Coldplay
How long before I get in? Before it starts, before I begin?
How long before you decide? Before I know what it feels like?
Coldplay. MCI Center. March 2. Yeah, I was there.
Incredible show last night. My buddy Andy and myself secured tickets months ago to see this rock band from the UK, and believe me when I say we were not disappointed.
The set began at 9:30 p.m. with an aggressive version of "Square One," off their new album "X & Y." The lighting folks had a numbered countdown scrolling in the background before and during the song, making it that much better. The band followed with "Politik," from the previous album and a stalwart on past tours.
One of the more interesting songs was "Yellow," one of the band's early favorites. Huge yellow balloons fell from the rafters halfway through and when they were broken onstage by leadman Chris Martin, bright golden stars rained down. This, of course, was by design, as a line in the song reads, "Look at the stars, look how they shine for you."
New single "Speed of Sound" was next, followed by a mix of old and new tunes. One of the best parts of the show was a three-song acoustic set of Johnny Cash pieces the boys performed toward the tail end of the main set. "Til Kingdom Come," "Ring of Fire," and "Trouble" definitely took this show to the next level.
The first set closed out with an insane version of "Clocks," followed by "Talk." After a five-minute encore break, Martin (rhythm guitar, piano, lead vocals), Johnny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drums) retook the stage and performed for another 20 minutes. The highlight of the second set came during "In my place" when Martin jumped off the stage, sprinted down the left aisle, and finished singing the song in the middle of screaming fans at the other end of the floor seating area. "Fix You," a balad from the recent album, finished the show.
Martin's brilliance on the piano was amazing, and his guitar playing was rhythmic and flowing. Berryman and Champion held the band together on the rhythm side, and Buckland added guitar riffs and fills that brought life to every song.
Having been to numerous (more than 15) Dave Matthews shows, I am used to seeing 2.5-3-hour concerts. Last night's show was brief (95 minutes including encore break), but lacking excitement it was not. The intricate lighting added character to the band's aggressive but melodic style, and Martin's unpredictable onstage antics had audience members asking themselves, "What will he do next?"
This was my first Coldplay show and I assure you that it will not be my last one.
-Jason
posted by Jason @ 3:20 PM
6 Comments:
Fix You to close? Gee, way to send the crowd home on a high note boys. I wouldn't close a funeral with that song.
It sounds like you had fun Jas, we wish you were here right now though!
Oh, I am glad you LIKED IT!
@ middleoftheroadplay
Obviously you haven't been to a Coldplay concert, so what the hell do you know?
Great review Jason.
Coldplaylover
@anonymous
Actually I have been to a Coldplay concert. Multiple ones in fact. From shows where the boys were merely part of the line-up at a radio station festival, to the headlining tour of 2002.
And I'll maintain that Fix You is an awful closer; has been since they started playing it as the show finale before X&Y was even released last year.
Then again, Coldplay has never exactly been the best set list sculpter. They routinely closed their main set wth The Scientist in the past. A phenomenal song (and even better video), but a poor choice to break out at the end of a set. Thankfully, Talk is securing that spot this tour.
There's no need to take an argumentative tone when someone doesn't praise everything the band does. For instance, Martin's voice simply butchered what could have been a monumental version of "Bittersweet Symphony" with Richard Ashcroft at last year's Live8.
It's also disappointing to see the band doesn't vary their set list more than a song or two during an entire tour. There really is no reason to go more than once per tour unless you desire to simply see what craziness might spring from Martin (or Gwyenth, or Apple, or soon-to-be Orange).
Does that make them any less of a band? To those who obsess about set lists, it might. To those who simply want to be sent home with a sappy single, it wouldn't.
That's the great thing about music. Now please try to be civil in responding instead of the, "what the hell do you know?" antics.
Don't Panic
Anonymous said... Don't Panic
Probably one of their top 5 songs right there. Thrilled to see them playing it this tour.
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