Coldplay announced it will not be going on a world tour for its latest album due to negative impacts concerts have on the environment. The band’s frontman, Chris Martin, told BBC News that instead, the band will be taking time to actively seeking ways for their next tour to be sustainable and “actively beneficial” to the environment. “Our next tour will be the best possible version of a tour like that, environmentally … We would be disappointed if it’s not carbon neutral,” Martin said. “The hardest thing is the flying side of things. But, for example, our dream is to have a show with no single-use plastic—to have it largely solar-powered.”

This news comes along with the release of Coldplay’s latest album, “Everyday Life.” Instead of going on a world tour to promote the album, the band performed two shows in Amman, Jordan, both of which are available to stream for free on YouTube. On Monday, Coldplay will also play a show at London’s Natural History Museum in the name of an environmental charity.

How Are Concerts Harmful To The Environment?

While a live concert can lead to an unforgettable night, its effect on the environment might also continue to serve as a painful, long-lasting memory.

According to the Green Touring Network, concerts mainly spur environmental concerns due to their hefty carbon footprint and large-scale usage of plastic.

Other factors to account for include the environmental costs of travel for both the artists and fans, lighting, food waste, and the mass production of merchandise, among others.

Coldplay Brainstorms Ways To Be More Environmentally Conscious

Coldplay’s manager, Dave Holmes, says the band has been making to “significant plans” to reduce their environmental impact since 2017.

In a statement to Billboard, Holmes said the band planned to continue meeting with environmental organizations and charities. Further, it plans to invest in projects that went “well beyond carbon offsetting.”

Perhaps Coldplay ’s most ambitious goal is to reduce the carbon footprint of fans. With high hopes to make touring carbon-neutral, the band has thought about offering subsidized public transport or ride-sharing schemes for fans to get to their concerts.

Last Coldplay Tour Brought In Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars

Last year, Coldplay’s “Head Full of Dreams” tour became the third highest-grossing tour of all time, raking in $523 million. Billboard reports the band traveled sold 5.4 million tickets throughout five continents. During the tour, the band visited 83 different venues, selling out 114 performances.

However, Coldplay has made it clear that their definition of “success” has shifted over the past few years. It’s a mentality prioritizing the planet over profit.

“We’ve done a lot of big tours at this point,” Martin said. “How do we turn it around so it’s not so much taking as giving?”

Summary and Takeaways

Coldplay is sacrificing a lot by suspending its tours, especially considering how much money it has generated in the past. However, the band’s striking decision is only fitting for an extremely urgent crisis.

Coldplay taught its fans to dream of paradise. By reducing the effects of climate change, Coldplay continues to give audiences a glimpse of what “paradise” could look like.