Coldplay: Multiple Grammy Winning Brit Band That Went 'Up&Up' In Its 27-Year Journey

British pop-rock band Coldplay is returning to India after nine years in January 2025 with its Music of the Spheres World Tour. The popular group will perform in Mumbai for three days - January 18, 19 and 21. As soon as tickets went on sale they got sold out in no time with many left behind crying foul. The success of the legendary British boy band has been no secret but not many know how the journey to their massive stardom began.

How was Coldplay formed?

Coldplay is a British boy band formed in London in 1997. The group includes Chris Martin as the lead vocalist and pianist, Jonny Buckland on guitar, Guy Berryman on bass, and Will Champion on drums and percussion. Phil Harvey is their manager.

How did Coldplay get its name?

The members of the band first met at University College London, initially naming themselves Big Fat Noises, then Starfish, before finally settling on Coldplay. The name was suggested by Tim Crompton, a friend from UCL, who had considered it for his own band after reading Child's Reflections, Cold Play by Philip Horky.

How did Coldplay get famous?

After releasing Safety (1998) independently, Coldplay signed with Parlophone in 1999 and wrote their debut album, Parachutes. This album included the breakthrough single Yellow, which brought them global recognition and earned them a Brit Award for British Album of the Year and a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album.

Their next album, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), received similar accolades. X&Y (2005), which the band saw as completing a trilogy, was also nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards. Its follow-up, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), achieved major success.

The title track of Viva la Vida became the first song by a British act to simultaneously top both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart in the 21st century.

In their later albums, including Mylo Xyloto (2011), Ghost Stories (2014), A Head Full of Dreams (2015), Everyday Life (2019), and Music of the Spheres (2021), Coldplay expanded their sound, exploring genres such as electronica, R&B, disco, funk, gospel, blues, and progressive rock.

The band is also known for its philanthropy and activism, donating 10% of its profits to charity and supporting various humanitarian organisations. In 2018, a career-spanning documentary directed by Mat Whitecross was released to mark their 20th anniversary. Coldplay has won seven Grammy Awards and nine Brit Awards.

When did Coldplay first come to India?

Coldplay became popular in India in 2016 after performing at the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai. Before this, they had filmed their song Hymn for the Weekend from their 2015 album A Head Full of Dreams in India. 

The video was shot in major cities like Mumbai and Kolkata in October 2015.

First tour to sold-out gigs

Coldplay did a total of 7 world tours and is currently on it 8 which will last leg in 2025, they started touring in 2000, a year after releasing their first album

• Parachutes Tour (2000-2001) 
• A Rush of Blood to the Head Tour (2002-2003) 
• Twisted Logic Tour (2005-2007) 
• Viva la Vida Tour (2008-2010) 
• Mylo Xyloto Tour (2011-2012) 
• Ghost Stories Tour (2014) 
• A Head Full of Dreams Tour (2016-2017) 
• Music of the Spheres World Tour (2022-2025)

Coldplay has also taken steps to cut their carbon emissions by at least 50% compared to their last tour. They focus on eco-friendly practices to lessen their environmental impact. One example of this commitment will be evident at their upcoming concert in India.

Coldplay has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music acts ever. Fuse ranked them as the sixth-most awarded group in history, and they hold the record for the most Brit Awards won by a band.