Ghost Stories Tour

During the Australian leg of the Mylo Xyloto Tour, lead singer Chris Martin told attendees at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium they "wouldn't play another big show for a few years".{{Cite web |date=17 April 2014 |title=Coldplay Reveals Intimate Live Shows for Ghost Stories Launch |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/coldplay-reveals-intimate-live-shows-697289/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624143713/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/coldplay-reveals-intimate-live-shows-697289/ |archive-date=24 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} After the release of "Midnight" and "Magic", the first two singles from Ghost Stories (2014), the band announced they would not be making a full tour for the album.{{Cite web |date=20 May 2014 |title=Coldplay Not Touring Ghost Stories Album: We Can't Afford To |url=https://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/londonnewsdesk/view/109147/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628165448/https://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/londonnewsdesk/view/109147/ |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=Press Party}} Martin joked it was because they "couldn't afford it". Upcoming songs were later performed at the iTunes Festival and Coldplay held a one-off performance at Culver City's Sony Studios as well.{{Cite magazine |date=22 March 2014 |title=Coldplay Debut Ghost Stories on a Movie Soundstage at Intimate LA Show |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-debut-ghost-stories-on-a-soundstage-at-intimate-l-a-show-238493/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220709030705/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-debut-ghost-stories-on-a-soundstage-at-intimate-l-a-show-238493/ |archive-date=9 July 2022 |access-date=9 July 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} On 17 April 2014, they announced a set of six intimate shows: three in Europe, two in the United States and one in Japan.{{Cite web |date=17 April 2014 |title=Coldplay Announce Six Intimate Shows |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-157-1231225 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220624141100/https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-157-1231225 |archive-date=24 June 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022 |website=NME}} A second date in London was scheduled due to high demand.{{Cite web |date=6 June 2014 |title=Coldplay Announce Second London Royal Albert Hall Show |url=https://diymag.com/2014/06/06/coldplay-announce-second-london-royal-albert-hall-show |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220624141300/https://diymag.com/2014/06/06/coldplay-announce-second-london-royal-albert-hall-show |archive-date=24 June 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022 |website=DIY}} Months later, the band made tickets available for a performance in Australia,{{Cite web |date=16 May 2014 |title=Coldplay Announce Intimate One-Off Australian Show at Enmore Theatre |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/16/coldplay-announce-one-off-australian-show-enmore-theatre |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220624141611/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/16/coldplay-announce-one-off-australian-show-enmore-theatre |archive-date=24 June 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022 |website=The Guardian}} while a final show in Germany was announced to celebrate the upcoming release of Ghost Stories Live 2014.{{Cite web |date=5 November 2014 |title=One-Off Munich Show Announced |url=https://www.coldplay.com/one-off-munich-show-announced/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220624141334/https://www.coldplay.com/one-off-munich-show-announced/ |archive-date=24 June 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022 |publisher=Coldplay}}

The tour featured three supporting acts and American singer SZA was the first, opening for Coldplay at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, on 5 May 2014.{{Cite web |title=Coldplay Sold Out Beacon Theatre, Add Early Show |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/coldplay-sold-o/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628005531/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/coldplay-sold-o/ |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=Brooklyn Vegan}} She mentioned being surprised about the invitation during an interview for Radio.com: "I can't even believe that was an opportunity or an option".{{Cite web |date=2014 |title=Interview: SZA Matures at TDE Clubhouse For Her Full Length Debut |url=http://radio.com/2014/06/05/sza-interview-tde-debut-album |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724151326/http://radio.com/2014/06/05/sza-interview-tde-debut-album/ |archive-date=24 July 2014 |access-date=27 June 2022 |work=Radio.com}} English band London Grammar were recruited for the Royce Hall performance in Los Angeles on 19 May 2014.{{Cite web |date=20 May 2014 |title=Coldplay's Royce Hall Concert Shifts Between Intimate Show, Spectacle |url=http://dailybruin.com/2014/05/20/coldplays-royce-hall-concert-shifts-between-intimate-show-spectacle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142141/http://dailybruin.com/2014/05/20/coldplays-royce-hall-concert-shifts-between-intimate-show-spectacle/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=27 June 2022 |work=Daily Bruin}} Their lead singer, Hannah Reid, mentioned that talking with Martin was the "first time [she was] given any really excellent advice" about protecting her voice before shows and how to handle tensions in a group.{{Cite web |date=16 April 2021 |title=London Grammar's Hannah Reid Learnt Two Big Lessons From Chris Martin |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/gq-hype/article/hannah-reid-london-grammar-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511110457/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/gq-hype/article/hannah-reid-london-grammar-interview |archive-date=11 May 2021 |access-date=27 June 2022 |website=British GQ}} The Royal Albert Hall shows on 1 and 2 July 2024 were supported by AlunaGeorge, who played tracks from their debut album, Body Music, released in 2013.{{Cite web |date=2 July 2014 |title=Coldplay Make Their Long-awaited Return to the Hall |url=http://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2014/july/coldplay-make-their-long-awaited-return-to-the-hall/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302235125/https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2014/july/coldplay-make-their-long-awaited-return-to-the-hall/ |archive-date=2 March 2021 |access-date=27 June 2022 |website=Royal Albert Hall}} They also made several guest appearances during the Head Full of Dreams Tour (2016–2017).{{Cite web |date=27 August 2017 |title=AlunaGeorge Interview |url=https://www.coldplay.com/alunageorge-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220628175748/https://www.coldplay.com/alunageorge-interview/ |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |publisher=Coldplay}}

File:Guy Berryman with laser harp (2014).png using a laser harp while the band perform "Midnight" at Sony Studios, Culver City]]

The band used a different set list for every show and, unlike previous tours, did not divided them into sections. For the performance at Sony Studios (which was later released on Ghost Stories Live 2014), they played singles "Paradise" and "Clocks"; followed them with all standard edition tracks from the tour's namesake album in order; and finished the concert with "Viva la Vida" and "Fix You".{{Cite web |date=24 March 2014 |title=Coldplay Introduces Ghost Stories in Intimate Concert |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/coldplay-introduces-ghost-stories-intimate-690645/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105165921/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/coldplay-introduces-ghost-stories-intimate-690645/ |archive-date=5 January 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} The remaining shows contained between 15 and 20 songs, combining Coldplay's back catalogue with their current material.{{Cite web |date=21 May 2014 |title=Coldplay's Chris Martin Turns Sadness Into Gladness: Concert Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/concert-review-coldplay-s-chris-706345/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220628015927/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/concert-review-coldplay-s-chris-706345/ |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} With exception of "Another's Arms" and "O", all tracks from the new album were played in every tour date.{{Cite web |date=20 May 2014 |title=Coldplay Get Intimate At UCLA Royce Hall For Ghost Stories Release Show |url=http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2014/05/20/coldplay-get-intimate-at-ucla-royce-hall-for-ghost-stories-release-show/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904033137/http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2014/05/20/coldplay-get-intimate-at-ucla-royce-hall-for-ghost-stories-release-show/ |archive-date=4 September 2014 |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=KROQ-FM}}

• {{Cite web |date=1 July 2014 |title=Here's What Happened at Coldplay's Ghost Stories Japan Tour! |url=http://myxph.com/features/14443/heres-what-happened-at-coldplays-ghost-stories-japan-tour |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730110946/http://myxph.com/features/14443/heres-what-happened-at-coldplays-ghost-stories-japan-tour |archive-date=30 July 2017 |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=Myxph}}

