Coldplay, led by Chris Martin, has undergone a remarkable evolution, blending rock and pop in a way that has captivated audiences worldwide.
From selling just 500 copies of their debut EP, “Safety,” in 1998 to landing their first Top 5 hit with “Yellow”—a standout from their chart-topping 2000 album “Parachutes”—Martin has been instrumental in the band’s rise from obscurity to global stardom.
This article delves into what makes Chris Martin exceptional, his songwriting brilliance, and everything you need to know ahead of Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” Tour in London, where the Exeter-born star will once again lead the band in delivering unforgettable performances.
Background
Christopher Anthony John Martin was born on March 2, 1977, in Exeter, Devon, England. The eldest of five children, he was raised by an accountant father and a Zimbabwean mother who worked as a music teacher.
His early education began at Hylton School before moving to Exeter Cathedral School, where his passion for music first took shape. The institution boasts an impressive list of notable alumni, including composers, organists, and musicians, making it an ideal setting for Martin’s budding talent.
His love for music deepened while singing in the Exeter Cathedral School choir. He later attended Sherborne School, where he became close friends with Phil Harvey—who would go on to manage Coldplay. Martin then pursued a first-class degree in Ancient World Studies at University College London, where he met future bandmates Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion, setting the stage for Coldplay’s formation.
Rise to Stardom
Chris Martin co-founded Coldplay alongside Jonny Buckland, whom he met during University College London’s orientation week in 1996. That year, they began crafting their first songs, practicing nightly. By early 1997, they had formed a trio with Guy Berryman, recording demos without a drummer.
In November, they were known as Big Fat Noises before quickly renaming themselves Starfish when Will Champion, their newly recruited drummer, secured their debut live gig at The Laurel Tree. Soon after, they settled on the name Coldplay—suggested by UCL friend Tim Crompton, who originally intended it for his band after reading Philip Horky’s “Child’s Reflections, Cold Play” (1997).
The release of “Parachutes” in 2000 catapulted Coldplay to fame, with “Yellow” reaching No. 4 on the charts and cementing their place in the industry. Since then, they have released nine studio albums: “Parachutes,” “A Rush of Blood to the Head,” “X&Y,” “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends,” “Mylo Xyloto,” “Ghost Stories,” “A Head Full of Dreams,” “Everyday Life,” and “Music of the Spheres,” alongside several EPs like “Safety” and “The Blue Room.”.
Beyond Coldplay, Martin has written for various artists, including “Gravity” for Embrace and “See It in a Boy’s Eyes” for Jamelia, co-writing the latter with Coldplay’s producer Rik Simpson. His collaborations extend to Ron Sexsmith, Faultline, the Streets, and Ian McCulloch. In late 2004, he contributed vocals to the Band Aid 20 charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” The following year, he worked with Nelly Furtado on “All Good Things (Come to an End)” for her 2006 album “Loose.”.
Role and influence as Coldplay’s frontman
Over the years, we’ve seen bands emerge to record some chart-topping hits while also making exceptional theatrical performances to thrill fans with those hits.
Single, EP, and album releases from fan-favourite bands usually send a whirlwind of excitement among fans as they eagerly anticipate hearing their favourite artist sing.
However, what gives fans even greater excitement is watching that artist perform the song live. In most cases where the band members are segmented into different roles like guitarist, keyboardist, drummer, etc., the best vocalist and lyricist take centre stage to perform the songs.
Like they say, “It’s not about the art (song); it’s about the artist.” This is evident in Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Martin has a soaring, emotive tenor voice with a crystalline clarity and angelic falsetto that fans have fallen in love with and can’t get enough of over two decades after being enchanted by the same voice in Coldplay’s breakthrough hit “Yellow.”
It’s no surprise he has taken centre stage in the band’s performances on some of the world’s biggest stages and events.
From performing “Yellow” at the Glastonbury Festival, “Viva la Vida” at the American Express Unstaged in Madrid, “Paradise” at the 2012 Paralympic Closing Ceremony in London, and most recently leading a collaboration with award-winning guitarist Grace Bowers to deliver an emotional performance of “All My Love” at the 2025 GRAMMYs to honour some of the musical icons that passed on, Martin’s performances have cemented his reputation as one of the most captivating and performers in modern music.
Perhaps not the most charming with hairs to flip or dreads to flaunt, but what sets Martin apart is his charisma—not just in his songwriting, but in his ability to bring realism and make fans feel enthralled by the lyrics.
This can be evident during his performance of “Fix You” at Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where a mother can be seen tearfully holding her daughter tight as she emotionally screams to the bridge of the lyrics, “Tears stream down your face when you lose something you cannot replace.”
