Coldplay frontman Chris Martin playfully addressed the recent viral “kiss cam” scandal involving former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron during the band’s latest performance in Madison, Wisconsin.
The moment marked the band’s first show since the controversial incident, which unfolded at their previous concert in Massachusetts. Martin’s subtle warning to fans added a humorous twist to an otherwise awkward public situation.
The Viral Moment That Sparked the Scandal
At a Coldplay concert on July 16 in Massachusetts, Andy Byron — then-CEO of the billion-dollar data infrastructure firm Astronomer — was caught on the venue’s jumbotron embracing the company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot. As the two swayed to the music, Coldplay’s Chris Martin commented on the big screen, saying:
“Oh, look at these two.”
However, once Byron and Cabot noticed they were being broadcast to the audience, Byron quickly ducked out of view while Cabot turned away from the stage.
The reaction sparked online speculation due to Byron’s personal life — he is married to Megan Kerrigan, who has since removed his surname from her social media profiles. The couple also share two children.
Chris Martin Reacts During the Wisconsin Show
Coldplay’s first concert following the scandal took place on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. During the performance, Chris Martin addressed the crowd with a cheeky nod to the previous drama:
“We’d like to say hello to some of you in the crowd. How we’re gonna do that is we’re gonna use our cameras and put some of you on the big screen,” Martin said, smiling as laughter erupted from the audience.
“So please, if you haven’t done your makeup, do your makeup now.”
No couples were featured on the jumbotron during the show, as confirmed by the fan account @weeklycoldplay, who posted the footage and added, “ALSO ZERO COUPLES WERE SHOWN ON JUMBOTRON LMAO.”
CEO Andy Byron Resigns Amid Internal Investigation
Following the backlash, Andy Byron officially resigned from Astronomer. The company released a statement on Friday, announcing the launch of a formal investigation into the matter.
“Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,” Astronomer’s statement read.
“Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted.”
The company added that Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy will continue serving as interim CEO while the search for a permanent replacement begins.
Despite the controversy, Astronomer reaffirmed its commitment to serving its clients:
“While awareness of our company may have changed overnight, our product and our work for our customers have not.”
Summary
Chris Martin’s lighthearted jab at the recent CEO kiss cam incident served as a timely reminder for fans to be cautious when the cameras roll. While the scandal may have disrupted Astronomer’s leadership, Coldplay continued their tour with humor and grace, leaving the audience entertained and in good spirits.
Comments are closed.