Martin also mentioned they would be trying to incorporate a few rarities and fan favorites. During the song "Midnight", him and Berryman performed with a laser harp, while Will Champion used a reactable.{{Cite web|date=17 July 2014|title=XL Creates A Sky Full of Video For Coldplay|url=https://www.avinteractive.com/news/display/xl-creates-sky-full-video-coldplay-17-07-2014/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220105172331/https://www.avinteractive.com/news/display/xl-creates-sky-full-video-coldplay-17-07-2014/|archive-date=5 January 2022|access-date=5 January 2022|website=AV Magazine}} The latter accompanied the singer in "O" by providing "subtle guitar licks", as the track was mostly played solo on the piano. At Royal Albert Hall, Coldplay had a circular stage said to be particularly close to the audience.{{Cite web |date=2 July 2014 |title=Coldplay at London's Royal Albert Hall Review: Intimate and Contained |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/live-reviews/a581642/coldplay-at-londons-royal-albert-hall-review-intimate-and-contained/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220628121146/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/live-reviews/a581642/coldplay-at-londons-royal-albert-hall-review-intimate-and-contained/ |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |website=Digital Spy}} For their show in Sydney, the band invited Kylie Minogue to perform "Can't Get You Out of My Head" and a cover of "Where the Wild Roses Grow" by Nick Cave.{{Cite web |date=20 June 2014 |title=Watch Kylie Minogue Join Coldplay on Stage in Sydney |url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/watch-kylie-minogue-join-coldplay-on-stage-in-sydney/#/slide/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622000052/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/watch-kylie-minogue-join-coldplay-on-stage-in-sydney/ |archive-date=22 June 2014 |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=Music Feeds}} The last concert from the tour saw them play "Christmas Lights".{{Cite web |date=7 December 2014 |title=Coldplay Feiert Tour-Abschluss Mit Exklusivem Konzert in München |trans-title=Coldplay Celebrates the End of the Tour with an Exclusive Concert in Munich |url=https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/bayern/Ghost-Stories-Tour-2014-Coldplay-feiert-Tour-Abschluss-mit-exklusivem-Konzert-in-Muenchen-id32258237.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624143705/https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/bayern/Ghost-Stories-Tour-2014-Coldplay-feiert-Tour-Abschluss-mit-exklusivem-Konzert-in-Muenchen-id32258237.html |archive-date=24 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=Augsburger Allgemeine |language=de}}

According to Gigwise, tickets for the first Royal Albert Hall show went sold out within minutes of availability, which led the band to announce a second date.{{Cite web |date=6 June 2014 |title=Fans React to Coldplay Royal Albert Hall Tickets Selling Out in Minutes |url=https://www.gigwise.com/news/91590/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628020845/https://www.gigwise.com/news/91590/ |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |website=Gigwise}} Similar demand was registered at Enmore Theatre.{{Cite web |date=19 May 2014 |title=Coldplay Sell Out Sydney Show in Three Minutes |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/coldplay-sell-out-sydney-show-in-three-minutes/u2Wsr67R0NM/20-05-14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628020738/https://themusic.com.au/news/coldplay-sell-out-sydney-show-in-three-minutes/u2Wsr67R0NM/20-05-14 |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |website=The Music}} In total, they grossed $3,092,008 from 29,129 tickets sold in 10 reported shows.{{efn|name=COLDBANK}} The tour also received positive reviews from music critics: Robert Altman from Consequence said Coldplay "are cohesive enough to rival the most skilled musicians in the industry", adding "what separates them from any studio performer is Martin's light stage banter and ability to connect with a multi-generational audience".{{Cite web |date=6 May 2014 |title=Live Review: Coldplay at New York City's Beacon Theatre (5/5) |url=https://consequence.net/2014/05/live-review-coldplay-at-new-york-citys-beacon-theater-55/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220628015855/https://consequence.net/2014/05/live-review-coldplay-at-new-york-citys-beacon-theater-55/ |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=27 June 2022 |website=Consequence}} The Hollywood Reporter{{'s}} Roy Trakin stated they "turn heartbreak into transcendence, which is what all great artists do". Writing for The Guardian, Ian Gittins commented that while the band "always majored in empathy", the "sympathy vote being extended towards Martin tonight is palpable".{{Cite web |date=1 July 2014 |title=Coldplay Review – Chris Martin's Melodies Ease A Long, Dark Night |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/02/coldplay-royal-albert-hall-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220628015832/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/02/coldplay-royal-albert-hall-review |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |website=The Guardian}} Greg Inglis from DIY praised their confidence and emphasised it is often "overlooked" how versatile Coldplay are, as Champion was taking piano duties.{{Cite web |date=1 July 2014 |title=Live Review – Coldplay, Royal Abert Hall, London |url=https://diymag.com/2014/07/05/coldplay-royal-albert-hall-london |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220813123131/https://diymag.com/2014/07/05/coldplay-royal-albert-hall-london |archive-date=13 August 2022 |access-date=13 August 2022 |website=DIY}}

