Coldplay facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Coldplay
Coldplay at the very end of a concert in December 2008. From left to right: Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Chris Martin, and Will Champion.
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genres	Alternative rock, Post-Britpop
Years active	1997–present
Labels	EMI, Parlophone, Capitol, Atlantic
Associated acts	Apparatjik

Members	Chris Martin Jonny Buckland Guy Berryman Will Champion

Coldplay is a famous English rock band that started in 1997 in London. The band members are Chris Martin (who sings and plays piano), Jonny Buckland (guitarist), Guy Berryman (bass player), and Will Champion (drummer).

Coldplay became super popular worldwide with their song "Yellow" in 2000. Their first album, Parachutes, was a huge hit and was even nominated for a big music award called the Mercury Prize. Coldplay has sold over 40 million albums, making them one of the most successful bands ever! They also have many other hit songs like "Speed of Sound," "Clocks," and "Viva la Vida" which won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2008.

How Coldplay Started and Grew
Coldplay's Music Style
Helping Others and Endorsements
Band Members
Discography
- Albums
- Singles
Images for kids
See also

How Coldplay Started and Grew

Coldplay, an English alternative rock band, began in London around 1996-1997. Chris Martin (who became the lead singer) and Jonny Buckland (lead guitarist) met at University College London. They wanted to form a band.

First, they called themselves Pectoralz. Then, Guy Berryman joined as the bassist, and they changed their name to Starfish. Finally, Will Champion joined as the drummer and backup singer. He could play many instruments, and his joining completed the band. A friend named Phil Harvey managed the group for a few years and is sometimes called the band's "fifth member." In 1998, the band officially became "Coldplay."

Early Music and First Big Steps (1998–1999)

In 1998, Coldplay released 500 copies of their first music collection, called the Safety EP. Most of these were given to record companies and friends. Only 50 copies were sold to the public. Later that year, Coldplay signed with a small record label called Fierce Panda Records. They quickly recorded a three-song collection, the Brothers & Sisters EP, in just four days in February 1999.

After finishing their college exams, Coldplay signed a big five-album deal with Parlophone Records in 1999. They played at the famous Glastonbury Festival for the first time. Then, they went into the studio to record their third EP, The Blue Room. Five thousand copies were released to the public in October. One of their songs, "Bigger Stronger," even started playing on BBC Radio 1.

During the recording of The Blue Room, the band had some disagreements. Chris Martin even asked Will Champion to leave the band for a short time, but then begged him to come back. After this, the band decided to work out their differences. They made new rules to keep the group together. Inspired by bands like U2 and R.E.M., Coldplay decided they would make decisions together, like a democracy. They also agreed to share all their profits equally.

Parachutes Album Success (1999–2001)

Coldplay initially planned to record their first album very quickly. But because they were touring and playing live shows, it took longer, from September 1999 to May 2000. They worked with producer Ken Nelson in different studios, mostly in Liverpool.

After releasing three EPs without a major hit, Coldplay finally broke into the Top 40 charts with "Shiver" in March 2000. It reached number 35 in the UK. June 2000 was a very important time for Coldplay. They started their first tour as the main band and played at the Glastonbury Festival again. They also released their huge hit song "Yellow". This song quickly went to number four in the UK and made Coldplay famous everywhere.

Coldplay released their first studio album, Parachutes, on July 10, 2000, in the UK. It immediately went to number one on the UK album charts! The album was released in North America later that year. "Yellow" and "Trouble" from the album were played a lot on the radio in both the UK and the US.

A Rush of Blood to the Head (2001–2004)

After Parachutes was so successful, Coldplay went back to the studio in September 2001 to start their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. They worked with Ken Nelson again. They started recording in London, but found it hard to focus. So, they moved to Liverpool, where they had recorded parts of Parachutes.

The first song they recorded for the new album was "In My Place". The band released it as the first single because it was the song that made them want to record a second album. Chris Martin said that "In My Place" kept them going when they weren't sure what to do next.

Coldplay wrote over 20 songs for this album. Some new songs, like "In My Place" and "Animals," were played live while they were still touring for Parachutes. The album was released in August 2002. It had several popular singles, including "In My Place," "Clocks," and the beautiful song "The Scientist".

Coldplay toured from June 2002 to September 2003 for their A Rush of Blood to the Head Tour. They played concerts on five different continents. Their shows were known for cool lighting and screens, similar to other big bands. During this long tour, Coldplay recorded a live DVD and CD called Live 2003 in Sydney, Australia.

