Coldplay will headline the highly anticipated Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show at the milestone anniversary of the big game on February 7, in Santa Clara, California.
The timing (The news was released last night during Thursday Night Football.) couldn’t be better for the Grammy Award-winning band, who released their new album “A Head Full of Dreams” today. And since the album features more guests than any of the band’s previous outings, we can’t help but speculate which of Coldplay’s famous friends might join them at the Super Bowl. Here are our top five picks.
Beyoncé
Bey and husband Jay Z are longtime pals of lead singer Chris Martin (and his ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow). She also happens to be one of the collaborators listed on the new album, joining the band for “Hymn For The Weekend.” While Beyoncé’s last appearance at the Super Bowl raised some eyebrows, we think a visit from Queen B could deliver a serious dose of fierce to Coldplay’s performance. See Bey and Martin perform together at a benefit for Haiti below.
Jennifer Lawrence
America’s reigning sweetheart has been known to carry a tune. With songs on multiple Hunger Games movie soundtracks, Lawrence is a certified recording artist. Plus, she’s a massive Coldplay fan. One hitch: She took her fangirl status to girlfriend status when she started dating Martin shortly after his breakup with Paltrow. And while at the time the two seemed to be making beautiful music together, he has since moved on to fellow Brit, actress Annabelle Wallis. The tension could make for an angsty duet.
Chris Stapleton
He’s the music man of the hour. Why not extend the invite to country music star Chris Stapleton? With his raw, deep drawling voice he’d be the musical yin to Chris Martin’s falsetto yang. Plus, the multi-CMA Award winner is basically BFF with Justin Timberlake. And after their last live TV performance, we bet he’d be willing to bring the two-time Super Bowl alum along for the ride.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Though they consciously uncoupled last year, Paltrow and Martin have taken breakup civility to a whole new level. Not only are the two on great terms, they spent Thanksgiving together, despite both being in new relationships. And Paltrow has made no secret of her love of song, performing in films like Duets and Country Strong, as well as on the small screen with her recurring role on Glee. Plus, Paltrow makes a guest appearance on A Head Full of Dreams, proving these exes are down with both co-parenting and co-performing.
President Barack Obama
How A-list can you get? Coldplay included President Obama’s performance of Amazing Grace (which he included in his eulogy for slain Charleston preacher and South Carolina state legislator Clementa Pinckney) on their new album. While he did not record with the band, Obama did give his OK to use the audio, so we assume Coldplay is on pretty good terms with the Prez, so maybe he’d be open to a duet at the Super Bowl.
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