Battle Of...The 21st Century Brit Bands
This week it’s the Battle of the 21st Century Brit Bands as we take a look at two of the reigning champions, Coldplay and Muse, two Brit bands formed within two years of each other, but just who has proved more successful. Let the battle commence.
Pole Position:
Coldplay have notched up an impressive 5 number 1s, with all of their studio albums having claimed the top spot. Three have taken the number 1 chart position in the US as well as a Top 5 for 2002’s A Rush Of Blood To The Head. With six studio albums, Muse have managed 4 number 1s, but so far, have failed to claim that top spot in the US. Having taken pole position on both sides of the Atlantic, it’s a no brainer, Coldplay are tops.
Round 1: Coldplay
Record Sales:
Muse have notched up 20 million in album sales and roughly 50 million in record sales worldwide making them one of the most successful Brit bands of all time. However, Coldplay have managed to beat that by 16 million, bringing their total to 65 million records sold worldwide, thus deeming them one of the most successful British selling bands of the 21st century (and ever!).
Round 2: Coldplay
Kings of the Road:
Coldplay have toured extensively to promote their albums, having embarked on 6 concert tours to date, working their way up from Dublin’s Olympia Theatre to The O2 and selling out Marley Park. The band are one of the most successful touring acts around, but on their latest tour they failed to make a stop off in Ireland. Not cool boys, not cool. Muse have hit the road 8 times, 6 of which were concert tours to promote their studio albums, 1 being a US campus tour to expand their fanbase overseas and a handful of shows in their hometown of Devon. And make no mistake, aside from being a killer band, Muse also put on one hell of a show.
Round 3: Muse
Award Trophy Glory:
Muse have racked up 106 nominations across a number of the biggest award ceremonies, winning 37, including 1 Grammy Award, 1 Ivor Novello and 2 Brit Awards. Coldplay have managed 158 nominations with 53 wins, including 7 Grammy Awards, 1 Ivor Novello and 8 Brit Awards, further cementing their place in the British music history books. So...
Round 4: Coldplay
Soundtrack of the Movies:
Both bands write and perform songs that lend themselves well to the big screen, but just who has featured most often on the soundtracks of the big screen. Coldplay have appeared in at least 16 films over the course of their career including You, Me & Dupree, The Amazing Spiderman and the upcoming sequel to The Hunger Games, Catching Fire. Muse have allowed the use of their songs in at least 10, including Not Another Teen Movie, Twilight and World War Z- Coldplay take this one as well.
Round 5: Coldplay
Worth Their Weight in Cash:
At this point it’s probably safe to crown the champions. With a net worth of around $200 million dollars, Coldplay easily kick Muse to the dirt with the latter group worth a measly $30 million dollars by comparison. Not quite what you would expect for a band of their calibre.
Round 6: Coldplay
A-List Cheerleaders:
Every lead singer of a big band needs a big name cheerleader waiting in the wings after every show, but just which one is more impressive? Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is married to Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow and together they have two children, Apple and Moses (I’m sorry but that’s a playground tragedy waiting to happen). Muse frontman Matt Bellamy on the other hand is currently engaged to the Queen of rom coms and Golden Globe winner Kate Hudson and together they have a son, Bingham. While Gwyneth may be the more successful actress of the pair, due to the fact Kate is far more loveable, (FYI: Gwyneth was recently named one of the most hated celebrities on the planet), Matt has bagged the more favourable leading lady.
Round 7: Muse
Normally there would be 6-8 rounds to even things out, but with 5 wins out of 7, making it a KO, Coldplay are undoubtedly the reigning Kings of the 21st C. Brit Bands.