Rumor Overview
Earlier today, the Instagram page NewinBeirut claimed that Coldplay might be coming to Lebanon. The post read:
“We’re thrilled to share that talks are underway to host Coldplay in Lebanon! The Ministry of Tourism is working diligently to make this happen, though the date is still to be confirmed. Stay tuned to our stories and posts for all the latest updates and details as they become available. Remember, nothing is confirmed yet, but let’s cross our fingers and hope for the best!”
This announcement created a buzz among Lebanese Coldplay fans, eager for the band to perform in Lebanon – even prompting a repost by Live Love Beirut and beiruting.
However, our investigation reveals a different story. It’s also important to note that the post was edited later to include the last sentence stating that nothing is confirmed yet.
Coldplay’s 2024 tour goes on nonstop till November when they will perform their last show in Auckland, New Zealand with tickets already being sold.
Responses
Ministry of Tourism
A source at the Ministry of Tourism confirmed to 961 that the claim is completely false and unfounded. There have been no discussions or plans to bring Coldplay to Lebanon.
The Minister of Tourism, Walid Nassar, posted a story while on vacation in Europe, showing a street performer playing a Coldplay song near the restaurant where he was dining. The caption read, “Coldplay soon.”
A source at the Ministry clarified to 961 that the minister’s personal Instagram and potential personal plans are his own and not related to ministerial work.
The source believes that NewinBeirut used this story to support their claim, describing it as a very long stretch and unethical to mislead people in this way.
Coldplay’s Management
Coldplay’s management also confirmed to 961 that Lebanon is not within their current plans, and there are no ongoing discussions about performing in the country.
Background on NewinBeirut
NewinBeirut has a history of posting unfounded rumors and using copyrighted content without authorization.
Over the past few years, 961 has issued cease and desist order and multiple warnings to the page admin, Ali Yassine, for false representation, copyright infringements, and defamation practices.
Yassine has also been accused of falsely claiming NewinBeirut had affiliations with 961, forcing the removal of such posts.
Conclusion
The rumor about Coldplay coming to Lebanon, as shared by NewinBeirut, is entirely false. There are no confirmed plans or discussions for a Coldplay concert in Beirut or anywhere in Lebanon.
Update 10pm Beirut Time:
LiveLoveBeirut and NewinBeirut added a clarification claiming “Coldplay’s management and promoter visited Beirut in August 2023 and there were serious discussions to bring them to Lebanon. Unfortunately, due to the current situation in Gaza, the event has been postponed.” Continuing their claim that the “main venue consideration is Dbayeh Waterfront and the discussions were ongoing for more than a year now.”
However, Coldplay’s Europe 2024 days were announced back in July 2023 and their Asia tour days began from June 2023 until November 2023. With tickets already going on sale, there were no dates or plans for any Middle East country. In fact, their only Asia tours were Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand in 2024.
In addition, no events have ever been hosted in Waterfront Dbayeh – especially not on this caliber which is often part of a big festival (such as Baalbek or Beiteddine Festival), in Beirut’s Biel, or at the Forum.
We reached out to Waterfront Dbayeh’s management to confirm if any of these rumors are true but they weren’t immediately available for comment. In addition, we reached out to Coldplay’s management to confirm the additional rumors presented by livelovebeirut and NewinBeirut and we’re waiting for their response.
Editorial Note – 11:45pm:
We tried explaining this in the DMs and comments section of livelovebeirut’s page but unfortunately they hid our comments from their followers. NewinBeirut also restricted our comments.
12:45pm:
Livelovebeirut responded to our DM saying they fact checked and received the explanation that they shared above and denied hiding our comments. We requested that they provide us with any sort of evidence of their claims. However, they failed to do so just saying it comes “from reliable sources” and requested us to provide them with claims that it’s not true.
We presented them with the evidence that did indeed hide our comments from their followers and explained to them that they’ve made 2 claims, including the initial claim that was proven false – as such the burden of proof is on them to provide any sort of evidence to their claims.
This is what it shows for those who follow us:
This is what it shows for those who don’t, proving at least 2 of our comments were hidden:
Editorial Note 05/26/2024 2pm:
Livelovebeirut has taken down their post. Beiruting and Newinbeirut’s fake news posts continue to spread online.
