Small Reminders/Updates on Coldplay.com (feat. Roadie #42!)

[Pris]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ravrat;2550522
^You PERV!!!!

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and proud of it!!!!!

[melanieau]

Roadie #42 - Blog #32
September 25, 2008 12:02 pm
#42 and the Budapest backline panic

There were photographers and video cameras when we landed in Prague yesterday. Quite a pack of them, actually. Today, here in Budapest, there is a lone photographer and a couple of guys with a video camera and a microphone. Chris and security chief Kelly Samuels have quite the double act worked out when it comes to pap evasion. They've slid by un-noticed and without fuss through London and Manhattan's most hardened and ruthless press hounds.

We sit in our van as today's hapless would-be TV interviewer misses each and every band member whilst trying to chat to Franksy to find out what time they'll be arriving. Once all the van doors slam shut and he realises that he's missed out, he throws his coat at the first van out of frustration. It's truly the first time I've ever heard a vanful of touring folks simultaneously "awwwwwww"-ing at a pap. Bless his cotton socks. Taking his exclusive with us, we whizz off into Budapest.

I've not been here before. It's increasingly rare to be able to say that these days, which is a sure sign it's time for me to find a proper job before I turn into a haggard old roadie telling war stories that interest nobody. Obviously, there's many would say I missed that particular boat quite some time ago, but hey...

Today's venue is very shiny and curved from the outside, giving it the appearance of some kind of futuristic breadmaking device. Once inside, it's a pretty standard arena scene, albeit a very big one. The one immediate "spot the difference" when we get inside though, is that the band's gear is missing.

The stage is set as always, but there is a complete lack of drumkit, piano, amps, guitars and so on. It seems that the truck carrying the "Backline" (roadie term for the band's equipment, as opposed to the lights, sound, video etc) has broken down en route and has only just arrived. Given that the doors open to the punters in about 3 hours, that's not good.

Times like this prove a crew though. Everyone is mucking in, there's sound crew getting the Viva La Vida tympani out of its case, lampies and riggers are pushing boxes of guitar gear and a lot is happening very quickly in a very productive chaos.

It's made all the more bizarre by the fact that soundman Dan Green is playing last night's gig through the sound system to get a feel for the room. He's chosen Strawberry Swing, which is gentle, relaxed and joyous. Beneath the speakers it's like an ant farm on Red Bull, but floating through the air, the band is playing and all is well.

By 7, the stage is set, Albert Hammond's gear is up and ready and the punters wander in none the wiser. I expect that the backline crew are now negotiating for a 4pm load in every day in order to secure a bit more valuable bunk time. I know I would be.

It's a huge long arena here in Budapest, which creates a strange audio effect known as "slapback". It's most noticeable when monitor engineer Chris Wood is walking round with the radio mic giving it the "one two" (yes, roadies do really do this). It sounds as huge and powerful as ever coming out of the PA, but half a second later, it sounds distinctly as though there is someone at the far end of the arena with a large megaphone, mimicking him.

None of this impacts upon the show, of course. In fact, it's rather a stormer. It's a very noisy crowd and a solidly powerful night from the chaps. Onwards to Vienna!



R#42

Cast your daily vote for Roadie #42 in the Best Blog category at the 2008 BT Digital Music Awards

[Open, Politik]

Cool thanks!!^

[melanieau]

Newsreel: UK/Euro store opens for business
September 25, 2008 3:45 pm
Second Coldplay store opens its e-doors

Good afternoon. Those of you in the United Kingdom and Europe may be interested to know that a second Coldplay shop has opened its doors today. Check it out for all your merch needs, including Coldplay grandfather clocks, Coldplay tractors and Coldplay T-shirts*. The existing shop remains open, dedicated to serving those of you from the USA and the rest of world.

Click here to enter what you might call the shop foyer, then take your geographical pick.

Anchorman

* Yes, we made two of those up.

[Gya]

I want the sticker set, but I don't have a credit card...
Is anybody from Germany buying something at the shop and would buy the stickers for me? If yes, please pm or e-mail me. I would transfer the money for the stickers and shipping costs to your bank account...

