23 March 2009: Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
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!
- Speed Of Sound (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 Singapore. http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/1743
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=54476
Discussion
All post-show discussion for this show at the forum thread: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54476
Fan Reviews
All fan reviews have been submitted to us by the members of Coldplaying.com[1], unless stated otherwise.
Today was finally the day Coldplay came back to my home country of Singapore. I was so nervous about the gig I could hardly sleep last night. Despite the boys hardly stopping for fans before the show in Sydney, I decided to try my luck in Singapore. I went there about 2pm, waited around, said hi to Jonathan (frontman of Mercury Rev) and Bash. Bash was so surprised, and demanded to know 'How did you know my name???? ' So I told him I'm from the Coldplaying forum and he went 'Oh my picture is on there as well???'
After a while I got shooed by this man supposedly in charge (he doesn't leave a very good impression on me, I think he's too big for his boots) and I was relegated to behind a security barrier. So fiiiine, I'll stay there, whatever. I knew, however, that since they stepped up security, the band would be arriving soon.
And indeed they did come in a van. Saw Chris, Jonny, Guy and Will. I was holding on to my insane Jonny banner so Jonny smiled at me before he ducked under the door. Chris, however, recognised me from the Sydney shows and approached me He said 'Nice to see you again! and gave me a tiny hug He asked whether I had flown from Australia to Singapore, but I told him that I'm actually from here, and I had flown TO Australia instead. He then asked if I'm watching the show tonight. I said I had a ticket for myself, but my friends didn't have because they couldn't afford the money. He then said, 'OK I'll see what I can do, stay right here.' as he turned to leave.
Then the female security guard (I'm sorry I don't know her name ) came out with Kelly and started looking around. Both of them pointed to me and she asked Kelly 'The one with the sign right?' and he nodded. So she came up to me to get my name and asked me to collect my tickets from the box office!
When I went to the box office, I said I was on the guest list and needed to collect tickets. The lady serving me asked, 'Are you with the promoters?' I looked around and said 'Umm... no...' Then she looked at me incredulously and asked 'You're with the band??? ' I sheepishly said yes She seemed so shocked. When she eventually found my tickets, I had to sign a list which had all the names of the ticketholders and the member of the crew who gave the tickets out. So my name was listed as under 'Chris'
I was so touched by Chris' gesture. I wanted to thank him but I couldn't since he never did come out after that.
So I was still feeling incredulous, my hands were shaking so badly.
Then I started chatting to an Indonesian journalist who was about to interview Guy. Speaking of the devil, Guy came out of the stage door for a smoke. We didn't scream his name or anything, but we waited for him to turn around and we gave him a smile and a wave. He walked up to us (with Kelly always one step behind ) and shook our hands and said hi and wished us a good concert Not wanting to sound fangirly, but he's gorgeous really
So I waited a little bit more. The journalist left to do his interview with Guy, and another 2 fans joined me (I believe 1 of them is on this forum ). Will came out this time With his hat and his shades, he looked the epitome of cool Once again, we waved and he came up to us, signed a few autographs and took pictures (I've run out of smileys to describe my mood!)
A couple of roadies passed by, looked at my sign and said they've seen it before
Waited until about 7+ but nothing else really happened, so I met my friends and gave them their tickets from Chris and we headed into the arena. When Mercury Rev came on, everyone just surged to the barrier. Compared to the shows I've been to before, we actually had a very good time during Mercury Rev's set. Granted, Mercury Rev probably has a higher profile in Singapore than in Australia, since they've been here before to perform.
When MR finished, the security told us all to return to our seats. Somehow, a fight broke out between 2 Caucasian men, and they were hurling vulgarities at each other and was just about to get physical when the ushers pulled them apart and threatened to get the police in. Seemingly, the brawl had to do with the people standing up at the barrier. The police was not called in, but they continued to swear at each other while getting back to their rightful seats.
COldplay. As the lights dimmed everyone screamed really loudly. LiT, Violet Hill, Clocks, IMP, Yellow were received really really well. Chris said at one point that the Singaporean audience probably ranked near the top of the list of all audiences so far on the tour
However, I was pretty disappointed that not many people knew GoW or DWNC, and no one was really singing along to LiT ii, although we didn't miss a beat @ the 'ooooohhh ooooohhh oooh' ending
LiJ had probably the best audience reaction of all. When the confetti started dropping, everyone just started shrieking and trying to catch them and taking pictures of them It was a nice surprise for everyone, I heard soooo many comments that it was amazing and awesome and cool and brilliant
Chris saw me in the crowd (I was about 3rd row), pointed at me and smiled
We did the Coldwave But the audience wasn't really into it I guess The first few rounds were amazing but it petered out really fast, it was quite embarassing.
