The band met and formed while attending the University College of London. Coldplay captured the attention of fans and critics in the U.K. All the members had grown up playing music since they were very young and were excellent musicians.

The sound was new and fresh yet built on the sound of bands like Travis and Oasis. Their first two EP's which came out in 1998 and 1999, "Safety" and "Brothers and Sisters," only had 500 pressings each. In 2000 the released their first album "Parachutes" which received more acclaim.

The single "Yellow" was used in ABC promos and brought the album to a large audience. The band toured the U.S. but had to cut it short due to sickness by Martin.

In 2002 Coldplay came out with their second album, "A Rush of Blood to the Head," on Capitol records.