coldplay begins their global tour concerts with john williams' et theme: reason explained

Coldplay's 'Music of the Spheres' Tour Opens with a Cosmic Symphony

Coldplay's latest world tour, titled 'Music of the Spheres', is off to a captivating start, with a nod to one of the band's creative inspirations - John Williams' iconic music from the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

The tour, which represents a "journey traveling outwards into the unknown to then come home having learned something new", begins with the Oscar-winning composition 'Flying', followed by the orchestral theme from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. This choice of music is a testament to the band's admiration for Williams' work, a sentiment shared by frontman Chris Martin for years.

The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, all trained through El Sistema, a publicly funded music education programme, is among the orchestras being celebrated on this tour. Their residency is the culmination of the orchestra's 50th anniversary celebration, which has taken them from Caracas to the world's most iconic concert halls.

Gustavo Dudamel, the orchestra's conductor, has also been acknowledged for his contribution to the tour. The performances by Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela are undeniably a highlight, adding a cinematic scale and ambition to the live performances.

The 'Music of the Spheres' album is set in a fictional solar system with planets representing different musical styles and emotional states. The tour mirrors this concept, split into four acts over two hours. The guest soloists performing with Coldplay at the Wembley concerts include Jay-Z, BTS, and H.E.R., adding a diverse and dynamic element to the performances.

The stadium visual effects during the concerts depict an intergalactic launch, creating an "out-of-this-world experience" for the audience. The use of Williams' music in Coldplay's concerts is a nod to their creative inspiration and a way to signal the cinematic scale and ambition of the live performance.

John Williams, in a statement (more details available in a separate article titled "Star Wars composer John Williams says he 'never liked film music very much'"), has expressed his appreciation for Coldplay's use of his music, adding another layer of significance to the tour's opening theme.

For more information about the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, including their record-breaking performance as the world's largest orchestra, refer to the article titled "12,000 Venezuelan musicians perform Tchaikovsky to set 'world's largest orchestra' record".

As Coldplay's 'Music of the Spheres' tour continues, it promises to be a unique and memorable experience for fans of both classic and contemporary music.

coldplay begins their global tour concerts with john williams' et theme: reason explained