Where were you April 25, 2012 from 7pm to 11pm? I was at
KeyArena. Why may you ask? As if you didn't know, it must be noted that I do not attend sporting events--unless there may be a handsome gentleman involved? That should narrow down the possibilities to only one word: Coldplay.
Handsome and as much a sportsman as any performer I've ever seen I must say, the show had higher energy than a little child on caffeine! The mood was electric when the lights went out shortly after 9pm (the supporting bands were really short of anything impressive, sorry to say--I suppose it made for good "hippy waiting music," to quote myself during their performance). However, everyone highly anticipated the arrival of the headliner far too much to sit still.
While everyone is waiting for the stage to be set up, we see these signs up on the unique, circular backlit projection screen:
I love how the first sign pleasantly asked in normal-face font to put on our wristbands, but as soon as 8:50pm rolled around (10 minutes before the scheduled opening song) the sign turns into bold-face flashing font that slowly fades down as the lights go out!
Within the first few notes, recognition of "Hurts Like Heaven" was evident, and everyone's Xylobands came to life (shame if you don't know what they are, but I have a picture below of how utterly important they are to the experience). Before:
After:
Without much time to catch a breath, "In My Place" begins and--another surprise!--huge bursts of confetti shot out of cannons around the stage and into the first level of the crowd. I actually felt terrible for those people in the nosebleed section who missed out on being showered in multi-colored pastel confetti. The shapes were all icons from the Mylo Xyloto album for each song that the group chose to perform at the venue. I scooped the confetti up by the armful, but I'm unsure exactly how I'm going to use all of it at this moment..let me know your suggestions below!
This picture is merely to show how thick the downpour was on us in the crowd--as well as on the band! Chris, Johnny, Guy, and Will completely disappeared behind the paper curtain for several long moments (they're in the picture above, I swear!).
Setlist:
- Intro/Mylo Xyloto
- Hurts Like Heaven (including light show!)
- In My Place (cue the confetti)
- Major Minus
- Lovers in Japan
- The Scientist (piano solo)
- Yellow
- Violet Hill (complete with guitar solo)
- God Put a Smile Upon Your Face
- Princess of China (with recorded version of Rhianna singing)
- Up In Flames
- Warning Sign
- Don't Let it Break Your Heart
- Viva La Vida
- Charlie Brown
- Paradise (said goodbye at this point)
- Us Against the World (Surprise! The band shows up in the crowd). This song also uncluded a tribute to our not-so-great baseball team, The Mariners, who have more people against them in their own city than anyone.
- Clocks
- Fix You (extremely emotional)
- Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (of course they have to end with this one!)
Whoa! Were there really 20 songs?? That was the shortest 2 hours of my life!
The most amusing tidbit about Chris Martin (lead singer) is that, about halfway through the show, after he's been dancing around for nearly three quarters of an hour and thoroughly worked up a sweat, he then puts a jacket on and sits down to the piano. One would think more clothes would come off after exerting oneself, but unfortunately not for Chris (or any of the girls in the audience either). I guess that's the British way--always too proper for their own good!
Who says rock stars aren't fashion-forward? I loved Johnny Buckland's perfectly pastel pants in a beautiful teal for spring (even if we weren't exactly having ideal spring weather).
Image courtesy of JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES
It was the most amazing time of my young life--I couldn't have asked for a better blessing to be able to go. Thank you, Coldplay, and don't wait three years to come back next time!
Until next time,
Love & Coldplay,
xox Flowerbomber xox
**P.S. I wanted to post a notable song that Coldplay tweeted sometime last week, as well as having been played prior to their performance the other night:
Here We Go Magic "How Do I Know" (click on the name to be swept away in a band that's sure to be the next big thing...I wonder why
they aren't touring with Coldplay instead of Metronomy and The Pierces?) **
