Coldplay’s Chris Martin Salutes John Farnham With Original Song

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                    <img class="c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto" src="https://www.billboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/john-farnham-tribute-concert-2026-1800-cr-martin-philbey.jpg?w=942&h=628&crop=1" alt="MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20:  Stage at the John Farnham Tribute Concert at Rod Laver Arena on the 20th of September 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Martin Philbey) *****" srcset="https://www.billboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/john-farnham-tribute-concert-2026-1800-cr-martin-philbey.jpg?w=942&h=628&crop=1 1800w, https://www.billboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/john-farnham-tribute-concert-2026-1800-cr-martin-philbey.jpg?w=942&h=628&crop=1&resize=300%2C200 300w, https://www.billboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/john-farnham-tribute-concert-2026-1800-cr-martin-philbey.jpg?w=942&h=628&crop=1&resize=681%2C454 681w" sizes="(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 100vw" height="" width="" decoding="async">

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                <span class="">MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20:  Stage at the John Farnham Tribute Concert at Rod Laver Arena on the 20th of September 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Martin Philbey) *****</span>

                                <cite class="lrv-u-color-grey-dark lrv-u-text-transform-uppercase u-letter-spacing-0094 lrv-u-font-size-10 u-line-height-17px u-margin-t-2px">Martin Philbey</cite>

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John Farnham served as the guest of honor during an all-star concert Sunday night (Sept. 20) in Melbourne, though Chris Martin nearly drew the spotlight.

The Coldplay frontman appeared via video with an original song written for the legendary Australian singer. Australians last saw Martin in person in 2024, when his British band performed for more than 700,000 fans during the Australasian leg of their Music of the Spheres stadium tour.

Martin performed with an acoustic guitar for his contribution to Farnham’s event, delivering a surprise track that offered self-deprecating remarks while honoring two prominent Australians: the late cricketer Shane Warne and Farnham.

In video footage shared by event co-producer TEG Dainty, Martin sings about visiting Kinglake with Shane Warne after a bushfire seventeen years ago in Melbourne and listening to a mixtape in the car.

Martin acknowledges his own band before declaring Farnham the superior singer.

He continues by thanking Farnham for bringing him closer to his cricket-playing friend and noting that while people eventually pass away, John Farnham songs will endure.

Martin was among more than 120 artists and musicians who performed at the sold-out Rod Laver Arena for The Songs Of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert, which Cochrane Entertainment and TEG Dainty produced.

Additional performers included Vanessa Amorosi, Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano, Diesel, Human Nature, Jack Jones, Richard Marx, Jessica Mauboy, Keith Urban, Mark Vincent, and Ross Wilson, alongside remote performances by Celine Dion and Hugh Jackman.

Farnham was unable to attend due to deteriorating health. His 1986 album Whispering Jack made history as the first domestic LP in Australia to sell over 1 million copies and remains the country’s best-selling local record.

The concert raised awareness and funds for Head and Neck Cancer Australia and was broadcast in HOYTS cinemas nationwide, selling more than 23,000 tickets.

HOYTS general manager of programming and content Michelle Gater stated that demand for the live broadcast proved incredible, with rapidly selling sessions prompting the addition of extra screenings to meet fan response.

Representatives stated that details for an encore season will be released soon.

Chris Martin’s performance can be viewed here.

Source: Billboard

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