Editor’s Note: This article is a review and includes subjective thoughts, opinions and critiques.
On May 31, Coldplay launched the first show of a two-night, sold-out run at Stanford Stadium — transforming the iconic venue into a swirling, star-lit celebration of music, emotion and unity. Though the stadium has hosted Super Bowl XIX, matches in the 1984 Olympics, the 1994 Men’s World Cup and the 1999 Women’s World Cup, it had never hosted a concert before.
That changed Saturday night, with a show that was as heartfelt as it was historic.
The evening opened with two genre-defying openers: Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna, whose Arabic-infused pop set an ethereal tone, and Willow, who brought explosive energy and an introspective edge to the stage. Both acts warmed up the 50,000-person crowd with their distinct voices and electrifying presence, laying the foundation for the kaleidoscopic journey to come.
The 90-degree heat didn’t deter fans — many of whom arrived hours early — from packing the stadium’s floor and stands in glowing anticipation. The band’s return to the Bay Area, their first since May 2022, was anything but routine. Saturday’s performance marked the 195th show of the ongoing “Music of the Spheres World Tour” — which is slated to conclude with 10 final shows in London this fall — bringing the tour total to an astonishing 225 performances.
That meant, frontman Chris Martin said, that Coldplay had 194 rehearsals to give its very best to Stanford — a line that landed with heartfelt charm in a venue buzzing with first-time concert magic.
From the explosive opener “Higher Power” to beloved classics like “Paradise,” “Viva La Vida” and “The Scientist,” Coldplay wasted no time immersing the crowd in its signature blend of spectacle and sincerity. Throughout the night, fireworks lit up the sky, globe-shaped balloons floated across the crowd and planets seemed to hover overhead during the finale — a visual reminder of the tour’s cosmic inspiration.
The band — Martin, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Guy Berryman — were effortlessly engaging throughout, striking a perfect balance between stadium-scale polish and personal warmth. Martin cracked a few jokes between songs (including some playful nods to Stanford itself), and their chemistry as a band made the show feel both intimate and immense. They didn’t just perform at the audience — they performed with them.
That spirit of connection peaked during “Magic,” when Martin invited two fans to sit beside him at the piano and sing along. The moment was stripped-down, raw and deeply tender — a reminder that even amid confetti blasts and coordinated lights, Coldplay’s core is still human emotion.
The setlist spanned decades: “Yellow,” “Fix You” and “Clocks” sent waves of nostalgia through the stadium, while newer tracks like “My Universe” and “GOOD FEELiNGS” kept the energy forward-looking. “A Sky Full of Stars” prompted a rare moment of digital silence. Martin asked fans to put away their phones, allowing the lights, voices and glowing wristbands to speak for themselves.
Midway through the set, Elyanna and Willow returned to the stage for “We Pray,” a collaborative performance that blended Coldplay’s message of unity with the personal artistry of the night’s openers. It was one of the show’s most affecting moments — a beautiful collision of voices, cultures and intention.
This wasn’t just a concert, but a climate-conscious experience. Coldplay’s much-publicized sustainability initiatives were front and center. Biodegradable confetti rained down during anthems, solar-powered staging supported the set and compostable LED wristbands turned the crowd into a pulsating galaxy of light. Even the energy from the kinetic dance floor was converted into electricity, a small but tangible nod to the band’s commitment to greener touring.
Stanford students introduced the band earlier in the night, adding a local touch that grounded the global production. That feeling extended into every corner of the crowd. From members of Gen Alpha to baby boomers, fans of all ages filled the stadium, their voices joining in chorus as one. Whether dancing to “Adventure of a Lifetime” or tearing up during “Sparks,” Coldplay’s crowd shared something rare: the permission to feel joy, and feel it fully and together.
The night ended with Coldplay’s shimmering finale — “feelslikeimfallinginlove,” from their 2024 album “Moon Music” — as soft pastels bathed the stage and a simple message appeared on screen: “Believe in Love.” It’s a phrase the band has carried since their “Head Full of Dreams” era, and here, it landed with quiet resonance. After a night built on joy, unity and emotional openness, the phrase felt less like a tagline and more like a truth. Coldplay not only sang out love: they created a space where it could be felt collectively and without reservation.
For months, TikTok users have posted clips of Coldplay’s performances from other continents, captioned with the now-iconic advice: Buy the tickets. The money will come back. After seeing “Music of the Spheres” in person, I get it. As a senior at Stanford, watching 50,000 people sing and sway under the stars, I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful way to close out the school year — or my undergraduate experience.