09 February 2003: Dodge Theater, Dodge City, Phoenix, AZ, USA
From WikiColdplay
Setlist
- Politik
- God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
- Spies
- Daylight
- Trouble
- One I Love
- Warning Sign
- Don’t Panic
- Everything’s Not Lost
- Moses
- Yellow
- The Scientist
Encore - Clocks
- In My Place
- Ladder To The Sun
Reviews
After getting a near-flawless lesson in the power of classic English rock and roll 11 days ago from the Rolling Stones, Phoenix on Sunday was treated to a taste of just how promising modern rock from the British Isles can be, courtesy of Coldplay.
Staging a 90-minute concert that was stunning in both an aural and visual sense, Coldplay left little doubt that all the hype around this London-based quartet is justified.
Employing hummable hits, solid musicianship and a light show that was a cut above the usual eye candy, Coldplay kept the sold-out Dodge Theatre crowd on its feet throughout its set. This is clearly a band to be reckoned with for years to come, if its four members can remain as focused as they were in this energetic performance.
Doling out a generous serving of its latest CD, "A Rush of Blood to the Head," as well as high points from its highly successfull 2000 debut album, "Parachutes," Coldplay showed why its musical magic appears to have years, if not decades, to grow.
Singer Chris Martin combined enthusiasm, sensuality and good humor into a package that was clearly the highlight of this young year for many young female fans. With girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow reportedly backstage, Martin crooned and danced his way into the good graces of the Phoenix audience.
"We're in an extremely good mood tonight, and we hope that everyone is as elated as we are," said the singer -- who was jamming in his college buddies' London bedrooms five years ago -- as he introduced the early hit "Trouble." "This song is (expletive) depressing," Martin quickly added with a laugh, as the band went into an alluring take on the tune, highlighted by Martin's piano and the slide guitar of Jon Buckland.
The interplay between Martin and Buckland would fuel many of the evening's highlights, such as an animated version of 2002's "Daylight" and the uplifting "Everything's Not Lost," from "Parachutes."
Martin, who campaigns for such causes as fair world trade (his hand sported a scrawled promo for maketradefair.com on Sunday) cranked up the crowd when he ad-libbed, "If George Bush gets re-elected and the world is over for us / everything's not lost."
The steady rhythm section of bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion sealed the deal, and these four musicians put out a warm wave of music as they attacked such high points as the opening "Politik," a slicing "God Put a Smile Upon Your face," and the ringing rock of "Don't Panic."
The band added power and edge to many of its classics in the live setting, such as a bass-heavy reading of its breakthough hit, "Yellow,"
"This is the one song where you shouldn't sit down,' said Martin, who may have been unaware that the crowd was on its feet for virtually the entire show.
A light show that predictably bathed the crowd in yellow during that singalong classic was fresh and creative through most of the set. Blaring white lights blinded concertgoers at the show's start, while blue and red choreographed flashes added drama to "Spies." Lighting that shared its spotlight between the band and the audience set just the right mood, while artsy black-and-white shots of the band members on four video screens added to the visual impact.
Although he's clearly the front man of this outfit, Martin played down his considerable star power, choosing to dance, spin and thrust his fist in the style of a fan, rather than with the pose of the superstar he's becoming. As he played the piano, he alternated between animated half-dancing while seated and intense, bowed concentration during more stark moments such as a moving version of "Warning Signs."
Two impressive new songs, "Moses," and the final encore, "Ladder to the Sun," hinted that Coldplay has plenty left in the tank for album No. 3.
Those at Sunday's Dodge Theatre show were lucky: Next time around, Coldplay no doubt will be at a larger venue such as America West Arena or Cricket Pavilion.
Courtesy of azcentral.com
