Coldplay are one of the biggest bands in the world, having sold over 100 million records worldwide since forming in 1996. The British rock band, fronted by Chris Martin, are known for hits like “Yellow”, “Clocks” and “Viva La Vida”. Their ninth studio album, Music of the Spheres, was released in 2021.
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, has a population of over 2 million people. The city is known for its sunny climate, beautiful beaches and thriving arts scene. Perth Arena is a world-class indoor stadium located in the heart of the city, with a capacity of over 15,000 people.
Many music fans in Perth are wondering if Coldplay will visit the city as part of their Music of the Spheres world tour in 2023. The band are known for their spectacular live shows featuring confetti, lasers, dancing and interactive LED wristbands worn by the audience.
Coldplay’s 2022 Tour
Coldplay kicked off their Music of the Spheres tour in Costa Rica in March 2022. The tour has since visited the USA, Europe, UK and South America.
Some key stats from Coldplay’s 2022 tour so far:
Number of shows: | 101 |
Setlist length: | About 22 songs |
Total attendance: | Over 4 million |
Highest grossing show: | $17 million, 2 shows at Wembley Stadium in London |
The tour has been critically acclaimed for its elaborate production and the band’s energetic performance. It is on pace to be the highest grossing tour of 2022.
Notable concerts in 2022:
- 6 nights at Estadio River Plate in Buenos Aires
- 8 shows at Wembley Stadium in London
- 3 concerts at Stade de France in Paris
- 2 nights at Olympiastadion in Munich
Coldplay played 10 concerts in Australia and New Zealand in November 2022, hitting major venues in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Auckland.
Will Coldplay visit Perth in 2023?
At this stage, Coldplay have not announced any shows in Perth as part of their 2023 tour plans. The band tend to announce new tour dates and locations a few months in advance.
Some key factors that could determine if Coldplay will play Perth Arena in 2023:
- Routing – Perth may fit within their broader Australia/Asia tour routing
- Demand – Strong ticket sales from their 2022 Australia tour may prompt addition shows
- Availability – Securing dates at Perth Arena that don’t clash with other events
- Logistics – Shipment of massive stage setup across continents is complex
Here are Coldplay’s Australia dates in 2022:
October 22 | Brisbane |
October 25 | Sydney |
October 28 | Melbourne |
November 1 | Adelaide |
November 4 | Melbourne |
November 5 | Melbourne |
They played multiple dates in Sydney and Melbourne, indicating very strong ticket sales. This bodes well for additional shows being added if the band return to Australia in 2023.
Past Coldplay concerts in Perth
Coldplay have a history of playing in Perth, treating West Australian fans to spectacular shows:
- 2003 – Belvoir Amphitheater – Clocks Tour
- 2006 – Subiaco Oval – Twisted Logic Tour
- 2012 – Perth Arena – Mylo Xyloto Tour
- 2016 – Domain Stadium – A Head Full of Dreams Tour
Interestingly, the band have not played Perth on their last two tours – the Ghost Stories Tour in 2014 and Everyday Life Tour in 2019. So fans may feel it’s Perth’s turn to host Coldplay again.
Setlist Predictions for a Potential Perth Show
If Coldplay were to announce a show at Perth Arena in 2023, what kind of setlist could fans expect?
Given the structure of their 2022 setlists, we can make reasonable predictions. Here is a potential 25 song setlist:
1. | Higher Power |
2. | Adventure of a Lifetime |
3. | Paradise |
4. | Charlie Brown |
5. | The Scientist |
6. | Viva La Vida |
7. | Hymn for the Weekend |
8. | Let Somebody Go |
9. | Politik |
10. | In My Place |
11. | Yellow |
12. | Human Heart |
13. | People of the Pride |
14. | Clocks |
15. | Fix You |
16. | A Sky Full of Stars |
17. | Sparks |
18. | My Universe |
19. | Something Just Like This |
20. | Midnight |
21. | Coloratura |
22. | Humankind |
23. | A Head Full of Dreams |
24. | Up&Up |
25. | Everyday Life |
Key features:
- A mix of new songs and classic hits
- Emphasis on Music of the Spheres in first third
- Acoustic segment in middle third
- Big anthemic songs in final third
- Showcases new artistry and technology
Of course, Coldplay are sure to shake up their setlist if they tour in 2023, keeping the show fresh for fans who attended in 2022. But the above provides a reasonable picture of what a Perth show could be like.
Ticket Availability
Given Coldplay’s immense popularity, if they do announce a Perth date, tickets are sure to sell out extremely quickly.
Here are some tips for fans hoping to secure tickets:
- Register for pre-sale access – many ticketing sites allow you to register for priority access before general public on-sale
- Get online ahead of time – be logged in to ticketing sites ahead of the on-sale time and keep refreshing
- Try for single seats – it’s harder to get seats together, so single seats may remain available after others sell out
- Don’t give up – tickets often get released in subsequent on-sales as promoter holds and production holds are released
Due to the huge demand, tickets will be scarce and likely very expensive on resale sites. Buying directly from the official ticket retailer gives the best chance at face value pricing.
Given Perth Arena’s 15,000 capacity, there would likely be huge demand for any Coldplay gig, from both WA fans and interstate/overseas visitors.
Comparable Concert Ticket Data
Here are some examples of recent Perth Arena concert ticket prices and demand to give an indication of what Coldplay tickets could cost:
Artist | Cheapest Ticket | Most Expensive Ticket | Sell Out Time |
The Weeknd | $130 | $330 | 2 hours |
Justin Bieber | $160 | $330 | 90 minutes |
Elton John | $99 | $399 | 2 days |
While not directly comparable, this table indicates the ferocity of demand for top level artists in Perth. Coldplay would likely sell out just as fast, if not faster than Bieber or The Weeknd.
Given Coldplay’s production demands, the per ticket revenue would need to be relatively high. An average ticket price around $200-250 would be reasonable to expect.
Impact for the Local Economy
If Coldplay do announce a Perth date, it would be a major boost for the local economy. The economic impact analysis below is based on a one night show at Perth Arena:
Total attendance | 15,000 |
Average ticket price | $225 |
Total ticket revenue | $3.375 million |
Average per person spending* | $100 |
Total other spending | $1.5 million |
Total direct spending | $4.875 million |
*On food, drinks, transport, hotels, merchandise etc.
A sold-out Coldplay show could generate close to $5 million in direct spending in Perth. When the wider economic multiplier effect is considered, the total financial boost could be up to $10 million.
There is also the hard-to-quantify benefit of Perth hosting a globally renowned act like Coldplay. It enhances the city’s reputation as a destination for top-tier live music.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while not yet confirmed, there is a strong chance that Coldplay will announce a Perth date for their 2023 tour. They have a long history of visiting the city and their 2022 Australia dates indicate strong demand.
If the massive Music of the Spheres production can be routed to Perth Arena, local fans would be in for an unforgettable spectacle. The show would also deliver a welcome economic boost to local businesses. Perth’s passionate fanbase will eagerly await official tour news from the band in the coming months.