One thing fans know they can expect at a Coldplay stadium show is a serious spectacle. The band's mammoth ongoing world tour rumbles its way back to the UK next week, with four nights in Manchester and then on to Cardiff.
And while we know to expect incredible light shows and staging, fans can also expect to witness the most sustainable concert extravaganza the city has ever seen.
The band, fronted by Chris Martin, are so passionate about the environmental mark they leave on the world that they insisted they would only ever tour again post-pandemic if they could create the most sustainable tour possible. Naturally, it will also be filled with incredible stagecraft and the band's global hits like Fix You, Paradise, Viva La Vida and Yellow.
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The Eithad Stadium shows on May 31, June 1, 3 and 4 are part of the ongoing Music of the Spheres world tour that played in the UK last year. We are promised a groundbreaking production where even the audience get to play their part in powering the show.
The performances here will be powered by 100% renewable energy and the world’s first tourable battery system (made from 40 BMW electric car batteries). Power bikes and kinetic dancefloors will also allow fans to help power the show - as well solar panels and wind turbines at every venue.
The band made a pledge to cut tour emissions by 50%, with one tree planted for every ticket sold. Here in Manchester that accounts for some 240,000 trees no less at these shows.
However, Coldplay's incentives to encourage fans to travel by green transport may not go quite so well here in Manchester next week - with a planned national train strike on two out of four of the Manchester shows (on Wednesday May 31 and Saturday June 3).
With that in mind, we've put together some handy information on getting to the Etihad next week if you're heading along. You'll want to get there early as confirmed support acts are the rather impressive Chvrches and local band Porij.
Who are the support acts?
It has been announced that there will be two support acts ahead of the Coldplay gigs in the UK. They are Chvrches and Porij.
Glasgow band Chvrches will bring their unique synth-pop sound to the crowds, fronted by the talented Lauren Mayberry.
Meanwhile the gigs will be a huge moment for Manchester band Porij. The dance band, who all met while studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, will be opening the huge shows here in Manchester.
Stage times
Doors will open at 4pm for each show, and the entertainment is set to start from 6pm.
Stage times are always approximate, and subject to change, so the advice is always to get into the arena as early as you can to make sure you don't miss a moment.
These are the show times that have been given, and for guidance on the opening night (May 31) ran to this schedule.
6.30pm - Porij
7.45pm - Chvrches
8.45pm - Coldplay
How to get there
The Etihad is located a mile and a half east of the city centre and is easy to get to using public transport.
The nearest mainline train station is Manchester Piccadilly (but check in advance for information on expected rail strikes). From there, you can catch a tram to the Etihad Campus Metrolink stop (which is right outside the stadium), take a taxi from outside the Store Street exit, or walk (around 30 to 40 minutes).
You can also catch a tram directly from any of the following city centre stops: Deansgate-Castlefield, St Peter's Square, Piccadilly Gardens or Piccadilly Station. Take the Ashton-under-lyne or Etihad Campus lines.
The Metrolink network is very busy on concert nights so allow plenty of time for travel.
Take a look at our full guide to concerts at the Etihad stadium for more detailed information on public transport, driving directions and parking.
Is there food and drink at the stadium?
There's a whole raft of food and drink options both outside the Etihad Stadium and also once inside the concert. Expect burgers and chips, burritos, hotdogs, chill nachos and grilled cheese toasties.
They cater for vegeterians, vegans and a raft of hot and cold items in a number of food stalls outside the stadium. There's also a range of soft drinks and alcoholic drinks to buy both in and outside the stadium.
Is there parking at the stadium?
There is car parking at the stadium, but this is limited and must be pre-booked here . It is highly recommended however to use public transport to the stadium. There are a number of pay-for car parks in the city centre that can be used close to tram stops at Piccadilly, Manchester Central and Oxford Street and then take the tram to the Etihad Campus.
If you're parking around the stadium, a road closure operates immediately after the event to allow pedestrians to leave the Etihad Stadium safely. This is in place for approximately 20 minutes after the end of the show. This is, however, subject to GMP approval and may be in place for longer than stated above. Roads affected by the closure are as follows:
Ashton New Road – between Alan Turing Way and Darley Street
Grey Mare Lane – between Ashton New Road and Alan Turing Way
Merrill Street – between Pollard Street and Ashton New Road
Walking map
It's around a 30 to 40 minute walk from Piccadilly Train Station all the way to the Etihad Stadium and is actually a fairly straightforward route that lots of other fans will be walking on the night.
Here's a map of the route.
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