This past weekend (September 28), Central Park became the epicenter of musical magic when Ed Sheeran and Coldplay's Chris Martin took the stage for a surprise acoustic performance at the 2024 Global Citizen Festival in New York.
The unannounced set had the crowd in awe as the duo performed four acoustic tracks, trading vocals and instruments on each other's hits. The performance kicked off with Sheeran leading a soulful version of Coldplay’s classic "Yellow," followed by a duet on Sheeran's global hit "Shape of You." The surprises didn’t stop there as they moved into a powerful rendition of "Viva La Vida," before closing the set with a heartwarming piano version of Sheeran’s "Thinking Out Loud."
While Martin was already slated as a guest speaker at the event, Sheeran’s appearance came as a total shock, leaving fans thrilled by the unexpected collaboration.
The Global Citizen Festival also saw another musical debut with BLACKPINK’s Lisa premiering her new song "Moonlit Floor," set to officially release on October 3. The track notably includes an interpolation of Sixpence None the Richer’s iconic “Kiss Me.”
In other news, Ed Sheeran recently made headlines for purchasing a minority stake in his beloved Ipswich Town football club, where he’s been the shirt sponsor since 2021. Meanwhile, Coldplay continues to break records, with a new 2025 tour lined up to support their upcoming album Moon Music and a monumental 10-show run at Wembley Stadium. Notably, the band is donating 10 percent of tour proceeds to the Music Venue Trust, which supports grassroots music venues across the UK.
Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour, already hailed as the biggest rock tour ever, has grossed an astonishing $945.7 million and sold over 8.8 million tickets globally. The tour has been celebrated not only for its unforgettable performances but also for the band's eco-conscious approach to live music, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in touring.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen
