Coldplay released their tenth album “Moon Music” on Oct. 4, and it has already set new standards for the music industry and artists’ impact on the environment. The album contains upbeat music with lyrics that embrace human connection and unity, which has already gained support from students.
Coldplay’s new record is the world’s first EcoRecord, a vinyl created from nine recycled plastic bottles, and their CDs are made from 90% recycled polycarbonate. The vinyls and CDs combined will decrease carbon emissions in production by 80%. One student from the school shared his favorable opinion on Coldplay’s environmental impact and inclusivity.
“I feel like [EcoRecords] would definitely help with our pollution problem,” senior Miles Marroquin said. “Records are made out of a plastic that isn’t easily recyclable, and maybe these records will help in a small way.”
Over the past two years, Coldplay has traveled all over the world for their tour, Music of the Spheres, and they have promoted environmentally sustainable concerts in ways that have never been done before. Each ticket purchased will plant one tree in countries in need. As of Oct. 12, over 8 million trees have been planted around the world. The band’s contributions to making the world a cleaner place have been historic.
“That is actually incredible,” senior Julia Quezada said. “It’s a small amount of trees [compared to] ones that are already being cut down, but where there’s a will there’s a way and they are one-hundred percent showing us that.”
In addition to making environmental contributions before shows, Coldplay’s concerts have floor tiles placed in the pit section to create kinetic energy when fans jump up and down, which powers the shows. Power bikes are also placed around the venue and fans hop on and power show batteries through their pedaling as Coldplay performs. After the show, the band encourages fans to return their LED bracelet so it can be recycled. As of June 3, the tour has reduced carbon emissions by 59%.
“I think that this is so cool and it creates a great experience for everyone,” senior Mackenzie Sheridan said. “It’s very unique from other bands and artists.”
Coldplay is determined to include everyone in their concert experience. For deaf and hard of hearing guests, interpreters are offered as well as SUBPACS, which are packs that go on the person’s back to feel the vibrations of the bass. For concert goers with sensory sensitivities, Coldplay teamed up with KultureCity to provide sensory bags for spectators who need them. They also allow blind guests to take a touch tour before the show.
“As someone who is hard-of-hearing, I would love to watch an interpreter on stage, as well as having the vibrating vest,” Marroquin said. “That would be really cool because that’s how I hear best.”
After creating and releasing their tenth album, Chris Martin, the lead singer for Coldplay announced in an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music that after the band’s twelfth album comes out the band will retire.
“Having that limit means that quality control is so high right now,” Martin said in the interview, “for a song to make it [onto the album is] almost impossible, which is great.”
Coldplay will stop recording their music in 2025 but will continue with the Music of the Spheres tour until Sep. 8, 2025.
“My jaw actually dropped hearing that news,” Quezada said. “Coldplay has done so much environmentally and musically. They’ve made really good songs all while being aware and active in their community and around the world.”
