Coldplay’s Spheres world tour kicked off in 2017 and is set to continue into 2023, making it one of the band’s longest and most ambitious tours to date. The tour has already spanned several years and multiple continents, and still has legs left as the band continues to play shows across the globe.
Tour Overview
The Spheres tour originally started in 2017, supporting Coldplay’s album A Head Full of Dreams. The massive tour saw the band playing stadiums and arenas across Europe, North America, and South America throughout 2017 and 2018. Some highlights included multiple nights at Wembley Stadium in London, shows at the Stade de France in Paris, and concerts in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
After a brief hiatus in 2019, Coldplay then resumed the Spheres tour in 2022, this time in support of their newest album Music of the Spheres. The 2022 leg has focused heavily on Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Coldplay played multiple dates in cities like Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, and Amman. They also did a string of shows across Germany, Poland, and other European countries.
2023 Tour Dates
Coldplay still has big plans for the Spheres tour in 2023. Here are some of the key dates and locations announced so far for 2023:
- May 17-18, 2023 – Estádio Cidade de Coimbra – Coimbra, Portugal
- May 20-21, 2023 – Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys – Barcelona, Spain
- May 24-25, 2023 – Etihad Stadium – Manchester, UK
- May 30-31, 2023 – Hampden Park – Glasgow, UK
- June 3-4, 2023 – Veltins-Arena – Gelsenkirchen, Germany
- June 6-7, 2023 – Johan Cruijff Aren – Amsterdam, Netherlands
- June 13-14, 2023 – Stadio San Siro – Milan, Italy
- June 17-18, 2023 – Stade de France – Paris, France
Further dates for North America, South America, and Australia are expected to be announced soon as well. Coldplay has said the tour will continue into 2023 and be their final major outing in support of Music of the Spheres before they take a break from touring.
Setlist
Coldplay’s massive setlist for the Spheres tour pulls from their entire discography, but leans heavily on recent albums like Music of the Spheres and Everyday Life. Fans can expect to hear major hits like:
- “Yellow”
- “The Scientist”
- “Viva la Vida”
- “Paradise”
- “Adventure of a Lifetime”
- “Hymn for the Weekend”
As well as new tracks like:
- “Higher Power”
- “My Universe”
- “Humankind”
- “Let Somebody Go”
- “People of the Pride”
The band plays for over 2 hours each night, treating fans to an immersive audiovisual show filled with confetti, lasers, fireworks, and glowing wristbands synchronized to the music.
Stage Design
The stage setup for the Spheres tour is especially spectacular. The stage features a kinetic, spherical centerpiece that opens to reveal a rotating, colorful Xylophone complete with lasers and lights. The xylophone is played live during the new song “Coloratura.”
Other stage features include:
- A long, runway-style catwalk that extends into the crowd
- Giant light-up globes suspended overhead
- Psychedelic visuals and animations displayed on massive screens
- Confetti cannons and fireworks
- AR effects visible to audiences through phone apps
The production brings Coldplay’s themes of planets, space, and spheres to life in vivid fashion, fully immersing the audience.
Commercial Performance
The Spheres tour has been an enormous commercial success for Coldplay. Some stats:
- Total gross over $500 million worldwide as of late 2022
- Over 5.4 million tickets sold globally
- Highest grossing tour of 2022
- Most attended tour of 2022
The tour has filled massive stadiums across multiple continents, underscoring Coldplay’s status as arguably the biggest active rock band in the world.
Reception
Critical and fan reception to the Spheres tour has been overwhelmingly positive. Reviews have praised the band’s charismatic live performance and the tour’s spectacular visual presentation. Here are some excerpts:
“An uplifting, highly energetic show packed with hit after hit.” – Billboard
“Coldplay prove they are still the best in the business with a spectacular night of rock & roll.” – Daily Mirror
“One of the grandest, most joyful arena productions in decades.” – Rolling Stone
Fans have been equally delighted with the tour, with many calling it Coldplay’s best live outing yet. The band’s good vibes, anthemic songs, and stunning production continue to draw rave reviews at every stop along the lengthy trek.
Conclusion
With dozens of shows across numerous continents already under their belts and more dates still to come, Coldplay’s Spheres world tour stands as a testament to the band’s enduring popularity and their talents as an incredible live act. For fans who get the chance to catch a Spheres show in 2023, they can expect a spectacular night of chart-topping anthems, dazzling visuals, and big stadium energy from one of the most seasoned and accomplished touring rock bands on the planet.