As befits musicians with a reputation for being the wokest band in the world, Coldplay have set themselves the ambitious goal of making their world tour sustainable.
So committed are they that they claim they are determined to make the economy net zero by reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and using an electric battery system that allows them to use 100 percent renewable energy efficiently.
However, their decision to add two lucrative dates to the schedule in Perth, Australia, has raised questions about whether things are always as environmentally friendly as singer Chris Martin and his bandmates would like us to believe.
Eyebrows have been raised in the music industry over the detour from Asia to Oz, where they will perform for just two nights – but potentially earn millions.
Because, despite repeated claims in a very long statement, it appears that the self-proclaimed gods of greenery are building up quite a carbon footprint.
Eyebrows have been raised in the music industry over the detour from Asia to Oz, where they will perform for just two nights – but potentially earn millions. Pictured: Chris Martin
The band is taking a detour during the Asian leg of their tour to fly 3,000 kilometers from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they play on Wednesday, to Australia – and then another 4,200 kilometers back to Kuala Lumpur
In their mission statement, posted on their website and Instagram account, Devon-born Martin and his co-stars claim that their Music Of Spheres World Tour will be as ‘environmentally friendly as possible and will reduce our direct carbon emissions (from show production, freight, band and crew trips).
The band is taking a detour on the Asian leg of their tour to fly 2,000 miles from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they play Wednesday, to Australia — and then another 2,600 miles back to Kuala Lumpur in time for their Nov. 22 performance. It is believed that this happens in private jets.
An insider said: ‘Obviously Australia wants to see Coldplay and they have to get there somehow, but to bleat about cutting carbon emissions and then travel those distances makes you wonder if that’s the was the right decision.’
Both concerts at Perth’s Optus Stadium are sold out – with 120,000 tickets sold and the band expecting a return of around £12 million.
And Coldplay fans have been promised a ‘spectacular show’ that will be ‘bursting with lasers, fireworks and LED wristbands’.
The band is taking a detour during the Asian leg of their tour to fly 3,000 kilometers from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they play on Wednesday, to Australia – and then another 4,200 kilometers back to Kuala Lumpur
Although the band maintains that the laser lighting comes from an electric battery system and is therefore energy efficient, the combustion of fireworks emits greenhouse gases. And while Martin and his bandmates – guitarist Jonny Buckland and bassists Guy Berryman and Will Champion – have emphasized that the LED wristbands can be returned and reused, industry insiders say fans don’t normally do this.
A Coldplay spokesperson said: ‘The flight distance from Jakarta to Perth is 200 miles less than that from Perth to Sydney, which is why Perth was included in the Asian leg of the tour. For all band and crew flights, more than 80 percent of emissions are offset by the use of fossil fuel-free sustainable aviation fuel.
‘For fireworks, Coldplay uses a new generation of sustainable pyrotechnics that have less explosive charge and new formulas that greatly reduce harmful chemicals.
‘All confetti used is 100 percent biodegradable. “Coldplay has reduced their carbon emissions by 47 percent compared to the last tour – verified by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative – and aims to continue improving this as the tour progresses,” they said.