13 June 2009: Qwest Center, Omaha, NE, USA
From WikiColdplay
Contents |
Setlist
- Life In Technicolor
- Violet Hill
- Clocks
- In My Place
- Yellow
- Glass Of Water
- Cemeteries Of London
- 42
- Fix You
- Strawberry Swing
- God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (Partial Techno Remix)
- Talk (Partial Techno Remix)
- The Hardest Part (Chris Solo Piano)
- Postcards From Far Away (Chris Solo Piano)
- Viva La Vida
- Lost!
- Green Eyes (acoustic)
- Death Will Never Conquer (Acoustic, sung by Will)
- I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - Acoustic)
- Viva La Vida (Remix Interlude)
- Politik
- Lovers In Japan
- Death And All His Friends
Encore - The Scientist
- Life In Technicolor ii
- The Escapist (Outro)
Photos
Photos from this show can be found at Coldplaying.com in the Gallery thread for Omaha. http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/1766
Videos
Videos from this show can be found in the first post of the Coldplaying forum live thread for this show at http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55540
Discussion
All post-show discussion for this show at the forum thread: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55540
Fan Reviews
All fan reviews have been submitted to us by the members of Coldplaying.com[1], unless stated otherwise.
This was the second time I saw them. It was the time of my life. They came in 2006 to the Quest center but kept saying it was their first time here. I was screaming the lyrics out so I am horse today. I can finally rest peacfully. I had been waiting for this since January. I cannot say enough about the band what great gentlemen and charming as hell. With Oxfam in arm the truly will change the world. Love, Peace and Harmony Tiffany D
[Biffers11]
Hey guys, sorry I didn't get a chance to do this earlier. I agree it is pretty dead in here...ha. I just got home, we drove half way back from OMaha tO Wisconsin last night and finished the journey today. We went to Des Moines and Omaha so it was a long trip.
The show: I hung around outside early to try to get a glimpse of them, but some fat ass security guard who makes $10/hr had to feel on a power trip and tell me I couldn't hang there. I asked him to show me the sign that said that, which he couldn't but told me that is why he was there. I mumbled something not so nice and went on this pedestrian bridge to watch, but I think they were already in there as I could hear bass drum kicks comming from the arena.
I was right up by C-stage. The people around me were actually fairly into it, which is good because I warned them I am a pretty hardcore fan. My fiancee and I made a sign that said "Will has the voice of an ANGEL". Chris saw it, smiled for quite a while, and poked Will 3 times to make sure he saw it, and he got a kick out of it as well. Little disappointed he didn't say anything about it to the crowd though.
Viva La Vida was rough, the crowd was kind of blah. Des Moines was actually a better crowd, which I never would have expected. I think Chris was even mad at the end when he you might not see us here for quite a while, the crowd started booing and Chris said in a harsh and irritated voice "Don't boo"
It was then I snuck out with my sign, took a gamble of which way they came out. Went back to this secluded area and I caught them just in time, but they were definitely in a hurry to get out. Two black SUVs and a big black van doing Mach 10 away from the arena.
All in all I had a good time. Chris awknowledged our sign, which was the most I was hoping for. not sure if this will be a stop next time though....ha
[bearcat1229]
Chillax everybody. I was there, and the booing was NOT for the band, as the OP of the booing incident said. Chris mentioned that they were nearly done with the show, and said something like "then you won't have to see us for another 10 years." THAT'S when the audience "booed".
And Chris didn't seem irritated about it to me. Maybe a bit surprised that they responded to the comment with booing instead of maybe like "awww" or something. He said "Don't boo!" and laughed a little.
The crowd was a bit dead at times, though. Even though some articles have said that there were a lot of teens and twenty-somethings, there were a lot of older people there too, and parents with their children. A lot of them seemed like they weren't really excited to be there in the first place.
