Coldplay’s Chris Martin Tells Fans to ‘Send Love’ to Family of Slain Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk

During the final London performance of Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour at Wembley Stadium, frontman Chris Martin urged the audience to respond to tragedy with compassion. He specifically asked the crowd to direct love “to Charlie Kirk’s family,” referencing the recent fatal shooting of the conservative commentator at Utah Valley University.

Kirk, who founded the youth-oriented conservative group Turning Point USA and was a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, was 31 years old. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two young children. On the day of the concert, authorities announced an arrest in the case. Martin’s remarks underscored a message of empathy that transcended political differences, emphasizing that love should be extended “even to those you disagree with.”

This call for unity was particularly poignant given Kirk’s own past criticism of the band. In a July broadcast, he had derided Coldplay’s music as “grating” and their concerts as “boring and banal,” going so far as to say he’d “rather be caught dead than be at a Coldplay show.” These comments were made in response to a viral moment involving a kiss-cam incident at one of their U.S. shows.

Martin’s appeal aligns with Coldplay’s recent emphasis on using their platform to promote empathy and shared humanity, even in a polarized cultural climate. As Dr. Lena Petrosyan, a sociologist specializing in media and public discourse, observed: “Artists like Coldplay are increasingly aware of their role as cultural unifiers. Their willingness to extend grace across ideological lines models a form of public engagement that moves beyond division.” The band’s closing performance thus merged musical spectacle with a heartfelt plea for collective kindness.

Wembley Stadium, where the concert took place, is one of the UK’s most iconic venues, with a capacity of 90,000. It has hosted numerous historic events, from live aid concerts to championship football matches, making it a fitting stage for a message intended to reach a global audience.