsies tent, which was packed with excited fans. Jessie Ware took the stage at West Holts, delivering upbeat disco hits to a smaller than expected audience. (We're pointing fingers at Coldplay for the low turnout).
She put in a lot of effort, dancing energetically to the funky beat of Freak Me Now, and confidently wielding a microphone stand that also served as a whip, to the joy of her devoted supporters.
"I'm here to enjoy myself, not to make a profit," stated one person.
"She filled us with unadulterated happiness."
In another place, Disclosure had Sam Smith join them on stage to perform Latch as they closed out The Other Stage. And over on The Park Stage, South Korean DJ Peggy Gou energized the crowd with a lively set to get them prepared for the night of dancing ahead. Sophie Ellis Bextor even made a surprise appearance during Gou's set to sing Murder On The Dancefloor.
Put simply, there was an abundance of music - and a wide range of genres - that made it impossible for anyone to listen to it all in just one day.
The fun continues on Sunday with R&B sensation SZA taking the stage at the Pyramid Stage, while Shania Twain is set to attract the largest crowd of the weekend with her performance in the afternoon in the legend slot.
