Coldplay Sparks a New Era of Sustainable Concerts!

Coldplay is bringing a new kind of energy to live music. 

From kinetic floors that generate power while you dance, to reusable LED wristbands made from compostable materials, every detail of Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres Tour is designed with sustainability in mind. 

With Music of the Spheres, they resolved to bring down emissions by at least 50% compared to their 2016–17 tour. They’ve already surpassed that goal, achieving a 59% reduction in emissions per show across the first two years of this tour!

At each show, Coldplay uses solar panels to charge recycled BMW i3 batteries, which help power performances. In 2023, 18 of their shows were powered entirely using the energy generated and stored in these systems. Their lighting and sound systems were also redesigned to consume up to 50% less power than previous tours.

The band’s sustainability efforts persist behind the curtain, too. To reduce transport emissions, Coldplay routes the tour to limit flights and cut down on shipping. When flying is unavoidable, they use Sustainable Aviation Fuel produced from waste, lowering the greenhouse gas emissions of air travel by up to 80%. Fans are also encouraged to get to shows in lower-carbon ways through a free travel planning app.

Other small fixes are woven into the daily lives of the band and crew on tour. Catering for the crew supplies local, plant-based food. They donate surplus food to local food banks to minimize food waste and support the community. The tour also internally tracks its emissions and uses carbon drawdown methods that follow the Oxford Principles for net zero aligned carbon offsetting. 

Alongside these changes, 10% of all tour earnings go towards a good causes fund, and every ticket sold funds the planting of a tree. Coldplay is working with organizations like One Tree Planted, an organization that facilitates reforestation and restoration, including areas that have been impacted by wildfires in California.

By working towards a greener tour, Coldplay is becoming a global leader in sustainability. Efforts like these bring us closer to cleaner air, clearer nights, and a sky full of stars we can see again.