Bono insists Chris Martin’s Coldplay ‘are not a rock band’: ‘I hope that’s obvious’

Bono has opinions about Coldplay.

The U2 frontman, 64, said that the music group led by Chris Martin “are not a rock band” during BBC Sounds’ eight-part “Music Uncovered: The Genius of Coldplay” podcast series.

Bono got into the conversation about Coldplay first by praising their 2002 song “Clocks” from the band’s second studio album, “A Rush of Blood to the Head.”

“It just sort of sticks to you, tighter than time itself,” the Irish musician said about the track.

He recalled “punching the air in a manly but not aggressive way” when he heard the song for the first time — “and then the feeling of, ‘Oh, this is just better than anyone else’s song at the moment.’”

Then, Bono made his big declaration about Coldplay: “I should mention Coldplay are not a rock band. I hope that’s obvious. There is something much more interesting going on there like the Isley Brothers or something.”

According to Bono, Coldplay — whose members include Martin, 47, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, Will Champion and Phil Harvey — “should not be judged by rock rules.”

“Rage is the river running under most rock formations,” Bono continued. “Coldplay’s music has a different source and I think it’s best revealed in this song ‘Clocks.’”

Coldplay formed in London in 1996. They are responsible for beloved songs like “Yellow,” “A Sky Full of Stars,” “Fix You,” “Viva La Vida” and “Adventure of a Lifetime.” They have won seven Grammys and sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.

Despite Coldplay’s major success, Martin revealed in December 2021 that the group plans to finish making music together by 2025.

“Well I know I can tell you, our last proper record will come out in 2025 and after that I think we will only tour,” he said on BBC Radio 2. “Maybe we’ll do some collaborative things, but the Coldplay catalog, as it were, finishes then.”

Two months prior, when Coldplay released their ninth album, “Music of the Spheres,” Martin said that the group plans to make 12 albums total.

“It’s a lot to pour everything into making them. I love it and it’s amazing, but it’s very intense too,” he said to NME in October 2021. “I feel like because I know that challenge is finite, making this music doesn’t feel difficult, it feels like, ‘This is what we’re supposed to be doing.’”

Coldplay’s ongoing tour to support their latest album kicked off in March 2022 and concludes in November 2024. They are playing shows this summer in Italy, Germany, Austria and more.