Capturing Coldplay: Behind the Lens at the Mylo Xyloto Tour, 2012
Coldplay live in Toronto © Matt Vardy
In July 2012, I had the chance to photograph Coldplay at the Air Canada Centre during their "Mylo Xyloto" tour, an experience I’ll never forget.
The energy of the show was incredible from the moment the lights dimmed. The venue was packed with fans, all wearing those iconic glowing wristbands that turned the entire arena into a sea of color. Being up close, capturing Chris Martin’s explosive energy and the band’s tight chemistry, was a dream come true. The challenge was balancing the need to capture the grand scale of the production while also honing in on the smaller moments that made the night truly special—those fleeting seconds where the band connected with the crowd, or Chris Martin leapt across the stage with total abandon.
Panoramic crowd shot at the Air Canada Centre on July 23, 2012, captured by Matthew "M" Miller, aka Roadie #42, just before Coldplay took the stage.
There I am! :D
What made the night even more unique was Coldplay’s tour photographer, Matthew "M" Miller, better known as "Roadie #42." He had this tradition of taking panoramic crowd shots just before the band took the stage, and on July 23, 2012, he captured one right there in the Air Canada Centre. When I later saw the shot, I realized that I was actually in it, blending in with the thousands of excited fans. It was surreal to not only photograph the event but to also be a part of the moment Roadie #42 captured so perfectly.
Looking back, that night was a turning point in my journey as a photographer. It wasn’t just about getting the perfect shot but about being immersed in the atmosphere, feeling the energy, and documenting something bigger than just a concert. Coldplay’s live shows are truly a spectacle, and photographing them gave me a new appreciation for how music, lights, and visuals can come together to create something unforgettable.
