From the infamous Coldplay concert affair to the ‘6–7’ meme: A recap of 2025’s most iconic music and pop culture moments

Coldplay: Music Of The Spheres World Tour With Elyanna And Willow - Nashville, TN - Source: Getty
Chris Martin of Coldplay performs at Nissan Stadium on July 22, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)

Iconic music and pop culture moments occur every year, and 2025 has been no exception. The year showered the world with a cornucopia of such moments, some more notable than others. And with the rise of the internet and fan culture showing no signs of abating, these moments are now records of living history that deserve to be remembered.

From the infamous Coldplay concert affair moment to the 6-7 meme, the following paragraphs recap some of these iconic music and pop culture moments in brief detail. It offers a snapshot of the rapidly closing year in all its internet glory.


2025's most iconic music and pop culture moments: A recap

The infamous Coldplay concert affair

In July 2025, Coldplay performed at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. During the concert, two people, Kristin Cabot and Andy Baron, were spotted together arm in arm, after which they ducked. This led to Chris Martin, the vocalist of the band, suggesting that they were having an affair, igniting a storm on social media.

The two were indeed having an affair, with Kristin having already separated from her husband and later claiming she believed Baron would also separate from his wife. Nonetheless, at the time, this led to Baron's firing from his company and Cabot negotiating her resignation from the same company.

The infamous moment is now part of 2025's most iconic music and pop culture moments. It has seemingly become a cautionary tale on how internet judgment can devastate people's lives. Cabot pointed out in an interview with The New York Times that a lot of the backlash online was gendered and directed at her specifically.


Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle controversy

Sydney Sweeney starred in an American Eagle ad that was criticised for promoting eugenics, a discredited racial science theory that was promoted by Nazis and has been popular among white supremacists.

Another controversial but iconic moment, the topic launched debates about the hypers*xualization of women. This intensified even more as Sweeney doubled down and did not apologize for the ad, even after it was removed by American Eagle.

The ad also later developed into rumours of friction with Zendaya and Sweeney being dropped from the show Euphoria.


6-7 meme

The 6-7 meme is an iconic meme now. Originating from the Skrilla song Doot Doot (6 7), the meme took over the internet, particularly the younger Gen Alpha generation. The meme has no particular meaning, or rather, it specifically means nothing. It's a nonsense word.

The meme has been referenced in South Park and has been used by rappers such as Ty Dolla $ign. In a sign of its popularity, it has also been used in the marketing campaigns of fast-food chains such as Pizza Hut and McDonald's. Its widespread usage by rappers, other celebrities, and even government officials has put the meme on the list of 2025's most iconic music and pop culture moments.


South Park takes on Trump

South Park is arguably one of the most satirical animated comedies out there, having tackled issues of censorship, xenophobia, and racism. It has also taken on big institutions and powerful men such as the Church of Scientology and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

This past year, they have also taken on Republican president Donald Trump, depicting him as a bully who is intimate with Satan and having small genitalia. And they have continued lambasting the administration months after their July season.


Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

2025's iconic music and pop culture moments would not be complete without this couple. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce ignited a wave of social media fanfare and fan gushing with their very public romance. An American football player and a billionaire pop star may not sound like the archetypical star-crossed lovers’ tale, but for many netizens online, their romance was something to be lived vicariously and encouraged even more so.

And the two have not been shy about showcasing their romance either, from post-concert kisses to cheering for each other, and perhaps the most iconic of all, with their engagement in August 2025.


Katy Perry goes to space

In what many deemed to be a toneless act by the singer, Katy Perry went to space on a Blue Origin rocket. The singer faced considerable criticism for the space trip, with her astronaut-inspired outfit KP143 on tour also being lambasted.

The backlash and social media furor have gone on to become another one of 2025's most iconic music and pop culture moments.


Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl performance

Kendrick Lamar started the year strong with his performance at the Super Bowl, with star-studded guest appearances including Samuel L. Jackson and SZA.

The Super Bowl performance would go on to be cemented as part of 2025's most iconic music and pop culture moments. It even prompted a lawsuit from Drake, with whom he exchanged diss tracks for several months. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed by the presiding judge.


K-Pop Demon Hunters become global sensation

K-Pop Demon Hunters, the animated show, became a global sensation, with a mix of original soundtrack and gorgeous visuals propelling it to the spot of the most-watched show on Netflix. This success cemented its place in 2025's most iconic music and pop culture moments.


Labubus

Labubus, the cutesy monster dolls and figurines made by artist Kasing Lung, took their own spot in the snapshot of most iconic moments of 2025. People across the world were sporting these dolls on their handbags and keyrings, among other accessories.


Sabrina Carpenter's album poster

Sabrina Carpenter's album Man's Best Friend triggered debates online with its provocative poster in which she is seen kneeling before a man, with someone holding on to her hair. This triggered accusations of misogyny and led to Carpenter releasing an alternative album artwork.


Oasis reunites after years

The Oasis reunion tour was a much-awaited event, with fans rushing to see the iconic brothers and their band perform hit songs such as Champagne Supernova in a frenzy of fanfare.


Lady Gaga on Mayhem Ball tour

Lady Gaga brought her Mayhem tour to her fans. In support of her sixth solo studio album Mayhem, the singer performed across the world until December 13, 2025, bringing iconic performances and turning entire nights into elaborate concerts.


Stranger Things gets its final season

Another event needed to complete the list of most iconic music and pop culture moments in 2025 is the final season of Stranger Things. After five years of waiting, Netflix finally brought its final season to the public, and streamers can't get enough of it.

Between the soundtrack, featuring Kate Bush's iconic Running Up That Hill track, and the emotional height of a series end, Stranger Things' final season delivered a cultural high point. From the get-go, it became part of 2025's most iconic music and pop culture moments.


Sean 'Diddy' Combs saga

The Sean 'Diddy' Combs saga continued this year, with the legal verdict of his trial being divisive. Scot-free on the more serious charges and convicted on the lesser ones, the rapper is still facing hundreds of lawsuits and the potential for even more cases to be brought up against him.

And the events it spawned have become part of 2025's most iconic music and pop culture moments, with fellow rapper 50 Cent producing a documentary on his life. That documentary has led to a tussle between 50 Cent and Diddy and his representatives, as well as sparking larger debates in the music community.


Justin Bieber's new catchphrase

Justin Bieber delivered two albums this year, Swag, his seventh, and Swag II, his eighth. He also delivered the iconic catchphrase:

"It’s not clocking to you that I’m standing on business?"

Spoken in response to paparazzi, the phrase has become part of 2025's most iconic music and pop culture moments list, with it being inscribed on T-shirts and going viral on social media.


Conclusion

So, these were some of the most iconic music and pop culture moments of 2025. However, they were not the only moments to catch the world's eye. From Lily Allen's West End Girls album and its seemingly scathing diss at Stranger Things star David Harbour to Kris Jenner's makeover and the Jet2 Holiday ad, the moments came fast. And, they came in droves.

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Edited by Ritika Pal