Is Coldplay the last big rock band? These days, the artists that dominate radio, fill up arenas and launch megastars are almost all pop and country; being in a rock band is no longer a reliable path to becoming a rock star. A teenager who dreams of superstardom in 2016 is more likely to pick up a laptop than a guitar, so the continuing, and even expanding, popularity of Coldplay is a bright spot in a world where rock bands are becoming more and more of a niche prospect. Of course, the members of Coldplay are no strangers to pop music, and they’ve collaborated with pop stars like Rihanna and Beyoncé on their albums over the years.
Although they started out as a guitar-oriented rock band, often compared to Radiohead, Coldplay has evolved their sound to include more synths and club-friendly beats, to go along with the big choruses and catchy hooks that were always there. Still, in an era when even rock frontmen often go off to become pop singers, Coldplay has remained a full band, with all members contributing to writing and performing original material. Rock may be a dying art, but Coldplay practices it well, and audiences still respond.
T-Mobile Arena, 7 p.m. Sept. 1, starting at $29.50 plus tax and fee. 888.929.7849