[izznl_90]
Hey folks. I'm new, but I was at the Omaha show, and I wanted to jump in and defend Omaha a little bit here. Admittedly, I have not been to any other Coldplay shows, and am really just a casual fan, so I don't have other crowds to compare it to. Maybe the Des Moines crowd was better. I don't know, but I felt like this crowd was really into it, and definitely not as bad as they're being represented here. The sound in those videos, where the crowd sounds silent, is NOT accurate, at least from my perspective towards the back. The crowd was definitely chanting along, and I really felt like we were vocal and into it the whole night. In fact, after listening to the Left Right Left Right Left CD (awesome that they did that, btw), I feel like our chanting to the "whoa whoa whoas" was a lot less sloppy and more energetic than the crowd on the CD.
Regardless, I had a BLAST, and my appreciation of the band has increased ten-fold, so I'll be saddened if a negative perception of the crowd reduces the odds of them coming back in the future. Everyone I talked to loved it, so I hope the band didn't think we sucked as much as people here do.
[ACWatt]
I've been to quite a few concerts all over the country and would say that last night's crowd was above average in regards to their enthusiasm. 12K in attendence might seem somewhat unimpressive but considering it was the opening day of the College World Series (pretty much the biggest annual event in Omaha every year) the final numbers are fairly admirable for city with under 1 million people.
The crowd was not booing Chris Martin. He had made a few comments earlier about why it had taken them so long to come to Nebraska (even though they were here 3 years ago). Towards the end of the show he joked with the crowd about it possibly taking another ten years to come back. The crowd responded with laughter and boos (jokingly) suggesting they wanted to see them back much sooner than that.
Overall, I would say it was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. They certainly do know how to put on a show.
[randomomaha]
I JUST got home from Omaha - and it was well worth the near 7 hour drive there (although - that road construction on 80 was FIERCE!! we actually had the car in park for nearly 10 minutes at one point & I got out and walked on the freeway to see what was going on!!)
I thought the crowd was great - and the arena was very full, which I was happy to see - but I was up at the front - actually in range of giving a Chris wedgie while he was lying on the left runway (his bright whites WERE sticking out, hard not to have the thought - it does describe how close one was . . .)
Anyway, Chris DID say that they had played 217 shows before Omaha - so if anyone was a bit on the flat side - it wasn't the crowd in my opinion (although I didn't go to any other shows on this tour to compare, you CAN tell a really lame crowd when you see one) - BUT the show got WAAAY better after they played Fix You mid-way or thereabouts through the show.
Even though I love the yellow balloons - that wasn't "new", and I love "clocks", but it didn't have that amazing feel that it's had in the past (maybe it would if it were your first show???)
No matter what - regardless of anything - they do put on a great show - their lighting is always great - and I LOVED the butterflies. (Note - they ran out of CDs, so get out of the arena quick if you want one.) They might be a bit over-toured, but they really seem to care about their fans (which you could really tell by the way they went to such efforts to work the whole arena with the 2 side runways and singing from the back).
Again - these are just my opinions - and I'm definitely glad I went. And - we loved Omaha
[Tracie]
Great show last night!
re: the booing after Chris joked it might be another 10 years before they came back:
I thought his "Don't boo!" comment was a spontaneous reaction that any performer would have upon hearing boos. Of course everyone understood that the booing was actually a compliment--i.e., "We don't want you to stay away for so long; we LIKE you, Coldplay!" and in retrospect I'm sure Chris understood that too. But I think his initial gut reaction was surprise and hurt. Just like the audience's gut reaction was, "No, come back sooner." It was a miscommunication which resulted in an awkward moment.
[white.shadows]
After a 500 mile drive from Colorado, the band did not disappoint. I was tweeting live from the show, but new around here, so not sure how to feed twitter into this site. I apologize. I am just getting some footage up on YouTube, it's not the best, but still captures the feeling.
I would definitely say the crowd was hot and cold. They often missed the moments when the band looks to the audience to feed into the energy of the performance. Overall, I am glad I made the drive, would do it again in a heartbeat.
I forgot to mention, while waiting for the band to come on stage one of the crew members was sweeping the stage. Then he began to perform for the crowd, he was an AMAZING dancer. Anyone have the scoop on him?
[eatplaylove]
This was my FIRST EVER Coldplay show, and WOW!!! I've been in a post-concert haze (Does that happen after every Coldplay show? LOL.) since Saturday night, so I'm finally coming around to doing a review.
What an AWESOME time we had!!! My sister and I sat on the left side about a section from the walkway in the lower bowl. Great view, but not so good for photos due to the tall people around us. So, I'm remembering through everyone else's pics on here (THANKS!! )
The Howling Bells and Snow Patrol definitely got the crowd pumped up for Coldplay, and we enjoyed the whole show. It was the first time we saw a concert consisting entirely of bands who were not from the U.S. Thanks to all for traveling abroad to entertain us!!
Before Coldplay came on, we watched the camera/light guys climb the ladders way, way up to the ceiling. What a view they had for the show!
When the opening notes of Coldplay started, the crowd was jazzed and sprung to its feet. Our entire section stood for all but a few of the slower songs and was singing along. It was GREAT!!
I still can't believe I was in the same room with Coldplay....AHHHH!!!! When they walked by to go to the set in the back of the arena it was so surreal.
Loved the way Chris would dance/jump around and fall down. He's such a goof! His expressions are the best, too. I was afraid his piano chair would tip over though because he was rocking out so hard.
I was SOOOO sad Guy was on the other side of the stage, as he's one of my favorites. He did walk over to our side at the end of the show while waving goodbye, though.
Coldplay's special effects were amazing, and I grabbed a couple handfulls of the butterfly confetti to take home. That is some serious confetti! LOL. Just think of how much they use for the whole tour. I was happy to see the yellow balloons make it to the back of the Qwest, as sometimes things like that only stay in the floor sections.
We were lucky to have gotten a copy of LRLRL on the way out the door, as I heard there weren't enough for everyone. I was hesitant to go for confetti in case they ran out of the CDs, but we made it just in time.
I bought some tour merchandise but think Guy's doll/puppet on the program cover doesn't look as much like him as the other guys' dolls/puppets do. Anyone else think that too, or is it just me?
So wish I could rewind back to Saturday night and relive the concert a second time! They definitely better not wait 10 years to come back to Omaha!!
[manatee78]
Hi All, Long time reader first time poster. Wanted to chime in on the Omaha show as I was in attendance. This was my 3rd time seeing them on this tour (also saw them the night before in Des Moines and earlier in the tour in Kansas City). My girlfriend and I loved the Omaha show and actually thought it was the best of the three we've seen. I was somewhat disappointed at the turnout in both Omaha and DM but am writing it off to the late spring/early summer time period. Still, though, great shows in both venues and for those in both Omaha and DM that missed it, you missed an awesome show.
[bill0409]
My favorite parts of the set? Right off the back I liked the show beginning with Clocks-In My Place-Yellow. Both encores were great, but Viva La Vida-Lost! near the end of the main set was my favorite of the night.
The obvious comparison I made was to the U2 show I saw at the Qwest in December 2005. U2's music souded more full, and they put on quite a show, but it had its moments where U2 was trying really hard to be...U2. (I think this is more obvious now with their latest release and their live performances.) I've been a U2 fan since the 80's and have seen them twice in concert. I enjoyed both of their shows immensely. It was absolutely wonderful to see U2 in my hometown. The better show may still be U2 because I have a long history of following the band, and that concert was sentimental for a lot of people there, but Chris Martin and the rest of Coldplay seemed to enjoy themselves a lot more during their performance. (Like when the band walked through the crowd and then performed a songs from the back of the arena.) They also seemed a lot more authentic throughout the set than U2.
Some other thoughts...
The show was fun. This was surprising to me because I was expecting some speechifying and seriousness throughout the set. They performed with excellence, but also were performing with joy. The music and vocals sounded great, the staging and lighting complemented the performance superbly, from every aspect the concert was excellent. Jana had a lot of fun, and she really didn't know that many Coldplay songs. The crowd was not as passionate as the U2 crowd it seemed, but that could be due to me watching the concert from a suite.
Very cool of Coldplay to give away a cd to everyone in attendance. Granted, the tracks have been available to download off their website, but still nice to have the physical cd. Coldplay calls it a "thank you" to the fans. Chris Martin legitimately plays the piano and is not some lead vocalist pretending to play an instrument during a performance. I know it's Rockstar 101 to shout out the city you are performing in, which happened of course, but for Chris Martin to drop "cornhusker state" in the lyrics of a song was awesome. Song I enjoyed live that surprised me? Lovers In Japan. Least favorite song of the set? Violet Hill. Doesn't matter the price, if you manage to put on a good concert I'll end up buying a t-shirt. The concert was one of the best I've ever been to. I want to see them again, but hopefully next time in the crowd. (Not complaining about the seats, though! Especially since the tickets were free. There isn't a bad view from anywhere in the Qwest.)
The entire evening was a treat. Great dinner experience from the Boiler Room. Brilliant show courtesy of Coldplay. I was able to hear all my favorite songs live. I'm glad I was able to share the experience with Jana as well.
Coldplay Live In Omaha: Beautiful Music, Surprises, Chris Martin's Sweat, and A Smile Beyond Compare...
Following a five hundred mile seven hour drive, there was a whirlwind check in at the Hilton Omaha, a quick pop into a close by pub for some appetizers and a Stella Artois or two, then off to the Omaha Qwest Center to see Coldplay. Of course my heart started pumping on the walk over to the Qwest Center as it appeared before us. I just wanted to be inside, I just wanted Coldplay on stage.
My nerves were a bit on edge in line for security as I had a couple of cameras, but quickly enough I was relieved to be following a concrete block maze through a door that said Main Floor. Then it hit me, Main Floor. When I saw Coldplay in Denver, we had decent seats but we were on the opposite side of the venue. It still changed me, that night across the arena. Tonight was going to be different, it was going to be main floor intimate.
The entry into the main floor was from the back, we kept walking further and further up front. I thought it was time to stop, but I was still ten rows behind our seats. Row 15, absolutely incredible. We arrived at our seats during Snow Patrol's set. Nice chaps. My only thought, okay boys wrap it up. Did you catch the five hundred mile drive part of my story, I was there for Coldplay. Someday I'll give Snow Patrol the attention they deserve. I did enjoy their Irish accents, always delightful an accent in my book. Before I knew it the band was off, we were moving from our seats so some crew members could climb up a rope ladder to take care of some business high above our heads. A black screen appeared in front of the stage, about thirty crew members all dressed in black took to their jobs.
I managed to chat up an official looking Coldplay Tour guy, an older gentleman with a distinctive black hat on. I was asking him where Anchorman or Roadie#42 were (both update for the band on Twitter), he wasn't having it. He told me it wouldn't be much fun if I knew, but I really wanted to see them with my own two eyes. Who knows maybe he WAS one of them. Dry British humor. Aww, shucks. He slipped back into the darkness of the stage.
Music started to play loudly. The anticipation began to build. Enter adrenaline.
A crew member was walking around sweeping the stage. He was lingering on the platform that came off of the main stage to about five feet in front of me. Coldplay has two runways on each side of the stage off the main stage, which they use to mingle into the crowd. Then before our very own eyes, the crew member started dancing. He was quite the delight, his moves were fabulous. He was the hook that gave the audience the energy it needed to will the band out. Turns out the crew member has been dubbed "Dancing Wayne" and is a part of the show segway/opener. If you are seeing the band this tour, make sure to not be in the bathroom or beer line for Wayne, he's awesome.
The black screen was still down in front of the stage. Behind it we could see the band come bounding in, holding sparklers. Anticipation began to build even more. It was a big tease, there they were but they were concealed partially by the screen.
Finally the screen was lifted, my eyes focus taking it all in.
Jonny, Chris, Will, and Guy all adorned in their personally designed touring outfits appeared. Black jackets and trousers a bit tattered and worn, bright colors, and an energy that's not quite comparable to any other band i've seen. Life In Technicolor is played, luring the audience in for the start of an unforgettable evening. Everyone knows a Coldplay song, everyone has their opinion it seems, to have a true love for the band or a less then favorable opinion. But when I say, don't judge Coldplay until you see them live, I really mean it.
