Coldplay are performing four huge gigs in Manchester this week - and paid a special tribute to the city on the opening night of their Etihad Stadium run.
The band's frontman Chris Martin took to the stage for a solo acoustic section of the show to explain that he wanted to play a very special Manchester anthem for the occasion. He earlier said: "Manchester is the home of music".
He explained that the song in question had become one of his own personal favourites from the moment he heard it back in 1990 and that he'd swiftly "bought the t-shirt".
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The song in question? Sit Down by Manchester indie legends James, of course.
Introducing the song, Chris said he chose it to remember the all-star One Love Manchester concert that the band performed at, which came in response to the Manchester Arena bombing of May 2017.
On that occasion, Coldplay memorably performed alongside both Ariana Grande to sing Oasis classic Don't Look Back in Anger, and then with Liam Gallagher on Live Forever.
On Wednesday night, Chris revealed that "a special guest" had been due to join him at the Etihad Stadium but had "unfortunately come down with Covid". It has left fans to ponder who exactly that might have been.
Many had guessed James frontman Tim Booth - but Tim himself has declared on Twitter it was: "Not me. I had a bug, but not Covid. I'm sitting here in Brighton" in response to a fan.
Chris then told fans on stage why he'd chosen to sing Sit Down by James - hailing it "one of the best songs of all time."
Chris said: "This song is a good gathering song. We don't want that thing to be forgotten, how important and amazing One Love Manchester was in response to something so crazy and so terrible.
"So we want to sing this song again, it's Sit Down by James, it's one of the best songs of all time and we want to sing it all together ok."
Naturally, the 60,000 strong crowd in Manchester were in lusty voice to belt out the song as Chris strummed away at the guitar.
There was also a tribute to Tina Turner on the night with a special duet of What's Love Got To Do With It alongside Chvrches frontwoman Lauren Mayberry.
Chris had been full of praise for Manchester throughout the opening night show, the first of four sold out gigs at the Etihad Stadium this week. He said: "It’s the f***ing best in the world to come to Manchester."
They also hailed it "so good to be home" after a year away from the UK on the Music of the Spheres world tour that is now 84 nights in.
Chris said: "After a year, I just feel like home is the best place after all. Thank you for making us all feel so welcome. We're just so grateful to all of you."
The tour continues tonight in Manchester (June 1) and then returns to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday (June 3) and Sunday (June 4).
The band then move on to Cardiff for two nights at the Principality Stadium.
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