There are bands built for arenas, and then there’s Coldplay — a band built for galaxies. Inside Allegiant Stadium on a warm Las Vegas night, the British quartet transformed the massive venue into a living, breathing constellation of light, sound, and emotion. Their 2025 stop on the Music of the Spheres world tour wasn’t just a concert — it was an immersive experience, a technicolor fusion of music and meaning that turned 60,000 people into a single, glowing organism.
Coldplay has long been known for turning spectacle into intimacy — the wristbands, the confetti, the celestial visuals — but there was something even more refined about this iteration. It was still massive, still euphoric, but it also carried a sense of grace. Chris Martin, ever the wide-eyed optimist, steered the evening with his characteristic warmth, a mix of stadium preacher and humble friend.
Act I: Planets – Launching Into Orbit
The show began not with fanfare, but with wonder. A soft ambient hum filled the stadium, the massive video screens displaying cosmic imagery — planets aligning, stars flickering, and a title card: Act I: Planets. Then, in an explosion of color, the band took the stage to “Music of the Spheres.” It was less a song and more a statement of intent — orchestral, shimmering, and cinematic. The crowd’s LED wristbands (Coldplay’s now-famous Xylobands) lit up in synchronization, forming waves of color that rippled across the stands like auroras.
Without missing a beat, the opening chords of “Higher Power” blasted out. The bass thumped, Martin sprinted down the catwalk, and the audience erupted. It’s one of Coldplay’s most unabashedly optimistic songs — a danceable, interstellar anthem — and it felt tailor-made for a place like Allegiant. “You’ve got a higher power!” the crowd sang back, tens of thousands of voices in unison.
Next came “Adventure of a Lifetime,” and the energy somehow went higher. The band’s visuals shifted into a swirl of tropical hues and animated creatures, a callback to the A Head Full of Dreams era. Martin twirled, laughed, and urged the crowd to “dance like nobody’s watching — except 59,999 other people!” It was pure joy, and it set the tone for the night.
Then came “Paradise,” one of the band’s signature songs. The intro was extended, with pulsing lights building tension until the entire stadium exploded with the first chorus. The outro stretched into a euphoric, wordless singalong, with Martin letting the audience take over. It was the first of many moments that reminded you how Coldplay’s greatest strength lies in unity — they make you feel like you’re part of something bigger.
The first act closed with “The Scientist,” and the mood shifted from euphoric to emotional. Martin began the song seated at the piano, the stage bathed in soft blue light. He wove in a brief snippet of “Oceans” as a prelude, his voice fragile and pure. As he played the final chorus, the band launched into a haunting reversed outro, echoing the song’s iconic backward music video. You could hear sniffles all around. It was cinematic, nostalgic, and utterly beautiful.
Act II: Moons – A Softer Glow
Act II took the show to the B-stage, where things became more intimate. The lighting dimmed, and the massive spectacle gave way to raw musicianship. The transition began with the unmistakable opening chant of “Viva la Vida.” Every person in the stadium — from the front row to the rafters — sang along, turning the place into a cathedral of sound. Guy Berryman’s bassline pulsed like a heartbeat, and the ringing church bells echoed into the night.
“Hymn for the Weekend” followed, and the groove was infectious. The stadium shimmered in golden light, and Martin bounded across the smaller stage, waving to fans pressed close to the rail. The song’s celebratory tone fit perfectly in Vegas — an anthem of gratitude and release.
Then came one of the night’s most touching moments: “Everglow.” Martin invited a few fans onto the B-stage, sharing the piano with them for a stripped-down version. It was tender, spiritual even. The crowd’s lights dimmed to soft whites, and the stadium fell nearly silent. When Martin sang, “This is a place where I feel at home,” you believed him.
