Hull, August 20, 2025
News Summary
Coldplay has officially kicked off the UK leg of their Music Of The Spheres world tour at Craven Park in Hull. The concert, which featured a 23-song set across four acts, also addressed a recent kiss-cam controversy. The band expressed appreciation for Hull’s community spirit, recognizing local volunteers with free tickets and committing to support grassroots music venues by donating £1 from each ticket sold this year. The performance showcased the band’s extensive catalog and set the stage for upcoming UK tour dates.
Hull
Coldplay opens UK leg of world tour in Hull, addresses kiss-cam controversy and spotlights local community
Coldplay launched the UK portion of its Music Of The Spheres world tour on 18 August 2025 with a headline concert at Craven Park, Hull. The performance featured a 23-song set spanning the band’s 25-year career, was staged across three platforms in four distinct acts, and included a public response to a recent kiss-cam controversy. The show also carried a charitable element, with £1 from every UK ticket sold this year designated to support grassroots music venues.
Key details
The concert opened with the upbeat track that launched the evening and proceeded through a carefully arranged program of hits and newer material. The four acts covered career-spanning songs: the first act included tracks such as “Higher Power”, “Adventure Of A Lifetime”, “Paradise” and “The Scientist”; the second act featured fan favourites including “Viva La Vida” and “Yellow”; the third act presented stadium staples like “Clocks”, collaborative pieces including “WE PRAY” with guest performers Chiedu Oraka and Elyanna, as well as “Infinity Sign” and “My Universe”; the finale moved to a C-stage for a more intimate close with songs such as “Fix You” and “Sparks”. The show also incorporated a kiss-cam segment that had previously attracted attention following a viral moment at a Boston concert where on-screen attendees appeared visibly uncomfortable.
Band response and community recognition
During the Hull performance, the band’s frontman acknowledged the earlier kiss-cam incident, addressing it with humour and a light-hearted reference to a fan sign seen at the show. Organisers framed the response as an attempt to recognise audience sensitivity while maintaining the interactive element of the segment. The band also provided free tickets to twenty volunteers affiliated with Hull CVC in recognition of community service contributions, and expressed explicit appreciation for Hull’s community spirit and working-class roots as part of the rationale for selecting the city for a UK tour launch.
Support acts and warm-up appearances
Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr opened the Hull concert, performing a set that included her emotional track “Last Heartbreak Song”. In the days leading up to the stadium dates, the band staged a surprise warm-up performance at a local pub in Yorkshire, presented as an intimate precursor to the larger shows in Hull.
Economic and charitable impact
Event organisers and local officials noted a positive economic boost to Hull from tourism and concert-related spending, with social media commentary describing a vibrant atmosphere and strong attendance. In the UK this year, £1 from every ticket sold for the band’s tour dates will be channelled to support grassroots music venues, reflecting a stated emphasis on sustaining emerging talent and local live-music infrastructure in a post-Brexit context.
Tour context and upcoming dates
The Hull concert forms part of the long-running Music Of The Spheres world tour, which originally began in 2022. The band indicated plans for several major future performances in the UK, including a series of dates at Wembley Stadium that are intended to be record-setting in scale. The continued tour schedule will include additional arena and stadium shows across the summer and autumn calendar.
Audience reaction and social media
Attendee responses shared on social platforms highlighted the show’s production values, song selection spanning multiple eras of the band’s catalogue, and the communal atmosphere at Craven Park. While the kiss-cam segment drew attention and provoked discussion online, the overall tone of coverage and audience posts emphasised enjoyment of the live performance and appreciation for the band’s community-focused gestures.
Background
The band has been touring intermittently since 2022 in support of the Music Of The Spheres campaign, featuring large-scale stadium productions and charitable partnerships. The kiss-cam segment has been used at multiple dates as an interactive element; scrutiny of the practice increased after a widely shared incident at a previous US concert. Support for grassroots music venues has been positioned by the band as a key objective for their UK shows this year, alongside initiatives to spotlight new artists and local scenes.
FAQ
When and where did the concert take place?
The concert occurred on 18 August 2025 at Craven Park in Hull as the opening UK date of the Music Of The Spheres world tour.
How long was the setlist and what were the highlights?
The band performed a 23-song set divided into four acts across three stages. Highlights included “Higher Power”, “Adventure Of A Lifetime”, “Paradise”, “The Scientist”, “Viva La Vida”, “Yellow”, “Clocks”, “My Universe”, “Fix You”, and “Sparks”.
What was the kiss-cam controversy and how was it handled in Hull?
The kiss-cam segment previously drew criticism after a viral moment at a Boston concert that showed on-screen attendees appearing uncomfortable. In Hull, the band addressed the earlier incident and incorporated the segment with an acknowledgement meant to recognise audience sensitivities.
Who opened the show?
Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr served as the opening act and performed songs including “Last Heartbreak Song”.
Did the band undertake any community or charitable actions?
Yes. The band donated £1 from every UK ticket sold this year to support grassroots music venues and provided free tickets to twenty Hull CVC volunteers to recognise their community service.
Are there more UK shows planned?
Yes. The band has scheduled further dates, including a run of performances at Wembley Stadium described as historic and record-setting.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | 18 August 2025 |
| Venue | Craven Park, Hull |
| Tour | Music Of The Spheres (world tour that began in 2022) |
| Setlist length | 23 songs |
| Stage format | Four acts across three stages (including a C-stage finale) |
| Opening act | Ayra Starr |
| Charity | £1 from each UK ticket sold this year to grassroots music venues |
| Community recognition | 20 free tickets provided to Hull CVC volunteers |
| Notable guest performers | Chiedu Oraka and Elyanna (featured during WE PRAY) |
| Upcoming UK highlight | Ten historic record-setting dates at Wembley Stadium |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Coldplay’s Jumbotron Incident Sparks Debate on Audience Privacy
Additional Resources
- The Guardian: Coldplay Review at Craven Park
- NME: Coldplay UK Stadium Run in Hull
- Time Out: Coldplay at Hull’s Craven Park
- AOL: Hull’s Volunteers Get Free Coldplay Tickets
- BBC News: Coldplay Concert in Hull
- Wikipedia: Coldplay
- Google Search: Coldplay Music Of The Spheres
- Google Scholar: Coldplay Concert
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coldplay
- Google News: Coldplay 2025 Tour
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