Turning pressure into brilliance - Coldplay's pivotal moment at Glastonbury

Ahead of headlining Glastonbury for the first time on June 28th 2002, the nervous four piece, Coldplay were anticipating what was probably their most important live date in their careers. Publicly, opinions were split on the British band. Their first album, 'Parachutes' was a huge success but they had their critics, such as Alan McGee, who labelled the band as "bed-wetters". The band did not have any doubts in their ability though and so much so, they decided to perform a set with eight new songs. As if the pressure wasn't enough already!

And within a blink of an eye, Chris sat at his piano, Will behind his drum set, Jonny strummed his guitar, Guy readied his bass and all of the pressure, nerves and pre-conceptions were gone, as Coldplay delivered a fine and mighty set, as the crowd went 'bananas' for tracks off their new album, 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head'. There's a fine line between good and great. Their mental resolve had taken them up to greatness and it's stuck with them ever since.

Coldplay Glasto 2002

Long time Coldplay fan, Matthew Ceiley writes on Youtube of the defining moment:

I was there at this gig, faithless were on before these guys, i wasn't going to stay because i thought they were going to be boring, and faithless were awesome. my mates went back to the tent to get drunk and i decided to give them 3 songs to see what their new stuff was like. It was one of the best decisions i have made to this day. That was single handily the best performance i have seen by any band. To hear politic, the scientist, god put a smile, in my place and clocks for the first time was an imminence feeling. it changed a lot of things for me, i bought the album and every single and watched them 6 times on the rush of blood tour. I am so glad that i was their to witness the rise of coldplay. Thanks guys for making it a night i will remember for ever.