18 February 2009: War Child Gig, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London (More Fan Reviews)
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I went to the gig and it was awesome. I got in the queue at around half past three and were stood behind a load of coldplay fans - sorry I don't know your names!! I am a member of the victims (killers fan club) but I have to say that you coldplay fans were a lot nicer, friendlier and politer than the other victims and i was a bit embarrased by the other victims!! I wanted to say thanks because you made our time in the queue go by so quickly and all of the rumours were true!! I hope the south african guy wet his pants when Bono came on stage!!!
Oh yes, coldplay were amazing!! I was a big fan anyway but that night my love for coldplay grew and grew!! It was my first time seeing them and I couldn't believe how energetic chris martin was!!
[sophierose23]
Last night was amazing. Best gig Ive ever been too. All performances from all performers were just amazing. I felt so lucky to be so close to front although was jealous of those RIGHT at the front but they deserve it for waiting outside for so long =O haha
[Munson22]
Finally woke up!! Was completely knackered after last night, so sorry not to come here before...
Amazing, amazing, amaaaaaaaaaaaazing night!!!! Only managed to get to London at 5pm, but the queue was tiny and the other colpldayers that had been there since earlier (Ian, Jen, Kara, Mich, Lori etc) let me stay with them in queue!!!
It was fun to meet more people here from the board (Ian and Jen, you 2 specially. if it wasn't for you 2 and the board, I wouldnt have met so many great people). And although everyone was pretty exhausted from queuing up, the nice people from O2 gave us the treat of the guys playing for us. It was fun to have some entertainment, odd looks of people passing the streets and it just gave a boost in everyone's energy.
Oh, freebies were a nice treat too. Free mini hot dogs (loads of them), oyster card holders, rain ponchos... really good.
Once we finally got in, coldplayers on the front row. jonny's side was the most disputed one, for sure.
Another few hours of waiting for the gig to start... I kept looking around the balcony waiting for Elton (he never came ) and just looking at the rich and famous sipping their champagne (and spotting a super drunk guy that almost fell a few times from the balcony and the girls told on him to the security people...
When the Killers finally started it was simply amazing!!!! Brandon Flowers was so energetic it was crazy!!!!!!!! Amazing set, crowd was going insane. everyone singing. It was really beautiful... (And We saw Gwenny sneaking in as the band started and she sang along to most songs!! to the one who asked a few pages back: she was sitting on the first floor balcony, where all the celebs were, but she was to the right side of the stage, Guy's side).
A bit more waiting for Coldplay to come... loads of equipment from the Killers to take out, and even MORE equipment from Coldplay to come in. We were just all patiently watching the roadies do their job (Ok, I wasn't so patient, right Ian? "Are we there yet, Are we there yet? Are we there yet?")
It was a bit funny when "Blue Danube" started playing and it was clear that half of the crowd didn't have A CLUE that it meant that the concert was about to start. Most of the people behind me were like: "Oh, I bet this is the Elton John entrance song"
When the boys came on stage, it was just perfection!! We were sooooo close to them. Jonny was right in front of me and he looked so cute as always (/fangirl). Chris was acting a bit odd... kinda drunklike. and since Mrs Martin was watching, he kept looking up to where she was throughout the concert.
When the concert finished with Fix You it was a bit odd (not used to it ending with that anymore) but we know they HAD to play VLV, one: because it's VLV, two: because the bell was a total giveaway! When they came back for the Encore, it was like Chris had a new energy or something. After VLV, When he introduced Gary Barlow, it was just awesome!!!! I admit i am not a big Take That fan, basically coz I don't know it that well, but I've always had a crush on Barlow (even though he is so tiny). And it was clear that the band was having a blast just playing for Mr Barlow... with Chris acting as backing vocal. he seemed thrilled to be doing so!
And then, the 'piece of la resistance" of the night. Killers come back to the stage, Coldplay there too, "All these things I've done" starts playing... the 2 bands just look as they're jamming together in a playful mood... Brandon and Chris singing, and then: BONO. I love U2 but have never been able to go to their concert, so even though I kinda expected him to come on (some people had already spotted The Edge on the balcony between bands, so the Bono rumour kinda became more real by then...) it was still an amazing moment. And when Chris went to get Barlow, oh God.
