The Rock B(r)and of Sustainability: Coldplay's 'Music of the Spheres' India tour

How Coldplay has distinguished their brand with their sustainability initiative!

I made it to the Coldplay concert and it was magical watching one of my favorite bands perform live with 1.34 lakh people grooving along, this newsletter is dedicated to ‘Sustainability’—the brand that Coldplay has chosen to associate with their world tour!

How does this set them up differently from global performers like Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran who also perform to packed crowds but are not tied to a specific brand mission?

When Coldplay pledged in 2019 to pause touring until they could make it environmentally beneficial, many saw it as a career-risking move. Today, they have exceeded their 50% carbon reduction goal, achieving a remarkable 59% reduction. Their recent India concerts in Mumbai and Ahmedabad showcase how massive musical experiences and concerts can be environmentally responsible, without compromising fan experience.

Let’s break it down….

They could have easily just donated to organizations supporting sustainable causes but they ‘walk the talk’. Their brand is ‘Sustainable Touring’. This includes messaging, awareness, pledges, and pioneering a new formula for the music industry.

- First major band to pause touring for environmental redesign

- Pioneer in developing new sustainable technologies for concerts

- Creation of an open-source sustainability handbook for industry use

- Commitment of 10% of all earnings to environmental causes

How did they do this?

Taking Their Vision to Reality: ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour

The band's commitment to sustainability was evident not just at the concert but at every touchpoint:

Pre-Concert Innovation:

- Concert passes included plantable wildflower seed cards

- Detailed maps highlighting public transport options

- Comprehensive PWD access information

Technical Innovation & Infrastructure:

Power Generation:

- Custom-designed show batteries developed with BMW

- Kinetic dance floors converting fan movement into electricity

- Solar-powered batteries for stage operations

- Power bikes allowing fans to generate energy

Read the full article on my Substack newsletter - https://anneshadutta.substack.com/publish/post/156170813

From a fan!