20 March 2006: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
From WikiColdplay
Setlist
- Square One
- Politik
- Yellow
- Speed Of Sound
- God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
- X&Y
- How You See The World
- Don't Panic
- White Shadows
- The Scientist
- Til Kingdom Come
- Ring Of Fire
- Trouble
- Clocks
- Talk
Encore - Swallowed In The Sea
- In My Place
- Fix You
Reviews
"You can't come to Cleveland without coming to the back!" Chris Martin declared. So the Coldplay frontman sprinted to the rear of The Q to serenade the cheap seats with "In My Place." The soul-searching ballad found Martin contemplating his role in the cosmic scheme of things, a favorite Coldplay theme.
You could say this arena-rocking British quartet found its niche Monday night in front of a near-capacity crowd.
Concert promoters worry about which latter-day acts will pack 'em in when veteran top draws such as U2 are no longer on the road. Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bass player Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion proved they're up to the task and made good on the "U2 of their generation" hype. These eager-to-please blokes from London are still in their 20s, but they can work an enormo-dome like old pros.
"Politik," "Speed of Sound," "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face" and other soaring Coldplay anthems were ready-made for cell-phone-hoisting singalongs. The 90-minute performance didn't skimp on grand gestures, either.
The band made a dramatic entrance to the spacey tune of "Square One," complete with "Also Sprach Zarathustra"-style riffs courtesy of Buckland.
In the middle of a magical rendition of "Yellow," giant yellow balloons dropped from the rafters and burst to shower concertgoers with gold confetti.
And a cat's cradle of red laser beams crisscrossed the arena during "Clocks."
Stripped-down versions of "Til Kingdom Come" (a twangy toe-tapper written with Johnny Cash in mind) and Cash's own "Ring of Fire" made for lower-key highlights.
When Martin wasn't strumming a guitar while doing a demented jig or banging on a piano like Jerry Lee Lewis on a triple-espresso bender, Coldplay's main man often sang from a crouching position. Picture a bushy-haired ninja with a wicked falsetto.
Every song strove for momentousness. Inevitably, some attempts fell short, including "How You See the World," which split the difference between heavy metal and folk to dull effect.
More often than not, however, Coldplay struck a resonant chord. During the finale, "Fix You," Martin sent a single light on a long wire swinging wildly through the air, a luminous wrecking ball to smash the boundary between the band and its fans.
The message was clear: We're in this together - and the sky is the limit.
Ex-Verve singer Richard Ashcroft turned in a well-received opening set of soulful material from his new solo album, "Keys to the World," although the old Verve hit "Bittersweet Symphony" got the biggest rise out of the gathering throng.
Source: cleveland.com
I arrived as Ashcroft was almost done with his set. I didn’t know any of his songs (except BS). The crowd was really loving Bittersweet Symphony, and people around me were all singing along. It was nice!
Fast forward about 15 minutes. The lights go down as Coldplay is ready to come on, and everybody goes apeshit. They started out with Square One, and I honestly don’t even remember that first performance because I was screaming, clapping, and trying to come to grips with the fact that I was in the same room as Coldplay. It took me a while to get over seeing them all in the flesh. I was disappointed to see that Chris still had the mop hair, but maybe he’ll cut it for the Toronto DVD?? LOL.
Anyway, some highlights:
- Chris thanked us all for showing up for a concert on a Monday, because it’s hard to go to a concert on Mondays since we have “school, and work, and other shit.” Very warm response to that.
- During the acoustic part, one of the four bright lights weren’t working, and Chris said “If you’re thinking ‘why doesn’t that light work? I want my money back!’ then don’t worry because it’s deliberate. We like to keep three out of four lights on at all times. If you’re thinking that this is a fuck-up, it’s not.” EVERYONE went nuts.
-Then after that light incident, Chris tried to introduce Til’ Kingdom Come, but ended up saying something like “This is called …Oh fuck it, let’s just play…”
- Clocks had a red laser. It was pretty awesome! I know I read in the Coldplayer that they were bringing back the laser, but I wasn’t anticipating it. It was so cool.
- Then there was all the usual stuff: Jonny sang during Don’t Panic, Chris told us “They teach you how to sing in Cleveland” which I know he tells everyone, and Chris ran out during In My Place and let some lucky girl in the back sing a line.
- Also, Chris pointed to the people in the back and said something like “We haven’t forgotten you. Even that tiny little person that’s like five miles away in the corner, we’re thinking about you.” (that’s roughly what he said) I thought that was pretty sweet of him.
After the show, people were blasting Coldplay songs from their cars. I was walking around downtown for a while, and we passed a bunch of bars that were playing Coldplay songs pretty loudly. You could really feel the “Coldplay spirit” in downtown Cleveland.
