This post has already been read 622 times!
This video can not be played
Watch: Coldplay paid tribute to Luton with a new song, Orange
Coldplay thrilled fans with a special song called Orange dedicated to Luton Town Football Club during its set at Radio 1's Big Weekend.
The group, fronted by Chris Martin, headlined the festival at Stockwood Park, in Luton.
There had been a campaign by local football fans for the group to change the lyrics of its song Yellow to Orange. Instead Martin performed an ode to the town.
It referenced the Hatters playing in orange, with the team's arch rivals Watford in yellow.
Chris Martin dedicated a song to Luton Town FC at the end of his performance
During the performance, Martin told the audience to "trust" him and to "relax" as he approached the end of the set.
Before playing Yellow, Martin said the track had "nothing to do with Luton".
"If you're from Luton, I'm going to ask you to just suspend your anger or fears or anything you might be worried about at this point in our concert of what songs we might play or might not play," he said.
He then explained to the crowd that he had heard people in Luton might be concerned if he sang Yellow.
Will Coldplay swap ‘yellow’ for ‘orange’ at gig?
Greg James says he will ask Coldplay to play 'Orange'
Radio 1 stars Rickie and Melvin: 'We met in Luton'
"It reached me a while ago," he said, "that there were some people in Luton who were worried or disgruntled and maybe even angry about the concept of our band coming here and singing a song called Yellow because… of the Hatters and Kenilworth Road and the Luton Town Football Club."
Martin said that as he has grown older he has learned that if people "come at you with hatred and aggression" you can respond with "love".
After performing Yellow, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin told the crowd: "Thank you so much for singing the song Yellow even though it went against all of your principles"
To huge cheers, he introduced the new song he said he had finished in his hotel room the night before.
He called it a "once-in-a-lifetime thing" – and said it "may not be good enough" to be heard again.
The Hatters were relegated from the Premier League this season and the song opened with the lyric: "It's hard to be a football fan here in Luton Town."
And Martin went on: "We didn't win all our matches, we didn't win the cup.
"But when you get knocked down in Luton, you always get back up.
"So you can come in singing Yellow, that's all right with me, I prefer a warmer colour spelt o-r-a-n-g-e."
Martin burst into a chorus of "I love you Luton", then added there was "no disrespect to Watford".
Martina Skalecki and her boyfriend watched Coldplay in Luton
BBC Three Counties radio presenter Justin Dealey, who started the campaign to change Yellow to Orange, alongside Luton resident Bex Jones, said: "I knew something special was coming."
Martina Skalecki who was born in Luton and watched Coldplay with her boyfriend, described it as "the most beautiful night of my life".
"The song he played at the end for Luton was epic," she added.
"I literally can't get over that, it was beautiful scenes, it was so lovely."
Bhajan said the new song was "unbelievable"
Luton fan Bhajan admitted he did not know about the campaign to change the song lyrics to yellow but said it “made sense” considering the Watford rivalry.
He said: “When I found out he made that new song 'Orange' for us, that is unbelievable”
Another fan, who was wearing an orange Luton shirt, joined his family in singing the lyrics, with one expressing shock that “Coldplay said Luton”.
Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830
Will Coldplay swap ‘yellow’ for ‘orange’ at gig?
Greg James says he will ask Coldplay to play 'Orange'
Luton boss joins calls for Coldplay 'orange' change
Big Weekend 2024
Luton Town Football Club
This is how many people buy leasehold properties in Milton Keynes
Appeal after Hertfordshire girl, 9, goes missing in London
£4m boost to Herts economy revealed by Tarmac at County Show
Lets swap together for good: Packed programme of Great Big Green Week events in Leighton Buzzard
An Oompah band, street performers and culinary delights as Big Lunch returns to Leighton Buzzard
Labour's Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves visit Stevenage before General Election
Jury asks for testimony on Trump Tower meeting as it considers verdict
Gaza war could go on for rest of 2024, says Israel PM's aide
Concern for Iceland town following new eruption
Growing up under fire: Ukraine’s children adapt to survive Russia's invasion
Does banning mobile phones stop friction in the classroom?
Why Nigel Farage’s return to the fray matters
'I've only caught three exam cheats in 25 years'
A sliding doors moment that consigned USA cricket to pub quiz answer
Why Canada is riddled with wildfires that burn year-round
Who are the 47 democracy activists facing jail in Hong Kong?
Inside the Baby Reindeer controversy
What impact can drama inspired by true events have on real people?
From rural Jamaica to X-Factor glory
Dalton Harris became the first non-British black singer to win the UK’s biggest TV singing competition
One of the country’s most notorious unsolved murders
Viv Graham's death continues to cast a long shadow over the family he left behind
Ardal O'Hanlon unearths the rich history of the Irish coast
Explore the rich history and vibrant wildlife of a realm where the ocean reigns supreme
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.