At the end of the show, I went to the FOH but they had run out of setlists already. The soundman however was really nice and laughed at my hoarse voice and commented, 'So you were singing along, eh???' I went out, hopefully to catch a last look at the band. Unfortunately Jonny, Guy and Will did a runner again. I was pretty sure Chris was still inside, despite all the ushers and security guards saying everyone had left. So I didn't move an inch from where I stood.
When the crowds outside the stage door had thinned, one of the security guards suddenly and quietly slipped me a folded piece of paper. A setlist I was so shocked and surprised I just looked at it in amazement. When I finally got to my senses, I repeatedly thanked the guard quietly, over and over and over again. He just smiled
Then after a while, he came back up to me and said 'Why aren't you going back yet?' I told him I was waiting for the band. He looked around and then whispered, 'Yeah, the lead singer's still inside. But don't tell anyone I told you that.' How awesome is he???!
So I waited around a little more. I saw Matt coming out for a smoke. I quietly called his name and he turned around, saw me and climbed up the flowerbed. I told him 'I just wanted to say that it was a good show.' He thanked me and then said 'Here, a gift for you' and he gave me a customised Viva La Vida guitar pick
Chris came out after a short while, but he didn't stop for us, I think he's just really tired. He did wave to us though
So that wraps up the last of my adventures for the Viva la Vida tour.
I haven't met Jonny yet, despite trying at least 5 times. However, I should be content since he smiled at me a couple of times and gave me his guitar pick. Chris has been an absolute angel; I wish I had a way to thank him properly!!!!!!!
[but a dream]
No surprise but it was awesome just so wonderful, had an absolute ball of a time jumping around and singing along to the songs even though i was quite far away.
Have to give it to Chris being so energetic and being able to go on just non-stop throughout the whole concert. At the point in time when Mercury Rev was performing the tour tees were already sold out at the merchandise booths. Was hoping to even just buy the display one but they didn't want to sell it. They only had the programs left.
Forget about the seats stood throughout the whole thing, left my seat the moment they started.The only thing throughout the whole night that i felt was quite irritating was when i was asked to go back to my seat twice by an usher during "Life in Technicolor" kinda spoiled it while i was enjoying the song. I was like "Please , come on i'm not gonna create trouble i just want to have fun". She went but you're not allowed to stand.
Didn't bother and just continued standing, the usher buzzed off after that.
Did see from afar someone managed to keep a balloon from the Yellow performance and they had it on the chair while they were standing. Hopefully they managed to bring it back home intact
[zempt]
We did go and see Coldplay perform in Singapore Indoor Stadium yesterday. Some of the many highlights were “Yellow”, where a flood of yellow balloons in different sizes was launched into the audience, “Lovers in Japan” where literally millions of (paper) butterflies were released into the crowd and obviously “Viva la Vida”. The audience was amazing as well, majority of expats I assume. But the mobile phone Mexican wave at the break I think can only be as successful as it was in Asia.
We had the 3rd best seats in the house, row 8 at the east-side of the stadium only meters away from one of the 2 extensions of the stage. The only better seats in the house were probably row 8 at the west-side of the stadium, where Coldplay decided to play one of their numbers intimately gathered around a piano on the far end of the other extension of the stage and some seats in the South East corner of the stadium, high up on the stands, where an other number was played in the middle of the audience. Absolutely amazing.
http://rooymans.webfactional.com/travel/2009/03/24/coldplay-rocked-singapore/
It's been nearly three years since the last time I went down south for a Coldplay gig (again, hate them for not stopping in KL, but tickets might cost more in that case). Merchandise: I only saw tee shirts, with choices between 3 - 4 designs ($40 each), tour programme ($25), cap, tote bag ($25). The tee shirts were sold really fast - I didn't even manage to get one of those stereptypical black tour tees with the tour stops on the back. But I did buy a baby tee, only to find that I couldn't wear it. Oh well - I wasn't planning on wearing it anyways.
I was glad that the opening act Mercury Rev (who came on at about 8.15 p.m.) only did 5 songs in their set. Their music is a cross between Muse, Mogwai and... I can't think of who else. At least their frontman has slightly better stage presence. I suspect people were cheering so loud and enthusiastically at the end because their set was finally over (we did pay to see Coldplay, after all). Was glad that the band came on at 9.15 p.m. The pit was seated, and for that I was glad... until people started standing on their seats because they can't see anything otherwise. I got prodded by security, who was trying their darndest to get people to stand on the ground because there were still people who can't see the stage.
Instead of writing down the setlist, I decided the video the performances just because me taking snaps from where I was would be a waste of time and space. Pics and videos suck, so don't ask to see it. Need a camera with a better zoom and sound, haha. But at least the 2GB SD card was enough for the concert, though I can't say the same for the batteries... the pair I was using died about halfway through the show and had to do a quick change. D'oh. Butterfly confetti descended into the pit during Lovers in Japan. I thought it was gonna be a wave of confetti, but there were THREE waves of the stuff. I don't even want to know how many kilos of the stuff was dropped on us... I told someone later that I paid $250 just to collect the butterflies :P
But I was glad to hear The Hardest Part live at last, which is weird considering the song's got its root in watching porn.... Go figure. Also dropped the camera a couple of times. Glad it's still in one piece :P Overall, I would've enjoyed the show more if I wasn't so sticky and smelly.... :P Well okay, I still had fun.
http://lifeasacynic.blogspot.com
Media Reviews
Expectations ran high among the more than 10,000 people who paid an equally high price to watch British superband Coldplay performed in Singapore on Monday. Ticket prices for the sold-out gig ranged from S$88 to $249 and, according to several Indonesians who flew in especially for the concert, it was time and money well spent.
Because Coldplay delivered on those expectations. With four successful albums under their belts, they had no problem delivering hit after hit during their two-hour show, entertaining a stadium full of hysterical fans, from young teenage girls to gentlemen in their 50s.
An hour after Mercury Rev opened the show at about 8:15 p.m., the Coldplay members - lead singer Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion - jumped onto the stage. They appeared behind a thin black screen carrying sparklers across the stage, wearing their signature cavalry-inspired outfits, and kickstarted the show with an instrumental version of "Life in Technicolor".
When the black screen dropped, the fans turned up the screaming by several decibels, and they launched into another number from their Viva La Vida album, "Violet Hill". Then, as the stage turned red and red lasers beamed across the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Chris Martin hit the piano and the band began playing "Clocks" from A Rush of Blood to the Head. The lanky Chris Martin strutted down the left-hand runway, drawing a surge of picture-taking frenzy and photo flashes, when performing one of their "cult" songs from the same album, "In My Place". Then, as one of their early hits, "Yellow", came up, giant yellow balloons started rolling among the audience.
With the venue lit up in a bright yellow light, the whole production set came into clearer view, showing the huge stage for the four-piece band and their extra instruments - including a piano, a keyboard, a drum and an old TV as also seen in their music videos - a long runway on each side of the stage, a giant screen on the stage backdrop and a few more hanging above the audience, and huge light orbs, on which the act was projected, hanging above the stage and around the stadium.
The band played nearly all the songs from their Viva La Vida album, as well as some new pieces from their EP, Prospekt's March. Martin showed off his vocal power while singing "42" as he pretended to be out of breath at the last note but then dragged it out for what seemed like forever (and kept his eye on his watch while doing so). "Postcards From Far Away", a piano instrumental by Chris Martin, led into the intro to the familiar strings sound of their biggest hit ever, "Viva La Vida", which had the whole stadium on their feet. And of course a Coldplay concert could not be complete without earlier hits such as "Fix You", "Politik", "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face" and "The Scientist", which the band presented smoothly. The crowd danced, jumped and screamed to each of the more than 24 of Coldplay's all-time favorite songs covered at the concert.
The naturally entertaining Chris Martin charmed the audience with his jokes, teasing his band mates and thanking the audience, acknowledging all those who flew in from overseas.
The production team behind the concert smartly injected surprise elements, to the delight of the audience, such as sending out a shower of colorful paper butterflies during "Lovers in Japan" while Martin sashayed down the runway swinging a Japanese paper umbrella. A surprise act came after the performance of "Lost!": The boys made their way through the audience to a small "stage" in the middle of the bleachers area, welcomed by the stunned audience who reached out trying to touch the guys. The quartet belted out acoustic versions of "Speed of Sound", a rendition of The Monkees' "I'm a Believer" and "Death Will Never Conquer" sung by drummer Will Champion. Martin joked that he had become the band's lead singer after losing a game of Monopoly to decide who would be the frontman "to take all the abuse, the drugs and that sort of thing". "Life in Technicolor ii" closed the show but left the audience wanting more.
Even if you took out the giant balloons, laser shows and shower of butterflies, the concert proved that what Coldplay really offers is just a plain good music. The band does deserve its Grammies.
Coldplay, with frontman Chris Martin in top form, pulled off an unforgettable, aweinspiring show in Singapore.
WERE you not entertained? Like Roman gladiators, Coldplay came to Singapore (again), played to almost 12,000 roaring fans and left the arena no doubt feeling like kings.
If Chris Martin, Will Champion, Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman didn’t feel like they ruled the world already, I bet they did after the band’s concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Monday night, which was their third date in the island republic already.
It’s hard not to compare this concert with their second one in 2005 at the same venue (they first came here in 2001 to open for Travis. How far they’ve come since then ... and where’s Travis now?). Where the previous show the London-based band had just three albums (of which songs from the latest at the time – the less radio-friendly X&Y – made up the bulk of the songs); this time around they came armed with the Grammy award-winning Viva La Vida with more stadium anthems than you can shake a stick at.
Coupled with its repertoire of old hits, this made for a much more complete and stadium-friendly set list, which resulted in a solid two-hour set packed with intimate moments, soaring stadium anthems and massive sing-alongs.
Veteran New York-based alternative rock band Mercury Rev opened the show at 8.15pm sharp, while most of the audience was still filtering into the Singapore Indoor Stadium. If you missed its performance, you missed the perfect appetiser to Coldplay’s show. Mercury Rev got the party started with a blend of soaring, dreamy space rock anthems, playing for 30 minutes and setting the tone for the main course that was to come next.
Kicking off things with the instrumental Life in Technicolor, just as it does on the Viva La Vida album, Coldplay wasted no time in breaking out with the hits. First up was Violet Hill, the first single from the new album, which segued straight into the chiming piano intro of the classic Clocks, both tracks sounding more majestic live than they ever did on the album.
After yet another hit from A Rush of Blood to the Head – In My Place, the glorious strands of Yellow subsequently exploded into life, much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd.
Three years on, Chris Martin and mates seem to have matured greatly as live performers. Their music may not be particularly hard core (Martin once said they were like Vegemite - “some people love them, some people don’t”), but it’s hard to fault their live performances.
Martin, in particular, seems to have grown in stature since his more subdued showing in 2005. Here, he was more assured, more spontaneous, and a lot more confident with his performance. Whether he was playing a piano solo on The Hardest Part, playfully breaking yellow balloons with his guitar during Yellow, or telling a story about how he was “forced” to become the lead singer (“who takes all the abuse and all the drugs”) after losing a game of Monopoly; this was Chris Martin at the top of his game.
In fact, he was doing so much on stage – singing, playing the guitar, piano, harmonica, talking – that it might as well have been called The Chris Martin Show instead. It was so easy to forget about the other three members of the band.
There were some efforts to make the presence of the rest of the band felt though, and at the same time bring the band closer to the audience.
One of the most memorable moments in particular was when it played on a mini-podium right in the middle of the crowd, a segment which saw it play an excellent acoustic version of Speed of Sound, cover the Monkees’ I’m a Believer, and even switch roles for a song (Champion took the mic to sing the folkish DWNC, while Martin played the harmonica).
From the uplifting chorus of Fix You (which I personally rank as one of the greatest stadium anthems ever), the quiet aching of Martin’s solo on The Hardest Part, and the joyous celebratory mood of Strawberry Swing, there was no shortage of memorable moments in this concert.
None though, could match the massive roar that shook the very foundations of the stadium when the intro of Viva La Vida was played. From the pseudo-military beat, the soaring chorus, to that oh-so-catchy “WO-OH-OOAAAAA” bridge – it was a song practically written with audiences like this in mind.
So powerful was Viva La Vida, that instead of merely clapping or shouting “Encore!”, the crowd actually chanted “WO-OH-OOAAAAA” to cajole the band out for the encore.
In fact, nothing that came after it could quite match the high that it created; not the subsequent equally popular Lost, the concert closing Death and All of His Friends, nor encores of The Scientist and Life in Technicolor II.
And even long after the concert had ended, that same chant was heard throughout the stadium grounds as the buzzing concert-goers relived that single magical moment.
Viva la Coldplay indeed.
