3 years, 360 shows, 13.1 million tickets sold globally.
There wasn’t a single moment that I even thought about leaving early. I don’t know if it was the lights, the music, or the crowd, but I would go back in time to this night over and over and over again.
Experience of a Lifetime
I went to Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” tour in Toronto on July 12 this past summer with my mom and sister. We all agreed that it was the most mind-blowing concert we’d ever been to, and all left with that feeling of wishing it could happen every day. In fact, it wasn’t just a concert; it was a story told through their catalog of hit songs, confetti, and lights.
13.1 million Trees Planted
Something that makes this tour so special is that it is eco-friendly. They use solar panels, kinetic dance floors, and power bikes to generate renewable energy to power rechargeable batteries made from recycled materials that power their shows. There were also water refill stations situated all throughout the venue, allowing attendees to fill their reusable bottles whenever they’re thirsty. The light-up wrist bands that they give out are made from plant-based, compostable material, meaning that they are 100% reusable and recyclable, which are supposed to be returned after the show ends (not that everyone listens, of course). The list goes on and on, but those are some of the things experienced first-hand, going to their concert, being able to use the power bikes and dance floors to generate energy for our show. There are behind-the-scenes efforts, too, like planting a tree for every ticket sold.
Opening
Upon entering, there are souvenir glasses to pick up (which also help with visuals at the end of the show), free pins, and, obviously, their iconic light-up wrist bands that truly make the show everything it is. Once we were inside, there were lots of things to see in the large outdoor area. There were many different stands to choose from, each with different options of food and drinks, including plant-based foods and reusable water bottles. Specifically at Rogers Stadium, they had a Ferris wheel that fans could go on, along with many other fun activities and photo spots. The merch line was a hot spot, and everyone wanted to get their memorabilia, though the line only took a short amount of time. Once we got to our seats, we were able to listen to their openers, which were unique artists from around the world, with styles many have probably never heard before. The openers for our show were Elyanna, a Palestinian singer and songwriter, and Ayra Starr, a Nigerian singer and songwriter.
The night begins, 8:45 pm
As soon as the first note of the first song played, the stadium became a light show that lasted for 2.5 hours. The bracelets lit up with unique colors and patterns, changing for each song that played. This small detail played a key role in making everyone in the crowd feel like they had a special part in the show, creating memories that will last a lifetime. In their song “Yellow,” the entire stadium erupts into a symphony of yellow lights. Or, “A Sky Full of Stars” when the audience is asked to turn off their phones and live in the moment, to look at the dazzling lights with their own eyes. My personal favorite was the lights during their song “Charlie Brown,” where each one lit up in its own color, creating a spectrum of bright lights–a view that I will never forget. The show ended around 11:00 pm, but the liveliness of the fans lasted past the encore, past the exit, even. The post-show amazement was in the air–even as it was late and everyone left to go find a way back home.
The Only Con
The only thing I didn’t enjoy as much, which was completely specific to the venue I went to, was that the only way to get to the stadium was to take a train. The new Rogers Stadium (not to be confused with Rogers Center, home of the Blue Jays) isn’t super connected to the city, which had its benefits, but also made it a little more difficult to get to. This is all because it’s a temporary concert venue, only meant for these big concerts, and is planned to be demolished in around 5 years. It took a while to get back to our hotel, since we were staying about a 30-minute train ride away, but because of the number of people taking the train, it took around 2 hours to get back. I will say that the show was a much more magical experience than it would have been in the city; it felt like we were in our own world, with no city buildings in sight, only the beautiful sunset in the sky, which eventually turned into stars.
A Sky Full of Pros
Overall, I couldn’t recommend attending a Coldplay show enough. Whether a huge fan, which then I would say it is a must, or only familiar with a couple of their songs, it’s an extraordinary, unforgettable experience.
