Tom Dunne: Chris Martin and co have no place at a World Cup final

If we must have a half-time show, I'd prefer to have seen the Sultans Of Ping and the Wedding Present

The half-time show for the World Cup final at the New York-New Jersey Stadium. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026 - 15:06

Tom Dunne is a music-lover extraordinaire who, as well as presenting radio and TV shows, can also be seen in the wild as the lead singer with Something Happens.

The World Cup half-time music performance re-opened one of the great music debates. In fact, it ended it. It was settled the minute Chris Martin appeared wild eyed and joyous amid a sea of replica shirted children. Coldplay: they just aren’t cool are they?

You know cool when you see it. Mick, Keith, BB King, Ian Curtis, Weller, Bob. You don’t need to describe it. You just point at one of them. Not cool is a longer list. Basically, it tends to be “most others”. Terminally uncool? Look no further than Chris.