Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin, recently revealed why the UK hitmakers hadn’t returned to perform in major cities along Australia’s East Coast in nearly a decade. Currently, the band is touring Australia as part of their Music Of The Spheres tour, with four sold-out nights at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium and Sydney’s Olympic Park.
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For fans in big cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, it’s been a long wait to see Coldplay perform live. The band’s last visit to these cities was during their A Head Full Of Dreams tour in 2016. While Coldplay did return to Australia last year, they limited their shows to the west coast with two performances at Optus Stadium in Perth.
During the band’s first show in Melbourne on Wednesday, 47-year-old Chris Martin explained to the audience why the band had been absent from Australia’s eastern cities for so long. “It’s been a while since we’ve been to Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane,” he said. “I’ll just say it – f**k it.”
The Surprising Reason: A Negative Review
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Chris went on to reveal that the reason they had avoided returning to Australia was due to a negative review of the band’s December 2016 show at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. “Eight years ago, I made the mistake of reading the press, and a man wrote an article saying he lived next to the stadium, and he said we ruined his night,” Chris shared. “And I was like, ‘Oh s**t.’”
It seems this review had stuck with Chris for a long time. In a 2021 interview with Today’s Brooke Boney, Chris disclosed how much the harsh words had affected him. “It took me about five years to get over something that happened last time,” he said, adding that he usually avoids reading reviews, but this time he had made the mistake of reading one written by someone who didn’t even attend the show.
“The last time we were in Australia, the only thing I saw, the only thing, was a guy who wrote a review of our Brisbane show saying he wasn’t even at the concert – he was in his garden,” Chris said. The reviewer, who lived only a few blocks from the stadium, had written a harsh review, stating that the concert had “ruined his night” due to the noise. Chris admitted that he took the review personally, and it left a strong impression on him, which made the band hesitant to return to Australia’s east coast.
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A New Challenge: Guy Berryman’s Sudden Illness
Coldplay’s first Melbourne show also faced another unexpected challenge when one of the band members experienced a health issue. For the first time in Coldplay’s career, Chris Martin had to announce that the band would perform without bassist Guy Berryman, who fell seriously ill just before the show. During the concert, 47-year-old Chris told the crowd, “We’re going to have a slightly different show tonight, and we’re going to do our best to make it amazing, because we’re here in Melbourne with all of you beautiful people.”
Chris also warned the audience, “If you see a few mistakes or some issues, it’s because we don’t have our bassist tonight. You won’t see Guy tonight because he’s unwell and has been vomiting,” he added.
After the performance, Coldplay took to Instagram to thank fans for their understanding and support. “Tonight was the first time in our band’s history that we’ve played a show without all four members on stage. Guy fell ill unexpectedly just before the show. Thank you for carrying us through it.”
Finding Meaning Amidst Challenges
Guy Berryman’s absence made the first Melbourne show a unique and challenging experience for Coldplay. Not only was it the first time a band member was missing, but it also highlighted the band’s unity and commitment to their fans. Chris and the other members made every effort to fill in for Guy, showcasing their teamwork and dedication to their audience.
Coldplay’s decision to return to Australia’s east coast also held significant meaning, demonstrating that they had overcome the negative impact of the 2016 review and were eager to bring a memorable experience to their fans. This return isn’t just about music; it’s also an emotional journey where the band reconnects with the audience and creates new memories.
In the eyes of their fans, Coldplay’s efforts and Chris Martin’s devotion go beyond their musical performances, reflecting the spirit of a band that continues to overcome challenges to bring joy and emotion to their audience. These trials only deepen the admiration fans have for them, making Coldplay not just a band but an irreplaceable symbol of emotion for fans around the world.
This incident has reminded fans that Coldplay’s music is about more than just sound quality. It’s also about the story of artists willing to face any hardship together to create something beautiful. The Melbourne show may not have been as flawless as usual, but Coldplay’s sincerity and determination turned the moment into a memorable experience for their fans.
