Coldplay delays concert for soccer game

Sep 8, 2008, 11:55 GMT

Coldplay - Chris Martin of Coldplay Performs on NBC\'s Today Show Toyota Concert Series - June 27, 2007 - Rockefeller Center - New York City, NY, USA © Janet Mayer / PR Photos

Coldplay postponed their Spanish concert so they could watch the England soccer team play.

The band were due to perform at the Palau Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday (06.09.08) but postponed it for one hour when they realised England were playing a World Cup qualifying match against Andorra in the Olympic Stadium, which is next door.

A source said: "The band were delighted when they realised they were playing next to the England match and had to get tickets. They even postponed their show by an hour so they could watch the game.

"But when they did get on stage, their performance kicked England's into touch."

Many fans left the soccer match - which England won 2-0 - after the first half because they were worried about missing Coldplay's show.

After waiting one hour for the concert to kick off, fans gave the band a riotous welcome when they finally took to the stage prompting frontman Chris Martin to thank the crowd.

He said: "Thanks for putting up with all the England fans today."

Speaking backstage, the singer claimed the band's latest success - which saw their album 'Viva La Vida or Death and All his Friends' debut at number one in the British charts and their European tour win rave reviews - is down to changing musical tastes.

He said: "It doesn't matter now if music is cool or not. People will buy it if they like it."