FleetBoston Pavilion, Section 1, Row HH, Seat 1.
Yeah, I was there.
Yeah, it was incredible.
I was actually going to do a new post, but considering this one is here already, I'll just put my thoughts down right now.
After seeing Coldplay live, and hearing all the jibber-jabber about how they're very similar to U2 etc., here my thoughts on why Coldplay will never be as big or popular as U2 unless they change some things.
1. The Piano Man. Sorry, doesn't work. I LOVE the piano as part of the performance, but it makes Chris Martin turn into Thom Yorke from Radiohead, hunched over the keys, unable to engage with the crowd. At least when he had a guitar he was hopping around. During the encore he did sing their new single (and I apologize, I have both albums and listen to them constantly, but in my car so I don't know the titles to any of their songs
) without a guitar or the piano, and it made such a difference. He actually was able to be a frontman and make that connection with the audience. He needs to do more of that, big time.
2. How Long Must We Sing This Song. This band is already in dangerous territory if it doesn't get another hit. Yellow is a good song, but considering the reaction it and the other songs from Parachutes got from the crowd compared to the new material, I think Coldplay is running the risk of being known for one song. There are a couple of songs from their new album that got real good reactions from the crowd that might result in more hits. We'll have to see. I don't listen to the radio, so what do I know?
3. Turn It Up! I know they're never going to be a heavy-hitting band. Chris actually mentioned this at one point, relating a story about how last time they were in Boston they were playing with Aerosmith and Korn and Stained and stuff and it was a very trying experiance. However, during the live performances, I think they need to take their heavier songs and really work on the endings. They always have these great jams, and then stick a mellow ending on. That's fine some of the time, but I think it turns into a letdown for the crowd sometimes.
4. Setlist. Politik is not a great opener. I think it belonged in the middle of the set, and maybe Rush of Blood to the Head used as the opener, although I thought they could've made it harder hitting. This song has so much potential live IMO. Yellow was in the wrong place. Put it as the last song of the main set, or in the encore. If that's what the audiance wants, make 'em wait and put their energy into the entire show. I thought that a good number of fans seemed to check out after Yellow. Maybe it was just my section.
I know it seems that I'm really critical of the band. I'm not. I just think that if they're going to attain the kind of level that U2 has attained, then they need to fine-tune their live approach. But then again, they've only put out two albums. As long as they don't fall apart (which is aparently a hazard according to a Q interview with them) and don't become known only for Yellow, they should do alright.
Anyway, great show last night. Will definately continue to follow this band and see what they do in years to come.