The Excitement Builds for Coldplay’s Historic Concerts in Abu Dhabi
The biggest live music events in the United Arab Emirates are just around the corner, and anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. Coldplay, the globally acclaimed band, is set to perform four highly anticipated shows at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi this January. If you haven’t heard the news yet (where have you been hiding?), these concerts have sold out in a flash, prompting the addition of extra shows to accommodate the overwhelming demand.
Scheduled for Thursday, January 9, Saturday, January 11, Sunday, January 12, and Tuesday, January 14, these concerts will be part of Coldplay’s ongoing ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour, which celebrates their delightful 2021 album of the same name. With a staggering capacity of 45,000 seats at Zayed Sports City Stadium, these concerts are expected to draw an impressive crowd of around 160,000 attendees, marking them as the largest open-air concerts in the history of the UAE.
While the official setlist for the Abu Dhabi concerts has yet to be confirmed, we can glean insights from the songs played during Coldplay’s recent 2024 performances across New Zealand, Australia, the USA, and Europe. Fans are undoubtedly eager to see which of their favorite tracks will make the cut.
What to Expect at Coldplay’s Abu Dhabi Shows
The setlist is expected to blend classic hits with tracks from Coldplay’s latest albums, promising a thrilling experience for all attendees. Opening acts for the Abu Dhabi shows include the talented Zimbabwean artist Shone and the Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna. The concerts are divided into four vibrant acts—Planets, Moons, Stars, and Home—each adding a unique visual flair to the performance.
In an interview with Setlist.fm, frontman Chris Martin elaborated on the reasoning behind the four-act structure. The show typically kicks off with the ethereal “Light Through the Veins” by Jon Hopkins, followed by the iconic Flying Theme from the beloved 1982 film E.T. As the first act, Planets, commences, fans can expect to hear:
- Higher Power from Music of the Spheres
- Adventure of a Lifetime from A Head Full of Dreams
- Paradise from Mylo Xyloto
- The Scientist from A Rush of Blood to the Head
According to Martin, the opening act embodies the theme of “recognizing the greater magic in the universe and choosing to seek it out.” During “Adventure of a Lifetime,” expect vibrant, colorful beach balls to be tossed out into the audience, creating an immersive experience.
The second act, Moons, reflects on the challenges we face in life. The anticipated songs for this segment include:
- Viva la Vida from Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
- Hymn for the Weekend from A Head Full of Dreams
- God Put a Smile Upon Your Face from A Rush of Blood to the Head
- Yellow from Parachutes
- ALL MY LOVE from Moon Music
Additionally, a special song will be performed between Hymn for the Weekend and God Put a Smile Upon Your Face, with options including Everglow, Magic, Don’t Panic, and Up&Up featured in 2024.
The third act, Stars, celebrates love for all people, regardless of background. Anticipated songs in this segment include:
- Human Heart from Music of the Spheres
- People of the Pride from Music of the Spheres
- Clocks from A Rush of Blood to the Head
- Infinity Sign from Music of the Spheres
- Something Just Like This (cover of The Chainsmokers)
- My Universe from Music of the Spheres
- A Sky Full of Stars from Ghost Stories
During this act, expect Elyanna to join Coldplay on stage for We Pray, as she has previously performed it live with them at Glastonbury.
Finally, the fourth act, Home, emphasizes self-love and appreciating the beauty in the world. The act begins with a poignant video of Louis Armstrong’s introduction to his timeless classic, What A Wonderful World, featuring the following songs:
- Sparks from Parachutes
- The Jumbotron Song, showcasing audience members on the big screen
- Fix You from X&Y
- GOOD FEELiNGS from Moon Music
- feelslikeimfallinginlove from Moon Music
The ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour has been a lengthy journey, having previously graced Dubai with a free concert at Expo City in 2022. For those lucky enough to secure tickets, be sure to check out the official seating plan to know precisely where you’ll be enjoying the event.
Concert Dates: Thu Jan 9, Sat Jan 11, Sun Jan 12, Tue Jan 14. Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi. For more details, visit livenation.me.
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