ISLAMABAD: British rock band Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin recently won admiration on social media for inviting a Pakistani fan onstage during their Abu Dhabi concert and dedicating their popular song ‘Everglow’ to people suffering war in Palestine and other countries.
Coldplay performed at Abu Dhabi on Jan. 9, returning to the UAE to perform for the first time since their powerhouse show at Expo 2020 Dubai. While entertaining thousands of fans in the crowd, Martin spotted a female fan holding a sign that read, “I traveled 10,000 km for this.”
Inviting her onstage, he asked where she’d come from, to which the woman named Kinza replied: “Pakistan.”
Martin responded that he had traveled from Los Angeles where “everything was on fire,” adding that it was very strange to witness.
“So maybe we can sing this song for your brothers and sisters in Pakistan,” he said to loud cheers from thousands of fans. “And our brothers and sisters in Iran. Our brothers and sisters in the West Bank and Gaza. You can sing.”
He then proceeded to perform the band’s popular song Everglow, much to the delight of the attendees.
Coldplay remains one of the most influential pop-rock acts since the late ‘90s. With guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion filling out the lineup, the British musicians have long been fixtures on the charts with Hot 100 hits 2001’s “Yellow,” 2008’s “Viva La Vida,” and 2017’s “Something Just Like This.”
The band’s concert in Abu Dhabi was a visual and auditory spectacle, with fans wearing glowing wristbands that pulsed in sync with the music. There were bursts of confetti, large, illuminated planets suspended throughout the stadium where the concert was held, and balloons floating across the crowd during the band’s performance.
Coldplay are scheduled to perform in the UAE capital today, Jan. 14 as well.
In moving gesture, Coldplay’s Chris Martin invites Pakistani fan onstage at Abu Dhabi concert
https://arab.news/2t5fz
In moving gesture, Coldplay’s Chris Martin invites Pakistani fan onstage at Abu Dhabi concert
- Chris Martin dedicates band’s popular song ‘Everglow’ to people in West Bank, Gaza, Pakistan and Iran
- Coldplay, one of the most influential pop-rock acts since late ‘90s, is known for vibrant concerts, fan interactions
Jessica Alba hails AlUla during Saudi Arabia visit
- On her Instagram profile, Alba described AlUla as “pure magic, calm, protected, deeply serene”
LONDON: Hollywood star Jessica Alba shared her admiration for AlUla during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, sharing a video of the ancient desert destination on her social media channels.
The short clip, posted Dec. 10, showed the “Fantastic Four” star spinning on the spot with the famous rock formations in the background.
On her Instagram profile, she described AlUla as “pure magic, calm, protected, deeply serene,” adding: “Every direction carried the weight and beauty of ancient history - like wandering through a living museum.”
The actress was in the Kingdom earlier this month to attend the Red Sea International Film Festival.
The actress was among a host of global stars who attended the the fifth edition of the RSlFF, which kicked off on Dec. 4 with a glittering red-carpet ceremony at Culture Square, the festival’s open-air hub.
Alba joined an A-list lineup that included the likes of Adrien Brody, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kirsten Dunst, Vin Diesel, Queen Latifah, Dakota Johnson, Ana de Armas, Riz Ahmed, Naomie Harris and Uma Thurman, alongside Saudi, regional stars and international film legends.
The event ran until Dec. 13 and showcased more than 100 films from over 50 countries, with its mission to bridge East and West while spotlighting voices from the Middle East and Africa.
During her visit to the Kingdom, Alba also shared several “get ready with me” clips and behind-the-scenes shots from the red carpet ceremony.
Alba’s visit comes as Saudi Arabia continues to attract global creatives and cultural figures, with AlUla increasingly positioned as a must-visit destination for international visitors as well as a shooting location for some of Hollywood’s biggest studios.
