Summary

  • Coldplay are playing Craven Park Stadium in Hull on 18 and 19 August

  • The shows are part of the band's Music of the Spheres World Tour

  • The tour began in March 2022 in Costa Rica

  • After the Hull shows, the band will perform 10 dates at Wembley Stadium

  • The final London date is 8 September

Live Reporting

by Eleanor Maslin and Holly Phillips. Edited by Mike Chilvers

  1. That's all from us... enjoy the show

    That's it for our live coverage of the build up to the Coldplay gig, we're signing off before we go in Circles.

    We'll leave you under A Sky Full of Stars (and hopefully not rain), in the Paradise of Hull.

    Now go Viva La Vida and enjoy the night!

    Coldplay frontman Chris Martin on stage holding a microphone to his mouth. He is wearing a black jacket and a multi-coloured t-shirt underneath.

  2. Say hello to some of Coldplay's biggest fans

    Our reporters have been out in the crowds today speaking to some of the band's biggest fans.

    Here's what they had to say...

    Fans excited ahead of Coldplay gig

  3. It's not long now...

    We are just minutes away from Coldplay stepping on stage for their long-awaited first Hull show of the tour.

    Crews are busy getting the set ready by sweeping and mopping the stage for Chris Martin and his band.

    The performance is due to begin at 20:10 BST.

    A stage with two large circular screens at either side. On the screen is a blue background, a rainbow and writing that reads "#ColdplayHull". Crowds can be seen looking towards the stage

  4. Ayra Starr sheds tears on stage

    Sarah-May Buccieri
    BBC News

    A stage with two circular screens either side showing Ayra Starr performing. Crowds can be seen looking towards the stage.

    Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr has taken to Craven Park's stage. She will also perform at Coldplay's Wembley gigs later this week.

    Before singing her hit record Last Heartbreak Song, which she collaborated on with American singer Giveon, she said with tears in her eyes: "It is too difficult to sing."

    Starr performed at Glastonbury last year and was the first woman to win best African music act at the Mobo Awards in 16 years.

    The Rush singer has previously collaborated with the likes of Wizkid, Kelly Rowland and former Little Mix band member Leigh-Anne Pinnock.

  5. Gloomy weather ahead of Coldplay set

    Despite the excitement, the weather is looking gloomy and overcast in Hull.

    Fans are hoping the clouds disappear. They were all staying relatively dry until the drizzle started a few minutes ago.

    There are hopes the weather will brighten up before Coldplay hit the big stage.

    Crowds gathered in Craven Park stadium. The skies above are overcast and grey.

  6. Fans set up camp outside cemetery to listen to the gig

    A man and a woman sat on blue deckchairs on a path, smiling at the camera. Bushes can be seen behind them. The woman has short blonde hair and is wearing a black t-shirt and a green waterproof coat. The man is wearing blue jeans, white and blue trainers, a grey jacket with three red stripes down the arm, a white t-shirt, sunglasses and a white cap.

    Helen and Phil Johnson have set up camp outside Eastern Cemetery.

    "It's our Coldplay party," Helen said.

    "We couldn't get a ticket so we thought we'd come listen to it anyway."

    Phil, who is a self-proclaimed "big Coldplay fan", added: "The next best thing was to come outside and listen to it."

    They have a picnic, are stocked up with cake and are ready to enjoy the show.

  7. 'And they were all yellow'

    Anne-Marie Tasker
    BBC Look North

    Fans arrived at Craven Park dressed in colour coordinated outfits and treated us to a song.

    With their own take on Coldplay’s hit single, they sang: "I wore these clothes, I wore these clothes for you. And they were all yellow!"

    A group of ten people stood in the street outside of Craven Park stadium mostly wearing yellow outfits.

  8. Oraka's mum and sister 'very proud'

    A head and shoulder shot of two women - Justina Oraka and Nkolika Ohaegb - smiling at the camera. They are stood outside and are wearing black t-shirts with red writing on reading "Chiedu Oraka".The woman on the left has short black hair and is wearing black-rimmed glasses. The woman on the right has long dark brown hair.

    Chiedu Oraka's mum, Justina Oraka, and sister, Nkolika Ohaegbu, have attended the concert to show support tonight.

    "Very proud, words can not say it," Justina said.

    "This morning when they came to pick him up I was looking through the window and he said 'Mum, give me a hug!'"

