It’s funny how the emotional rawness of today’s most influential music is at the core of its success. It speaks to our sense of purpose and proves our sentient nature as human beings, quietly and powerfully guided by feeling. So it’s no surprise that pop-rock-defining bands of the start of the century, such as Coldplay and Imagine Dragons, shaping those existential interrogations in the form of number one hits, have become arena-filling acts.
Both bands have each carved out a powerful presence on the global stage with songs that are instantly recognizable and practically etched into our brains. Since 1997, Coldplay has granted us “Fix You,” “Viva La Vida,” and “Yellow” – now almost religious anthems known for their catchy melodies and all-too-relatable lyrics. Meanwhile, Imagine Dragons have been dominating the modern rock-pop scene since their debut in 2008, with explosive hits like “Radioactive,” “Believer,” and “Demons,” giving each teenager of the era an opportunity to fulfill their own main-character dreams.
So it makes perfect sense, then, that a tribute concert uniting the worlds of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons would aim to deliver something close to nostalgia. It confirms a journey through two of modern music’s most emotionally resonant and musically influential figures.
Dates to see Coldplay and Imagine Dragons
July 11th and August 7th offer tributes to Coldplay vs Imagine Dragons, with plenty of seats left for those who’d rather not rush. Performed by the Lirio Quartet, the show lasts about 65 minutes, enough time to move through the emotional range these two bands are known for Coldplay’s slow-burning melancholy, hand in hand with the percussive urgency of Imagine Dragons. And the result feels all too natural. Expect the combination of “Fix You,” “Radioactive,” “The Scientist,” “Demons” reinterpreted in the space of hundreds of candles.
The shows at Seattle’s Arctic Club Hotel almost always sell out, which says a lot about the quiet pull these tributes to the industry’s most adored acts have. And now with Coldplay and Imagine Dragons, there’s just something quietly disarming about hearing songs built for stadiums stripped back to four string instruments and candlelight. It shifts the focus from spectacle to the kernel of their music, and makes room for something a bit more intimate.
You can get your tickets here.A decade apart, icons all the same
We’ve seen Coldplay evolve from atmospheric, melancholic beginnings to expansive, emotionally driven pop anthems. Meanwhile, Imagine Dragons entered the scene with an explosive energy, blending electropop with thundering percussion and a lyrical exploration of identity, struggle, and poignant mental health struggles. The emotional weight of both acts has not only captured global audiences but also helped shape the sonic identity of basically a whole generation.
They now stand with songs that fill stadiums but still carry a personal, emotional weight. Somehow, they resonate just as powerfully in intimate spaces like the Arctic Club Hotel during a candlelit concert. As these classical tributes, ever since they began reimagining iconic tracks through the elegance of a live string ensemble, have offered audiences a new kind of experience: one where the brilliance of pop and rock’s most emblematic figures is revealed in a completely different light.
Reviews for Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons
“Beautiful venue, engaging musicians, and great company. A great night out.” – May 2024
“Beautiful venue and musicians had great personality & added to the fun of the evening. Such a great night!” – May 2024
“Beautiful, ‘Fix You’ did indeed make me cry” – May 2024