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An adventure of a lifetime: Coldplay's Singapore concerts as told by fans outside the National Stadium

ESTIMATED 
An adventure of a lifetime: Coldplay's Singapore concerts as told by fans outside the National Stadium

There is more than one way to experience a live concert. You can try to get as close to your favourite artist or band in the mosh pit or get comfortable in a seated section and observe what's happening on stage from a distance.

Then there is the curious third option of catching the event from outside the venue where it is being held, which some people could be spotted doing during Coldplay's recent concerts in Singapore.

Credit: Michelle Koswara

BANDWAGON TV

Coldplay bring fans into a breathtaking universe in ‘Music of the Spheres World Tour’ concert in Singapore – gig report

Unless you have somehow managed to stay off social media and avoid news updates, you would have probably heard of the British rock band's Music of the Spheres shows in the Southeast Asian country, which has been the talk of the town — and region — over the last two weeks. 

Despite having a capacity of 55,000, the National Stadium was not large enough to contain everyone who were hoping to catch the intergalactic party that Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion had planned for fans on each of their Singapore residency's six nights.

For these individuals without tickets, the solution was to join the crowd inside the concert venue using their ears and voices. The best part about this outdoor experience? It was completely free. 

The phantom category

When the first four shows of Coldplay's visit were announced last June, CAT 9 was the lowest ticket tier that fans could select from. In the lead-up to the band's arrival, additional tiers were added to the venue's seating plan.

As the overflow area outside the National Stadium lacked a name due to its non-existence (officially), fans who called it home decided to give it one.

"Me and my friends also had an inside joke about calling it 'CAT 15/CAT 0' for the outside view of the stadium, which is basically people who did not manage to secure tickets but are still dedicated enough to head down to the stadium to vibe with their songs," said 20-year-old student Muhammad Syafiq Bin Saparuan, who recalled originally being exposed to Coldplay's music through his family while growing up.

Syafiq added that names are an "ongoing joke" for Taylor Swift's six The Eras Tour shows in Singapore this March, which have also been met with overwhelming demand. 

There were also some fans who decided to take the joke even further. 

After becoming friends at one of the shows, freelance videographer and photographer Sarah Lee, 26, nursing student Nayli Nur Syazleen Binte Sazali, 21, and software engineer Anbu Agana, 24, started a Telegram group chat with the name "ALL SG CONCERTS CAT 11 RESTRICTED VIEW".

Syazleen shared: "It's funnier in our head but there’s a lot of chaotic people that can vibe with!"

Credit: Ryan Hon

Her newfound concert buddy, Agana, explained that the distance between fans outside the stadium and the band was the inspiration for the unofficial tier's name and said that "CAT 1000" would refer to fans watching the concert through clips on social media. 

She also called the naming of these tiers the "Gen Z-fying of concert culture".

"It also shows that you don't have to actually get tickets and be inside the stadium to be part of the Coldplay wave. The camaraderie exists among even those that aren't inside," said Agana.

The trio are now looking forward to reuniting at Swift's Singapore concerts. 

Not a bad alternative

Just like those inside the National Stadium, those who showed up at the Singapore Sports Hub to listen to Coldplay perform tunes such as 'Viva La Vida' and 'A Sky Full of Stars' from afar had different reasons for doing so.

Considering one would have had to fork out at least SGD 68 for a concert ticket, some felt that the CAT 0/10/15/100 experience was a more budget-friendly alternative. 

Candice, a marketing professional in her 30s who goes by Candilicious on social media, recalled: "I love listening to live music and have heard that Coldplay put on an incredibly immersive experience. In an effort to get a taste of the ambience without putting pressure on my wallet, I thought that listening 'al fresco' outside the National Stadium was a fun compromise."

@candi.licious I've been getting FOMO watching all your videos of #coldplaysingapore So tonight I'm going to head to @coldplay ♬ original sound - Candilicious

Syazleen, who feels "at peace" while listening to Coldplay's music, was determined to find a way to experience the Singapore leg of the band's tour despite not possessing tickets. 

She explained: "I do not hold any Coldplay tickets as I do not have enough money to purchase [them]. I decided to head down to [the] stadium to not miss any chance [to catch their show] as well as to vibe with people around me!"

The crowd that gathered outside the National Stadium during the shows also comprised returning fans who had purchased tickets to the quartet's earlier Singapore concerts. Why did they make the second trip, you ask? It was because they just could not get enough of the GRAMMY-winning outfit.

