Making a path in the music business is hard enough as is. You know what makes it harder? When you have zero help and zero mentorship. Hence, many successful musicians have latched and attached themselves to successful acts in order to pick their brains, receive advice, and confide in them about the business. Two groups that have had a relationship such as this one are none other than Coldplay and U2.
Despite their geographical origins, U2 and Coldplay share a lot of intangible similarities. That being so, it seems that Chris Martin and Coldplay viewed the Irish rock band as the perfect mentor for their career. They were right in selecting Bono and U2 as their voice of reason, and the result of this partnership was pieces of advice the British band would carry with them forever.
Coldplay & Bono’s Casual Invitation
The year was 2000, and Coldplay was young, spry, and the new name buzzing with hype in Britain’s music scene. That being so, Chris Martin and the rest of the band received the opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity to support U2 in their home country of Ireland. As big as a gig as this was, the real career-changing moment for Coldplay didn’t come until after the show—the moment when Bono invited them to their house.
The band recollected the moment and the advice that entailed in a 2021 interview with Howard Stern on The Howard Stern Show. Will Champion recalled about Bono, “He was very generous with his advice, absolutely.” Champion and Johnny Buckland were the two in attendance at Bono’s house, and aside from the advice, they were also joined by the acclaimed actor, Woody Harrelson.
Despite the star-studded group of friends, the advice Bono gave them was the most important part of the evening. Buckland never divulged what specific advice Bono gave them, however, he did recall how supportive and generous of a man he was. He stated to Stern, “He was telling us what to do as well” and “He was so lovely.” “We were just sort of kids straight out of college and we’re suddenly in Bono’s house,” Buckland added.
Despite that we do not know what information Bono gave the band, it still surely worked. Since their meeting in 2000, Coldplay has undeniably risen to the top of the musical food chain and is arguably bigger than U2. However, it seemingly might have not happened that way if it wasn’t for Bono’s Irish generosity.
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