This was one of the many moments where the 47-year-old has made fans relive the lyrics of his songs live, and this has gone on to place the Exeter-born star among the greatest lyricists in pop history.
Co-written Songs
Chris Martin collaborated with British singer Jamelia on a track from her second album, “Thank You,” which became her best-selling release.
For Nelly Furtado’s third album, “Loose,” Martin co-wrote the third single, “All Good Things (Come to an End),” also providing harmonised vocals. Their collaboration came about when Timbaland, who was producing “Loose,” happened to be listening to Coldplay’s “X&Y” (2005) in the studio. Martin joined them, and the song went on to top the charts in over 15 European countries and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.
Australian artist Natalie Imbruglia co-wrote “Want,” the lead single from her fourth album, “Come to Life,” with Martin. Additionally, “Lukas”—produced by Brian Eno and Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends” producer Rik Simpson—along with the breakup song “Fun,” was written entirely by Martin alongside his Coldplay bandmates Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, and Will Champion.
Martin joined Dua Lipa as one of the final contributors to her self-titled debut album, co-writing the ballad “Homesick” with her. Produced by Coldplay’s engineer Bill Rahko, the song explores themes of distance from loved ones. Initially, it was meant to feature only Lipa’s vocals, but she felt Martin’s voice would enhance it, leading to his contribution on both piano and vocals. The track was completed over two sessions in California.
For Kylie Minogue’s holiday album, “Kylie Christmas,” Martin collaborated with Norwegian songwriters and producers Mikkel Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen to craft an original festive song.
He also worked with the late Swedish DJ Avicii (Tim Bergling) on multiple songs. He provided vocals and played guitar on “Heaven” from Avicii’s posthumous album “Tim.”.
Additionally, the “feelslikeimfallinginlove” crooner also co-wrote “True Believer” from Avicii’s 2015 album “Stories.”. In turn, Avicii co-wrote and co-produced Coldplay’s “A Sky Full of Stars” from their 2014 album “Ghost Stories,” also contributing piano to the track.
Music of the Spheres Tour
Supporting their album “Music of the Spheres,” the tour began on March 18, 2022, at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose and is set to conclude at Wembley Stadium on September 8, 2025. Before embarking on the tour, Chris Martin stated that Coldplay would not tour again until they could reduce their carbon footprint.
Dedicated to sustainability, the band spent two years implementing measures to address environmental concerns. One initiative involves planting a tree every time Coldplay tickets are sold. Additionally, they introduced kinetic-powered floors that harness energy from fans’ movements to help power venues.
Coldplay’s visually stunning stage setup features LED wristbands, creating an immersive light show that enhances the experience. Chris Martin’s commanding stage presence and powerful vocals drive the band’s high-energy performances.
A key factor in Coldplay’s sustained success is their ability to evolve with changing musical trends while preserving their signature sound. Their willingness to experiment with different genres has helped them stay relevant and connect with audiences across generations. As they continue to tour and release new music, their legacy remains strong, inspiring fans worldwide.
The “Music of the Spheres” World Tour has been a record-breaking success. By December 2024, it had generated over $1.14 billion in revenue, making it the second-highest-grossing tour ever, while also selling more than 10.3 million tickets—more than any other artist in live music history.
Coldplay in London
Chris Martin is set to electrify London alongside his fellow bandmates Will Champion, Guy Berryman, and Jonny Buckland, moving from Hull’s Craven Park Stadium to Wembley for a record-breaking series of shows. Initially, the “Music of the Spheres” World Tour had six scheduled dates in August 2025—22, 23, 26, 27, 30, and 31. However, due to overwhelming demand for Coldplay London tickets, the band added four extra performances on September 3, 4, 7, and 8.
With these additions, Coldplay has surpassed Taylor Swift’s record for the most Wembley performances in a single year, extending their run to 10 nights. Alongside two shows at Craven Park, these will be their only European performances in 2025. This follows their six-night stint at Wembley in August 2022.
As anticipation builds, London fans are counting down the days to another round of unforgettable performances from Martin and his bandmates. Notably, 10% of the proceeds from these London shows will be donated to the Music Venue Trust, supporting grassroots artists across the UK.
Back in 2008, he told NME, “We thought, we can’t possibly get any bigger; let’s get better.” The band has stayed true to that philosophy, consistently raising the bar. Breaking their highest-grossing tour record of $523 million and surpassing Elton John’s $939.1 million, Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” tour has cemented their place at the pinnacle of live music.
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