As befits musicians renowned for being the most alert group on the planet, Coldplay has set itself the ambitious goal of sustaining its world tour.
They are so committed that they claim to be committed to achieving net zero emissions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and using an electric battery system that allows them to efficiently use 100% renewable energy .
However, their decision to add two lucrative dates to the schedule in Perth, Australia, has raised the question of whether things are still as eco-friendly as singer Chris Martin and his bandmates believe us to be.
The music industry has raised eyebrows over the detour from Asia to Oz, where they will spend just two nights playing – but potentially make millions.
Because, despite repeated claims in a very long statement, it appears that the self-proclaimed green gods are accumulating a considerable carbon footprint.
The music industry has raised eyebrows over the detour from Asia to Oz, where they will spend just two nights playing – but potentially make millions. Pictured: Chris Martin
The band is taking a detour during the Asian leg of their tour to travel 2,000 miles from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they play Wednesday, to Australia, then another 2,600 miles back to Kuala Lumpur.
In their mission statement, posted on their website and Instagram account, Devon-born Martin and his co-stars say their Music Of Spheres world tour will be as “beneficial to the environment as possible and reduce our emissions direct carbon emissions (from show production, freight, band and crew travel).”
The band is taking a detour during the Asian leg of their tour to travel 2,000 miles from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they play Wednesday, to Australia, then another 2,600 miles to Kuala Lumpur, in time for their concert on November 22. , it is believed, on private jets.
An insider said: “Of course Australia wants to see Coldplay and they have to make it happen somehow, but bleating about reducing carbon emissions and then traveling those distances makes you wonder if It was the right decision to make.”
Both concerts at Perth’s Optus Stadium are sold out – with 120,000 tickets sold and the band eyeing a return of around £12 million.
And Coldplay fans have been promised a “spectacular show” which will be “packed with lasers, fireworks and LED bracelets”.
The band is taking a detour during the Asian leg of their tour to travel 2,000 miles from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they play Wednesday, to Australia, then another 2,600 miles back to Kuala Lumpur.
While the group insists that laser lighting comes from an electric battery system and is therefore energy efficient, burning fireworks emits greenhouse gases. And while Martin and his bandmates – guitarist Jonny Buckland and bassists Guy Berryman and Will Champion – have stressed that LED bracelets can be returned and reused, industry insiders say fans generally don’t .
A Coldplay spokesperson said: “The flight distance from Jakarta to Perth is 200 miles less than from Perth to Sydney, which is why Perth was included in the Asian leg of the tour. For all group and crew flights, more than 80% of emissions are canceled by the use of sustainable, fossil-free aviation fuel.
“For fireworks, Coldplay uses a new generation of durable pyrotechnics that have less explosive charge and new formulas that significantly reduce harmful chemicals.
“All confetti used is 100% biodegradable. Coldplay has reduced its CO2 emissions by 47 percent compared to the last tour – verified by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative – and aims to continue improving as the tour continues,” they said.
