British rock band—Coldplay kicked off its 2024 Music of the Spheres World Tour in Manila, taking the audiences on an incredible journey through the universe!

The Grammy Award-winning group returned to the Philippines after their “A Head Full of Dreams” tour in 2017, and now the “Music of the Spheres” tour had even a huge reception—stretching to a 2-night sold-out show!

I was one of the lucky fans who went to the opening night at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue Bulacan to witness the band’s greatest show—and they did not disappoint! It was by far the best one I’ve seen from the list of The Script, Panic at the Disco, OneRepublic, and Bruno Mars—among others.

Compared to die-hard supporters, I consider myself a casual fan who listens to their music—and given that they already have incredible talent, it’s how they connect and immerse their music to their audience—that amazed me.

The tour brought to Manila was not just Coldplay’s return to live performance but also with an environmental approach. Before their performance began, the group played a short video to show the tour’s sustainable efforts, which included lit-up wristbands made from plant-based materials.

Coldplay set up the night with “Higher Power” and “Adventure of a Lifetime,” turning up the lights and lasers, dropping giant balloons, and lit up the lights from the wristbands that each of us wore. Chris Martin, the band vocalist, invited a fan onstage and four lucky audience members sitting at the back of the arena. The fan-requested “Everglow,” to which Chris happily performed for them—also treating it as a tribute to the band’s friends who passed away. The night went on when Chris pulled out a pride flag for “People of the Pride.”

The band also performed their greatest hits— “The Scientist,” “Paradise,” “Yellow,” “Fix You,” and “Viva La Vida.” The fans—especially the BTS army were off their feet when the band performed “My Universe” and “Something Just Like This”—which Chris performed while also doing sign language.

Chris performed the chorus of Lola Amour’s “Raining in Manila.” He then invited the group to play the song onstage.

All throughout the night, Chris communicated with the audience—greeting them and thanking them using the local language Filipino—”Maraming maraming salamat. Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Masaya kaming bumalik sa Pilipinas.”

It was a magical night, seeing the band connecting with the audience—not just because of the lights and lasers or the balloons, but by staying on them—checking, communicating, learning a bit of the language, being inclusive, and sending their voice and message.

Before the band performed “A Sky Full of Stars,” Chris asked the audience to sing with them without any phones or cameras. Most fans obliged with the request, and it was a heartfelt moment as blue lights flickered throughout the song and ended with a beautiful confetti.

Coldplay Music of the Spheres 2024 Manila Setlist:

1. Higher Power
2. Adventure of a Lifetime
3. Paradise
4. The Scientist
5. Viva la Vida
6. Hymn for the Weekend
7. Everglow
8. Charlie Brown
9. Yellow
10. Human Heart
11. People of the Pride
12. Clocks
13. Infinity Sign
14. Something Just Like This
15. Midnight
16. My Universe
17. A Sky Full of Stars
18. Sparks
19. Raining in Manila
20. Fix You

How about you? Are you a fan of Coldplay or just a casual listener? Let me know your thoughts below!