Coldplay’s first concert in India in nine years was a vibrant cultural celebration, filled with unforgettable moments that captivated the audience. The band's frontman, Chris Martin, brought his signature humor and curiosity to the stage, engaging with the crowd in ways that made the experience even more special. From asking about the meaning of 'Jai Shri Ram' to giving a playful shout-out to cricketer Jasprit Bumrah, the concert felt more like a connection between the band and its fans than just a performance.

The concert took place at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium, where Coldplay kicked off their 'Music of the Spheres World Tour' in India. For two hours, Martin and the band performed iconic hits like 'Paradise,' 'Viva La Vida,' 'Adventure of a Lifetime,' 'Yellow,' 'Fix You,' and 'A Sky Full of Stars,' keeping the crowd energized and singing along.

Coldplay performing in Mumbai. Photo: PTI
Coldplay performing in Mumbai. Photo: PTI

One of the most memorable moments came when Martin noticed a fan holding a placard that read, 'Jai Shri Ram.' Curiously, he asked, 'What does Jai Shri Ram mean? Must be something good,' which sparked thunderous cheers from the crowd. His innocent inquiry added a personal touch to the evening, making the audience feel even more involved.

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Throughout the concert, Martin made an effort to speak in the local languages. He greeted the crowd in Marathi, saying, 'Tumhee saghre aaj chaan distat' (You all look beautiful today) and in Hindi, 'Aap sab ka bahut swagat hai humare show pe. Mumbai mein aakar hume bahut khushi ho rahi hai' (You're all very welcome to our show. We feel happy after coming to Mumbai). Despite admitting that his Hindi and Marathi were not perfect, the fans responded with overwhelming warmth.

The British musician expressed his gratitude, thanking the audience for making India one of their favourite places in the world. 'This is our fourth visit to India, the second time playing here, and the first time we've played our show, and we couldn’t have asked for a better audience,' he said, appreciating the warm welcome.

Martin frequently checked on the crowd’s well-being, asking if they were staying hydrated and comfortable. He also took a moment to read some of the creative placards held by fans, including messages like 'Happy Birthday to you,' 'Love to mom, she is fighting cancer,' and 'Welcome from Calcutta.' He even invited a 15-year-old boy to join him on stage to sing 'Everglow,' fulfilling his wish with a heartfelt performance.

Coldplay performing in Mumbai. Photo: PTI
Coldplay performing in Mumbai. Photo: PTI
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The night was made even more magical by the colorful lights and fireworks, with the stadium glowing as fans wore recyclable light wristbands. When the fireworks were delayed, Martin humorously encouraged the crowd to make firework sounds, which they did in unison until the skies lit up.

As the concert drew to a close, Martin joked about needing to wrap it up so that Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah could come on stage to play. 'We got to finish the show because Jasprit Bumrah wants to come and play cricket backstage,' Martin quipped, leaving the crowd eager for more. He added, 'We love you Jasprit, so we are going to ask him to wait for 15 minutes. We would like to play the song one more time, this time with four of us and the 60,000 of you all in the same breath.'

Coldplay’s 'Music of the Spheres World Tour' continues with two more shows at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday and Monday, and another performance in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium on January 25.

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Fans began arriving early in the day to secure their spot at the concert, with gates opening at 3:30 pm and the show starting at 8:00 pm. One of the security guards mentioned, 'We have been here since 10:00 am. We’ve been told to make sure everything goes smoothly since it's the biggest concert of the century.'

The excitement was palpable, with fans like Shivani Agarwal, who attended with her bridesmaids, describing it as the perfect concert theme for her pre-wedding celebrations. Coldplay had previously performed in India in 2016 at the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai, and this concert brought fans of all ages together for a memorable experience.
Before Coldplay took the stage, performances by Shone, Elyanna, and Jasleen Royal set the mood, warming up the crowd for the much-anticipated performance.

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