The band returned to full power for “Charlie Brown,” and the mood lifted again. The LED wristbands burst into a storm of neon colors, and confetti cannons fired rainbow clouds into the air. It was pure Coldplay — youthful, melodic, and life-affirming. Then came “Yellow,” the song that started it all. The crowd’s wristbands turned the entire stadium gold, and Martin smiled as he sang those simple, immortal lines: “Look at the stars, look how they shine for you.” You could feel the nostalgia — twenty-five years into their career, the song still felt like a love letter between band and fans.
To close the act, they debuted “ALL MY LOVE,” a new track from their rumored upcoming release. It was romantic and soaring, filled with lush harmonies and an understated groove — a natural evolution of their Music of the Spheres sound.
Act III: Stars – Cosmic Connection
The stadium plunged into darkness as “Act III: Stars” appeared on the screens. From the B-stage, a strange robotic voice introduced “Human Heart.” The track, sung by The Weirdos (Coldplay’s animated avatars), was brief but mesmerizing. The lights pulsed gently to the rhythm of heartbeats, a reminder of the human core beneath all the cosmic imagery.
Then, the guitars roared to life with “People of the Pride.” Flames shot up from the stage, and the visuals transformed into a dystopian light show — all metallic blues and crimson bursts. Martin stalked the stage, his voice raw, his energy defiant. It was one of the night’s hardest-hitting songs, a rare glimpse of political edge and rock fury from a band known for its gentleness.
The tempo soared again with “Clocks.” Those iconic piano arpeggios still have the power to send chills down a spine. The lasers cut through the smoke, the band locked in tight, and Martin’s vocals soared. The performance reminded everyone why A Rush of Blood to the Head remains one of the greatest albums of the 2000s.
Then came something truly special — “WE PRAY,” performed with Elyanna and local guests Willow and Drago. The fusion of Arabic, English, and electronic sounds created a transcendent, world-embracing moment. The choreography, the lighting, and the message all combined into one of the most mesmerizing segments of the night. It was global pop at its finest — inclusive, emotional, and hopeful.
They kept the momentum with “Infinity Sign,” a brief but hypnotic interlude blending snippets of “Music of the Spheres II” and “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall.” The stadium turned into a sea of pulsing infinity symbols, and the line between band and audience dissolved completely.
From there, Coldplay launched into “Something Just Like This,” with The Chainsmokers appearing on the screens and Martin Garrix’s “Breakaway” remix transforming the outro into a dancefloor explosion. The crowd jumped, waved, and lost themselves in the beat. The band followed immediately with “My Universe,” their massive collaboration with BTS. The song’s inclusive message — “You are my universe, and I just want to put you first” — felt amplified by the sheer scale of the stadium.
Then came “A Sky Full of Stars.” Martin stopped the song after the first verse, smiling as he asked the audience, “Can we do something? Can you put your phones away? Just for one song. Let’s feel it.” And incredibly, people did. The next few minutes were pure magic — no screens, just 60,000 people singing under real stars visible through the open roof. The moment the chorus hit, confetti rained down like stardust, and you could feel the joy vibrating through the air.
Act IV: Home – Return to Earth
After a short interlude, Louis Armstrong’s voice filled the stadium — his famous speech introducing “What a Wonderful World.” The words blended into the gentle hum of “Sunrise.” The screens filled with warm light, and the band reappeared on the small C-stage in the middle of the crowd.
“Sparks” followed, one of the band’s earliest and most understated songs. It was a gift for the longtime fans, played softly and sweetly. Martin’s falsetto floated over minimal guitar and bass, and the intimacy was breathtaking in a venue so enormous.
Then came “Don’t Panic,” another deep cut from Parachutes. The crowd sang along to every word, the lights dimmed to a dreamy haze of violet and blue. It felt like a quiet acknowledgment of where it all began — four friends from London who somehow found their way to global superstardom without losing their hearts.
Next up was “The Jumbotron Song,” a playful interlude featuring a surprise virtual cameo from Céline Dion on the massive screens. The crowd roared in delight as Martin jokingly serenaded the pop icon with tongue-in-cheek flair. It was silly, self-aware, and perfectly Vegas.