In December 2003, readers of Rolling Stone magazine voted Coldplay the best artist and best band of the year. A Rush of Blood to the Head won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 2003. In 2004, Coldplay won another Grammy Award for Record of the Year for their song "Clocks."

X&Y and More Tours (2004–2006)

Coldplay, live at Barcelona in 2005.

Coldplay took a break from touring in 2004 to record their third album. X&Y was released in June 2005. It became the best-selling album of 2005 worldwide, selling 8.3 million copies! The first song released from the album was "Speed of Sound" in April 2005. The album went straight to number one in 20 countries around the world. It was also the third-fastest selling album in UK chart history. Other singles from the album included "Fix You" and "Talk".

From June 2005 to July 2006, Coldplay went on their Twisted Logic Tour. They played at big festivals like Coachella and Glastonbury Festival. In July 2005, the band performed at Live 8 in London, a huge concert to help end poverty. In February 2006, Coldplay won awards for Best Album and Best Single at the BRIT Awards.

Viva la Vida and Global Success (2006–2009)

In October 2006, Coldplay started working on their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, with producer Brian Eno. They took a break to tour Latin America in early 2007. They recorded parts of the album in churches and other places in Latin America and Spain, which gave the album a Spanish feel.

Chris Martin said Viva la Vida was a new direction for Coldplay. It was different from their first three albums. He said his voice was lower on this album, and some songs, like "Violet Hill," had cool guitar sounds. "Violet Hill" was the first single and was even available for free download from Coldplay's website for a week. The song "Viva la Vida" was also released and became the band's first number one hit in the US and UK, just from digital downloads!

Coldplay performing live outside the BBC Television Centre during their Viva la Vida Tour in 2008

On June 15, 2008, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends quickly topped the UK album chart. It sold 302,000 copies in just three days, becoming one of the fastest-selling records in UK history! By the end of June, it was the most-downloaded album ever. In October 2008, Coldplay won two Q Awards for Best Album and Best Act in the World Today. The band also released an EP called Prospekt's March in November 2008, which had extra songs from the Viva la Vida recording sessions.

In June 2008, Coldplay started their Viva la Vida Tour with a free concert in London. They also performed a 45-minute show broadcast live from outside the BBC Television Centre. The song "Lost!" became the third single from the album, and they even made a new version with Jay-Z. Coldplay also played at Sound Relief in Australia in March 2009, a concert to raise money for victims of bushfires and floods.

In 2009, Coldplay was nominated for four BRIT Awards. At the 51st Grammy Awards in February 2009, Coldplay won three Grammy Awards. These included Song of the Year for "Viva la Vida," Best Rock Album for Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, and Best Vocal Pop Performance for "Viva la Vida."

On May 15, 2009, Coldplay released a live album called LeftRightLeftRightLeft. It was recorded at different shows during their tour. They gave it away for free at their concerts and as a free download from their website.

Mylo Xyloto and More Hits (2009–2012)

Coldplay finished recording their next album, Mylo Xyloto, in mid-2011.

Logo used for the release of Mylo Xyloto.

On October 19, 2011, Coldplay performed songs like "Viva la Vida," "Fix You," and "Yellow" at an event for Steve Jobs. On October 26, their concert in Spain was shown live online by YouTube. In November 2011, Coldplay received three Grammy Awards nominations. In January 2012, they were nominated for two BRIT Awards, and on February 21, 2012, they won the Brit Award for Best British Group for the third time!

Mylo Xyloto was the best-selling rock album in the UK, selling 908,000 copies. The album's second single, "Paradise," was also the best-selling rock single in the UK. At the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in September, "Paradise" won the award for Best Rock Video. Mylo Xyloto has sold over 8 million copies worldwide.

Ghost Stories (2013–2014)

Chris Martin mentioned that their next album title would be easier to say. He also clarified that the band was not taking a three-year break from touring.

On August 9, 2013, Coldplay announced a new song called "Atlas." It was part of the soundtrack for the movie The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

In early March 2014, the band announced that their sixth album, Ghost Stories, would be released on May 19, 2014. Ghost Stories is an album about feelings and relationships. It explores how past actions can affect your future and the idea of unconditional love. For this album, Martin encouraged all band members to write songs together, which was a different way of working for them.

From April to July, Coldplay played a short, special Ghost Stories Tour with six "intimate" shows in different cities around the world. The album was available for pre-order with the new single "Magic". Two more singles, "A Sky Full of Stars" and "True Love," were also released. Ghost Stories received mixed reviews but topped the charts in the UK, US, and many other countries. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. In December 2014, Spotify named Coldplay the most-streamed band in the world for that year.

