Coldplay is countersuing the band’s former manager Dave Holmes for $17 million.
As Variety exclusively revealed in August, Holmes filed suit against the Chris Martin-fronted band for over £10 million ($12 million) worth of unpaid commission related to their tenth and eleventh (unreleased) studio albums.
Holmes, who had managed the band for over 20 years before quietly parting ways last year, filed his claim in London’s High Court.
In legal letters preceding the lawsuit, Coldplay threatened to file a “significant counterclaim” along with any defense. 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 cites $10 million spent on bespoke stage pylons that were unusable and a screen that was too big They are seeking £14 million ($17 million) in damages.
The countersuit also claims that Holmes borrowed $20 million from tour promoter Live Nation which he used to fund a property development in Canada.
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“Coldplay know they are in trouble with their defence,” a rep for Holmes told The Sunday Times. “Accusing Dave Holmes of non-existent ethical lapses and other made-up misconduct will not deflect 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.”
