Photo: Anna Lee/Penske Media
A treasure trove of early Coldplay history is set to go under the hammer. An extensive archive of studio recordings, including rough demos, alternate takes, and never-before-heard sessions predating the band’s breakout debut, Parachutes, is being auctioned this week via Wax Poetics.
The collection was meticulously curated by renowned producer and engineer Chris Allison. It primarily highlights the band’s formative “Blue Room” sessions at London’s Orinoco Studios, captured shortly after they inked their first deal with Parlophone.
This archive serves as a fascinating lens into the creative genesis of Parachutes. Notably, it contains the original iteration of “High Speed”—a track exclusively produced by Allison—which appeared on the Blue Room EP before being refined for the final studio album.
Collectors will find a wealth of rarities in these lots, ranging from original DAT mixes and unreleased versions to a unique nine-track cassette featuring two songs that have remained entirely hidden from the public eye.
Perhaps most intriguing is a previously undocumented acoustic demo by Chris Martin. The recording was crafted as a pitch for the 1999 James Bond theme, The World Is Not Enough. Though the opportunity ultimately went to Garbage, Martin’s submission remains a legendary “lost” piece of the band’s early timeline.
“This is a window into the writing, recording, production and promotion of some uniquely celebrated music artists – pieces of music history that deserve to be in the hands of fans, not gathering dust in a storage unit,” shared Allison.
These tapes capture the band at their infancy. Since the 2000 release of Parachutes, which achieved double-platinum status and snagged a Grammy, Coldplay has transformed into a global stadium powerhouse, consistently topping the Billboard 200 with their sonic evolution.
The auction, which also features memorabilia from The Beta Band, The Wedding Present, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, runs through July 19. A portion of the proceeds will support Restore the Music, a charity dedicated to providing musical equipment to under-funded schools.
