The Story of Absolute Coldplay

What do you do when you're a brand new radio station and you need to prove you're different? You fly to Munich, record one of the biggest bands in the world, and hope the lead singer agrees to an interview.

In the summer of 2008, Absolute Radio was weeks from launch in a market full of repetitive pop playlists and very little storytelling. Coldplay, meanwhile, were well on their way to becoming an era-defining band, and they had a stadium-sized gig lined up in Munich just days before the station went live.

The usual approach would have been a breakfast show interview or an acoustic session in a studio. The team wanted to make a documentary instead, something commercial radio simply didn't do.

There was very little time and even less budget.

Breakfast presenter Christian O'Connell was sent out to tell the story. But could he secure the interview that was crucial to the documentary’s success? Chris Martin was protecting his voice. The clock was ticking.

This is a story of an ambitious idea, of producing excellence against the odds, and of using storytelling to bring joy to millions. 

This is the story of Absolute Coldplay.

Welcome to The Relentless Optimist.

The Relentless Optimist is a Meliora podcast. We believe better is always possible. 

Find out more: www.meliora.company 

This podcast is produced by 18Sixty - podcasts for ambitious brands.

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