This was certainly one of those musical moments that should be remembered. It's really not everyday that you'll be able to see such great artists, from different generations, to share on stage, almost like a boy band, with their bands (coldplay and killers) just kinda 'jamming' together... I felt a bit as if I was intruding a private sunday barbecue of the greats.
It ended. we were all beyond happy. And then a few exchanged words with Phil. "you guys sent the postcards? from coldplaying.com? I go there at least 3 times a day" (Ian and Jen, I bet you were proud, weren't you?)
Outside, we decided to wait for the biys to come out. Made friends with a papparazi. I had never seen one in my life, let along chitchat with one!!!!! His tips were all good. We saw Bono leave in his car (dude, some serious eyeliner there!!), The Edge leave but since it was late and cold and so far we had been unsuccessful, me, Kara, Mich and Lori decided it was time to go home...
Managed to catch my bus to Oxford just in time, and as the bus was passing in front of the Empire a bunch of papz and a silver mercedes. Bus driver slows down... who do I see going in the car? Chris Martin!!! Ha, Thanks Oxford Tube... even though I didn't get to see him outisde the Empire, I got to see him from the bus, on my way home... Pretty good way to end an amazing night... pretty good way.
[marianatsl]
- apologies, this is really long* and I did the same as Mari haha!!
I'm back and absolutely and utterly exhausted. Yesterday was a truly great experience! Not just the gig itself but meeting everyone from here as well
I arrived to a small cluster of Coldplayers who were already waiting behind The Victims.....apparently they'd already been saying a few things and a 'rivalry' had become apparent, hahaha. (more on that later). Great to meet the founders of Coldplaying Ian and Jen and everyone else in the queue, Mich, Lori, Kelly, Mari, Anna and everyone else
I dunno how we managed to pass the time really, but it was good fun being with everyone from here A mixture of going to the pub a few times (an alcoholic shot for me and Mich haha) and some buskers who were paid to sing to us and who sung Coldplay songs to us. some had dodgy endings or repeated verses but it was great fun to sing along. Also at this time, The Killers fans got rather annoyed because a sign went up telling them that their band was on first..... cue faces of thunder. They had previously been overheard saying something like, "this gig is The Killers, with Coldplay supporting" oops
So yeah....the time grew nearer to the doors opening... Some O2 people were giving out mini hotdogs and also free drinks vouchers random! The Killers fans were at the front of the queue and so rushed in first, I managed to be one of the first Coldplay fans in and when I got inside, I saw that they had all run to be on the right hand side of the stage. ABSOLUTE RESULT!!! Leaving the barrier free for us in front of Jonny It was great with our Coldplaying posse all in one area, awesome I got rather pissed off at a stage light that was shining directly in mine and Kelly's eyes. Combine this with having to wait a further 2 hours inside at the barrier before anything happened, it was slightly tedious but worth the wait in the end.
Soon, Steve Lamacq came on stage to introduce the event, and then The Killers were on!! I was looking forward to them, but they absolutely BLEW ME AWAY! Amazingly tight performance, even tighter trousers on Brandon (sorry...had to get that in there). He looked amazing!! Really intereracting with the crowd so much. Mr. Brightside, even though it's the song everyone knows, was an absolute highlight of the night for me. It was incredible! I'm really happy I got to see them, because at Glastonbury 2007 I saw them but with really bad sound due to speakers going wrong Another great part of this, was that as we were on the left of the barrier, we had a good view of the right wings of the stage and we could firstly see Will, the whole time, singing and dancing, and later on Chris joined him as well.
Okay.....so when they left, that Al 'comedian' guy came onstage.... it was pretty damn cringeworthy really. He didn't have much material to go on, plus I was a bit wary of being picked out and being made to say something, haha. He asked some woman from the crowd for a beer and then she asked for a kiss in return. He promptly leant over Mich and Lori and snogged this horrible woman.....ewwwwwww. GROSS.
