Coldplay's Chris Martin says he ‘never criticized' Toronto's Rogers Stadium
Martin issued the clarification Friday during the third of four concerts at the newly built stadium, which is on the outskirts of the city.
When he first took the stage on Monday, Martin thanked the crowd for going through all 'the traffic and the travel and the trains and the waiting' to get to 'this weird stadium in the middle of nowhere.'
But now Martin says he 'never criticized' the stadium and only meant to thank fans for making the trek to the former Downsview Airport lands.
'I have never criticized this stadium that was beautifully, kindly built for us to play in. I don't think to say anything mean at all,' Martin told the crowd on Friday.
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'I'm so grateful to have somewhere where we can hang out with all of you,' he added.
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Coldplay's Chris Martin calls out Toronto's new venue: 'Weird stadium in the middle of nowhere'
Concertgoers had complained about poor crowd control at the 50,000-capacity stadium when it first opened last month, and some said it was a hassle getting out of the venue even after Coldplay's first show.
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As of Wednesday, Rogers spokesman Zac Carreiro said Live Nation has been improving the venue's operations and 'we know they will continue to make enhancements at the stadium.'
A Live Nation Canada spokesperson said those adjustments include 'improving crowd flow, easing traffic congestion, enhancing accessibility and comfort to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests.'
K-Pop group Blackpink is set to take Rogers Stadium next, with two back-to-back shows on July 22 and July 23.
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— With files from The Canadian Press
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Coldplay's Chris Martin denies insulting Toronto's 'weird' Rogers Stadium
'I have never criticized this stadium that was beautifully, kindly built for us to play in' Get the latest from Mark Daniell straight to your inbox Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in the first of four shows at Rogers Stadium in Toronto. Photo by Anna Lee Before Coldplay wrapped its four-night stand at Toronto's newly christened Rogers Stadium, Chris Martin wanted to go on the record that he wasn't insulting the venue when he called it a 'weird stadium in the middle of nowhere.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'I have never criticized this stadium that was beautifully, kindly built for us to play in,' Martin said Friday night in a video that were shared to social media by MuchMusic. 'I'm so grateful to have somewhere where we can hang out with all of you … All I'm trying to say is, thank you for the effort that you all took to come here. That is not a criticism of the people that built it OK? It's just trying to say thank you to all of you for the hassle that you had to go through.' After Martin's initial comments were widely shared by Toronto media, the British singer said he wasn't trying to disparage journalists either for sharing his remarks. 'I don't mean to disrespect any journalists either. I love all people and I don't want to say anything mean about anyone,' he said. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. During Coldplay's opening night show, Martin thanked fans for 'coming through all the bulls— you had to come through to this weird stadium in the middle of nowhere … Thank you for coming through the traffic and the travel and the trains and the waiting and the lines and all the nonsense.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. At the band's second show, Martin knocked the stadium once again for its distance from downtown Toronto when he addressed fans mid-concert. 'Thank you for being here … and especially thank you for travelling on the strange quest that you had to travel on to get to this very bizarre stadium, a million miles from earth,' he jabbed. 'We are solely testing the premise if you build it they will come.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Following the outdoor venue's inaugural show last month, which saw K-pop group Stray Kids open the season, some fans complained that it took up to two hours to exit the stadium near Downsview Park. Others noted that nearby transit stations seemed unable to handle the thousands of people travelling to the show. Stray Kids bandmember Bang Chan also took a swipe at the stadium when he told the crowd, 'I don't know where we are right now' and cracking that the venue was 'legit in the middle of nowhere.' 'There's like planes flying by. There's like a runway,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ahead of Coldplay's first show, Live Nation promised to reconfigure the exit routes so that crowds would be dispersed to multiple nearby subway stations. In addition to changing the exit routes, the operator promised to add more signage, lighting, staff and water stations. But Leigh Marshall and Adam Archdekin told the Canadian Press they felt 'herded like cattle' as they were held in the venue for 40 minutes after the Coldplay show ended. K-Pop group Blackpink is the next act set to play Rogers Stadium, with two back-to-back shows on July 22 and July 23. mdaniell@ Read More Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances. Columnists NFL World Golf Editorial Cartoons
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