[Thanks Yellowbug]
After I had taken pics of Ashcroft, I was looking at them during the intermission. A security guard came over and told me that I was not allowed to have a professional camera and that I would have to put it away or it would be confiscated. and I said uh no way they let me bring it in why would I not be able to use it! IT was an intense confrontation. He said the band specificallyrequested it. I replied well this is the 4th show this tour I have brought it ( LIE) and the band wants us to use cameras. and he said I will take you up to my supervisor if you dont put it away now. well I couldnt let that happen because it wasn’t my camera.
ARRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHH I Wanted to throw a fucking chair. HOW THE HELL WAS I GOING TO NOT TAKE PICS! I knew they would turn out great and now I couldn’t. sdk;gjhasigu hufhsQW%#@$&$%&^$&. SO ANGRY. anyways I decided well I will just sneak some and deal with the consequences by running awayif need be….
As the DJ spun the awesome mix of music. I recognized that soon it was time for the guys to come out. Right as the lights went out with my fav of the preshow songs ( gosh I cant remember what it;s called) the seat 1 next to me finally got a occupant. His name was Greg and he was super excited. As was I and It just happened to be both our’s 4th show to see Coldplay. He and the couple next to me definitely made this my ultimate favorite concert. We danced like maniacs singing all the words and making up moves with the words. So glad I was on the aisle. I won’t go into detail about too much except that: Chris clearly has added another foot onto the height of his jumps since last month at the Palace. OH I WAS PISSED I DIDNT GET THAT PIC! Guy was directly in front of me, but semi blocking Will, that’s why I loved it when Guy was dancing a bit. Jonny was way on the other side. But he came out sporting out a nice cap. mmmmm!
So back to the camera dilemma. SO MANY opportunities were missed.
Finally I said FUCK IT I am taking pics, so during the acoustic set, I started up again. a few minutes later. the guard came up and I could’t understand what he was saying. PICTURE THIS PICTURE THAT. I thought I was heading out of the arena. EEEEEEKKK. some girl behind me said, “I think he is telling you, you can take pics.” and I was like ” no he yelled at me earlier so I can’t” stupid stupid stupid. Clocks and Talk, were after that and I still didnt take any. Finally I asked another security guard, : This is Bullshit I know I can take pics. I just dont know what that guys problem is.” he replied” he said you CAN take them:” UMMMM WHAT! then I screamed FUCK! THE SHOWS NEARLY OVER! Why didnt I understand what he said!
I got the camera and starting shooting away during SIS, IMP, and FY. About 100 of them. I was so rushed that they didn’t come out right. GRR after I shut it off, all the setting were gone and I think that’s why. I Was so flustered. So many out of focus. That is the only thing that breaks my heart. I am such an amateur at this photography thing.
That sign that I made, I tried to show it a few times during the show, but mostly save it for the end. Well wehn they took pics of the crowd I had to hold it up! Chris was taking them in front of me. YESS! I WENT MAD. He saw it. I SCREAMEd. He READ IT, pointed to me then snapped one!
And then the bow: I had Greg hold it up because he was way taller than me. and I stood underit and pointed and screamed.
Chris knew I had it, so he came over to the side and pointed again, smiled, and blew me kisses as he bowed. And then Jonny followed behind. Chris showed him and then Jonny smiled and kind of tipped his hat and bowed. INSTANT SHOCK. then it hit me, when Greg and the ppl around me yelled ” THEY SAW IT! THEY GOT YOU HUN! THEY GOT YOU!” then I immediately shrieked and starting jumping up and down.
Hearing What If was incredible. I totally thought Jonny was setting up for X&Y but then Chris started with “WHAT IF THERE WAS NO LIGHT”
They boys were so incredibly pumped. IT was so obvious they were practically GIDDY. I know for a fact the DVD is going to be OUT OF THIS WORLD. They always give 100% but this time it was 200%. and it showed.
I still want to write so much more.!
[Thanks Marisa]
Coldplay's enormous energy again took hold last night at Quicken Loans Arena. The band was willing, and the crowd gradually received the band warmly. Chris even thanked us for "missing Monday Night Football to see us."
Chris was his usual manic self, bouncing and running around the stage. Jon Buckland was particularly good, especially during "GPASUYF", which I felt was the high point of the night. Chris really got the crowd into things by then, and Jon ripped through the guitar parts with great ease.
Also, at the start of the acoustic set, one of the lights wasnt plugged in, and Chris took it in stride. "It's supposed to be like that, " he explained. "It's not a fuck up."