[Jenjie]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by melanieau;2551517
Newsreel: UK/Euro store opens for business
September 25, 2008 3:45 pm
Second Coldplay store opens its e-doors

Good afternoon. Those of you in the United Kingdom and Europe may be interested to know that a second Coldplay shop has opened its doors today. Check it out for all your merch needs, including Coldplay grandfather clocks, Coldplay tractors and Coldplay T-shirts*. The existing shop remains open, dedicated to serving those of you from the USA and the rest of world.

Click here to enter what you might call the shop foyer, then take your geographical pick.

Anchorman

* Yes, we made two of those up.

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awwwwww a Coldplay tractor would be cool

[Mimixxx]

Newsreel: Lost! video
September 26, 2008 3:31 pm
Check out the video for the new single

Good afternoon. We have just uploaded the video for Lost! to the site. It was made by Mat Whitecross at the United Center in Chicago. Click here to watch it.

Lost! will be released as a digital EP on November 10th, worldwide. Its artwork looks like this...



Anchorman

Click to cast your daily vote for Coldplay.com in the BT Digital Music Awards

http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=138

[Texasluvsjonny]

That new player they use I can't view for some reason.

[Lauve]

same problem here and other friends have it too :S last time with Hunting High and Low, Ian had found a way to post it here for us ??

anybody has a clue ?

[Open, Politik]

^It works now!!

[Open, Politik]

hahaha

[Larry]

Roadie #42 - Blog #33
September 27, 2008 8:18 am
#42 shows you his bunker


Sitting in the van outside the hotel in Budapest today reminds me that we're slipping gently into tour madness now. I'm not talking about hotel-trashing ad hell-raising, but the slightly punch drunk, hazy-minded feeling that tells you it'd be really nice to have some time off. It's slightly similar to sleep deprivation, in that everything begins to seem mildly amusing for no apparent reason.

We're sitting in the van watching Kelly, one of our security chiefs stand at the door of Chris's van scanning each and every passer by to assess their potential trouble. This of course, is his job and he's one of the best. We're laughing not at him (unwise, given his size), we're laughing at his subjects. The hotel is right in the most beautiful part of town and consequently full of tourists. Most of them of retirement age. We begin to amuse ourselves by assigning a story to each passing couple of pensioners. "quick Kelly, grab 'em, they're from the Enquirer", "stop that woman going in the front door there, she's clearly going to go through the band's bins"...

It's all nonsense and only funny in our condition, but then, just as Chris and Jonny slip out of the front door of the hotel, there is a stream of about 40 women, all in their sixties, clearly on a guided tour or some kind of outing. They're blocking the pavement completely, but not in the slightest bit interested in the passing pop stars. In fact they are far more interested in the foreign number plates on the van. We are doubled up with laughter as they stand around the front of the van pointing, while some even stop to take a photo of the German plates. Kelly is clearly as nonplussed as we are. With that, we slide shut the doors and head for Vienna.

The Viennese eBayers at the airport are somewhat similar in their laser beam targeting of the band. They ask soundman Dan Green for a signature. Dan P, the band's trainer also gets asked. I'm somewhat disappointed that I'm plainly not band material and consequently don't get asked to sign anything. Might have to get a hat like Jonny's...

The Vienna show passes in something of a blur for me. I seem to have a million unfinished jobs that require my attention and I hardly make it out from under the stage all day. Luckily, Catering is just the other side of the wall from my corner of the stage. This means I'm never more than a minute from the espresso machine. Unsurprisingly, I get rather a lot done.

In a decidedly un- MTV-Cribs style, here's where I live while I'm in the venue. It's in the 'tech bunker' below the stage wings. If the photo was bigger, you'd see the back of the drumkit and the bass amp to the right and above. It's all glamour for 42, I tell ya...





Yes, it's dark, gloomy and a bit filthy, but I have put up some decoration to make it feel a little more like home.





I did also get out from the bunker for a look at the B-Stage action today.





Roadie #42

Cast your daily vote for Roadie #42 in the Best Blog category at the 2008 BT Digital Music Awards

[busybeeburns]

early morning weekend blog. Love it! Thanks Larry

[Khalplay]

OMFGGGG THAT'S MY BANNER !!!!!!!!!!!!! R42 PUT A PIC OF MY BANNER !!!
OMG
OMG
OMG

R#42 <3

[Mimixxx]

Really? Did you give it to him? That's great!