Then came the emotional peak of the night — “Fix You.” The intro began with the gentle chords of “Biutyful” from Music of the Spheres, before seamlessly morphing into that unforgettable organ melody. Thousands of wristbands glowed white, like candles. Martin sang with his eyes closed, and when the song exploded into its cathartic finale — “Tears stream down your face…” — the entire stadium joined him. It was spiritual, transcendent, and impossible not to feel moved.
To close, Coldplay brought Elyanna and Willow back onstage for “GOOD FEELiNGS.” It was celebratory, full of dance and color, a joyous explosion of lights and movement. The band members looked visibly happy, soaking it all in as dancers twirled across the stage.
Finally, the night ended with “feelslikeimfallinginlove,” their latest single. It was the perfect closer — romantic, soaring, and unabashedly hopeful. The chorus (“Feels like I’m falling in love, maybe for the first time”) echoed like a benediction. As the final notes faded, a cascade of fireworks erupted over the stadium roof. Coldplay stood together, arms around each other, waving goodbye as the wristbands faded from bright neon to a warm, pulsing gold.
The Magic and the Message
What makes Coldplay unique in 2025 isn’t just their longevity — it’s their sincerity. They’ve built a career on emotion, optimism, and connection, and they’ve done it without irony. Martin’s relentless positivity can sometimes verge on corny, but in moments like this, it feels like a gift. In a world that’s often cynical, Coldplay still believes in joy.
Musically, the band remains tight and versatile. Jonny Buckland’s guitar work was understated brilliance all night — melodic, textural, and emotive. Guy Berryman’s bass anchored the sound with groove and subtlety, and Will Champion’s drumming was impeccable, driving the show’s dynamics with both force and finesse. The visuals, as always, were stunning — a kaleidoscope of cosmic imagery, sustainability messages, and immersive color.
Coldplay’s concerts have always been about inclusion. Every moment — from bringing fans onstage to encouraging the crowd to sing together — felt designed to erase the distance between performer and audience. Even in a 60,000-seat venue, Martin somehow made it feel like he was playing just for you.
The band’s commitment to sustainability also shone through. The stage lights were powered by renewable energy sources, the wristbands were recyclable, and they encouraged fans to bike or walk to the venue. For a group of their scale, it’s impressive how genuine their environmental mission feels — not performative, but purposeful.
The Verdict
By the time the last chord faded, it was clear why Coldplay continues to thrive while so many of their early-2000s peers have faded. They’ve embraced evolution without abandoning heart. They’ve made pop without shame, spectacle without ego, and love without irony.
Their show at Allegiant Stadium was everything a Coldplay concert should be: dazzling, emotional, communal, and cathartic. You left not just entertained, but uplifted — reminded that music still has the power to unite strangers and light up the dark.
Setlist:
Act I – Planets
Music of the Spheres
Higher Power
Adventure of a Lifetime
Paradise (extended intro and outro)
The Scientist (with excerpts of “Oceans” and backwards outro)
Act II – Moons
Viva la Vida (on B-Stage)
Hymn for the Weekend (on B-Stage)
Everglow (on B-Stage; piano version with fans)
Charlie Brown
Yellow
ALL MY LOVE
Act III – Stars
Human Heart (on B-Stage; shortened)
People of the Pride
Clocks
WE PRAY (with Elyanna, Willow, and Drago)
Infinity Sign (shortened; with excerpts of “Music of the Spheres II” & “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall”)
Something Just Like This (with The Chainsmokers; outro remixed with Martin Garrix’s “Breakaway”)
My Universe
A Sky Full of Stars (restarted; phones away)
Act IV – Home
Sunrise (with Louis Armstrong intro)
Sparks (on C-Stage)
Don’t Panic (on C-Stage)
The Jumbotron Song (with Céline Dion cameo)
Fix You (with “Biutyful” intro)
GOOD FEELiNGS (with Elyanna and Willow)
feelslikeimfallinginlove
Grade: A-