Photo of Chris Martin of Coldplay by Sebwes89 (CC by 4.0)
After previously saying that they would stop touring until concerts are “environmentally beneficial,” Coldplay announced that they would perform at a benefit concert for prison reform.
In an Instagram post, the band said that they would be performing “an intimate show” for fans, which will take place at the Hollywood Palladium. The show will happen on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20.
The band is donating all proceeds from the show to Reform LA Jails. This is a prison reform initiative specifically focusing on the state of California. Also performing at the show will be rappers Boogie and Bobby Gonz.
The show will further feature a pair of guest speakers: Patrisse Cullors-Brignac, who is the co-founder of Black Lives Matter and the founder of Reform LA Jails, and America Ferrera, who is an actress and the co-founder of Harness. The latter organization unites artists and activists in efforts that they hope will advance social justice.
The band is additionally encouraging those who would like to attend the show to register with Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program.
Fans can register with the program through January 15. Those chosen will then get a code that will let them buy tickets at a fair price. Purchasing will begin on January 17 at 1 p.m. ET.
The band has a long history of social activism. In their early days, Coldplay was known to give 10% of their profits to charity, and they reportedly continue to do so today.
Among the causes that they have supported in the past include:
- Amnesty International
- Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign
- Paul McCartney’s Meat Free Monday
- The Teenage Cancer Trust
- Kids Company
- Artists’ Project Earth
- Make Poverty History
But not all their efforts have been without controversy. Facebook in 2011 reportedly removed an anti-Israel post of theirs that the platform considered abusive.