Somewhere along the line, Coldplay decided they weren't going to be stuck in a non-descript montotone palate as artists. After developing their persona as a band who could not only write hits, but could dynamically perform them and get involved with a globally conscious twist, Coldplay has become one of the most famous rock bands in the world, showering the mainstream world with joy and color and music. In fact, Martin & Co.'s new EP is even called Kaleidoscope.
Perhaps you've seen the band tour (in fact, you can get tickets for their 2017 run here), with their rainbow-hued pianos and brightly colored flower strands. Frontman Chris Martin is key in maintaining their sunny image—always smiling and with endless energy. Martin's eye for color has sprinkled the band's onstage aesthetic, along with their everyday look, with brilliance. Here's a look at Martin's most colorful moments:
'Yellow'
Let's start off with the most literal and obvious, shall we? One of Coldplay's most memorable and longstanding hits was named after a color! "'Yellow' refers to the mood of the band," Martin said in the band's 2010 biography, Viva Coldplay. "Brightness and hope and devotion. It's quite concise—you don't have ot expand on it. It strikes a chord." "Yellow" represents the feeling of warmth and love written about in the 2000 song. We wouldn't be surprised if Martin had chromesthesia.
The Lyrics
Among Martin's more colorful lyrics:
"Be a bright red rose come bursting the concrete" - "Charlie Brown" (2012)
"And stand here beside me baby, watch the orange glow" - "A Rush of Blood to the Head" (2002)
"Look at the stars / Look how they shine for you / And everything you do / Yeah they were all yellow" - "Yellow" (2000)
"That I could never go on without you, green eyes" - "Green Eyes" (2002)
"Now the sky could be blue / I don't mind / Without you it's a waste of time" - "Strawberry Swing" (2008)
"Like an eagle you circled in perfect purple" - "Everglow" (2015)
The Live Show
If you've seen Coldplay in concert, you know how they bring out every color imaginable. Martin's microphone is blasted with different shades of spray paint, flowers are strewn over the amps and the piano looks like it sat in a paintball course for a few years. Not to mention the backdrop and the lighting! But along with the stage design, the crowd gets colorful too. Each fan is decked out with an LED wristband which blinks different colors, so that everyone in the audience can be in sync, creating an ocean of ROYGBIV.
His Shoes
At first glance, it may look like Martin is a simple T-shirt and jeans kind of guy. But everything he wears is customized, with little details that exude rainbow vibes. His pair of customized Jordan Spizike sneakers got some attention after he wore them at 2016's Super Bowl Halftime Show. In a press conference, he revealed that his then-9-year-old son, Moses, had a hand in designing them.
Band on the Street
Remember when Martin took to the streets in the "Sky Full of Stars" video with a bouqet of bright red tulips strapped to his guitar? Along with being physically colorful, you can't help but feel a little color in your soul when watching the video, where Martin and his bandmates get people out of stores and restaurants to dance in the street, confetti fluttering down.
Album designs
From X&Y to Mylo Xyloto to A Head Full of Dreams, the albums in the later half of their discography are vividly decorated with reds, oranges, blues, yellows and greens. Maybe the colors represent the band's dive into more atmospheric electronic sounds. Maybe they wanted to just spread some brightness in what can be a very dark world. Either way, there's nothing more beautiful than color. Just check out the surrealist design on the A Head Full of Dreams vinyl above.
Trip to India
Coldplay embraced the culture of the annual Holi festival in Mumbai’s Worli Village for their "Hymn for the Weekend" video. With vibrant festival costumes and colored powder (which Americans associate with The Color Run, but actually originates back to this traditional event) tossed about, the video was a spectacle and represented the beauty that humans create together. Togetherness and love are two of Martin's biggest priorities.