Chris Martin appears less than five feet away from me on the catwalk. I can't quite process my proximity to him or the band for that matter. Coldplay fills an arena like Ben Harper fills a club. Their energy makes you feel like your watching an intimate production with 11,000 of your closest friends. How in the world they do that, I haven't a clue. Maybe it's magic. Or maybe it's talent and love for music.
Through out the entire show, Coldplay has a myriad of surprises in store for the audience. First the sparklers and the screen, followed by large balls which drop from the ceiling that amazingly project the band in action. You catch a glimpse of them from the corner of your eye and before you know it, you're lured in watching a projection on a round ball. During Yellow huge yellow balloons appear and begin to bounce off the fingertips of audience members on the main floor. The balloons elicit a happiness like no other, live music takes over my body the drums and guitar, Chris' voice belting out the lyrics that have become forever imprinted in my mind, I feel a glimpse of my youth as I reach to tap the balloon up into the sky. Chris asks for a balloon to be sent his way at the songs end, he pops it like a rockstar would with his guitar. Confetti flies from the popped balloon and applause turns into a roar from the adoring fans. Magic.
Moments pass, songs, and video projections. Chris Martin dances around from end to end of the stage with such fluidity and rhythm. He doesn't give the performance just his musical talent, his heart seems to ooze with each arm swinging and leg kicking move. He throws himself on the ground a few times right in front of me. I see his body on the ground and imagine so many things. He bounces up when the audience starts to respond to him, he drops down again wanting more of a reaction. The crowd pulls through, he's up again bounding off to the piano. A few times through out the show, he arches his back and bends in a yoga perfect inversion to get off his piano stool. Incredible. Chris is constantly joking with the crowd, engaging the audience with his humor and wit. I keep thinking can this guy be any more likable and he manages to top whatever previously lured me in.
A yellow caution tape gets rolled out next to my body as I stand on the very end of Row 15, seat 38. The aisle is next to me and I know what is coming up. After Lost, the entire band starts heading towards the side stage where I am just feet from the platform. Big security guards appear. The band jumps down off the platform and I seize the moment. The moment to touch every member of the band. In my mind, I envision high fives, eye contact, and exchanges of smiles. My chance doesn't quite transpire the way my mind wanted, but I would never utter a word of complaint. Jonny Buckland actually high fived me like the nice gentlemen he is, then Will and Guy passed so quickly I barely caught a glimpse of them for my eyes were on the emerging Chris Martin. I reached out hoping for a high five, but no luck. So I reached a bit further and simply stole a touch. My hand was covered in Chris Martin's sweat, I looked down on it and had thoughts which I will not share. I touched Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland embraced my hand. I would never be the same. Incredible. Yes it was captured below:
The band proceeded to play a few songs in the back of the venue, like the generous musicians they are. They ended with a wonderful crowd bonding experience, the Mexican Cell Phone Wave. Fun and cheerful, just another reason to adore Coldplay and what they give to their fans.
Next surprise up, butterflies blow out of the side stage, up high into the air, reaching the ceiling. Thousands of colorful butterflies appear during Lovers in Japan. Butterflies raining on me. Butterflies making me smile so much that I can feel my cheeks hurting. I don't think I've wiped the smile off my face the entire show, from first seeing the lettering on the Arena. The reality of being in the presence of Coldplay is sometimes too much too handle. But the butterflies keep coming and I am in heaven. Now the butterflies I collected will be turned into a mobile to decorate my daughters' bedroom.
Chris takes to the stage alone to play a few songs on the opposite side catwalk. He plays Hardest Part straight into Postcards From Far Away, my favorite piano instrumental. The song brings tears to my eyes, it's beautiful. It's playing live, once again my ears, eyes, senses all try to process what's going on. My brain is on euphoric overload.