{{Main|Ghost Stories Live 2014{{!}}Ghost Stories Live 2014}}

Following the end of the tour, the band released Ghost Stories Live 2014, their fourth live album.{{Cite web |date=7 December 2014 |title=British Band Coldplay Celebrate the End of their Ghost Stories Tour 2014 |url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/a-and-e/entertainment/coldplay-celebrate-the-end-of-their-ghost-stories-tour-2014/article/419360 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331004732/http://www.digitaljournal.com/a-and-e/entertainment/coldplay-celebrate-the-end-of-their-ghost-stories-tour-2014/article/419360 |archive-date=31 March 2015 |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=Digital Journal}} It consisted of a CD with selected renditions of each song from the original studio album and a recording of their Sony Studios performance directed by Paul Dugdale.{{Cite AV media |title=Ghost Stories Live 2014 |author=Coldplay |year=2014 |publisher=Parlophone |location=Brazil |type=liner notes |id=0825646206087}} Martin described it as "a very special moment for our band" and added the film was "basically our original vision" for the project. Bonus content included the director's cut for "Magic" and three new music videos: "All Your Friends", a tribute to those who fought in the First World War; "Always in My Head", an animated version of the album cover; and "Ghost Story", which featured fading black and white shots of the band performing. Additionally, the second had an alternative concert take, along with "Oceans". Meanwhile, the Japanese CD edition included the tour's recording of "Viva la Vida".{{Cite web |date=2014 |title=Coldplay – Ghost Stories Live 2014 (Japan BD) |url=https://www.amazon.com/Coldplay-Ghost-Stories-Japan-WPZR-90085/dp/B00OOM7FTO |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628130340/https://www.amazon.com/Coldplay-Ghost-Stories-Japan-WPZR-90085/dp/B00OOM7FTO |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |website=Amazon}} In 2014, the band received a Best Music Film nomination at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards for the project, losing it to 20 Feet from Stardom (2013).{{Cite magazine |date=8 February 2015 |title=Grammys 2015: And the Winners are... |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/grammys-2015-winners-57th-annual-6465551/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117154716/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/grammys-2015-winners-57th-annual-6465551/ |archive-date=17 November 2022 |access-date=2 December 2022 |magazine=Billboard}}

This set list was taken from the 19 May 2014 concert in Los Angeles, United States. It does not represent all shows throughout the tour.

{{div col}}

1. "Atlas"
2. "Charlie Brown"
3. "The Scientist"
4. "Don't Panic"
5. "A Whisper"
6. "Til Kingdom Come"
7. "Viva la Vida"
8. "Paradise"
9. "Always in My Head"
10. "Magic"
11. "Ink"
12. "True Love"
13. "Midnight"
14. "Another's Arms"
15. "Oceans"

Encore

16. "A Sky Full of Stars"
17. "Yellow"
18. "O"

{{div col end}}

• List of Coldplay live performances
• List of highest-grossing live music artists

{{Notelist|1}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{URL|1=https://coldplay.com/|2=Coldplay Official Website}}

{{Coldplay}}

Category:2014 concert tours

Category:Coldplay concert tours

Category:Concert tours of Australia

Category:Concert tours of France

Category:Concert tours of Germany

Category:Concert tours of Japan

Category:Concert tours of the United Kingdom

Category:Concert tours of the United States