    Nkolika added: "There are no words, I just wish him an amazing performance tonight."

  9. Fans stream into Craven Park

    Anne-Marie Tasker
    BBC Look North

    They just keep coming.

    Hundreds of fans continue to stream into Craven Park, with less than 90 minutes until Coldplay take to the stage.

    The band are set to perform at 20:10 BST.

    Groups of people walking towards the camera through separated by metal barriers.

  10. The first artist Chiedu Oraka has taken to the stage

    Chiedu Oraka on stage holding a microphone to his mouth. He is wearing a black t-shirt with white writing on, black shorts, black socks and black trainers. Crowds can be seen behind him.

    Oraka looked stunned. “This feels crazy," he said.

    “I’ve never been on a stage this big but I’m going to try and work it though."

    He added: "This is a big moment for me...I got my mum in the audience, I got my sister in the audience".

    A stage with two circular screens on either side showing Chiedu Oraka on stage. Crowds of people can be seen in front.

    The rapper described himself as "just a black kid from a council estate in Hull".

    Oraka first shot to prominence on BBC Introducing and played the Glastonbury Festival last year.

    The crowd laughed as he said: “Remember, Coldplay are closing the show for me”.

    Before the musician ended his set, he shared some words of wisdom: "If you’ve ever got a dream, never give up."

  11. Fan has album cover inked on arm

    A photo of a woman - Angel - looking over her shoulder smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black vest and has a cream bag on her shoulder. She has colourful tattoos covering her right arm. People and cars can be seen in the background.

    Angel, 28, from Leeds, said it's her seventh time seeing Coldplay.

    She loves the band so much, she's even got a tattoo dedicated to them inked on her right arm.

    A woman's arm showing colourful floral tattoos and a colourful interlocking circles tattoo.

    The colourful interlocking circles symbolises Coldplay's A Head Full of Dreams era.

    Released in December 2015, it was the group's seventh studio album. It topped the UK album charts and featured the likes of Beyoncé and Noel Gallagher.

  12. Twin fans say gig will 'put Hull on the map'

    Sarah-May Buccieri
    BBC News

    A head and shoulders shot of two women - Tanya Andrews and Michaela Clark - smiling at the camera. The woman on the left has shoulder-length blonde hair and glasses on her head. She is wearing a black top, a light blue denim jacket and a gold necklace and earrings. The woman on the right has short blonde hair and glasses on her head. She is wearing a green top and a cream-coloured cardigan. Crowds can be seen blurred behind them.

    Twins Tanya Andrews and Michaela Clark, both 37, from Goole, said tonight will "put Hull on the map".

    The pair, who say they often "gig together", are both looking forward to Coldplay's international breakthrough hit Yellow.

    They laughed and said the Hull crowd will make sure to drag out the "ohs" in the song and make the city's distinctive accent heard.

  13. Fan spots someone very familiar passing by

    A man wearing a black baseball cap, black jumper, grey trousers and white trainers walks away from the camera along a pavementJo Franklin

    Jo Franklin was waiting in one of the car parks near the stadium when Chris Martin himself walked past.

    "It was surreal really," said Jo.

    "He said hello and was waving and nodding.

    "There was lots of screaming from other cars, it made my day," said Jo, who had travelled from Woodhall Spa with her husband and two daughters.

    A family of four - a mother, her two daughters and her husband - stand in a group and smile at the camera

  14. Scottish fans' six-hour drive for first visit to Hull

    Sarah-May Buccieri
    BBC News

    Head and shoulders shot of two women - Sarah Andrew and Sarah Murray - stood in a street, smiling at the camera holding chips in a cardboard tray. The woman on the left is wearing a transparent rain poncho, blue glittery trousers and a white crop top. She has long blonde hair. The woman on the right has long black hair and is wearing a black t-shirt.

    As Coldplay’s sound check blares in the background, Sarah Andrew and Sarah Murray are enjoying a pre-concert snack.

    They’ve needed it after their six-hour drive from Glasgow.

    Today is their first visit to Hull and although they’ve not seen much of the city, Sarah Andrew said: “The people are nice."

    The pair are looking forward to “the sad songs” even though they assured me they are “happy people”.