MOVING ON!
So....we were all itching for Coldplay now. It seemed to take forever for them to set up! Finally they came out to Life in Technicolour Great to see them all so close eeeee! Violet Hill was great, however Jonny's guitar was turned up mega loud compared to the others and it sounded a bit strange. Still great though Clocks was awesome, think it's better in a bigger arena or a festival though, with the lasers. It was still brilliant to dance and sing to as always Chris also did an amazing 'back-bend' off of the piano stool at the end. Very flexible indeed. haha! In My Place, always one of my favourites to dance to, was greaaaaaaat. Chris and Jonny love as usual, especially the ending when Chris threw himself at Jonny's feet. aww Yellow I thought as this was a special gig they might throw in some older songs, but nope, as usual it was a bit of a viva-fest. 42 and Lost were really good, especially Jonny rocking out...... Chris was being very, very crazy on stage, with wild eyes and he was doing a dance like he was imagining getting shot by a gun. Strange!!! but comical! Viva La Vida was great as well, everyone singing Coldplay were brilliant, but perhaps a little tired Still, a brilliant performance, which only could have been made better by the inclusion of some different songs like Politik maybe. Thanks guys
Seeing Chris looking so goofy-happy that he had pulled off getting Gary Barlow to sing Back For Good with them playing was awesome. As it's such a classic English pop song, I thought it was brilliant singing along to it. Took me back to being a kid hahaha! Loved it. Chris was totally loving singing the backing vocals, 'want you back! want you back! want you back for gooooooood!' It was brilliant.
Then next was the big finale.....The stage didn't look big enough for everyone! The Killers took most of their previous spots, with Jonny and Chris still staying with their guitars. Poor Will and Guy got relegated to tambourine and shakers at the back, :/ So yeah, they start singing All These Things I've Done. It was great. and then Bono appeared on stage! Mental! I'm not really a fan of him at all, so I just found it funny watching the ego.....haha. nah, he really didn't sing much at all, and was wearing heels Funny part was seeing Chris run over the side and drag Gary Barlow from the wings with a microphone to join in. I dunno if Gary felt a bit out of place hehe! aww. It was so so strange to see these four hugely famous bands/people on stage. crazy moment. Brandon looked like he was having a great time. Chris and Jonny stayed near each other and then it was over. boo!
Ok.... I'm sorry for such a long report....I just like to do it this way
It was so, so great to just share a gig with a lovely group of Coldplayers. The last couple of Coldplay gigs I've been to, I've been basically on my own (Brixton, Birmingham). It makes it a hundred times better being with the people that you talk to about the band all the time on here. Love all you guys! Wembley will be even better.
Great to meet Mich for the first time and see Mari again ..... and a big thanks to Kelly and Lori for letting me crash on their hotel room floor.... and you guys were so niiice. Coldplaying group *group hug*! You know who you are! I'm dreading seeing myself in some of the photos taken...it was a tiring day
Ps. that Times article is great.... especially "Realising that Barlow was nowhere to be seen, Martin – determined that the Take That frontman should also be in on this – almost pushed the U2 singer over in his sudden compulsion to run off in search of him." awwww....... I saw that and it was lovely of Chris!
[crazyduckette]
Ian and I arrived in London at approx 12:30pm. We checked in, and I texted Mich to let them know we had arrived. The reply came back to say they were at the venue, and the Victims had already started the queue (allegedly at 6am ). After a quick, 2 second, consultation, we decided to hot foot it over there and join them.
We got the tube to Shepherds Bush, came out of the station, and couldn't work out which way we were going. Luckily, the nice lady handing out Specsavers leaflets gave us directions! We joined the Coldplaying contingent near the front of the queue. By this point, I think we were upto Mich, Kara, Kelly, Lori, Kirsten, Carol and the lovely couple from Birmingham (its so lame, my tired brain cells refuse to produce their names from the depths of last night).