I brought a camera with me and a small Sony Webbie to capture some of the evening. The problem I run into is that I am too mesmerized watching the band, taking everything in to be distracted by the technology and recording the show. It's hard work holding the camera still enough through a song. And who wants to see Coldplay on a two inch LCD when they are a few yards in front of you. I didn't, I wanted to take in the moment, every beautiful minute I had in the presence of the band playing live. I take photos, they look blurry. Some moments I can't be bothered. I created a little video of some of my snippets, they were great. Now I wish they were longer. I recorded three songs total out of twenty six. Mesmerized I tell you. Mesmerized enough to not want to take my eyes off the stage for a minute.
Twenty six songs. A night to remember. I joined a group on Facebook after seeing the Denver show called All I Need Is Coldplay. After this evening it might just be true. That is the Coldplay live experience.
My YouTube channel can be found here EatplayloveCO, it's got the four videos I am in the process of uploading. If they aren't all there, they will be soon. The clips, The Hardest Part, 42, and The Scientist.
I must end with gratitude, a special thanks to the stranger that sold my 15th row tickets cheaper then face value on StubHub, a special thanks to my friend KDV who graciously volunteered to take the journey with me even though she wasn't a big fan (that has changed), a special thanks to a couple of guys that were seated behind us that helped me stay grounded in the beauty that is Coldplay invoking pure happiness, and a very special thanks to Coldplay for making music into a magical experience. I'll never be the same...
http://eatplaylove.blogspot.com
Media Reviews
Coldplay doesn't disappoint
Coldplay didn't let down its fans Saturday night, even if frontman Chris Martin said he was nervous about it. Most in their teens and 20s, more than 11,000 people showed up at Qwest Center Omaha on Saturday night to see the Grammy-winning British quartet. Making stops all over the world, the group has been on its “Viva La Vida” tour since nearly a year ago. “I don't know why it's taken us so long to get to Nebraska. We must have been nervous,” frontman Chris Martin joked. “But on tonight's evidence, we have no reason to be nervous. You've been very warm and inviting. At least we rehearsed this concert 217 times before we brought it to Nebraska. I hope it is up to your expectations.”
Looking like gray versions of the Beatles from the cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,” the group took the stage wearing pseudo-military uniforms during the song “Life in Technicolor,” the opening track from their mega-popular 2008 album “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends.”
Saturday's concert was like an advertisement for the album. The group performed nearly every song from the album, and their clothes, guitars, drums, video screens and pianos were decorated with “Viva La Vida” logos and artwork. The group also worked in past hits, including “Yellow,” “Fix You” and “Clocks.”
During their 2000 hit “Yellow,” yellow light flooded the arena while dozens of huge balloons full of confetti were tossed into the crowd. Martin ended the song by asking the crowd to give him a balloon, which he smashed with his guitar, showering himself in confetti. The group worked their stage setup into the performance throughout the show, with lights and lasers pulsating to the music, spherical video screens and — during the song “Lovers in Japan” — plenty of butterfly-shaped confetti. Martin got the crowd roaring at every opportunity. He asked for screams from fans, prompted them to sing along during “Fix You” and asked the crowd to get out their cell phones in the darkened arena. He also threw himself around the stage, dancing, bouncing and clapping.
The band made an effort to reach out to fans in each corner of the arena. Some fans in the back of the arena got a special treat when the group exited the stage and headed to the opposite end of the room, where a small stage (just big enough for the foursome) was set up in the middle of the audience. To cheers, Martin sang, “If you want to make your audience go off with a boom, you gotta visit the people in the back of the room.”
While on the tiny stage, the group performed “Green Eyes” and an acoustic cover of the Monkees' “I'm a Believer,” and drummer Will Champion sang “Death Will Never Conquer.”
Exiting the concert, fans were handed a copy of “Left Right Left Right Left,” a nine-track live CD recorded earlier in the band's tour. The live CD can also be downloaded for free from the band's Web site. Opening the show was Australian band Howling Bells and Irish group Snow Patrol. Snow Patrol pulled off a rare feat for an opening band: They received a standing ovation when they left the stage. Fans screamed out the words to nearly every tune from Snow Patrol. Things got especially heated when the band played its 2006 hit “Chasing Cars,” which became popular after being featured on “Grey's Anatomy.”
