Coldplay has been one of the biggest names in pop and alternative rock music for over 20 years now. The British band, fronted by Chris Martin, first achieved worldwide fame with hits like “Yellow,” “Clocks,” and “The Scientist” in the early 2000s. Since then, Coldplay has continued to release chart-topping albums and embark on massive world tours. Their most recent tour in support of their 2021 album Music of the Spheres sold over 1 million tickets across Europe and North America.
With Coldplay announcing another world tour for 2023, demand for tickets is incredibly high. Fans are wondering – are Coldplay tickets really worth the high prices? Let’s take a look at the key factors to consider.
The Coldplay Live Experience
By all accounts, Coldplay puts on an incredible live show. They pull out all the stops with massive digital screens, confetti cannons, lasers, glowing wristbands for the audience, and more. Coldplay concerts are described as emotive, energetic, and highly entertaining visual spectacles.
Beyond the special effects, Coldplay is known for their stellar live performances. Chris Martin’s powerful vocals and piano skills take center stage. The band is very cohesive and always appears to be having fun on stage. Fan favorites like “Viva La Vida,” “Paradise,” and “Fix You” truly shine when performed live.
Coldplay also changes up their setlists from night to night, throwing in rare and unexpected tracks to delight fans. Basically, you can expect a visually stunning show packed with hit songs and fan favorites played with incredible passion.
Setlist Variety
Coldplay has eight studio albums to pull from, so they can create very diverse setlists. On their last tour, they played as many as 25 songs per night, including many older tracks like “Politik,” “The Scientist,” and “In My Place” mixed with new songs from Music of the Spheres like “Higher Power” and “My Universe.”
You’ll get to hear Coldplay’s evolution from album to album in one live show. The variety helps keep all fans engaged, even those who prefer their older or newer material.
Length of Show
Coldplay concerts typically run between 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes. You’re getting a lot of bang for your buck, especially compared to shows from other major pop/rock acts like The Weeknd and Ed Sheeran that run for 1 to 1.5 hours. Coldplay makes sure to fill their lengthy sets with fan favorites and hit singles, so very little time feels wasted or dull.
Their 2023 Tour Plans
Coldplay just announced a new world tour kicking off in March 2023. Currently, they are scheduled to visit countries in South America, Europe, and the United Kingdom through July 2023. More dates are expected to be added soon.
The tour is expected to be very similar in production and setlist to their Music of the Spheres tour in 2022. Prices are also comparable – the cheapest seats cost around $50 USD and the most expensive floor seats around $250 USD depending on the city.
If you missed catching Coldplay live last year, their newly announced 2023 tour leg is a great chance to see the same spectacular show. And given that these are likely the first shows announced, more affordable tickets will be available compared to later on in a tour. Getting tickets now for the March 2023 kick-off is your best bet.
Unique With Each Tour
Coldplay tweaks the production, setlists, and overall experience from tour to tour to keep things fresh. The Music of the Spheres tour saw them employ those glowing wristbands for the audience, a kinetic light-up xylophone stage prop, and on-stage holograms. These high tech elements were customized for the tour.
The 2023 tour will introduce new production components to change things up again. Coldplay already described the show concept as more stripped back compared to the bright, colorful previous tour. Expect
new surprises that even fans who attended last time haven’t seen.
Chance to See Them Locally
Coldplay has announced a variety of stadiums, arenas, and ballparks on their world tour. While most big artists stick to large cities, Coldplay visits more markets. Fans in smaller metro areas and cities get the rare chance to see Coldplay locally instead of traveling.
For their Music of the Spheres tour, Coldplay played in places like Raleigh, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Columbus and Houston. The newly announced 2023 dates continue this trend, with stops in cities like Lima, Peru, Bogota, Colombia, and Manchester, UK. For many fans, it’s exciting to potentially see Coldplay visiting their hometown or region.
Are the High Ticket Prices Worth It?
Coldplay ticket prices can be quite expensive, especially for reserved floor seats closest to the main stage. Here are some sample price ranges for their upcoming UK stadium tour dates:
Section | Price Range |
---|---|
Floor Seating | £90 – £175 |
Lower Level Seats | £65 – £115 |
Upper Level Seats | £50 – £90 |
Prices this high understandably make some fans hesitate on buying tickets. However, keep in mind these are for the closest floor sections in massive 50,000+ seat stadiums. There are many more affordable options available in the upper decks. Also, prices tend to drop closer to show dates as resellers try to offload extra inventory.
For a comparison, here are some other artists’ average ticket prices on their recent tours:
Artist | Average Ticket Price Range |
---|---|
Ed Sheeran | $85 – $150 |
Harry Styles | $95 – $250 |
Lady Gaga | $100 – $500 |
Post Malone | $125 – $600 |
Coldplay’s ticket prices sit firmly in the middle of the pack. The likes of Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and Taylor Swift charge even steeper premiums. Considering Coldplay’s spectacular live production, reputation for fantastic performances, and deep catalog of hits, the ticket prices feel justified compared to other A-list arena rock acts.
Worth It for die-hard Fans
Devoted Coldplay fans who have followed the band for years will find tickets worth every penny. Hearing beloved songs like “Yellow” and “Fix You” live in a huge stadium environment is a one-of-a-kind experience. The band also puts on a world-class production perfect for massive venues.
Superfans likely have fond memories of Coldplay soundtrack their lives for years. Seeing Chris Martin and company live cements those musical memories and creates new ones. Additionally, the 2023 tour provides potentially a last chance to see Coldplay perform some of their older hits as the band evolves.
Maybe Not Worth It for Casual Fans
Casual listeners who only know Coldplay’s radio hits may not find tickets worth the cost. The overall experience leans heavily on those signature staple songs. While they will enjoy chanting along to “Viva La Vida” or swaying to “The Scientist,” the deeper album cuts may not resonate as much.
Additionally, the lengthy set times and elaborate production might seem like sensory overload for someone unfamiliar with Coldplay’s full catalog. More casual fans may be better off saving their money for a concert where they connect more with the entire setlist.
Final Verdict
Coldplay remains one of the most dazzling concert experiences in the pop/rock landscape. Their upcoming 2023 tour looks to build on their reputation for stunning, emotionally powerful live shows.
For devoted longtime fans, Coldplay concert tickets are undoubtedly worth the price. The chance to relive beloved songs in a huge live setting with vibrant production makes for an unforgettable event.
However, more casual listeners may want to weigh the costs carefully. Make sure to buy floor seats only if prepared to splurge. Upper level seats provide more affordable options for those drawn mainly to Coldplay’s hits.
Either way, Coldplay’s talent for creating magical concert moments that linger in memory remains unmatched. Their 2023 tour stands out as a worthy destination for music lovers across the globe.
Conclusion
Coldplay delivers one of the most impressive and memorable concert experiences for pop/rock fans. From their stellar live performances to productions packed with lights, lasers, confetti, and more, they continue raising the bar with each new tour.
Their ticket prices meet industry standards for top-tier acts. While expensive compared to other forms of entertainment, the live show spectacle justifies the costs for devoted Coldplay followers. More casual fans may be better opting for cheap seats to get good value.
Overall, those who have loved Coldplay for years will certainly find tickets well worth it for the 2023 tour. The chance to reconnect with beloved songs and share new magical concert moments proves priceless for devotees. Even casual listeners are likely to walk away entertained and astonished by Coldplay’s talents on full display.