Coldplay concert faces travel chaos as tube strikes force major rescheduling for two Wembley concerts
Coldplay have rescheduled the final two dates of their 10-show run at Wembley Stadium due to strikes on the London Underground.
The Chris Martin-fronted band said the upcoming walkout by Maritime And Transport (RMT) union members had made it impossible for the gigs to go ahead on September 7 and 8.
Tube workers will strike at different times from September 5, lasting for seven days.
RMT claimed management had refused to engage seriously with its demands on pay, fatigue management, shift patterns and a reduction in the working week.
A statement from the band posted to social media read: “We’re sorry to announce that, due to planned industrial action on the London Underground, we’ve been forced to reschedule our final two concerts of the current Wembley Stadium run.
“Without a Tube service, it’s impossible to get 82,000 people to the concert and home again safely, and therefore no event licence can be granted for the nights of September 7 and 8.
“To avoid cancelling the shows, our only option is to reschedule.”
The band confirmed their performance on September 7 would move to September 6, while the show on September 8 would be rescheduled to September 12.
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The statement added: “We’re very sorry for the inevitable disappointment, frustration and inconvenience that this situation causes.”
Coldplay said tickets would remain valid for their rescheduled date, but any fans who are unable to attend can get a full refund on their ticket from their point of purchase before 12pm on September 2.
Returned tickets are to go on general sale at 11am on September 3 via Ticketmaster.
The band confirmed shows on August 30, August 31, September 3 and September 4 will go ahead as scheduled.
The Wembley run will see Coldplay become the first act to play 10 dates at the national football stadium in the same year.
This breaks the joint record of eight shows held by Taylor Swift and Take That.
So far, the concerts – which are part of the band’s Music of the Spheres world tour – have seen them perform songs such as Paradise, Trouble and We Pray.
Some 10 per cent of the band’s proceeds from the Wembley shows will be donated to the Music Venue Trust to help support grassroots UK venues and upcoming artists.
Formed in the late-1990s, Coldplay have gone on to achieve two UK number one singles and 10 UK number one albums.
They are best-known for songs such as Yellow, Clocks and Viva La Vida.