Coldplay etched their place in history last Saturday, marking their fifth headline appearance at the illustrious Glastonbury Festival’s iconic Pyramid stage. For Coldplay, Glastonbury has become more than a festival; it’s a pivotal basecamp in their storied journey since 2002, punctuated by unforgettable performances and milestones.
Returning after their longest absence from Glastonbury, Coldplay’s headline set on Saturday was a spectacle laden with surprises and star-studded moments. The heart-wrenching ballad, “Fix You,” turned into a transcendent experience as the 100,000-strong crowd at Glasto joined in a powerful choir, amplifying its emotional resonance. But the pinnacle of the evening came when Michael J. Fox, in a poignant display of strength, joined Coldplay on stage towards the end of their set. Strumming a pink Fender Stratocaster from his wheelchair, the legendary actor, who battles Parkinson’s disease, moved hearts and inspired awe with a remarkable leg kick synchronized to the song’s epic crescendo. His presence and performance swiftly went viral, accumulating over 1.5 million views within a single day.
After a mesmerizing finale, Chris Martin (47) took a moment to express gratitude to the iconic Michael J. Fox, acknowledging his profound influence and thanking him as a lifelong hero. Coldplay’s headline set spanned their illustrious career, seamlessly weaving together early hits like “Clocks” and “The Scientist” with more recent chart-toppers such as “Higher Power” and “Adventure of a Lifetime.” They also unveiled new surprises, including collaborations with Victoria Canal on “Paradise,” a debut performance of “We Pray” featuring Little Simz, Burna Boy, and Elyanna, and a rendition of “Arabesque” with Femi Kuti on horns.
In a unique social experiment, Chris Martin paused the infectious anthem “A Sky Full of Stars” to implore the audience to immerse themselves fully in the moment: “Put your phone in your pocket, your hands in the sky.” This call for pure engagement resonated deeply, encapsulating Coldplay’s ability to create shared experiences that transcend mere performances, defining an entire generation with their music.