Credit: Sarah Lee

"I went for Coldplay on 26 January and also caught Jasmine Sokko’s last opening [performance]. Super proud of her! I decided to go down again on the 30th to get merch for a friend! Both of us decided to just vibe outside anyway because we just genuinely loved Coldplay’s music and we just love dancing and singing along [to it], said Sarah.

She also shared that Coldplay's music holds a special place in her heart for several reasons: "[For] 'Yellow', I loved someone but never wanted to go further and beyond that friendship. [As for] 'A Sky Full of Stars', my dad passed away nine years ago. Every time I look up at the night sky and see the stars, I think of him. [And for] 'Something Just Like This', was a random song in my playlist when I was traveling alone in Europe and Australia, I remember feeling so alive in the moments of my solo travels!

Biutyful people

With the four members of Coldplay out of sight, the only views that the members of the CAT 0/10/15/1000 had for about two hours were the exterior of the National Stadium and, of course, each other. But as these fans proved, not being able to see the act of the hour may not necessarily be a bad thing. 

United by their shared love for Coldplay, they sang, danced, and cheered from a distance, creating an atmosphere that Candice described as "unique and collegiate". 

She remembered: "The distant echoes of the music and the collective energy (and cheers!) of the crowd meant that I got a taste of it, even if I couldn't see it. The entire evening — from making my way to the stadium to finding a suitable listening spot to documenting the experience on social media — proved to be a memorable adventure."

@candi.licious Come on my journey to hear Coldplay perform in Singapore... for free. well, I guess i did pay for an ice cream... #coldplaysingapore #candilicious ♬ original sound - Candilicious

For Agana, a day two ticketholder who made a return visit to the Singapore Sports Hub to catch Coldplay's show from a different perspective, the experience was "almost as amazing" as being in the stadium's standing zone. 

"We were jumping full on and so people around us started joining and we formed a mini "cult". It was such a pure and wholesome experience of people bonding purely because we were being crazy. I think, to me, that's youth in its essence. And after all the memes about the Singapore crowd being boring, I'd say they just haven't seen us [yet]," she recounted.

Syazleen and Sarah shared Agana's sentiments, and were thankful that they were warmly welcomed into a community of like-minded individuals.

The former, an introvert, shared that she and her new friends were not concerned about what onlookers would think of them as they were only focused on enjoying a "wholesome" night.

Credit: Ryan Hon

The latter, who observed some fans in her section being "afraid to stand and vibe along" on the day she was inside the National Stadium, recalled being invited to "vibe" with a group of strangers when she arrived to catch a subsequent show without a ticket. 

"Of course, I may not be able to see the artists outside, but this sweet bunch of strangers that I met turned [into] friends and I can’t help but thank the universe for bringing us together, she said.

First-time CAT 0/10/15/100 concert-goer Syafiq was impressed by the "dedication" of the Coldplay faithful and said that one of his night's highlights was seeing some "diehard" fans receive free tickets as gifts.

"I felt really happy for them," he said.

Tips for future CAT 0/10/15/100 concert-goers

If you are hoping to experience a future concert from the outside, the Coldplay fans that Bandwagon spoke to have some words of advice for you.

Firstly, you will want to ensure that you come with enough sustenance — light bites, drinks, and even alcoholic drinks — to keep your energy levels high for the duration of the concert. 

For your comfort, other essential items that you should have with you include picnic mats, umbrellas, and portable chairs. 

Since you will not have the same view as those inside the event's venue, you can also look for creative ways to make CAT 0/10/15/100 concert an even more immersive one. 

"Funny story, I went to Hai Di Lao with my friends on 26 January and they were full-on playing Coldplay. The staff gave us the wands with lights and I decided to bring them out on 30 January just to have fun," said Sarah.

Credit: Sarah Lee

"While it might not completely replace the experience of being inside, you can still replicate many of the elements that make a concert fun — getting dressed up in concert-worthy fashions, packing snacks and drinks, singing along, striking up conversations with fellow fans, capturing special moments on your phone, etc," shared Candice.

Once you have all the items you need, go to the venue ready to let loose and celebrate your favourite artist's music in a judgment-free space. 

"Don't be afraid to approach people! They are friendly! Ensure that you don’t leave the place without regret," advised Syazleen.

Agana said that future members of the outdoor community need not feel "paiseh (embarrassed)": "Definitely do NOT be afraid to jump stand wave and scream."

"If you spot us vibing at the next concert outside the National Stadium (cough cough Ed Sheeran), don't be afraid to join us," she added.

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