Coldplay is arguably one of the most successful bands of the 21st century. Famous for its versatility and experimentation, Coldplay has sold well over 100 million records and received dozens of awards for their albums, singles, and performances.

Though Coldplay has its own distinctive indie, alt-rock sound, the band incorporates rock, pop, classical music, jazz, electronica, and a diverse range of other genres into its repetoire.

Vocalist Chris Martin and guitarist Johnny Buckland began performing music together in 1996 as freshman at the University College London, calling the duo “Pectoralz”. When bassist Guy Berryman joined in 1997, the band changed its name to “Big Fat Noises.” The following year Will Champion joined as drummer, and the band became “Starfish.” Not long after, the band changed its name a fourth time to Coldplay, releasing its first EP Safety on May 25, 1998.

Coldplay initially formed using the name “Pectoralz” at the University College London in London, England.

Prior to settling on the name “Coldplay,” there was another band using that name. Fortunately members of the first “Coldplay” were friends with members of the now much better known “Coldplay” and willing relinquished the name. The name itself originates from a child’s poetry book called Child's Reflections, Cold Play.

The band released its debut album Parachutes on July 10, 2000, almost a year after signing with Parlophone. The album featured the singles "Yellow," "Don't Panic," "Shiver," and "Trouble." Parachutes earned the band several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 2002 and a Brit Award for Best British Album in 2001. Additionally, the album boasts massive commercial success in the United Kingdom and the United States, receiving multi-Platinum status in each country. Millions of copies of the album have been sold globally.

Chris Martin, one of the co-founders of Coldplay, has remained the lead vocalist and primary song writer since the band’s inception. He also plays piano and rhythm guitar.

Chris Martin married American actress and businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow in 2003. They amicably parted ways in 2014 and officially divorced in 2016.

Coldplay's debut single "Yellow" describes a special devotion to a loved one or someone whom you admire. It’s not necessarily a “love song,” however, as the feelings of admiration expressed in the lyrics are not necessarily directed toward a romantic partner. The band's vocalist, Chris Martin, once revealed that there was no particular reason for the song title other than yellow seemingly fit better than other colors.

Coldplay's "Sparks" is about a complicated romance between two lovers. Aside from expressing their love, the singer admits to being in the wrong for the troubled relationship and promises change. Although the song is not specifically addressed to anyone, its rumored that this song may have been inspired by personal experience.

Coldplay has had 1,340 concerts.

Coldplay is most often considered to be Rock, Pop, Indie, Indie Rock, Alternative Rock, Pop Rock, Alternative, British, Indie Pop, UK, Britpop, Dream Pop, Art Pop, Permanent Wave, Piano Rock, Melodic Hard Rock, Big-Music, Post-Britpop, and Swedish Melodic Rock.

The next Coldplay concert is on June 08, 2024 at Olympic Stadium, Athens Olympic Park in Marousi, Attica, Greece.

The last Coldplay concert was on May 26, 2024 at Stockwood Park in Luton, England, United Kingdom. The bands that performed were: Coldplay / Vampire Weekend / Olly Alexander / Sabrina Carpenter / Declan McKenna / London Grammar / AJ Tracey / beabadoobee / Olivia Dean / Teddy Swims / Remi Wolf / Everything Everything / CMAT / Sea Girls / Fizz / Picture Parlour / Beth McCarthy / Etta Marcus / Coldplay ft. Sabrina Carpenter / Sea Girls Secret Set.

The songs that Coldplay performs live vary, but here's the latest setlist that we have from the May 26, 2024 concert at Stockwood Park in Luton, England, United Kingdom:

1. Music of the Spheres
2. Higher Power
3. Paradise
4. Viva la Vida
5. Hymn for the Weekend
6. Clocks
7. Fix You
8. People of the Pride
9. Something Just Like This
10. Magic
11. Yellow
12. A Sky Full of Stars
13. Orange