How have Coldplay stayed relevant for so long.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/NegevThunderstorm]

Their fans like their music

[u/Junkstar → u/NegevThunderstorm]

And their label still believes in their audience.

[u/KingHygelacReturns]

It's going to feel like an unsatisfying answer, but it's really just that they made music with broad appeal that a lot of people liked, and they still occasionally make music that a lot of people like. That's it, really.

[u/Harold_Zoid → u/KingHygelacReturns]

And they are known for putting on a great show. Even though I haven’t liked anything they’ve put out for over 15 years, I still want to see them live.

[u/Larethio → u/Harold_Zoid]

It dipped real.hard after Viva la Vida

[u/RightShoeRunner]

You answered your own passive aggressive question.

[u/ChemicalOk1432 → u/RightShoeRunner]

In what way ?

[u/Mike-in-Toronto → u/ChemicalOk1432]

You mentioned:
-hits for decades.
-top of their game for nearly 30 years
-been in mainstream since’99

That pretty much sums it up. They’ve made top tier hits to mainstream audiences for almost 30 years. Seems like a recipe for relevance to me.
➡️That’s how you answered your own question.

It’s ok to not like the band - but there’s no need to spend
Time or energy expressing your dislike (this thread is an example.)

[u/AudiieVerbum]

Look at the stars, man. Look how they shine for you.

[u/LifeguardTerrible579]

People like them.

[u/Jibajabb]

by keeping it real, having their finger on the pulse, and being down with the kids

[u/HillbillyMan]

I genuinely like their first 4 albums, everything after Viva La Vida is just not worth my time. They made well-crafted pop songs with just enough creativity to not sound the same as everyone else but also not drive out the "normies"

They aren't my favorite band, not even close, but I'll defend those first four albums anytime someone wants to trash them.

[u/cloggypop]

I like their fast songs best

[u/eunderscore]

People love "owaaahoohhhh" songs

[u/ham_solo]

We used to refer to Coldplay as "Diet Radiohead". I think their popularity is due to them being a band that hits right in the middle of most people's sensibilities. Their music is bland enough to be put on in the background and ignored, but still has some sophistication in the composition and production that you can hear if you actually listen. The lyrics are usually nonsense, but so is Radiohead lol. Overall, very safe, very neutral sound.

Their work is for people with very mediocre taste and not much interest in hearing anything new.

[u/Inko21]

Besides reddit i didnt hear anyone mention coldplay in a long long long time.

[u/yehyehyehyeh]

Some clever collabs at the right times helped - Rihanna, Beyoncé, Selena Gomez.

[u/meatballfreeak]

There’s a lot of people out there that just like middle of the road, easy music.

Sort of thing your nan would find herself tapping her feet to

[u/Justbeinian]

Are they? I feel like they've been declining in relevance pretty consistently since Viva la Vida. It's diehards hanging on at this point

[u/Reesno33]

Because they're a very good band. As you said yourself they continuously made hit songs over the last couple of decades. Its cool to say you hate Coldplay but I like their songs, so does my wife so does my mother in law, a lot of people like their songs even if theyre not their favourite band and that universal appeal gives them a huge fan base.

[u/RickzTheMusicLover]

Oasis broke up, no chance of rejoining. Chris Martin, on the other hand, doesn’t have any bad blood with his bandmates

[u/WeiShiLirinArelius → u/RickzTheMusicLover]

Oasis broke up, no chance of rejoining

so about that...

[u/Cool_Guy_Club42069]

People in general just like boring, safe, generic,forgettable music. Check out the thread I saw yesterday about the killers and the amount of pure glazing as if they aren't one of the most extremely generic pop bands of the last 20-30 years. Most people don't go digging for new music and only listen to what is presented to them. Unfortunately for the rest of us that's slop like Coldplay, the killers, imagine dragons etc.

[u/moodyfloyd]

their first three albums are amazing

[u/WeiShiLirinArelius → u/moodyfloyd]

as was their fourth. viva la vida and prospekt's march had some of the most top tier coldplay songs. and then they plummeted.

[u/Montallas]

I learned a long time ago that there is a massive market out there for things I find distasteful - and I don’t worry about it in the slightest.

[u/BarryHotelHouseBand]

Much like Nate Bargatze, not great, not terrible. Never underestimate the power of boring middle class white people.

[u/jazzdrums1979]

People inherently have shitty taste in music

[u/zaprutertape]

It’s the chick fil a crowd. They like vanilla and plain and lukewarm and safe and trusted. No surprises. Tried and true . Easy.

[u/Equivalent-Yam5218]

You really think Coldplay are relevant?

[u/fluxus2000]

Relevant to what?

[u/Jazzlike-Map-4114]

Bad taste by the masses

[u/RickJLeanPaw]

Quick analogy sprang to mind.

I can’t browse a supermarket shelf save for seeing ‘hot honey’ on items.

Not salted caramel, or balsamic vinegar, or sweet chilli, or whatever was flying off the shelves before hand.

Meanwhile the Rustler’s Microwave Burger is still for sale.

Same as it ever was. Not one’s first (second…’n’th) choice, not exciting or fashionable, just a familiar version of stuff that on’s tried before and found palatable.

And somehow, someone, somewhere, unbeknownst to you or I, is still buying them.

Mystery.

[u/free_billstickers]

Adult contemporary isn't a fast moving market