By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Ahead of their record breaking fifth Glastonbury appearance, British rock band Coldplay have risen above their critics to become one of the most triumphant artists of this era. It's almost hard to remember a time when Coldplay weren't ubiquitous. My first encounter with frontman Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion was at what they later described as their worst performance ever, at the Paredes de Coura festival in Portugal in August 2000. Despite the disinterest of the crowd and being overshadowed by The Flaming Lips, their debut album Parachutes was a Mercury nominated hit destined to sell five million copies.
At home, their success was contrasted by a growing backlash. Critics saw them as a softer version of Travis or a sanitized Radiohead. They represented the post Britpop era's less edgy side, with their student like appearance and lack of rock'n'roll attitude. The criticism was harsh. Martin even remarked that detractors talked about them like they were "the Third Reich." Despite their burgeoning success, including becoming the biggest band in Britain and one of the biggest in the world, negative reviews persisted. In 2005, The New York Times dubbed them "the most insufferable band of the decade," and in 2008, the Independent’s Andy Gill derisively compared their music to "wilted spinach."
However, their inclusivity, rather than confrontation, became their defining trait. Martin was initially perplexed by the admiration from figures like Jay Z but came to understand it as a simple appreciation of their music. Now, as Coldplay prepares to headline Glastonbury for the fifth time, they are the 21st century’s most successful group by a significant margin. They have sold over 100 million albums, won more than 300 awards, and have nine songs that each amassed billions of streams. Their ongoing Music of the Spheres tour is already the third highest grossing tour of all time.
Bono once stated that Coldplay should not be judged by rock standards, highlighting their sincere inclusivity. This quality has allowed them to dominate the center of pop's Venn diagram, collaborating with a diverse array of artists from Beyoncé to Bruce Springsteen. Their popularity is underpinned by their ability to create music that resonates with a wide audience, a trait that has earned them both commercial success and the admiration of peers.
When I spoke to Martin towards the end of 2000, he was more cautious about discussing his background due to criticism. Born in Devon in 1977 to a chartered accountant and a music teacher, Martin attended Sherborne boarding school and later met his bandmates at UCL in 1996. Coldplay played the New Bands Tent at Glastonbury in 1999, thanks to the support of Emily Eavis, and soon after, their song "Yellow" catapulted them to fame.
Their first decade was marked by a cycle of action and reaction. Criticism of their debut led to the more assertive A Rush of Blood to the Head. Their third album, X&Y, was a product of internal strain and public scrutiny. With Viva La Vida, they took more risks under Brian Eno's guidance. Despite facing a plagiarism lawsuit, Martin’s determination to prove his songwriting skills only grew stronger.
Coldplay's subsequent albums have balanced commercial appeal with artistic exploration. Their hit laden albums, influenced by hitmakers like Stargate and Max Martin, coexist with more introspective works like Ghost Stories and Everyday Life. Even in their pop endeavors, they continue to experiment, as seen in their collaboration with BTS on "My Universe" and the 10 minute instrumental "Coloratura."
In the Radio 1 series, their manager Phil Harvey described Coldplay as three introverts led by an extrovert. Martin's genuine curiosity and lack of cynicism have shaped the band’s ethos. He views the music world as a community rather than a competition and has enacted this philosophy most notably at Glastonbury, whether by honoring Kylie Minogue or supporting younger artists like Stormzy and Viola Beach.
Coldplay's openness and sense of humor, often showcased in self deprecating anecdotes, have helped endear them to many. Martin’s universalist tastes and un rock'n'roll qualities, such as his duty of care and support for other artists, underline the band's profound decency and humanity. Today, their success seems well deserved, and Coldplay no longer have any need to apologize for their place in the music world.
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