Astronomer Addresses Rumors of Employee Involvement in Viral Coldplay Concert Video
A recent viral video from a Coldplay concert has sparked widespread speculation about the involvement of employees from the tech company Astronomer. The footage, captured during the band’s performance in Foxborough, Massachusetts, showed CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot appearing close to one another before quickly trying to hide when the camera focused on them on the jumbotron. This moment quickly went viral, leading to online discussions about the identities of those seen in the clip.
Some social media users claimed that a red-faced woman near Byron and Cabot was Alyssa Stoddard, a newly promoted employee at Astronomer. However, the company has denied these claims, stating that “Alyssa Stoddard was not at the event and no other employees were in the video.” Astronomer also clarified that reports suggesting Andy Byron had made any public statement were incorrect.
The incident has drawn significant attention, particularly after Coldplay singer Chris Martin made a comment during the show. According to TikTok clips, Martin said, “Oh, what?” before jokingly suggesting that the couple might be having an affair or simply being shy. Later, he added, “I hope we didn’t do something bad,” acknowledging the potential for misinterpretation.
Stoddard, who joined Astronomer just months ago, became the target of online backlash after her identity was incorrectly linked to the video. Her LinkedIn post announcing her new role was flooded with harsh comments, including one that read, “Way to go! You were hired to keep the secrets and failed five months into the job.”
In response to the growing controversy, Astronomer has taken the matter seriously. The company announced that its Board of Directors has launched a formal investigation into the incident. A statement from the company emphasized its commitment to maintaining the values and culture that have guided it since its founding. It also highlighted that leadership is expected to uphold high standards of conduct and accountability.
As part of the internal review, Astronomer has placed CEO Andy Byron on leave. Cofounder Pete DeJo, who serves as Chief Product Officer, has stepped in as interim CEO. The company stated, “Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy is currently serving as interim CEO given Andy Byron has been placed on leave. We will share more details as appropriate in the coming days.”
The Coldplay video has amassed millions of views across platforms like TikTok, Reddit, and X. While some users are fascinated by the incident, others have called for caution, noting that misidentifying employees can lead to unjust harassment.
Astronomer continues to focus on addressing the situation internally while ensuring that its leadership adheres to the company’s core values. As more details emerge, the company plans to provide further updates in the coming days.