When I first sat down with Debs Wild, I was immediately struck by her warmth, candour, and humility. She has one of those rare stories that balances being at the heart of music history with deeply personal lessons about trust, resilience, and self-belief.
For our readers at Elysium Lifestyle, Debs’ journey is an inspiring reminder that extraordinary things can happen when we follow our instincts — even when the world hasn’t caught up yet. Her story begins with a chance encounter in a tiny Manchester venue, where she first saw a young, unknown band called Coldplay. What she felt in that moment shaped not only their future but her own.
Who is Debs Wild?
Sue: Can you give us some background to give our readers a little context to our interview around your own journey and special relationship with Coldplay?
Debs: I’ve worked in the music industry for more than 25 years but actually worked with children before following my dream. I knocked on doors to get a job and miraculously it worked! My roles have spanned A&R, management, consultancy and fan engagement. But I’m probably best known for discovering Coldplay in their early days and helping guide them before anyone else was really looking. I’ve now been working as part of their team for over two decades. Alongside that, I consult, mentor, speak at conferences, and write — including my book Life in Technicolor: A Celebration of Coldplay.
Beginnings with Coldplay
Sue: Can you take us back to the moment you first encountered Coldplay? What stood out to you about them before they became a household name?
Debs: The first time I saw Coldplay was in a tiny Manchester venue in 1998. They were raw but magnetic, and I just knew they had something special. They gave me goosebumps and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I walked out of that show convinced they were destined for something bigger, even though hardly anyone knew their name yet.
Sue: How did your relationship with the band develop from that first meeting to becoming such a pivotal figure in their journey?
Debs: I met them in London (where we all lived) for a chat. My boss actually ended up passing on them, which was a devastating blow. After that, I introduced them to their lawyer and publisher — I was the first domino to fall. I stayed close as they navigated their first record deal and beyond. Over time, my role shifted into a more official one, later becoming their fan liaison. That means I’ve had this unique position of seeing both sides — the band’s journey and the fans’ devotion. It’s a real privilege.
Writing the Book
Sue: What inspired you to finally put your story — and Coldplay’s journey from discovery to present day — into a book?
Debs: I resisted because I didn’t want it to be opportunistic. The publisher approached me and were going to release a book about the band with or without me, so I decided it should be the latter. I realised when writing the first edition, it wasn’t just their story, it was my story. It’s like having a professional scrapbook of my life with them. It felt like the right way to honour that journey, the fans, and the incredible community that has grown around the band.
Sue: Did you find the process of writing about such a personal chapter in your life cathartic, challenging, or both?
Debs: It was definitely both cathartic and challenging. Cathartic, because it gave me space to reflect on how far we’d all come and the impact those choices had. Challenging, because it meant having to choose what to put in and leave out. It could easily have been 100,000 words! I was revisiting some very personal moments and finding the balance between honesty and discretion. But ultimately it was a joy to put those memories down and share them with others.
For the Reader of Life in Technicolor: A Celebration of Coldplay 2025
Sue: Your readers will span generations, but what do you hope women, particularly those in midlife and beyond, take away from your book?
Debs: I hope readers, especially women in midlife and beyond, see that it’s never too late to take a leap of faith. I was a relatively late starter in the music industry but music was a passion, so I just had to take that risk. Believing in others can sometimes be easier than believing in ourselves, but the two are connected. My journey with Coldplay taught me that listening to your instincts and taking risks can completely change your path.
Sue: Do you think your story is as much about believing in yourself as it is about believing in Coldplay?
Debs: Yes, I think it’s as much about self-belief as it is about believing in the band. Coldplay were and still are extraordinary, but part of the story is also me trusting my gut when others might have dismissed them. That trust has shaped so much since.
Pride and Legacy
Sue: Looking back, what are you most proud of in your journey with Coldplay?
Debs: I guess I’m most proud that I was able to help open a door for the band at a time when they really needed it. It’s a surreal feeling when I travel to their stadium shows on public transport with fans wearing their t-shirts, knowing I had a small part to play in where we are going and why.
Sue: Beyond the band’s global success, what moments feel most personally meaningful to you?
Debs: In terms of the band, every private moment is priceless. Also, there’s a pre-show huddle that I’ve been invited to join a few times. It always feels special. There are many things behind the scenes that I do that I know are of value, and it really feeds my soul to know I have done something small yet hugely impactful.
Change and Growth
Sue: How did your experience with Coldplay change you — personally, professionally, even spiritually?
Debs: Meeting Coldplay changed my life. And theirs. I made a career out of something I love, but it wasn’t all rosy. Not being able to sign the band had a detrimental effect for a long period of time. It took years before I realised that I could only control some of what happens. Professionally, it certainly opened doors. I am a very spiritual person and believe in the power of positivity. I choose to love the life I live. Coldplay have the power of connection — how music can unite strangers and make them feel less alone. I’m sure a bit of the band’s philosophy has rubbed off on me. And that is a very good thing.
Sue: Has it influenced the way you approach opportunities, creativity, or relationships today?
Debs: I don’t think so. Unless you count being able to physically approach people such as my favourite actors, musicians, comedians at shows! I’m sure that’s not what you mean, but I’m a very pro-active person so if I want to do something, I will, or find a way to at least try. Outside of my family, Coldplay are my longest relationship. Occasionally I have to be wary of why someone may be interested in talking to me or offering me something. It’s hard not to be cynical and think they actually want something Coldplay-related. On the whole, I have an amazing group of friends who love and support me.
Broader Reflections
Sue: Many of our readers are at a stage of life where they’re looking to reinvent themselves. What advice would you share about trusting your instincts and taking bold steps, like you did when you backed Coldplay so early on?
Debs: My advice is simple: do what makes you happy. Life’s too short. Live with regretting what you did, not what you didn’t. It’s OK to try and fail. Set realistic goals and trust in yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable. Reinvention is possible at any stage of life. If something excites you or you feel pulled towards it, pay attention — that’s usually your intuition telling you where you’re meant to go. I’m very self-aware, so I check in with myself a lot.
Sue: If you could go back and talk to your younger self — just as you were first meeting Coldplay — what would you say?
Debs: To my younger self, I’d say: “You’re right to follow your gut. You won’t get a house out of it and it’s going to be hard at times, but don’t doubt yourself. It’s going to be one heck of a ride! Oh, and always surround yourself with people who lift you up.”
Your Leave Behind
Sue: What would you like to leave our readers with after they have read your interview, and why is that important to you?
Debs: I’d like readers to take away the idea that extraordinary things can happen when you believe — in others and in yourself. We’re never too old, too late, or too small to make a difference.
“Extraordinary things can happen when you believe — in others and in yourself.”
Debs Wild’s book is available from Amazon here.
