Music Both interested parties sued each other. It happened after they separated in 2022.
They separated in 2022.
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Jessica Sousa
In 2023, Coldplay’s former manager Dave Holmes sued the band, demanding millions of euros in compensation. After more than 22 years of working together, the former agent sued the British band in August 2023, claiming that the band members refused to pay him the commissions he owed. After months of litigation, they eventually reached an agreement: the artists paid Holmes a seven-figure sum, reports “NME” magazine.
Holmes claimed to have contributed significantly to Coldplay’s success but was not paid as much as he had hoped. The former agent’s original claim was for around €11 million, for his work managing the group and organising recordings and string arrangements for their 10th and 11th albums.
However, the band did not comply with the agreement, Holmes’ lawyer explained to Variety. “They became one of the most successful bands in history thanks to his work. Now, they refuse to pay him what is owed,” he stressed.
In response, the members of Coldplay also sued Holmes, demanding more than 16 million euros in damages. They claimed that the former manager made two loans to production company Live Nation without authorization, leading to the non-renewal of the contract due to his conduct.
Furthermore, they accused Holmes of losing control of the budget for the “Music Of The Spheres” tour (which passed through Coimbra), resulting in losses of more than 20 million euros.
Coldplay quietly parted ways with Holmes in 2023 after 22 years of collaboration. The band continued to be managed by their longtime team of Phil Harvey, Mandi Frost and Arlene Moon.
In 2021, they renewed their contracts with Parlophone Warner Music and Atlantic, as well as with Wasserman Agency, shortly before the release of the album “Music of the Spheres”. With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide and seven Grammys won since the release of “Parachutes” in 2000, Coldplay continue to be one of the most successful bands today.
