Geraldton singer Nadene Burchell and her band King Ibis on a high after Coldplay support act gig

Geraldton and the Mid West are abuzz with pride after local sensation King Ibis took the stage at Coldplay’s sell-out concert on Sunday, November 19 at Optus Stadium in Perth. Nadene Burchell, the Geraldton-raised lead singer of King Ibis, showcased the town’s musical talent on a grand scale, declaring the experience as “a day we will remember forever”. Burchell’s musical journey started with her sister Candace introducing her to the guitar with iconic tunes such as Smoke on the Water and Wild Thing. From those humble beginnings, Nadene’s dedication led King Ibis to open for Coldplay at one of their two Australian exclusive shows at Optus Stadium, a dream come true for the band. “We were incredibly nervous, but the anticipation turned into euphoria when we hit the stage,” Nadene said. Before the concert, the band enjoyed the backstage experience alongside artists Thelma Plum and Tash Sultana, engaging in pre-show rituals such as a card game and an unsuccessful attempt at a pre-performance nap. The lead-up to their set was filled with jittery excitement, with the band waiting underneath the stage for what Nadene said felt like the longest 10 minutes of their lives. Describing the stadium experience, Nadene said, “(It was) Insane! Unlike any stage we’ve ever played. The sound was incredible, and it was excellent seeing so many people turning up early to catch our set.” Post-performance, the band found a surprise in their green room—a bottle of champagne and a heartfelt card from Coldplay, expressing gratitude. King Ibis received an invitation to an afterparty, where they met Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin, who personally thanked each member. Reflecting on watching Coldplay’s performance, Nadene said: “We did get to watch Coldplay, and we were completely blown away! “I think all of us shed some tears watching them and really soaking it all in. It was just so wild to see the performance and realise that we opened for them; it was just surreal.”