I have never queued for so long in my life, for anything (about 7 hours for Ian & I ). Mid-way through, I doubted my sanity, as it started spitting with rain, and the temperature fell, but I tried positive thinking that if we could get front row it would all be worth it (and I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams how very worth it those 7 hours were!! but more to follow on that later ). Bits of it were boring, but the time passed suprisingly quickly in the end. Shepherds Bush Common is a busy area so there was plenty to keep us occupied (good conversation; the blue carpet layers; the sparkies sorting the film premiere style lights;emergency services whizzing past; and trips to the shops/pub for warmth/food/drink/toilet breaks).
It got dark surprisingly quickly, and up popped 3 guys with guitars. chatting to one of them we discovered that the o2 Empire had employed them to keep the queue amused. I don't think they could have imagined how well Coldplaying would take to this, and the Coldplaying Backing Choir was born!! Allegedly, according to one of the guitar men, we were the best part of the queue and the guys near the back weren't anywhere near as enthusiastic (not sure if this was due to the fact we'd been there so long that we even found the Empire switching on its outside lights exciting!!)
Shortly after 21:00, they opened the doors. Due to them checking tickets, ID, and bags, the entry was relatively slow & civilised, so no running was required. We were in the front row on jonny's side of the stage. The Killers were due on at 23:10, so we settled in for more waiting. By this point, it should have felt like nothing, but it still felt like an eternity as we counted the minutes. Luckily, we were able to keep ourselves amused with on-stage roadie spotting, keeping up-to-date with Brits news via Twitter & Mel (good job we had Mel on texts because after 8 hours my phone battery died! ty hun ), and watching the people in the balconies.
Around the time Anchorman (or was it Phil or #42, I forget) twittered to say that U2's roadies had helped ours to load up at Earls Court, we saw our first peek of them on stage, moving in the big cases with Coldplay on the side. At one point, Franksy came out and was talking to some guys near the back of the stage. Ian tried to get a piccie of him, but the flash settings were playing up. Once Ian finally got a clear shot, Franksy had noticed what he was doing and flashed him a v-sign.
Around 11ish Steve Lamacq came on stage for a brief intro to War Chilkd and also to let us know it was going to be about another 20 mins before The Killers came on.
When The Killers came on they were superb. I wouldn't say I was a huge Killers fan, but I know some of their stuff, like it, and could sing along to a few songs. Brandon had great stage presence, you could feel his enjoyment coming in waves. And his eyes! I don't know how to describe it, but they just sort of sparkled. Will seem to be enjoying the performance too. He very kindly stood at the side of the stage in his white shirt, making him relatively easy to spot behind the packing cases & guitars.
It got exceptionally warm during The Killers set, so it was greatly appreciated when the security guys started passing out plastic cups of water whilst the roadies got to work. I don't know how many times they refilled the water bottles, but they were great.
Watching the roadies at work was pretty awesome, particularly as at the beginning both sets of roadies were on stage at once. Watching "ours" in particular was pretty awe-inspiring, they seemed to work so seamlessly together, and got thing set up pretty quickly. Whilst the roadies were finishing off, Al Murray came out. I know he's a comedian and supposed to be keeping the crowd warm, but if he seriously thinks Queen is better than either The Killers or Coldplay, he's one very deluded man!! Quite a bit of verbal audience participation involved as well.
Eventually, the stage is ready and Al Murray finally leaves!! What could possible happen next?
The Blue Danube!! At which point, I think the security guys thought we had finally succumbed to the heat & lost the plot. As we dum-de-dumed along, clapped, and in some case, conducted, he was laughing alot!!
The Blue Danube hits a crescendo, the lights go out, the screams intensify & the first notes of Life In Technicolor play out. Finally, those 10 and a half hours, are over!!! Out walk the boys, and we're off!
unfortunately, I think I'm going to be about as useful as I was after the Absolute gig. So many things seem to merge, and the fact that during the encores I went into meltdown & was completely incoherent doesn't help much either. At the point LiT started, and the band came on stage, I entered a very happy place, the buzz of which hasn't worn off yet, and I have lots of fragmented memories. Singing my heart out, semi-dancing & taking photos seems to have done for my memory recall.
