COLDPLAY will tonight kick off the second UK leg of their massive Music Of The Spheres world tour.
And as the band play the first of two sold-out nights in Hull, Chris Martin revealed he’s an unlikely superfan of Charli XCX.
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Admitting he’s not able to pin down his own music tastes, the frontman said: “I’m still such a music fan and I’m always looking at other artists.
“Like, Pulp playing Common People at Glastonbury this year was the best thing I have ever seen.
“There are always other acts like them resetting the bar for me in terms of what music can do in making you feel alive and connected.”
Chris added in the official tour programme: “So, for example, if I see Charli XCX doing Von dutch and I think, ‘This is the best thing I’ve ever seen’, I’m also like ‘OK, right, what are we going to do next?’.”
Bizarre previously revealed Coldplay will begin a ten-night residency at Wembley Stadium later this month.
The first of the huge shows is next Friday.
And of course the Bizarre team will be front and centre to catch all the action.
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SHAWN CHUFFED BY NIALL
PUBLIC transport almost put paid to Shawn Mendes’ headline gig at the O2 Arena.
He Introduced special guest Niall Horan to the London stage for a duet of the former One Direction star’s 2016 song This Town.
Shawn then told Saturday’s crowd: “I was on a broken-down train a couple of hours ago and barely made it, so we had about three to six minutes to practise this next song. Be easy on us.”
Niall’s performance – his first this year – sent fans into meltdown and Shawn explained how special it was for him, too.
He said: “I met this fella years and years and years ago. I was probably 16 or 17.
“I remember I came into this industry and was absolutely terrified of everything and everyone. He was at the worst show and he was like, ‘Mate, let’s have a pint’.
“This guy has really been an older brother to me, I truly love him with all my heart.”
Zara in Midrest
ZARA LARSSON takes a well-earned rest as she poses backstage before a US gig.
The Swedish singer wore hot pink boots and a golden tasselled skirt for her latest performance in the Midwest.
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She has been supporting Tate McRae on her Miss Possessive world tour.
Zara has had a busy few weeks. As well as the shows, she has dropped new singles Midnight Sun and Crush, which have been going down a storm with fans.
Next month she will release her fifth album, also called Midnight Sun, before touring Europe in the autumn.
Enjoy that lie down while you can, Zara.
Blackpink wow Wembley
BLACKPINK became only the second girl band ever to headline Wembley – after the Spice Girls.
The four-piece K-pop sensation wowed the stadium crowd on Friday night and then returned on Saturday for another high-energy show.
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The last time they played in the UK was at BST Hyde Park in 2023.
Since then, they have all launched hugely successful solo careers, with Rose enjoying one of the biggest hits of the last year with her Bruno Mars collaboration APT.
That only made them more magnetic on stage, with each member, including Jisoo, Lisa and Jennie, getting a moment to perform their solo tracks, as well as Blackpink crowd-pleasers such as Ddu-Du Ddu-Du, Don’t Know What To Do and their latest single Jump.
The wait is on for their next album, but judging by the reception at Wembley, it won’t be the last time they play there.
SOHPIE: KIT KISS WAS DREADFUL
SOPHIE TURNER ended up “retching” on set when she had to kiss her pal Kit Harington.
They are in new film The Dreadful, after playing close relatives for years in Game Of Thrones.
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She suggested him for the role after being sent the script, but he pointed out it would be “weird” because of the numerous romantic scenes.
Sophie recalled: “I’m like, ‘Oh, shoot, that’s my brother. But it’s such a good script that he was like, ‘We kind of have to do it’.”
But when it came to their first kissing scene, she added: “We are both retching. Really, it is vile, it was the worst.”
Sounds just like another twisted Game Of Thrones storyline.
BILLY JOEL is to close his motorcycle shop in Long Island and flog a collection of bikes due to ill health.
The singer, who was diagnosed with brain disorder normal pressure hydrocephalus in May, opened the shop in 2010 but it will close next month.
Representatives confirmed he will be auctioning the collection later this year due to the “medical issue”.
NAT’S SET ON ALBUM RETORN
IT’S probably for the best that Natalie Imbruglia’s talks with Strictly didn’t come off – as the former Neighbours actress has another big project in the pipeline.
I can reveal she has been spending time in a studio in South London, making a new album with Razorlight’s Andy Burrows, who has been helping her write it.
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The Torn singer is hoping to release the record next year. A source said: “It’s been four years since Natalie dropped her last album.
“She went on tour with The Corrs earlier this year and it really inspired her. Things are coming together nicely. She’d love to have it out next year so she can go on tour.
“Then 2027 will mark 30 years since Torn, and there has been chat about special things for that anniversary.”
ETHAN A WICKED WEST END CHOICE
ARIANA GRANDE’s boyfriend Ethan Slater spent well over a year in the UK while shooting Wicked with her.
Now the US actor, who plays Boq in the films, could be in line for a return – as I can reveal he is being courted by West End producers.
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I’m told he has an open-ended offer to play Emcee in the acclaimed production of Cabaret, a role that has been played by Eddie Redmayne and Jake Shears.
He is believed to have said no when first approached, but they’ve made it clear the opportunity is still on the table if he does change his mind.
Other productions have asked his team about bringing Ethan to London.
Ethan has had a string of Broadway roles. I hope he bites the bullet and takes a trip to Blighty soon.
And if he wants to bring Ariana over here for some fun, it would be great to have her back in town.
The week in bizness
TODAY: A Downton Abbey exhibition of costumes and props gets under way at Bonhams in London, with an online auction to sell items including Lady Mary’s wedding dress.
WEDS: Robbie Williams headlines the first day of Newcastle’s Come Together Festival, alongside Kaiser Chiefs and Perrie, before Kings Of Leon and Courteeners on Friday.
THURS: Dame Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Celia Imrie will be among stars at the UK premiere of The Thursday Murder Club, from Richard Osman’s novel.
FRI: Chappell Roan, Hozier, Travis Scott, Limp Bizkit and Bring Me The Horizon play Reading and Leeds Festival. Coverage on BBC One and iPlayer.