It was “kind of sad” to see hundreds of Coldplay fans with their phones out while Chris Martin performed on Grafton Street last night, Shane Coleman has said.
As word spread among Coldplay fans that a free gig was about to take place, the street became almost impassable.
On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Shane Coleman said what happened next left him scratching his head.
“I saw a photograph of it and, as far as I could see, everybody in the photograph had their phone out and was filming it,” she said.
“I just thought, can you not just experience it yourself and enjoy it?
“Why do we always have to get our phone out and record everything? How many times are you actually going to look back on that video?
“I suspect never. I think we’re diminishing and diluting our experience of life because of the need to record everything.
“We’re never in the moment.”
Shane admitted he is a “different generation” to the average Coldplay fan but still feels certain things in life are there to be enjoyed - not filmed.
“I find it kind of sad, if I’m being really honest,” he said.
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The band will perform for four nights in Croke Park and ticket holders are being advised to expect significant traffic.
There will be no parking near Croke Park but it can be accessed by bus and rail.
“We are expecting an extremely busy weekend - probably the last weekend of the big summer events,” he said.
“So, people who are travelling by intercity services - those long-distance routes - we are urging people to book in advance, no matter what your route is.
“Whether you’re travelling for Coldplay, any of the other events or just for any other reason - plan your journey, book your ticket because trains are selling out.”
WE PRAY. Grafton Street, Dublin. Magic moment with @burnaboy, @LittleSimz, @Elyanna, @TiniStoessel. Thanks to everyone who showed up, and to TikTok for helping to make it happen. pic.twitter.com/e6aCr5rUTp
— Coldplay (@coldplay) August 29, 2024
Security experts are also warning fans against oversharing on social media as professional thieves scour the web to find concert goers who announce they will be out - while their public profiles often leave clues about what valuables they've left at home.
Coldplay’s performance comes just weeks after Taylor Swift played for three nights at the Aviva Stadium and over the next four years, PwC estimates the value of the Irish entertainment and media industry will increase by €1 billion.
Last year, the sector was valued at €6.6 billion but it is expected to reach €7.6 billion by 2028.
Main image: Coldplay on Grafton Street.
