The Best Moments of the 10 Coldplay Shows in Argentina

Adrenaline running high. Alarms on to get the tickets. Chords, emotions, screams, and pogos. Regardless of who steps on stage, a show in Argentina is an unparalleled experience. Artists feel people’s energy through the vibrations of the ground, the songs of the stalls, and the posters of the first rows… Through people’s wet eyes, the intonations of world hymns, and the applause... For all these Argentinian elements, it is no wonder why bands choose Buenos Aires to celebrate music. Beginning and/or closing tours here, ticket sale records, and stadiums full of fans anxious to listen to their favourite songs prove that the musical phenomenon finds its best version in national territory.

Over the years, different musical groups have come together to experience first-hand that energetic myth that resonates so much in the music industry. Just upon playing the first chords, artists can confirm it: there is nothing like the Argentinian audience. And no one knows better about the magic of the Argentina fans than Chris Martin. The leader of the British band Coldplay declares himself passionate about the country and shows it on each tour. The last time they played live was to open and close the A Head Full of Dreams tour, between 2016 and 2017. This time, they doubled down and went far beyond because they broke all the local records (beating Roger Waters, The Rolling Stones, and Soda Stereo).

Ten full River Plate stadiums. Ten shows with unique surprises. Ten opportunities to continue developing the loving bond between the musicians and their fans. Ten nights with a special microclimate, one that only Chris Martin, Will Champion, Guy Berryman, and Jonny Buckland can create: A breath of fresh air upon watching Coldplay live.

What were the best moments of Coldplay shows in Argentina?

Two Shows Were Broadcasted in 81 Theatres around the World

The ticket sale record could not go unnoticed worldwide. It deserved being broadcasted because the Coldplay shows in Argentina have something special. And there’s nothing more beautiful than showing that energy on the big screen. The shows of 28th and 29th October were recorded and broadcasted live to offer the most beautiful end-of-year gift: a show where magic is felt even without being present. Different cinemas around the world booked the dates to join to a part of the tour in Argentina from a distance. The broadcast topped the box office charts in Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and the Netherlands and was directed by BAFTA winner and Grammy-nominated Paul Dugdale.

Two National Anthems with the Members of Soda Stereo

One of the biggest bands in the country, Iconic, avant-garde, and legendary: Soda Stereo’s rock and lyrics go deep inside Argentinian’s hearts. The band led by Gustavo Cerati marked a turning point in Latin American musical history.

Chris Martin has always claimed himself a great admirer of Cerati’s art and, after his death in 2014, he took it upon himself to honour him accordingly in the country with the End of the World. Coldplay had already played live one of Soda’s best-known songs, De música ligera, in 2017; but, on 7th and 8th November, his fanaticism was taken to another level: the two founders of the group got on stage, Zeta Bosio (bass player) and Charly Alberti (drums). The setlist not only included De música ligera, but also expanded the repertoire to another of the greatest hits, Persiana Americana. The audience went crazy, words of gratitude were uttered for Gustavo Cerati, and the rest was history. With Coldplay’s distinctive humbleness, Will Champion, the drum player, gave Charly his own drums and accompanied him with the tambourine. Chris Martin was in charge of encouraging the ovation for the Argentinian musicians, and the gratitude was very clear: Gracias totales. The most representative national phrase was also worn as an immortalised tattoo on one of the English frontman’s arms.

In addition to those two songs, Soda’s former members also played Yellow, with the stadium lit up in yellow sparkles.

The First Live Performance of The Astronaut, Jin’s Single from BTS

They had already done a collaboration together: My Universe combines Coldplay’s characteristic energy with the pop touches of BTS, the South Korean band that is a worldwide boom. This time, one of the BTS members and the English band co-wrote a new song. The place to make the official presentation? Buenos Aires, of course. On 28th October, Jin took the River Plate stage to sing for the first time the song about the musician’s bond with his fans. Among hugs, the connection among the artists was perceived in the whole stadium, which welcomed the singer with open arms.

 Chris Marti’s duet with Tini

The queen of pop and reggaeton of the moment, Tini Stoessel, was also part of the Coldplay highlights in Núñez. In a solo by Chris Martin on the piano, the lights of the stadium shone in blue with the melody of Let Somebody Go, the song he recorded with Selena Gomez and is part of his last album, Music of the Spheres. On 1st and 2nd November, the American singer’s voice was replaced by Tini’s live, combining original parts of the lyrics with some verses in Spanish. The audience shouted at her appearing in celebration, Tini was moved, and Chris celebrated the talent in Argentina.

Golshifteh Farahni’s Participation, and the Iranian Song Broadcasted to the World

It is common knowledge that Coldplay gets involved in global humanitarian causes. Their CDs cross cultures, their shows take into account an environmental aspect, and the energy always vibrating is love as a human condition. Within a sensitive context in Iran, Chris, Guy, Will, and Jonny invited the exiled actress Golshifteh Farahni to sing the verses of what has become an Iranian protest song. The artist sang in Farsi the song written by one of the most popular musicians in Iran, Shervin Hajipour. The lyrics are a compilation of different social media posts made by citizens protesting against the country’s regime. Upon publishing the melody, the singer was arrested, and the song was removed from the sm. The British band enabled the possibility of making the song viral again on a historic date broadcasted in theatres around the world.

The Iconic Songs that Haven’t Been Played in a Long Time

This is a section for fans because acoustic versions of old songs that haven’t been heard for a long time shone on our floor. Shiver, Don't Panic, Violet Hill, and Til Kingdom Come are some of the band’s icons played throughout the 10 memorable shows. At the same time, the all-time classics had their turn under the limelight, accompanied by a moved audience singing along: Fix you, Yellow, Viva la Vida, The Scientist, and Paradise were there on every date.

Manuel Turizo in the Closing of the Tour 

The Colombian musician, with barely 22 years of age, got on the alternative stage with the members of the band that filled 10 River Plate stadiums. On a par with them, he took over the show and sang his great success, La Bachata, with thousands of Argentinians cheering for his contagious music. Coldplay’s four members accompanying was simply sublime: respect, admiration, and empathy.

The Percussion Moment with La Bomba de Tiempo

Red overalls in Argentina only mean one thing: more than 15 people creating the most wonderful percussion sessions in the country. La Bomba de Tiempo began 16 years ago and continues being successful: in addition to showing up every Monday of the month at the Konex Cultural Center and delighting locals and foreigners with their show of unique rhythms, now they can also add "Play with Coldplay" to their list of successes. And this can’t be underestimated because they were responsible for the true closing of the unforgettable 10 shows on Argentinian soil. On 8th November, with excitement hanging in the air (which Chris Martin couldn’t hide), the chords of the last 2 songs of the show, Fix You and Biutyful, were accompanied by the drums and percussion instruments of the Argentinian musicians.