Images

Coldplay’s Chris Martin apologises for colonialism at his Mumbai concert

Coldplay’s Chris Martin apologises for colonialism at his Mumbai concert

Let’s just say, an indirect apology for colonialism from Coldplay was not on our 2025 bingo cards.
20 Jan, 2025

In a rather strange and unexpected move, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin thanked concertgoers in India for forgiving the band for “all of the bad things Great Britain has done”.

Let’s just say, an indirect apology for colonialism from the ‘Viva La Vida’ singer was not on our 2025 bingo cards.

During their performance in Mumbai, Martin said, “It’s amazing to us that you welcome us even though we are from Great Britain. Thank you for forgiving us for all of the bad things Great Britain has done.”

If you were literally born yesterday, the British Raj lasted approximately 89 years from 1858 to 1947, when England colonised the Indian subcontinent and imposed the British monarch’s rule in the region.

Seventy-eight years later, a pop singer from the colonising country is apologetic even though we doubt anyone in the audience, in their wildest fantasies, expected he would do this.

Coldplay concerts are known for their grandeur and fun vibes, and on this leg of the tour, Martin has definitely kept things interesting. Earlier, during a performance in the UAE, the band called a Pakistani woman on stage before performing ‘Everglow’, which Martin dedicated to the people in Pakistan, Gaza, the West Bank and Iran.

While that moment was sweet, this more recent thing from the Mumbai concert is screaming white guilt. As always, social media users had some hilarious reactions to his statement.

Of course, most people just wanted the Koh-i-Noor diamond back, one of the largest cut diamonds in the world which was found in the subcontinent and now rests on the Crown of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (yes, that’s its full official name).

Another netizen demanded that he return “all the stolen items”.

Meanwhile, some people believed that the singer was “healing generational trauma”… which seemed a little far-fetched to us. Perhaps the occasional breakup trauma with his music, but intergenerational trauma? With an apology. Highly unlikely.

Another user questioned when the audience forgave them, given that Martin was thanking the concertgoers.

However, the best take was from the person asking for a “free concert next time as reparations”.

If that is the case, dear Chris let us remind you that Pakistan was part of the colonised Indian subcontinent and if your white guilt leads you to perform for free, then we should get a free concert too! Coldplay in Karachi, when?

Comments

Laila Jan 20, 2025 02:48pm
I am not envious at all of those who have attended and got to see Coldplay live in concert. Sadly we will never have international artists performing in concert in Pakistan. The closest we can get is Dubai, Saudi Arabia (imagine that!), Turkey, China and Korea. Indians are lucky. Sigh.
Recommend
Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jan 20, 2025 03:27pm
It's no more Great.
Recommend
Tahmad Jan 20, 2025 05:24pm
Let’s make this concert evens in all major cities besides Mumbai, Dhaka, Karachi and Lahore because Bangladesh and Pakistan were part of under British era before 1947.
Recommend
Anonymouseee Jan 20, 2025 11:35pm
It was sincere from Coldplay. They have dedicated numerous songs to people suffering in occupied Palestine. I am a forever fan.
Recommend
Divesh Mishra Jan 21, 2025 08:50am
Let bygones be bygones!! Let's please move forward.
Recommend
Multani Jan 21, 2025 08:59am
We got independence from British too, a free Coldplay concert is due, if you can do it in Bombay why not here.
Recommend
Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jan 21, 2025 01:22pm
The whole world knows very well that Britian is no more great.
Recommend
Ayesha Jan 22, 2025 08:46am
yeah he apologised in india not pakistan .why is this even news ? makes you even wonder why we got independence if all we do is fantasize about india
Recommend