ColdplayGate: Chris Martin Issues Playful Jumbotron Warning

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Martin’s tongue-in-cheek warning ensured no fans displaying public affection were spotlighted at Madison

By TRH Entertainment Desk

NEW DELHI, July 21, 2025 – Coldplay frontman Chris Martin took a light-hearted jab at the recent viral scandal that rocked the tech world during the band’s sold-out concert at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

The performance, the first since a now-infamous moment at a Boston-area show, saw Martin preface the band’s beloved “Jumbotron Song” with a cheeky disclaimer, addressing the internet storm that led to the resignation of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron. Martin at Madison said: “Hope we didn’t do anything bad.”

The incident, dubbed “ColdplayGate,” has dominated headlines and social media, turning a concert moment into a global meme frenzy.

During Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ World Tour stop at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on July 16, the band’s “Jumbotron Song”—an improvised segment where Martin riffs on audience members shown on the venue’s massive screen—captured Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot in an intimate embrace. The pair, both married to others, recoiled when spotlighted, with Byron ducking out of frame and Cabot covering her face.

Astronomer Boots CEO Andy Byron After Coldplay Kiss-Cam Storm

Martin’s quip, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” sent the crowd into laughter and the moment into viral infamy, amassing over 100 million views on TikTok. Internet sleuths quickly identified the pair, sparking widespread speculation of an extramarital affair, said Rolling Stone in a report. At the Madison concert, Coldplay’s first since the scandal, Martin addressed the viral moment with humour and caution.

“We’d like to say hello to some of you in the crowd,” he said with a stifled chuckle, as reported by Rolling Stone. He added: “How we’re going to do that is use our cameras and put some of you on the big screen.”

The crowd laughed and cheered, aware of the Boston incident. Martin’s tongue-in-cheek warning ensured no fans displaying public affection were spotlighted, avoiding a repeat of the Gillette Stadium drama. Instead, the segment took a wholesome turn, focusing on tour Pro Tools director and Madison native Bill Rahko, who was celebrated with chants of “Bill” after his parents, Beth and Peter, introduced the show.

Martin also delighted fans by inviting four cheesehead-wearing locals onstage for a rare performance of “Us Against the World,” making the night a love letter to Wisconsin.

The “Jumbotron Song” has been a staple of Coldplay’s tour, which Billboard ranks as the top-selling rock tour ever, grossing over $1 billion. However, the Boston incident has redefined its legacy.