  15. Set times revealed as fans pour into stadium

    Crowds of people stand in front of a large stage set with two huge circular screens on either side

    The gates to Craven Park have now opened and the fans who've been queuing patiently for hours are making their way into the stadium.

    The festivities are expected to begin at 18:00 BST when Hull-based support act Chiedu Oraka takes to the stage.

    Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr will follow at 19:00.

    Coldplay are due to perform from 20:10.

    No end time has been confirmed yet, but at previous shows the band have played about 20 songs in a two-hour set.

  16. Woman flies 24 hours to show - and says 'it's worth it!'

    Anne-Marie Tasker
    BBC Look North

    A head and shoulders shot of a woman - Lydia Gaftarnik - smiling. She has long blonde hair tied in a ponytail. She is wearing a black vest top with a white crochet jumper over the top. She is also wearing a bag with a black strap across her chest and a silver necklace. Crowds can be seen blurred in the background.

    Lydia Gaftarnik, 29, has come further than most to see Coldplay.

    Originally from Leeds, she moved to Melbourne, Australia, nine months ago.

    "It's the 10th time I've seen Coldplay on this world tour," she said.

    "It was a 24-hour flight via Dubai to get here, then three hours in the car. But it's worth it!"

  17. Martin's impromptu pub gig ahead of Hull concerts

    Chris Martin playing the piano and smiling at the Puzzle Hall Inn in Calderdale.Jodie Smith

    Ahead of the gigs in Hull, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin rocked up to the Puzzle Hall Inn in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, and performed an impromptu hour-long set.

    Children in their pyjamas and their parents lined up outside the Sowerby Bridge pub to watch.

    Afterwards, the leader singer spoke to fans, took photos with them and even gave out tickets to tonight's show.

    Read more here.

  18. Fish and chip shop all set to net Coldplay boost

    Anne-Marie Tasker
    BBC Look North

    Katy and Sam stand behind the till in their fish and chip shop, stacks of cardboard trays are lining the wall to their right. behind them is a an illuminted fridge filled with drinks cans. In front of the till and out of focus are traditional plastic salt and vinegar shakers and a tomato sauce bottle, The sisters both have black t-shirts on and have their hair in ponytails, Katy on the left is dark haired and Sam is blonde.

    JJ’s Fish and Chips, just down the road from the stadium, is run by sisters Sam and Katy Barker.

    They are Coldplay fans and will be outside the shop listening during the gig.

    They’ve ordered in 177 stones (1,125kg) of potatoes, 10 stones (63kg) of haddock and quadrupled their usual order of sausages.

    Family and friends have volunteered to help them stay open from 10:00 to 23:00 BST today and they were in from 05:00 getting ready.

  19. Fan gets tattoo of Chris Martin's handwriting

    Matty, from Hertfordshire, has seen Coldplay multiple times. In 2023, Chris Martin brought Matty on stage to sing Barbie Girl with the band.

    A head and shoulders photo of a man - Matty - smiling at the camera. He is wearing a green bucket hat with white badges on. He is wearing a grey tie-dye jumper, with a neon pink design on the front. He is also wearing a black bumbag around his chest.

    The 20-year-old even got a tattoo drawn by the band's lead singer. It reads "Never Give Up" - part of the first line in Coldplay's hit Miracles (Someone Special) with Big Sean - and is accompanied by an infinity symbol and love hearts.

    A man's arm with a tattoo of handwriting reading "Never Give Up" with an infinity sign with a love heart in a circle on the left side of the writing and a circled love heart on the right of the writing.

  20. 'I live near arena so I'm having my own Coldplay concert'

    Anne-Marie Tasker
    BBC Look North

    Cheryl Cox sitting in chair in her sunny garden, she has short dark hair and tortoiseshell glasses and is wearing a floral dress. Her garden behind her has lawn and a deck area with chairs and shrubs in pots

    One woman won't need lights to guide her home from the concert - instead she'll be listening to the music from her own back garden.

    Cheryl Cox lives across the main road from Craven Park Stadium and has listened to Little Mix, Boy George, Rod Stewart and Tom Jones from her garden before - and now it's Coldplay's turn.

    She's got family coming round to listen to the gig and watch the fireworks, all for free.

    "We're going to have a chill, maybe a bit of a dance and a couple of drinks," she said.

    "My friends were frantically trying to get tickets and I was just laughing saying 'well come to mine if you can't get one'."