This gig felt completely different to any I have ever been to before, and at the moment I can't place why. It felt that way, even before the most amazing encore ever! The only thing I can put it down to is sharing the experience with a fab group of Coldplayers & it being some incarnation of the Coldplay Karma.
LiT and Violet Hill were great, but Clocks kicked up a notch again for me. I've not felt that emotional during Clocks for a few years now, but the minute it started all the old, happy feelings flooded back. Just as a clarification, for years Clocks has been my favourite live song but back in December it just didn't have its usual magic spark. In the early hours of this morning (it was today!!!!! this time yesterday we were stood at the barrier contemplating roadies!!!), it was back with a vengeance.
In My Place was awesome. It felt like the whole venue was singing along. And then in the middle, Chris came to the very corner of the stage, right in front of us, and sat down against the wall. I couldn't believe how close he was. He was even closer than the gig at Absolute a few weeks back!!!
Yellow definitely had the whole venue singing along, and Chris pretty much left us to it for a while. After Fix You, they had a quick break, before coming back on. First up was Viva La Vida. Which rocked! When Will bangs that drum, he's like a maniac! I have a lovely picture of the drum, with blurred Will standing over it!!
Next up came one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I still can't believe it happened. My two favourite bands on the whole planet semi-collaborated! Unfortunately in the process, I reverted to the teenager I never was, and screamed in a way I never have before. The most I ever screamed before was when Sale Sharks won the Guinness Premiership Final a few years back. I don't do screaming fan girl, and until that final hadn't thought I was actually capable of really screaming. This morning, I surpassed that, and apologies to Anna who was in the unfortunate position of being right next to me! Just to clarify why I was screaming, on the verge of tears, and going weak at the knees. I am a huge Take That fan as well as a Coldplay fan. One of the most amazing experiences of my life was when I met Gary Barlow. So, having seen the rumours on Twitter that The Sun was saying Take That were going to perform, I allowed myself a glimmer of hope, but didn't pin too much hope on it happening. Particularly as Anchorman was playing hard to get & would only Twitter that there was going to be a special guest.
Chris starts his introductions, and I still didn't really believe it was happening, until Gary walked out onto the stage. Even looking at these pictures, I still can't quite believe I didn't dream it. Gary & Coldplay performed 'Back For Good' whilst the whole room sang along. You couldn't make it up!
And if you thought the evening couldn't get anymore surreal, there was the last song. A killers song, with Coldplay & The Killers, but no, we couldn't possibly leave it at that, so we'll just throw in Bono & Gary Barlow as well. All sense of reality had completely dissipated by this point. God job I was sober, if I'd been drinking I don't think my brain could have coped with what it was seeing.
The night doesn't end there though, oh no, no!! I draped over the barrier for a bit whilst I tried to comprehend what had just happened, and whilst we waited for the room to clear. The girls shouted to Matt, and he handed over Jonny's setlist and some other bits and pieces. He also seemed a little baffled that they were calling him by name.
Whilst we were stood around, someone spotted Phil on the balcony (I think it was Kara & Mich). So we shouted to him, and he stopped and talked to us for a few minutes. Mich already mentioned the gist of the conversation, so I won't add anymore. I don't think any of us took any photos as we were so stunned he stopped to chat for a few mins.
We slowly made our way out via the toilets & the merch stand. To the right, near where we had been queueing were some mercs with blacked -out windows and some paparrazi hanging around. Whilst we were discussing what to do next, the paparrazi suddenly sprinted off down the road after someone. Someone mentioned it was possible Sienna Miller leaving.
Ian & I decided to call it a night, as it was approaching 2am by this point. We said bye and wandered up the road to try and grab a black cab. At the other end of Shepherds Bush Common we got lucky. As the cab drove back past the Empire, the paparazzi flash bulbs were going, and the Mercs were driving off. They must have come out of the door about 15/20 mins after we left.
And that is Jen's story of one of the most surreal 24 hours of her life. Its the most amazing show I have ever been to, and it will take some topping.