A Head Full of Dreams and Big Tours (2015–2018)

The band performing "Adventure of a Lifetime", during their headline setlist at Glastonbury 2016. This was their fourth time headlining the festival, a record!

On December 4, 2014, Chris Martin announced that Coldplay was working on their seventh album, A Head Full of Dreams. Martin hinted that it might be their last album, comparing it to the final Harry Potter book. He also said that, unlike Ghost Stories, the band would definitely tour for this new album. He described the album's style as colorful, uplifting, and something to "shuffle your feet" to.

On December 11, 2014, the band released a new song, "Miracles," for the World War II movie Unbroken. In May 2015, Ghost Stories was named Top Rock Album at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards. On September 26, Coldplay performed at the Global Citizen Festival in New York, an event organized by Chris Martin to help end global poverty.

On November 6, Coldplay confirmed that A Head Full of Dreams would be released on December 4. A new song from the album, "Adventure of a Lifetime," was played for the first time on the radio. The album featured guest artists like Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Noel Gallagher. The album reached number one in the UK and number two in the US. The music video for "Adventure of a Lifetime" showed the band performing as monkeys, and they even worked with a famous performance capture actor, Andy Serkis, to create it.

Coldplay performing "Heroes" to honor David Bowie at the Amsterdam Arena, June 2016.

On November 27, 2015, the first dates for their 2016 A Head Full of Dreams Tour were announced. This included three shows at Wembley Stadium in London. On February 7, 2016, Coldplay headlined the Super Bowl 50 halftime show, joined by Beyoncé and Bruno Mars. In April 2016, the band was named the sixth best-selling artist worldwide in 2015.

On June 26, 2016, Coldplay closed the final day of the Glastonbury Festival. Their performance included a duet with Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees. During a concert in New Jersey in July, Coldplay was joined by actor Michael J. Fox to recreate a scene from Back to the Future, playing "Earth Angel" and "Johnny B. Goode".

The band played their first full concert in India as part of the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai on November 19, 2016. About 80,000 people attended, and many Bollywood stars also performed. That same month, Coldplay announced they would release new songs on an EP called the Kaleidoscope EP in 2017.

Coldplay playing the second of three sold-out concerts at Stade de France in Paris in July 2017.

On February 22, 2017, Coldplay released a song with the EDM duo The Chainsmokers called "Something Just Like This". It reached number 2 in the UK and number 3 in the US. This was the main single from Coldplay's Kaleidoscope EP, released on July 14, 2017. They performed the song live for the first time at the 2017 Brit Awards. On March 2, Chris Martin's birthday, the band released another song from the EP, "Hypnotised". Two more singles, "All I Can Think About Is You" and "Aliens," followed in June and July 2017.

On August 15, 2017, Coldplay announced a live album from the A Head Full of Dreams Tour. It was recorded between November 8 and 15, 2017, and released on December 7, 2018, called Live in Buenos Aires. The album covers the final concert of the tour. On October 8, 2017, Coldplay played their new song "Life Is Beautiful" live in San Diego. This song was written to support Mexico after an earthquake there. The concert's money went to help Mexico and other countries. The A Head Full of Dreams Tour ended in November 2017, earning over $523 million, making it one of the highest-grossing concert tours ever.

On November 30, 2018, Coldplay released Global Citizen – EP 1 under the name Los Unidades. It included a song called "E-Lo" with Pharrell Williams. Money from this EP helps efforts to end global poverty.

Everyday Life (2019–2020)

In October 2019, the band announced their eighth studio album would be a double album called Everyday Life. This was a surprise because they had hinted that A Head Full of Dreams would be their last album. The album was released on November 22, 2019. To celebrate, they performed a special double concert in Amman, Jordan, at sunrise and sunset. These shows were streamed live on YouTube.

Chris Martin had said that the band would not tour to promote the album until they could figure out how to make their tours "carbon-neutral," meaning they would not add to climate change. Coldplay launched the album with a special show for the charity ClientEarth at London's Natural History Museum. The band played beneath a giant skeleton of a blue whale!

Coldplay's Music Style

Coldplay's music is often called alternative rock. People have compared their sound to bands like Radiohead and Oasis. Chris Martin once joked that their music was "limestone rock."

Their music has been described as "meditative" and "blue romantic." It often explores their feelings, with Chris Martin looking deeply into his emotions in the lyrics.

The first album, Parachutes, had a melodic pop sound with "distorted guitar riffs." It was also called "dark and artistic." For A Rush of Blood to the Head, the songs were seen as having "lush melodies" and a "newfound confidence." The music on X&Y was about Martin's "doubts, fears, hopes, and loves." Coldplay has said that the Scottish band Travis was a big influence on their early music.

In Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, the band's style moved towards art rock. They experimented with different instruments, like tack pianos, and even a simple form of Spanish flamenco clapping.

Helping Others and Endorsements

Coldplay's piano showing "Make Trade Fair" (MTF) during a concert.

Even though Coldplay is very popular, they are careful about how their music is used. They have turned down big money deals from companies like Gatorade and Diet Coke that wanted to use their songs in commercials. Chris Martin said, "We wouldn't be able to live with ourselves if we sold the songs' meanings like that." However, their song "Viva la Vida" was used in a commercial for the iTunes Store.

Coldplay supports Amnesty International, which works for human rights. Chris Martin is also a strong supporter of fair trade, helping Oxfam's Make Trade Fair campaign. He has visited places with Oxfam to see how things are and often wears a "Make Trade Fair" wristband during his public appearances.

From their early days, Coldplay became known for giving 10 percent of their profits to charity, and they still do this. Bassist Guy Berryman said, "You can make people aware of issues. It isn't very much effort for us at all, but if it can help people, then we want to do it." The band also asks fans to donate any gifts meant for them to charity.

In June 2009, Coldplay started supporting Meat Free Monday, a campaign by Paul McCartney to help slow climate change by having one meat-free day a week.

In December 2009, Coldplay auctioned off some of their band items, including their first guitars. The money went to Kids Company, a charity that helps children and young people in London. In January 2010, Coldplay performed a special version of their song "A Message" for the Hope For Haiti Now telethon, raising money for victims of the Haitian Earthquake.

Band Members

Discography

Albums

1998 - Safety
1999 - The Blue Room
2000 - Parachutes
2002 - A Rush of Blood to the Head
2005 - X&Y
2008 - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
2008 - Prospekt's March
2011 - Mylo Xyloto
2014 - Ghost Stories
2015 - A Head Full of Dreams
2019 - Everyday Life

Singles

1999 - "Brothers & Sisters"
2000 - "Shiver"
2000 - "Yellow"
2000 - "Trouble"
2001 - "Don't Panic"
2002 - "In My Place"
2002 - "The Scientist"
2003 - "Clocks"
2003 - "God Put a Smile upon Your Face"
2003 - "Moses"
2005 - "Speed of Sound"
2005 - "Fix You"
2005 - "Talk"
2006 - "The Hardest Part"
2006 - "What If"
2007 - "White Shadows"
2008 - "Violet Hill"
2008 - "Viva la Vida"
2008 - "Lost!"
2008 - "Lovers in Japan"
2008 - "Life in Technicolor II"
2009 - "Strawberry Swing"
2010 - "Christmas Lights"
2011 - "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall"
2011 - "Paradise"
2012 - "Charlie Brown"
2012 - "Princess of China"
2012 - "Up with the Birds" / "U.F.O."
2012 - "Hurts Like Heaven"
2012 - "Up in Flames"
2013 - "Atlas"
2014 - "Magic"
2014 - "Midnight"
2014 - "A Sky Full of Stars"
2014 - "True Love"
2014 - "Ink"
2014 - "Miracles"
2015 - "Adventure of a Lifetime"
2016 - "Hymn for the Weekend"
2016 - "Up & Up"
2016 - "A Head Full of Dreams"
2016 - "Everglow"
2017 - "Something Just like This"
2017 - "Miracles (Someone Special)"
2019 - "Orphans"
2019 - "Aranesque"
2019 - "Everyday Life"
2019 - "Champion of the World"

Images for kids

Coldplay performing "Yellow", their breakthrough hit, from the band's 2000 debut album Parachutes, in 2005
Coldplay's live performances during A Rush of Blood to the Head Tour were noted for their use of strobe lighting.
Coldplay on stage in Dallas, Texas, during the Viva la Vida Tour.
Coldplay performing at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom in 2008.
Coldplay playing at MuchMusic in Toronto, September 2011.
The laser and light effects from the group's Mylo Xyloto Tour.
Coldplay performing at the ALTer EGO concert in January 2020.
Coldplay with Ed Sheeran at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in 2021.
Coldplay at the 2017 Global Citizen Festival. The band's visuals for A Head Full of Dreams (2015) reflected the album's bright, uplifting tones.
Champion with the timpani and church bell used in "Viva la Vida".
Brian Eno influenced Coldplay's ambient and electronica sound.
Coldplay at Wembley Stadium during the A Head Full of Dreams Tour in 2016. The band also had an additional smaller stage where they performed an acoustic set.
Target commercial where Coldplay promoted Ghost Stories (2014).