Coldplay at Croke Park, Dublin: Seven things we learned from the first gig (2024)

In the Aviva, Swift said she and her crew had "never played for crowds on this level". In Croke Park on Thursday, Martin said "he didn't know how to handle a crowd this wonderful."

"It's overwhelming," he admitted.

We answered with even more screaming. And sure, a couple of 'Olé, Olé, Olés' too... If you were in the stands during 'A Sky Full of Stars', you know the place was shaking.

2. The story behind the Grafton Street 'busk'

Late in the evening on Wednesday, rumours started to circulate that a major act was going to busk on Grafton Street. Eagle-eyed passer-bys had spotted cameras being set up on the street, and soon, the rumour got around that it was Coldplay. By the time Chris Martin showed up just after 8.30pm, Grafton Street and the area around it had become unpassable with hundreds lining the street in the hopes of catching a glimpse at the sing-song. As it turned out, it wasn't a busk, but the filming of a music video.

Martin explained on stage on Thursday night that he had actually been on Grafton Street on Tuesday around 8.30pm, and the street was practically deserted bar a lonesome busker. He thought it could be fun to film a music video on an empty street...

Of course, that's not what ended up happening, but he assured the Dublin crowd the video they did get for 'We Pray', with Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna and TINI, ended up being way better than he could've hoped; "I thought it would be quiet but the people of Dublin gave us the best video I've ever seen."

Lets hope we get to see it soon..

In the meantime, we were blessed with the first on-stage performance of 'We Pray' with special guests Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, and TINI, who all hung around to sing it in Croker.

WE PRAY 🧿 Live at Croke Park, Dublin. First ever performance with @burnaboy, @LittleSimz, @Elyanna, @TiniStoessel. pic.twitter.com/NpJz9PO9Aq

— Coldplay (@coldplay) August 29, 2024

3. There are lots of moments for audience interaction

We love an act that doesn't stick to a script and interacts with fans on the night, and Coldplay did plenty of this on Thursday night. In one very special moment, Chris Martin paused while reading some handmade signs when he came across one that said “Let’s sing for my daddy in the sky”.

“Okay, let’s do that," he said, “come up here.”

Moments later, three women from Italy were brought up on stage and shared a moment when Martin, before sitting next to him and singing along to 'Everglow' which he dedicated to their dad, Vincenzo.

Later in the show, the band even performed a spontaneous ditty from a C-stage, towards the back of the arena, where cameras scanned the audience and Martin would sing a line or two about whoever the camera landed on.

On Thursday night, this included a man wearing a Radiohead t-shirt ("All I can say is, they may be better when they play, but Coldplay are much better looking," Martin joked) and a couple who were urged to share a kiss in a moment akin to those kiss-cams at American sportsgames. Luckily, they appeared to happily oblige.

4. Chris Martin had plenty of praise for Irish people

Chris Martin took a moment on Thursday to thank the Irish people for the example we set to the rest of the world, seeming to allude to the nation's overwhelming support for the state of Palestine.

"I want to say thank you also to the example that you set here in Ireland for the rest of the world, particularly England and America. Thank you for being so kind to people around the world, thank you for looking out for those who are persecuted, thank you for being against genocide."

Well said Chris Martin 👏 pic.twitter.com/WAYeIhEnEh

— Marty (@Martu25114) August 30, 2024

He went on to thank Ireland for "welcoming those who are in need" and "welcoming a band from England".

5. The band is really committed to sustainability

Part of the reason we’ve had to wait so long to see the English band back on our shores is due to a hiatus from touring. In 2019, they announced they were taking a break until they figured out how to run a more environmentally friendly world tour.

“The planet is facing a climate crisis,” Marten told a Guardian reporter in 2021. “So we’ve spent the last two years consulting with environmental experts to make this tour as sustainable as possible. .. We won’t get everything right, but we’re committed to doing everything we can and sharing what we learn.”

Audiences get an insight into how they’ve stuck to that promise tonight. Prior to the show's start, we are shown a video which details some of the sustainability measures taken – the show is transported by renewable fuel where possible, it is run on solar, wind and other types of green energy, the backstage generator is run on recycled cooking oil. The band's iconic light-up bands on our wrists are made from plant-based, compostable materials, and a portion of the cost of our ticket has also help fund charities working in a variety of environmental areas. Makes you feel a bit better about forking out eh?

6. Don't miss the opening acts

While Coldplay didn't appear on stage till after 8.45pm on Thursday night (they finished about 10.50pm), it's well worth getting in early for the opening acts. American singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers is on around the 7.30pm mark and offers a strong performance with tracks from her latest album Don't Forget Me, along with older songs you might recognise like 'Alaska' and 'Love You For A Long Time.'

Before that, Dubliner Aby Coulibaly gets the crowd warmed up. The 24-year-old up until yesterday was still saying she was "trying to process" being asked to open for one of the biggest band in the world. Stream her new song 'Glow' before you go.

7. You'll have a great time wherever you are

At the barrier, up in the nosebleeds, at the back of the pitch... no matter where your tickets are, you're in for a treat. For those at the barrier, you might get a chance to go up on stage with Martin, for those in the nosebleeds, you have the best view in the house for the most spectacular light show, and for those at the back of the pitch, the latter third of the show includes a C-stage that could have you right up beside the action. It's a stadium show with something for everyone.