Richard Ashcroft was pretty good, I thought. He chatted throughout his set, including some comments about George W. Bush, who was also in Cleveland. He pretty much served as welcoming music, at least until he played "Bittersweet Symphony"
[Thanks Ray Lockman]
Intensity equals success: Coldplay leads way for indie rockers
I wish I could start my article on Coldplay by talking about how much I know about music, and how Coldplay is a generic rock band that has somehow made it big through good looks and major-label support. But as Coldplay’s “Swallowed in the Sea” eases its way through my fluffy headphones, I slowly come to the realization that I can’t trash them. I smile wide as I catch myself trying to find something wrong with the track. Unfortunately for me, I can’t find anything wrong. In three minutes and 59 seconds, I hear excellent group chemistry, decent technical skills, catchy songwriting, and, most importantly, musical intensity.
This final skill is exactly what makes Coldplay so darn good and contagious. Sure, singer Chris Martin may accent his S’s and T’s a little too hard, bassist Guy Berryman may lose time every now and then, and guitarist Johnny Buckland might buzz on the guitar, but dammit, they are simply cooking with musical intensity.
So what is it that makes Coldplay one of the biggest bands in the world? What is it about Coldplay’s records that sells? How are they able to pack basketball arenas and festivals around the world? Sure, being on a major label and getting music videos and radio play all help, but how did they get there? There has to be something more than distribution advantages that make them so universally acclaimed.
I found my answers at the Coldplay concert at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena last Monday night. After months and months of touring on the same set list, you’d think the band would be dead out of energy, and this would be another stop on the road. Then add on the boredom of a Monday-night gig in Cleveland. But somehow the band came out, and put every drop of energy they had into the performance. It felt like Coldplay’s farewell performance: that night, there would be nothing left to give to music.
At the beginning of “Talk,” Chris Martin slams his piano fervently as his shiny white sneakers twitch with delight. By the end of the number, he is leaning so far back in his chair that his head is nearly touching the ground, his feet flailing in the air. Simply phenomenal drummer Will Champion eloquently bangs the crap out of his drums during “Fix You.” With syncopated strokes on the tightly tuned snare drum and flurries of cymbal, he is the epitome of graceful intensity that the group has mastered.
Within this graceful intensity and carpe diem approach to music lies the answer to my questions. Each Coldplay song, each performance, makes you feel like it is their last. The music is dripping with energy and passion. Sound cheesy? Simply put, most people listen to music that is played with intensity. In this respect, Coldplay is simply perfect: They have musical and emotional intensity. Coldplay sounds like no one else. Coldplay’s use of both pianos and synthesizers gives them a unique mix between classic rock, blues, and new wave electronic music. Martin’s smooth voice adds a pop twist to the equation, while Champion’s drumming maintains the elegance of jazz drumming and the energetic intensity of a rock musician. The resulting product of these factors make Coldplay a treat to listen to.
It is this blend that Coldplay have concocted that frequently weeds out the talented musicians from the ones who only last for their 15 minutes of fame. While jazz musicians are often too focused on fast licks and scales and hard rockers are often too fixed on playing loudly, Coldplay is on their way to finding the right balance between well-crafted songs, satisfactory musical technique, and energetic delivery. And as Coldplay continues to grow, they continue to set higher and higher standards for up-and-coming groups. In fact, the most important group of musicians to pick up from Coldplay’s style is actually the indie rockers. Although they lack the talented production team and state-of-the-art technology to which Coldplay have access, groups like The Arcade Fire and The Fiery Furnaces are being recognized as creative in their compositions, above-average in their technical prowess, and, above all, passionate in their performances. Like Coldplay, these and other indie rock groups perform fabulous live shows because of their energy. They are engaging visual performers and energetic musicians.
Source: http://thetartan.org
This was my second concert on the Twisted Logic Tour. I saw them the end of august and then again at cleveland at the Q.
To begin, I thought Richard Ashcroft was pretty good and gave a nice energy to the crowd. BS brought a nice ovation.
I love the beginning of their show with the counting down numbers on the white screen and they broke into Square One.
The band had great energy as always and songs like ring of fire, clocks, and talk were out of this world. Me and my friends were singing our hearts out.
So the music was great but now I just had a couple of somewhat negative comments to the show.
First of all, the energy of the crowd was really nothing to talk about. The entire floor was standing (as expected) but almost everywhere else groups of seated people took away from the atmoshpere. I know in my section the majority of people were seated. As compared to previous shows I have been at this was the least received by the crowd.
My second comment was that I thought the show was much shorter than others I have seen. The second leg of the TL tour perhaps is growing a little dull to the guys? 90 Minutes is not enough in my opinion for a concert that is not promoting a new album.
In closing the show was very good and it was another chance to see my favorite band live. However it would have been better if the crowd was more into it and if they played maybe 4 or 5 more songs.
[Thanks Chris]
