On tour with Coldplay - the most surreal thing in the entire world

  • Author, Steve Holden
  • Role, Newsbeat reporter

Alessia Cara has told Newsbeat it was "amazing" to be asked by Chris Martin himself to go on tour with Coldplay.

The 19-year-old is supporting the Radio 1 Big Weekend headliners on their world tour.

"Chris Martin asked our agent if I was available and I was like, 'yes, yes, yes'. The fact he asked for me is even cooler," she says.

It's not a bad gig for the Canadian teenager, who came second in the Sound of 2016 earlier this year.

Alessia performed on the In New Music We Trust stage at Powderham Castle in Devon.

Speaking backstage, she says: "I make a fool in front of them all the time. I still haven't figured out how to talk to them without drooling. They're incredible."

After a stop in Spain, she's now preparing for Coldplay's London gigs.

However, she says she came out with the "stupidest thing" she'd ever said when she first met Chris Martin.

"So I wanted to say that I was their biggest fan, but my mum argued that she was," says Alessia.

"What came out was 'my mum's probably a bigger fan than I am' to which Chris replied: 'It's ok, we don't need you, we've got tons of fans.'

"I felt so dumb. My whole life had led to that moment and I messed it up. But of course he was joking."

You'd assume that touring with one of the world's biggest bands would be mildly nerve-wracking but she says they make everyone feel welcome on tour.

"It's insane and the most surreal thing in the entire world. Every time I go on stage it feels unreal," she explains.

"When I talk to them it doesn't feel like it's happening. It's the most flattering thing in the world."

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