Coldplay are counter-suing the band’s former manager Dave Holmes for $17 million.
As Variety exclusively revealed in August, Holmes is suing the Chris Martin-fronted band for over £10 million ($12 million) in unpaid commission on their tenth and eleventh (unreleased) studio albums.
Holmes, who managed the band for over 20 years before quietly parting ways with them last year, has filed his claim in London’s High Court.
In legal letters prior to the lawsuit, Coldplay threatened to file a “substantial counterclaim” along with any defence. They have now made good on that threat, accusing him of allowing their Music of the Spheres tour to spiral out of control. The band cite $10 million spent on custom-made stage pylons that were unusable and a screen that was too big, and are seeking £14 million ($17 million) in damages.
The countersuit also alleges that Holmes borrowed $20 million from tour promoter Live Nation, which he used to fund a property development in Canada.
“Coldplay know they are in trouble with their defence,” a representative for Holmes told The Sunday Times. “Accusing Dave Holmes of non-existent ethical lapses and other trumped up misconduct will not distract from the real issue at hand – Coldplay had a contract with Dave, they are refusing to honour it and they need to pay Dave what they owe him.”
