The interaction between the Coldplay singer and the young DJ has been seen by people across the world
17:41, 05 Sep 2025Updated 17:45, 05 Sep 2025
Chris Martin and Walton DJ AJ Murphy on stage at the Coldplay Wembley gig on August 22 2025(Image: Ashley Murphy Senior)
A Scouser was astonished after what Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin did for his son. The band played the first Wembley night of their ‘Music of the Spheres World Tour‘ on August 22.
In the second act of the show, Chris spotted 18 year-old Walton DJ AJ Murphy holding up a sign and soon beckoned him to come on stage. Chris said: “This is a sign, which is not only incredibly well coloured in, a competition which I always lost as a kid.
“It says ‘I am autistic‘, with this beautiful jigsaw heart, please with a rainbow S, which I love, ‘pick me’. And then, for one of the only times I’ve seen, there’s LED lights on the top and the bottom.
“This is a spectacular sign my brother, thank you. Is there anything you’d like us to do for you?”
AJ, real name Ashley Murphy, asked him to play Trouble, a single from their debut album Parachutes. The heartwarming moment was captured on TikTok and it’s since been seen by millions worldwide.
The ECHO spoke to AJ’s dad, Ashley Murphy Senior, earlier this year. AJ has loved DJing for 10 years, but due to his autism he was reluctant to showcase his talents to the wider world.
His time on the stages of Ibiza though have encouraged him to gain confidence and this has only increased since his interaction with one of his favourite bands.
AJ Murphy had a special interaction with Chris Martin from Coldplay last month(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Speaking to the ECHO today for the first time since his Coldplay appearance, AJ revealed he persuaded his dad to let him go to the centre which led to the fateful moment. He said: “My dad told me not to go close to the centre of the stage.
“I asked my dad if I could have a little look around. I scooched around a few people and got to the centre, where I saw hundreds of people.
“I held the sign up. Chris saw it and he picked me. I was very nervous and star struck. I asked him to play Trouble. It felt life changing.
Ashley actually missed the moment he was taken on stage and was blown away when he saw what was happening. He said: “I always like to have him in my sight. I just said to him, no, just stay here but he said please dad, just trust me.
“I just thought, ‘I’ll just trust him this time’ and said, come back in 10 minutes. Then as soon as he left, Chris Martin came over to where I was standing and I thought, ‘he’s just missed his chance’.
“I was with my friend and I said, just wait here for AJ, I need to go to the toilet. When I came back, I looked and he was on the stage with Chris Martin.
“I was just standing there with tears running down my face, I was shell shocked. I never moved for the entirety of the song. I was just staring at the screen and all the crowds were cheering. It was absolutely amazing.”
Following the viral moment, AJ has appeared on TV stations around the world, has been inundated with messages of support and secured more appearances at events and music festivals.
But the biggest change, according to Ashley, has been his improved communication. Ashley said: “He’s starting to interact with people and talk to people more.
“His music has made him come on so much. I’ve watched him grow in confidence and be more sociable – it’s amazing. It gives me butterflies in my stomach. It’s beautiful to see.”
AJ’s next performance will be on home turf at the Reminisce Festival in St Helens. The event will take over Sherdley Park tomorrow (Saturday September 6) with eight arenas and around 25,000 attendees expected.
You’ll be able to find AJ performing at 1.30pm in the Pimp Gin tent. The DJ says he felt like he was going to “collapse with excitement” when he was given the chance to play.
Ashley added: “I told him and he was absolutely over the moon. Loads of his friends are DJs. He always wants to go there and be part of it, and now he is.”
The dad added that he and his wife Rachel are overjoyed with the support their son has received. Ashley said: “Me and Rachel are over the moon.
“We love all of the support out there from the DJs, artists and singers, even from parents who have children with autism who are saying it’s inspiring.
“It’s beautiful to read the messages back. When he was young, we would always think about what he was going to do with his future. Now we know it’s definitely going to be something to do with music.”