Coldplay, Glastonbury 2016, review: Kings of colourful emotion

The band proves fourth time really is the charm as they headline Glastonbury's Sunday night

Jamie Wiseman
Monday 27 June 2016 00:25 BST
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There we are for another year. Five days, three stunning headliners and one Brexit later, Glastonbury 2016 comes to a glittering and ecstatic finale with four-time headliners Coldplay.

Somehow, Chris Martin and co. seem to get better every time they walk onto the Pyramid stage, this time being no different; the frontman calling it "our favourite place in the world". You can see why; this spectacular live band and this great stage seem completely entwined.

As always, the show kicks off with multicoloured fireworks and showers of glitter, while dozens of red flares leave the Pyramid Stage engulfed in a cloud of smoke. As it clears away, the band launch into well-known crowd pleaser "Yellow", the glowing wristbands attached to almost every arm flashing vibrantly, creating a sea of colour in the muddy field.

After "Every Tear Drop Is A Waterfall", Martin takes a seat at the piano for "The Scientist". It's only now, as the crowd hug and link arms, that you remember why Coldplay have headlined this stage more than any band in the festival's history - they are kings of colourful emotion.

The full power of Coldplay's technical wizardry is revealed with the stunning light show. Both Muse and Adele both used the shock and awe tactics for the previous night's, but neither came close to this spectacle. Sure, they may not be everyone's cup of tea, but you can't deny Coldplay know how to put on a show.

As the watchful eye of Bowie's lightning bolt looks down from above the stage, they send the crowd into another singalong with "Clocks". It is, however, "Fix You" that is, and probably always will be, the jewel in the crown of their set list.

Glastonbury Festival kicks off

Rather than Bowie's "Heroes", we then have a fitting tribute to the members of Viola Beach, in which a video of the fallen band flickers onscreen before Coldplay join in; a momentous, touching moment filled with sadness and celebration.

A quick singalong of "Amazing Grace" lulls the crowd into an even more lethargic mood before the headliners reveal their guest appearance. Rather than Rihanna or Beyonce - two of the names thrown around the rumour mill pre-show - Bee Gees legend Barry Gibb appears for what Chris Martin calls "The greatest song of all time", "Staying Alive".


Even after this Coldplay have one last trick up their sleeve - as the main man himself, Michael Eavis, appears on stage, shoulder to shoulder with his headline act for a karaoke classic "I Did It My Way", closing the Sunday night with an emotional farewell, proving fourth time really is the charm.

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