• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Coldplay's manager of 22 years is suing them for $12 million they 'refused' to pay him

Home> Music

Updated 10:11 7 Sep 2023 GMT+1Published 19:27 1 Sep 2023 GMT+1

Coldplay's manager of 22 years is suing them for $12 million they 'refused' to pay him

Dave Holmes managed the band for over two decades and claims they tried to demote him

Jess Battison

Jess Battison

Coldplay’s former manager is suing them for the over $12 million, claiming they ‘refused’ to pay him.

Dave Holmes managed the band for 22 years and Variety broke the news in August that he was suing them.

It was confirmed that Coldplay and Holmes had ‘quietly parted’ ways last year after what was nearly the group’s whole professional career together.

The multi-platinum British band met when they were students at University College of London, officially forming in 1997 and going by the name Big Fat Noises – seriously.

Advert

They also even named themselves Starfish before finally settling on their successful Coldplay.

Made up of Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion, they signed with Parlophone in 1999 and released their debut album Parachutes in 2000.

Coldplay re-upped its deal with now Warner Music’s Parlophone (UK) and Atlantic (US) labels in 2021.

This was soon followed by their most recent studio album, Music of the Spheres.

Advert

Coldplay formed in 1997.
Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty Images for ABA

After over two decades together, though, the former manager is suing the band in the UK for millions of alleged unpaid commission.

Legal documents appear to show what caused this falling out between the ‘Fix you’ musicians and Holmes.

According to Variety, in his filing the manager alleges the band have reneged on a promised contract regarding their (yet unreleased) tenth and eleventh albums – which he was due to be paid commission.

Advert

It’s reported that Coldplay received an advance payment of £35 million ($44 million) for the tenth and £30 million ($38 million) for both the eleventh and twelfth – yes, even more albums are set to come from the band.

Under his previous contract, Holmes received between eight and 13 percent commission, covering both Music of the Spheres and the eighth album, Everyday Life.

The Chris Martin-fronted band is being sued for millions.
Jordi Vidal/Redferns/Getty Images

Holmes also claims that as well as reneging on a contract extension, Coldplay attempted to demote him from manager to just head of touring.

Advert

He wants the UK court to declare that the contract for the tenth and eleventh albums is valid and to order payment of outstanding commission.

Holmes’ representative, Phil Sherrell told Variety: “Dave Holmes successfully managed Coldplay for more than 22 years, steering them to be one of the most successful bands in music history.

"Now, as the legal case shows, Coldplay is refusing to honor Dave’s management contract and pay him what he is owed.”

Coldplay now continue to be managed by Mandi Frost, Phil Harvey and Arlene Moon – who have worked with both the band and Holmes for several years.

Advert

Coldplay's team told UNILAD: "Dave Holmes’ management contract with Coldplay expired at the end of 2022 at which point they decided not to start a new one. The matter is now in the hands of Coldplay’s lawyers and the claims are being vigorously disputed. "

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Ole Jensen

Topics: Music, Celebrity, Money

Jess Battison
Jess Battison

Jess is an Entertainment Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include keeping up with the Twitter girlies, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021 and has previously worked at MyLondon.

X

@jessbattison_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

12 hours ago
3 days ago
4 days ago
  • 12 hours ago

    Beyoncé fans left terrified as she halts concert after major malfunction leaves her 'dangling' from car mid-air

    The singer called out 'stop' during the incident in Houston, Texas

    Music
  • 3 days ago

    People shocked after learning disturbing detail X-ray can see after nurse analyzes Lorde’s album cover

    People were surprised when the nurse pointed out the hidden detail

    Music
  • 4 days ago

    Lorde leaves fans stunned with NSFW picture of private parts in new vinyl

    The singer's latest album, Virgin, is set to be released on June 27

    Music
  • 4 days ago

    Singer LeAnn Rimes runs off stage as her teeth fall out mid-song at concert

    The singer has since done a 'story time' detailing her 'embarrassment'

    Music
  • Man shares how he made $12 million in three years after buying ATMs for $2,100 and operating them
  • School of Rock child actors announce they are officially married 22 years after film's release
  • Lady Gaga went bankrupt and was $3 million in debt after her Monster Ball tour
  • Kevin Spacey is 'refusing to leave' mansion despite man buying it for $3.2 million