The energy and enthusiasm was electric as Coldplay fans from the city and across India brought their dazzling sparkle. People of all ages turned up in style. While many rocked Coldplay-themed T-shirts and jackets, others landed in full-on party mode wearing sequins, off-shoulder tops and even sky-high stilettos paired with denim jeans or shorts.
As the band hit the stage at 8pm to create Magic with their electrifying tunes, the stadium transformed into a Kaleidoscope of lights, colours and pure euphoria. The roads leading to the venue were All Yellow, metaphorically speaking, with fans creating a traffic symphony that could rival the band’s hits. The city’s metro services ran extra trips, while over 3,800 police personnel ensured the evening remained all about the Adventure of a Lifetime for fans without a hitch.
Rohan Bhatt, a food entrepreneur from Ahmedabad, said, “I have never seen a stadium concert so huge ever! I am absolutely thrilled to be here, and the vibe is amazing. A few friends of mine arrived from Bengaluru especially for this performance, and we expect magic when the show begins.”
The air was charged with excitement as Ahmedabad prepared to host what could be its most historic concert to date. “My friends and I came to Ahmedabad by train. And, while there’s a lot of rush at the metro station, it is an experience I will cherish. We faced hassles getting a place, but we really look forward to vibing with Coldplay,” said Deep Murzello, a Mumbai-based advocate who is visiting Ahmedabad for the concert with his friends.
For the fans, it was more than a concert – it was an odyssey of shared passion and nostalgia, belting out classics like Clocks and newer anthems under the vast expanse of the stadium.
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Highlights
Rush hour at Metro station
A total of 18 metro trains were operational for people to be able to reach Motera. Over and above these, six more metro trains were kept on standby to meet the rush hour. By 3pm, all rails from the metro stations indeed led to Motera stadium, with long queues for tickets. Many visitors to Ahmedabad were unaware of the app which offered online booking facility for Ahmedabad Metro.
Paper tickets were also made available especially for the Coldplay concert. In fact, several metro stations were issuing return tickets as well so that fans exiting the venue need not at the ticketing booth. But thanks to the unprecedented rush, some of the metro stations ran out of ticketing paper rolls. All metro platforms leading to the stadium had police personnel deployed to ensure people queued up and did not overcrowd the trains.
Airtight security
Gujarat Police rolled out rigorous security measures for Coldplay’s concerts on Jan 25 and 26. Over 3,800 police personnel, supported by a specialised National Security Guard (NSG) contingent, are on duty. The venue is under 24/7 watch with 400+ CCTV cameras, while metal detector-equipped teams and plainclothes officers ensure thorough checks. Bomb detection squads and quick response teams are on standby, with 10 dedicated teams carrying out proactive sweeps.
Women police personnel are stationed at entry points for added safety, and medical teams are strategically placed for emergencies. Ahmedabad police commissioner G S Malik inspected the arrangements. Enhanced surveillance extends to metro stations and public areas, safeguarding every aspect of the event.