Glastonbury: A-list stars head to Coldplay’s ‘amazing’ show FR24 News France

Is there any band too big for Glastonbury?

If so, Coldplay might just be it.

People are climbing scaffolding, security guards are standing on emergency vehicles, the real Tom Cruise is watching from a viewing platform, accompanied by Gillian Anderson and Simon Pegg.

Michael J Fox even joins them to play guitar on Fix You.

On other stages around Worthy Farm, top performers struggled, with some fields barely a third full.

It seems like everyone is looking to get a glimpse of the most generous rock band.

And Coldplay does not disappoint.

Like Dua Lipa on Friday night, they get the message: you can’t go to Glastonbury and play the same old festival set. It must be special.

They start with Yellow. Yes, Yellow. A song that any other band would save for the encore.

And for the next hour, the hits don’t stop: Higher Power, Paradise, The Scientist, Hymn For The Weekend, Viva La Vida. The setlist is well-stocked.

But it’s much more than that. Chris Martin is on a mission to reach each audience member individually.

That’s why they hand out wristbands that turn the entire field into a giant LED screen. That’s why there are confetti cannons every five minutes. That’s why so many of their songs have a little something that says “wow» – even the most casual fan can sing along.

During The Scientist, Martin thanks the people who waited all day at the barriers.

“It’s amazing none of you had to pee,” he laughed.

But he also thanks “all those who were in midfield” and the latecomers “at the back, five time zones away, in their rubber boots”.

“Thank you for all your flags, chants and everything else. It’s our favorite activity on earth, so thank you for allowing us to do it. »

The production is such an assault on the senses – with all its lasers, giant balloons and confetti cannons – that experiencing it leaves you slightly dizzy.

But it’s precisely this generosity that sets Coldplay apart.

Cynics might see this as an attitude of pandering to the lowest common denominator. I prefer to see generosity in it. An act of community.

It also helps that they have an impenetrable arsenal of moves.

Clocks, with its swirling piano hook, is a strangely paranoid stadium anthem (“am i part of the cure or am i part of the disease“), while Sky Full Of Stars is a pure sugar explosion of pop perfection.

The urgent, propulsive Viva La Vida might tell the story of a fallen despot reminiscing about his glory days, but everyone knows it for the five-note “oh-ah-woah-oh-oh” hook, which resonates around the Pyramid Stage long after Coldplay has left.

But perhaps the most intriguing section came towards the middle of the set, when Coldplay briefly indulged in new material and deep cuts.

It included the live debut of the song We Pray, featuring Nigerian star Burna Boy and British rapper Little Simz; and a vibrant rendition of Arabesque, from 2019’s underrated album Everyday Life, which featured a searing saxophone solo from African icon Femi Kuti.

The latter, in particular, offered a glimpse of how Coldplay could operate outside the confines of stadium rock.

But soon they were back in crowd-pleasing mode, belting out dance anthems Something Just Like This and My Universe, a collaboration with K-pop supergroup BTS.

For the encore, they appeared on a B stage, where Martin recalled their very first visit to Glastonbury, 25 years ago this month.

They played in the band’s new tent, they were late, and they were “just the worst” (his words, not mine).

To celebrate, they performed Sparks, a rarely heard acoustic ballad from their debut album, Parachutes.

Then, the best moment of the evening.

Turning the cameras toward the audience, Martin began improvising odes to individual fans.

“Five handsome men in tracksuits / They arrived in front of the first part,” he sang to a group.

“They didn’t come today / Disguised as Coldplay.

“They came dressed as One Direction.“

After a few more songs, the cameras suddenly switched to Glastonbury co-founder Sir Michael Eavis, prompting a roar of approval from the audience.

Once again, Martin began to sing.

“Sir Michael, we just want to thank you

“As humans, you are the best of all kinds

“You are a musical charmer

“You are the greatest farmer in the world

“Who got knighted wearing shorts?”

And just when it seemed like it would be the crowning achievement, actor Michael J Fox appeared on screen.

The actor, who recently released a documentary about living with Parkinson’s disease, was in a wheelchair, but the audience was going wild.

Martin explained that the star’s 1985 film Back to the Future “inspired us to become a band.” And Fox joined him on stage to play Fix You on a peach guitar.

Every Glastonbury needs a defining moment – ​​and this looked like 2024.

This was Coldplay’s fifth time headlining at Glastonbury, following previous headlining stints in 2002, 2005, 2011 and 2016.

Chris Martin previously told the BBC he was reluctant to return to the festival after people complained about his guest appearances at other people’s shows, including Stormzy and Kylie Minogue.

“I saw a tweet afterwards that said, ‘You can always count on him to come in a tracksuit and ruin everything,'” he recalls.

Tonight it seemed like a thing of the past.

Tom Cruise’s review in one word? “Awesome.”

Coldplay were preceded on the Pyramid stage by Little Simz, who were playing their only UK show of the year – but if they were rusty it didn’t show.

The Londoner put on a hip-hop masterclass that showcased both her lyrical talent and magnetic stage presence.

She was alone on stage for the opening salvo of Silhouette, No Merci and I Love You, I Hate You – each of them highlighting the hard-earned success of the independent artist.

“Don’t you know that I am the child of God? I got here by myself,” she rapped on Silhouette.

It’s a theme she returned to in the night’s only new song, The Code, which presented a brilliant response to her detractors: “You can move the goalposts and I’ll keep scoring.”

Having established her credentials, she relaxed a bit, bringing in Nigerian singer Obongjayar for the supple Point And Kill before moving on to softer songs like Woman and Selfish.

The clamor and excitement grew as his set continued. Towards the end, the rapper took off her sunglasses and looked at the audience, visibly moved.

“It’s so crazy to me,” she said. “I’ve been making music since I was knee high and this is by far the most people I’ve ever played in front of.

“It really is a dream.”

Other sets on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday came from Cyndi Lauper – who suffered technical issues that affected her vocals – and indie band Keane, marking the 20th anniversary of their chart-topping debut album, Hopes and Fears.

“It changed our lives,” said frontman Tom Chaplin, leading the audience in a full-throated sing-along through hits like Somewhere Only We Know, Bedshape and Everybody’s Changing.

The Other Stage had an eclectic lineup that included indie pop hero heroes Bloc Party, newcomers The Last Dinner Party and pop star Camila Cabello, whose original set saw her riding a BMX.

Kasabian played a not-so-secret set in the sold-out Woodsies tent, while pop queen Jessie Ware headlined West Holts – bringing feel-good disco anthems to an underwhelming crowd. (Blame Coldplay).

She gave it her all, though, running through Freak Me Now’s zany disco groove and wielding a mic stand that doubled as a dominatrix whip, much to the delight of her die-hard fans.

“I’m here to have a good time, not to win a good time,” one said.

Elsewhere, Disclosure brought out Sam Smith to play Latch as they headlined The Other Stage, and South Korean DJ Peggy Gou prepped festival-goers for the all-night dance arenas with a invigorating set on The Park Stage.

In other words, there was too much music – and too much variety – for anyone to listen to in one day.

The fun continues Sunday with R&B star SZA headlining the Pyramid Stage and Shania Twain expected to draw the biggest crowd of the weekend for her mid-afternoon performance in the Legends Slot .