Coldplay kicked off their European tour this week with a show broadcast around the world.

The band launched their latest album, Mylo Xyloto with an outdoor show in Madrid’s premier bull ring.

As fans at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas arena came under a hail of ticker tape, balloons and heavy rain showers, frontman Chris Martin told them: “We have the best fans in the world, no question”.

Photographer and film-maker Anton Corbijn directed the show, which was broadcast live on YouTube. Fans wore illuminated LED wristbands, filling the venue with flashing lights.

The band has played a handful of shows this year, including a headline slot at Glastonbury, but Wednesday’s gig marked the beginning of the European tour.

Coldplay – now five albums into their career – mixed older hits such as Yellow, Politik and The Scientist with more recent material such as Lost and Violet Hill, along with songs from their new release, including Paradise.

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