Ayra Starr Opens Coldplay’s Sold-out Concert Tour

Ayra Starr has teamed up with Coldplay on their Australian tour. She’s been playing her hit song Rush and tracks from her second album, The Year I Turned 21, her vocals seemingly getting better each time she performs.

Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres 2024 World Tour covers 11 dates across Australia and New Zealand. Ayra is one of the opening acts, together with Zimbabwean singer Shone and Australian X Factor contestant Emmanuel Kelly.

Ayra Starr is clearly one of Coldplay’s favorites, being featured on their latest album Moon Music on the track Good Feeling. This makes her only the fourth woman to collaborate with the band, after Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Selena Gomez. Pretty big for someone who’s still early in her journey!

Ayra first grabbed attention in 2021 with her viral hit Bloody Samaritan, which put her on the map internationally. Her debut album 19 & Dangerous included popular tracks like “Away,” “Rush,” and a remix of “Bloody Samaritan” with Kelly Rowland.

Her sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21 (2024), stood out with collabs featuring Asake, Seyi Vibez, Giveon, Coco Jones, and Brazilian singer Anitta. She’s racked up numerous awards, becoming one of the fastest-rising stars from the continent.

This year, Ayra snagged her first Grammy nomination for Rush in the Best African Music Performance category, making her the youngest Nigerian female artist to achieve this. Even though she didn’t win — losing to South African singer Tyla — the nomination is a big win in itself.

Adding to her achievements, she’s nominated for the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards in the categories of Best New Artist and Best Afrobeats. The awards are set for November 10 in Manchester, and fans are hyped.