Coldplay is the latest group to appear on NPR Music‘s “Tiny Desk Concert” video series. In a video released on Monday, two of Coldplay’s four members, keyboardist/vocalist Chris Martin and guitarist Jonny Buckland, performed songs both new and old while backed by a nine-piece choir.
The beginning of Coldplay’s 18-minute performance began with “Cry Cry Cry”, from the group’s latest studio album, 2019’s Everyday Life. According to NPR, “Shortly into Coldplay’s soundcheck, singer Chris Martin cut off the opening song, “Cry Cry Cry”, right in the middle… When one of his singers asked if there was a problem, Martin replied, ‘No, I’m just in f****** heaven right now!'”
Applause erupted from the NPR staff as Martin led the group into “Viva La Vida”, the immensely popular track from 2008’s Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. Here the choir came into their own, closing the tune in a capella fashion and generating a “Thank you” from Martin at the end. He then gave a shoutout to each singer behind the desk before a take on “Broken”, another Everyday Life tune. A surprising cover of Prince‘s “1999” sat in the four-hole, which featured lead vocal contributions by several of the choir’s singers. “Champions Of The World”, the third Everyday Life track, then closed out the performance.
Watch the full Coldplay “Tiny Desk Concert” below:
Coldplay – NPR Tiny Desk Concert
[Video: NPR]
Coldplay currently has no scheduled tour dates in 2020. Head to their official website for the latest information.
Setlist: Coldplay | NPR Tiny Desk Concert | Released 3/9/20
Set: Cry Cry Cry, Viva la Vide, Broken, 1999 (Prince cover), Champion Of The World
[H/T NPR]