Are these Coldplay’s best ever live covers?

4 November 2020, 21:02 | Updated: 11 October 2024, 17:05

From the Viola Beach tribute at Glastonbury to Pure Imagination, here are the biggest moments Chris Martin paid tribute to his heroes...

Whatever you think of Coldplay, you can't deny their ability to turn their hand to almost anything. And they’re very partial of a cover version at their gigs. Here are some of the best.

1. Viola Beach - Boys That Sing (2016)

   In 2016, music world was shocked by the tragic death of Viola Beach and their manager, Craig Tarry, who tragically lost their lives in a car crash. Coldplay were so affected by their story, they decided to create the band's "alternate future" and allow them to headline Glastonbury's Pyramid stage. The result was a moving homage to the young band and their track Boys That Sing.

   

   Coldplay - Boys That Sing (Viola Beach Cover) HD

2. Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight For Your Your Right (To Party) (2012)

   Following the death of Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch in 2012, Chris Martin and co. re-worked rap outfit's 1986 hit, from their Licensed To Ill album. While the band's arrangement of the song almost renders it unrecognisable, they arguably succeeded in giving it a haunting and beautiful feel.

   

   RIP MCA

3. Gene Wilder - Pure Imagination (From Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory)

   Coldplay paid tribute to the late Gene Wilder in August 2016, by posting a short rendition of Pure Imagination, from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.

   In a world of pure imagination... R42 pic.twitter.com/R2KD3kA0RK

   — Coldplay (@coldplay) August 30, 2016

4. David Bowie - "Heroes" (2016)

   Following David Bowie's death on 10 January 2016, Coldplay featured this cover in their set throughout their A head Full Of Dreams tour, providing audiences across the world with an unforgettable moment.

   

   Coldplay - Heroes (David Bowie Cover at Rose Bowl)

5. Prince - Nothin’ Compares 2 U (2016)

   Coldplay invited James Corden to the stage to sing Prince's iconic track, following his shocking death earlier that year. However, James - who was turning 38 the following day, got a lot more than he bargained for, when he was also treated to a birthday cake and a sing-a-long.

   

   Nothing Compares 2 U (Live in LA w/ James Corden)

6. Kylie - Can't Get You Out Of My Head (2005)

   When Kylie was forced cancel her Glasto slot after battling with cancer, Coldplay decided to "salute absent friends" by paying tribute to our favourite Aussie. Bravo.

   

   Coldplay (HD Live) - Can´t get you out of my head

7. John Lennon - Imagine (2015)

   At LA's Blasco Theater in November 2015, Coldplay achieved the almost unimaginable, making John Lennon's classic seem just as emotional as the original.

   

   "Imagine" - John Lennon (Cover) - Tribute - Coldplay

8. Amy Winehouse - Rehab (2011)

   It's wasn't the first or last time Coldplay mixed their Fix You single with another track, also merging it with Amy Winehouse's Rehab in Madrid in 2011. Amy Winehouse had tragically died just months earlier on 23 July that year.

   

   Coldplay - Fix You and Rehab Live @ Madrid 2011 (HD and Widescreen)

9. Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive (2016)

   At Glastonbury 2016, Coldplay also invited the last surviving Bee Gee, Barry Gibb, up on the stage for a rendition of the trio's Stayin' Alive. Naturally, it was a huge crowd pleaser.

   

   Coldplay - Stayin Alive feat_ Barry Gibb) (Glastonbury 2016) (1080p)

   00:04:31

10. Johnny B. Goode

    

    Coldplay - Johnny B. Goode (Live in NY w/ Michael J. Fox)

    Chris Martin has long-credited Back To The Future's prom scene as the reason for him wanting to start a band.

    He has previously invited Michael J. Fox - who played Marty McFly in the iconic time travelling film - on stage with Coldplay to perform Chuck Berry's Johnny B.Goode and things came full circle when the actor joined them on stage at Glastonbury for a moving performance of their Fix You single.