It really was an Adventure of A Lifetime
Hannah Corken is a news editor for the Grimsby Telegraph and contributor to the Scunthorpe Telegraph
Wow – where to start? What an incredible experience for Hull this has been.
One of the biggest bands in the world – Coldplay – chose our amazing city as one of only two in the UK included in this leg of the spectacular Music of the Spheres world tour. And over the last two days we could not have been prouder of Hull.
Coldplay say they chose it for its authenticity, working-class roots, and passionate spirit – and we can only thank them for shining a light (and tens of thousands of flashing wristbands) on those three things that make the city we all love what it is.
Residents and visitors have welcomed Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion with open (and flashing) arms and as a community, we have taken in fans from around the world – including Emily Debeen who took three nine-hour flights to get to the UK from Melbourne. She was just one of many fans who would probably never have heard of Hull if it wasn’t for Coldplay.
The buzz has been incredible – and the organisation precise. Both nights went off without any noticeable hitches and that is credit to the many, many people working behind the scenes for the band, for Craven Park, Hull Trains, bus companies, car park operators – every single person who played a part, no matter how small.
From the bag checkers and stewards keeping people safe, to the technicians operating the interactive wristbands – what a sensational sight that was – thank you for making this amazing opportunity for Hull such a success. Music has a magical way of bringing people together and under A Sky Full Of Stars, new friends were made, special occasions celebrated, lost loved ones remembered and new memories created that will last forever.
Tens of thousands of people went on an Adventure of A Lifetime right here (I’m not going to apologise for that, because it’s a great description of what actually happened here this week) – and for that reason, they will always remember Hull fondly.
READ MORE: 20 pictures as Coldplay take to the stage in Hull as part of Music of the Spheres world tour
We were promised a spectacle of the standard of a bigger stadium and we absolutely got it. And to top it all off – Hull’s very own grime artist Chiedu Oraka got to play the biggest shows of his life in his home city as a support act to the global superstars – and wasn’t he brilliant?
We will hear more about the good – economical and otherwise – this unexpected decision to bring such a monumental event to Hull has done for the city over the coming days. And who knows? It might be the start of something truly wonderful.
But even if it isn’t, what an absolute honour the last few days have been to host such a spectacular event, and a huge thank you also to our loyal readers who have followed our in-depth coverage – no we can’t stop singing and humming the band’s biggest hits either. Thousands of you have turned to us for information, pictures, videos and reviews – and we hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it all.
Thank you, Coldplay, for choosing us and taking us to Paradise for two nights. We will never forget it.