‘No application by Coldplay to extend shows here’

KUALA LUMPUR: The concert organiser for British band Coldplay has not made any application to extend the number of shows here, says Tourism, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

“We have not received any applications to extend the number of shows other than the established dates,” Khairul told reporters here yesterday.

“Any decision has to comply with the government’s standard operating procedure,” he said in response to news the band had added a sixth concert date for its stop in Singapore while Malaysia only has one concert date.

An industry group, meanwhile, said protests from political groups have left a “sour note” among artists, organisers and international concertgoers.

The concert had attracted protests from PAS leaders, who called on the government to cancel the event.

ALIFE, an organisation that supports organisers of live arts, festivals and events, said such protests have impacted Malaysia’s international business environment and reputation.

The popular British band will be playing at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 22. It is Coldplay’s first concert in Malaysia during their Asia leg of the Music of the Spheres World Tour.

On Tuesday, the band announced a sixth show for its Singapore stop on Jan 31, 2024.

This comes after the promoters added a fifth show on Monday, following the sale of more than 200,000 tickets for the band’s original four shows on Jan 23, 24, 26, and 27 at the National Stadium during the pre-sales on the same day.