Coldplay kicked off their European tour with a show broadcast around the world. The band, due to top the charts with new album Mylo Xyloto this weekend, launched their latest release with an outdoor show in Madrid's premier bull ring. As fans at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas arena came under a hail of ticker tape, balloons and heavy rain showers, frontman Chris Martin told them: "We have the best fans in the world no question."Photographer and film-maker Anton Corbijn directed the show, which was broadcast live on YouTube. Fans wore illuminated LED wristbands, filling the venue with flashing lights.
The band have played a handful of shows this year, including a headline slot at Glastonbury, but tonight's gig marks the beginning of the European tour. Coldplay - now five albums into their career - mixed older hits such as Yellow, Politik and The Scientist with more recent material such as Lost and Violet Hill, along with songs from their new release, including Paradise.
The band launched the album with a press conference in the city but will return home for a low-key show in Norwich. Further UK gigs, including four arena dates, take place next month. British band Coldplay is withholding Mylo Xyloto from all-you-can-listen streaming services such as Spotify and Rhapsody. It is the biggest band yet to express reservations about a system that pays artists a fraction of a penny per song played.
Coldplay's recording company EMI said in a statement: "We always work with our artists and their management on a case by case basis to deliver the best outcome for each release."Rhapsody CEO Jon Irwin said he respects the band's decision and added that he needs to do a better job explaining the benefits of the system to artists.