So many emotions were flying around the Principality Stadium as Coldplay performed on the first night of their Cardiff shows. Social media has been buzzing from the excitement of their Music of the Spheres Tour 2023, but nothing quite compares to seeing it in person.
Fans were left in awe after the concert on Tuesday, June 6, with many noting: “That was the best concert I’ve ever been to”- and I can’t say I disagree. There were so many stand out moments that will stay with the crowd for years to come.
1. The atmosphere
The feeling in the Welsh capital before, during and after the show was second to none. As excitement was building before Coldplay hit the stage, Mexican waves were going round and round the stadium, and woops of enthusiasm could be heard every time it looked like they might be about to appear.
During the show itself, I don't think anyone who hadn't seen Coldplay before realised just how high-energy it would be, and everyone looked like they were truly having the best time ever.
2. Recognition for the Welsh language
Chris Martin shouted "Shwmae, Caerdydd!" at the beginning of the night, charming the people of Cardiff despite the fact he admitted his knowledge of the language was fairly limited. There was also Welsh translation throughout the night- which was a heartening moment for fans in the capital to see it showcased in such a spectacular way on screen.
As if people couldn't love Coldplay any more, this seemed to win Welsh hearts more and more throughout the night, and people were quick to acknowledge the effort made on the show to incorporate it into the performance.
3. The moment Kelly Jones came out
Rumours were flying around left, right and centre that Welsh singer-songwriter Kelly Jones was set to be the "special guest" the band had alluded to for their Cardiff shows. But we were thrown off the scent during the concert after the other surprise appearances delighted the crowd. A wave of joy came over everyone when they found out the rumours were true, and Martin introduced the Welsh legend to the stage to perform Dakota.
4. Surprise local performers
But Kelly Jones wasn't the only welcome visitor on stage. Also featured in the concert was one of Martin's old friends from the University College of London, Kris Williams, who he used to practise with during his youth.
Bridgend Male Choir also got the chance to perform. The choir, which usually involves 65 people, only found out that they would be getting this opportunity 10 days ago and although they had to downsize to just 25 of them to make it work, it was still obvious they had the desired effect on people attending the show, and they will be back performing tonight on Wednesday, June 7. The choir brought raw Welsh magic to the stage as they sang the country's National Anthem, which people were keen to join in with.
5. The emotional moments during Everglow
One of the most standout moments of the whole night came when one member of the audience was invited up on stage after the frontman saw him holding a sign asking if he could sing Everglow in memory of his best friend who had recently passed away. I think it definitely brought a tear to a few eyes in the audience, who fell silent for much of the song.
6. The fireworks
At the end of Coldplay's hit song, Fix You, Martin encouraged the audience to hold out their hands into the air and send love to other parts of the world. As people put their hands down, they were treated to several fireworks shooting above the stadium, lighting up Cardiff's city skyline.
7. When everyone put their phones away
One of Coldplay's most highly-anticipated songs, Sky Full of Stars, has been going viral on social media as people film the sea of sparkling lights in the audience when everyone's wristbands flash in time to the music. Built up as being one of the best experiences during the show, everyone was keen to catch it on camera.
But after Martin teased the audience with the beginning of the song and pretended that the music had cut out, he suggested people put their phones away for these four minutes of the concert. "If we can all put our phones down, we can hold both hands higher and jump around more", he told the crowd.
Surprisingly, most people were up for a few minutes with no screen time. From where I was standing, there was hardly a phone in sight as the crowd well and truly lit up.
8. The balloons
The balloons were one of the most unique visual parts of the show. Throughout the night, Cardiff's energetic audience was given various different sized balloons to pass around the stadium.
It created a fun, light hearted element to the performance, and was actually quite relaxing to watch even among the craziness of fans who were there in their thousands.
9. Viva La Vida chanting
There was never a dull moment at the concert and whenever a moment of silence fell fans were quick to begin singing the iconic verse in Viva La Vida, chanting "oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh" on repeat whenever they could, even when the band were not on stage. And people carried on with this as they slowly made their way out of the Principality Stadium and crowds began to disperse.
10. Clwb Ifor Bach even got a mention
The musical scene in Cardiff wouldn't be the same without Clwb Ifor Bach. And it seems it is so special that even Coldplay have a connection to the popular venue. Chris Martin said: "The first time I ever came to Cardiff, I performed at Clwb Ifor Bach. Was anyone there for that?" A resounding cheer came from the ocean of people hanging on his every word. "Ah, three thousand of you, then", he laughed. The reference felt like a full circle moment for the band and their Welsh fans at the sold out show, and people were quick to pick up on the comment on social media afterwards.
11. The sustainability
There was an abundance of information being shared on screen about exactly how the tour was being driven by sustainable energy. It was heart-warming to watch people in the crowd eagerly pedalling away on the power bikes, and dancing on a kinetic dancefloor.
Before Martin took to the stage, a video was played to the crowd all about how renewable energy works- and thousands of people gave a cheer each time the issues which the tour is supporting were announced, including reforestation, ocean clean-up, conservation, rewilding and soil restoration, carbon capture, green and clean technology, environmental law and advocacy. Chris Martin arrived in Cardiff by train, of course.
12. Supporting acts
We got to see two acts warm up the crowd ahead of the big guns - CHVRCHES and Welsh singer Hana Lili. They were both incredible, and brought something unique to the event. The moment where it felt that people really took notice of Hana who is a self-produced indie pop artist and songwriter was when she sat on the floor of the stage while singing one of her more emotional songs. And loads of people were loving CHVRCHES, who did an incredible job of bringing everyone's energy levels up before main event.
13. Alien appearances
One of the more weird-but-wonderful moments of the show was the fictional alien character Angel Moon, who features on the tracks Cry Cry Cry and Biutyful, from Coldplay's eighth and ninth studio albums, Everyday Life (2019) and Music of the Spheres, popped up on stage. The Weirdos' puppets were manipulated by puppeteers onstage and brought plenty of smiles to the crowd. Some people who weren't expecting them were left bemused and delighted by their joyful appearance and were happier than ever to dance and sing along to the uplifting songs they featured in.
14. Chris Martin's stage presence
One of the most impressive parts of the concert has to be Martin's stage presence and overall enthusiasm throughout the night. I always wonder on tours like this how artists manage to maintain their energy levels and ability to make each night feel just as special as the last. But Martin sang as if it was if something he'd never get to do again, and made all the fans appreciate each moment as it came and went. And I'm certain the whole band will bring as much energy again when they perform to a different Cardiff crowd on their second night at the Principality stadium on the evening of Wednesday, June 7.
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'It's a super cool thing!' Welsh singer Hana Lili on supporting Coldplay in Cardiff