[Jenjie]
The buskers outside when we were waiting in line were great, I knew some victims couldn't care less about coldplay and I was proud how all of the coldplayers were singing all the songs, even the few killers' ones
Anyway that was the best gig I've ever been, my three favourite bands all together on stage (well technically 3 U2 were missing). Epic is the only word I can use for what happened.
These are some of the pics I took, not the best..and I didn't took any video cause I knew the audio would turn out shit since I was too close to the stage (I just took one at the end of 42 just because it was the only way for me to have a decent shot of Guy booo to the victims who took hold of the right side of the stage)
After the gig me and my friends went to the back entrance to see if we could catch someone..Guy came out and went straight into the car waiting for him, there were paparazzi outside so I couldn't get too close and say hi , then some unknown vip and Will, who took me by surprise as when he saw me and shook my hand gave me a kiss on the cheek and said he was happy to see me again, my face turned I was so shocked that I asked him if he was sure he really did recognise me, and he did, awwww Will the Pooh ..too bad Kelly called him away, he would have stayed there chatting then Chloe came out, she is beautiful, and Jonny followed shortly and said hi..other unknown vips, then we and the victims spotted Dave and called him, he went inside to call the other killers, who came out to sign things and taking pics, that was great, Ronnie (the drummer) confirmed us they're coming back to play in Italy in the meantime Gwyneth came out, and all the paparazzi took pics of her.
P.S. Big ups to Kelly for going up and say things to the first in lines, you're so funny, it was nice meeting you, and also Mich, Lori and Kirsten and sorry for not coming up to introduce myself to all the coldplayers, I felt embarassed doing it
@sophierose: glad to see a victim here
[iriden]
So I was there too, but I didn't meet anyone of you and I regret it but I arrived late to the venue: 7pm.... I tried to look for Anna in the queue since we had exchanged pics in PM but I wasn't successful.... But I can see clearly who Iriden is since I was there when Will kissed you.... As I said I arrived late and I took the queue at the middle front of the pub.... I thought I wouldn't have a good spot but when we entered the venue it was surprisingly "empty" and we were third row just in front of Guy as my friend wanted it , she's fond of him! It was great! I can't find words to describe how I enjoy the show in English (I can't in French either ) It was the best gig experience I had ...ever.... I loved The Killers, Brandon looked so happy , smiling all the time, his voice was perfect.... Then Coldplay, wooooooow, it was the first time for me, and an amazing one, being so close, everything was perfect.... Then the final with Bono.... At that moment I think I didn't know my name and the place where I live, I went insane, jumping and singing! Then after the show I went at the back to wait for the artists to come .... When we arrived, we were told that Guy had just left....which was a big disappointment for my friend....We were about 15 people.... Then Will came and Irisen told you what happened..... Then Jonny, he smiled to me as the other people here didn't seem to have noticed him and I was the only one looking at him but I wasn't able to say a single word to him.... Then Dave from the Killers arrived and signed and took pictures, then Brandon, oh he was so lovely, he was very nice with the fans, he signed and I had my picture with him (for those who were there I was the one who lend my marker for him to sign everyone)....he was so nice At the same time Gwyneth arrived, I knew she was pretty but I couldn't imagine she was soooooooo beautiful! I also recognized Natalie Imbruglia and Courtney Love.... We waited until 3:30am..... But as you know Chris had gone on the other side.... but it doesn't matter , I will never forget this night and the feelings are still here!
[chopotte]
Fan Reviews
The first fan reviews can be found here 18 February 2009: War Child Gig, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London (Fan Reviews)
Setlist
Can be found on this page 18 February 2009: War Child Gig, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London (Setlist, Media Reviews & Twitters)
Photos
Photos from this show can be found at Coldplaying.com in the Gallery thread for the War Child gig. http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/
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=54176
Discussion
All post-show discussion for this show at the forum thread: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54176
Media Reviews
Can be found on this page 18 February 2009: War Child Gig, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London (Setlist, Media Reviews & Twitters)
The Twitter Updates
Can be found on this page 18 February 2009: War Child Gig, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London (Setlist, Media Reviews & Twitters)
