Coldplay Streams Surge 25% After Viral Concert Kiss-Cam Incident, CEO Resigns

During Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour stop in Boston on July 16, 2025, a kiss-cam moment featuring Andy Byron, CEO of Astronomer, and Kristin Cabot, the company's Chief People Officer, went viral after both were seen avoiding the camera and it was revealed they are married to other people. The incident drew widespread social media attention and memes, leading to Byron's resignation from his CEO position amid Astronomer's statement emphasizing leadership accountability. Concurrently, Coldplay's music streams surged by 25% in the five days following the incident, with notable increases in songs like "Fix You" (34% increase) and "Sparks" (18% increase), the latter boosted by fan-edited clips of the moment. The viral event also propelled Coldplay to dominate Spotify's Top 50 USA chart with multiple tracks in the top positions, enhancing their media presence despite the controversy. The band continues its historic tour, which is the best-selling in history, while rumors about frontman Chris Martin's personal life have further fueled public interest. Overall, the unexpected viral scandal significantly boosted Coldplay's streaming numbers and media relevance amidst their ongoing tour.