http://www.coldplaying.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=571

 

IT WAS not hard to see why the uber-hip Brit band Coldplay generates as much hype and hysteria as U2, the band they're most often compared to, last night at Scotiabank Place.

 

Women. Lots and lots of women. Glammed up and gorgeous, they were everywhere last night, making up most of the sellout crowd of 15,000 there to see the thinking woman's boy band. Why all these women made Coldplay's scene was easy -- who else is as cute and writes about women and relationships as affectionately as Coldplay did in their 90-minute set?

 

No one, not even U2.

 

Fronted by the laconic, doe-eyed Martin with "the other guys," guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion, the band melted hearts with a gorgeously romantic set of 18 tunes, primarily from 2005's X&Y and their seminal 2002 release A Rush of Blood to the Head.

 

Looking slightly mottled, Martin's unkempt shaggy-haired and unshaven puppy-dog vulnerability caused loud keening female wails when he first came on stage.

 

SPELLBINDING START

 

Martin and company opened with Square One and Politik during which Martin leaped athletically, and posed dramatically across the large, bare stage before settling in behind the piano while cosmic fireworks exploded on the video bank behind the muscular Champion.

 

It was a spellbinding way to kick things off and hinted at a performance as tightly choreographed as it was reckless and spontaneous.

 

On the thundering Yellow, giant yellow balloons filled with sparkles fell from the rafters, much to the joy of the fans at ice-level.

 

And ever the diplomat, Martin dedicated God Put a Smile On Your Face to one of his favourite bands, Montreal's Arcade Fire.

 

Afterwards, he apologized for his shaggy mop of hair, joking that if anyone was disappointed, they could get a $2 rebate off their ticket.

 

While it wasn't the funniest line I've heard a frontman crack, Martin was certainly one of the more endearing. Downright polite and un-rock-star like.

 

Of course, it's almost become fashionable to dis Coldplay for emasculating pop-rock and sending it to sensitivity therapy.

 

Nothing could be further from the truth, that is, unless you think that soft-rock and intelligent lyrics married to plaintive melodies is just for wussies.

 

Even if they have been a little too mellow in the past, the band, who are only now just peaking, proved that they can rock with the best of them on Speed of Sound, White Shadows and their rallying cry Clocks.

 

It was easy to see the similar genetic material of their songs. Each one fit the one before and the one following it like a puzzle.

 

Ultimately, the show fell upon the charismatic Martin, who often appeared alone on stage, at the piano, pounding out The Scientist while the audience sang the chorus like a British soccer anthem.

 

He winded things down with a cover of Ring of Fire dedicated to Roy Orbison, while encoring with Swallowed in the Sea and For You in which Martin sang from the other end of the rink, and finally, the funereal Fix You.

 

"Thanks for giving us your Friday night," Martin said.

 

You're most welcome, old chap, we must do this again sometime.

 

Opening for Coldplay was former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft. Ever charming and slightly eccentric, Ashcroft's set was heavy on symphonically-proportioned, trance-inducing R&B ballads including Lucky Man, Bittersweet Symphony and Sly Stone's Thank You (For Lettin' Me be Myself Again), sounding gothically funky like something Prince might have done with The Moody Blues.

 

 

http://www.ottawasun.com

That just makes me sad that I have not had the opportunity to see them live...:bigcry:

 

Good story though Ian :thumbsup:

Does anyone have the setlist??

hehe "fans at ice level"...gotta love Canada. :) Tomorrow night in Milwaukee, I leave for the airport in 1 hour. :D

Afterwards, he apologized for his shaggy mop of hair, joking that if anyone was disappointed, they could get a $2 rebate off their ticket.

 

hahaa, how nice of him. :laugh4:

 

...while encoring with Swallowed in the Sea and For You in which Martin sang from the other end of the rink, and finally, the funereal Fix You.

 

now this nearly gave me a heart attack, lol. but they're definitely referring to in my place there. :nice:

 

 

good article with great adjectives. :lol:

thanks ian!

aw, I was hoping they would do Green Eyes for St.Patties day.

haha

Standard setlist. No changes, no surprises, awesome concert.

 

Sqaure One

Politik

Yellow

Speed Of Sound

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

X&Y

How You See The World

Don't Panic (Truncated from usual length)

White Shadows

The Scientist

'Til Kingdom Come

Ring Of Fire

Trouble

Clocks

Talk

----------

Swallowed In The Sea

In My Place

Fix You

 

Richard Ashcroft was standing in front of me for most of the concert and I *think* he was pulling the rock star charms on a girl. :P

Ian.. why are you copying my threads hahaha but why does it say For You? Damn journalist.. doesn't even know the names of the songs.. :rolleyes:

I posted mine first :P

I saw this show and I just read this article in my morning paper! Haha...

It was awesome, needless to say.

I was near the ground level, but I was sitting pretty far in the end, and there was a big bald head blocking the stage so I couldn't really see anything, which kinda sucked. But I figure I can buy the concert DVD and watch what I actually couldn't see.

However I was sitting in the perfect place for when Chris runs and sings in the back of the stadium. So yeah, that was nice to sing In My Place with him :)

(Chris = coolest man alive)

I was kinda hoping they would play Green Eyes too.... It's great for Patty's Day and it's one of my friend's faves.

Going to their concert is such a euphoric experience. It's like the ultimate feeling of relaxation and peace and comfort. A couple times me and my friend would just sit down in our chairs and cuddle up and like close our eyes, cause it's just that kind of music. Lie down, relax, and let it wash over you. Your mind sort of feels separate from your body. God it's such beautiful music though...

We were drunk too, so that made it all the better, haha.

Anyone have pictures? I was too far back.

Another review from coldplay.com

 

Review from the Citizen [thanks hilts17].

Coldplay launched its eagerly anticipated, practically sold-out concert at Scotiabank Place last night with an unexpected punch.

Singer Chris Martin, his spotless white runners reflecting the lights, jumped and cavorted around the stage as he sang the opening song, Square One. Even when he was at the piano during the next tune, Politik, he seemed unable to stay still.

Was this the same band that bored me to tears the last time it played in Ottawa? And whose latest record, X&Y, puts me to sleep every time I hear it?

Yes, but it was on fire last night, not content to simply bask in the devotion of a crowd of 15,000 worshippers. Plus, it earned some valuable indie-rock street cred by dedicating God Put A Smile on Your Face to Arcade Fire, the hot Montreal band.

 

“Everybody is so happy here because they know that the Arcade Fire comes from just a few miles away,” Martin said. “You’ve produced the best band in history.”

Nice. There was even an element of fun early in the show, as dozens of huge yellow beach balls were released over the crowd to mark Yellow, Coldplay’s breakthrough hit of a few years ago.

This is an interesting new development for Coldplay, who do not strike me as a band that might be fun. Under the direction of a perfectionist like Martin, their music is dramatic and serious and completely devoid of emotion.

Or so I thought. But last night, Martin needed a haircut, there was a tear in the armpit of his black shirt and he sang like he really, really meant it. The show’s high point was Clocks, when the singer bent himself backward over his piano stool, while red lasers beamed overhead.

Other noteworthy moments were his renditions of two Johnny Cash songs, the Coldplay radio hits that had everyone singing along and Martin’s brief foray off stage to visit fans in the stands.

Out in the crowd, it was date night, but couples who had been planning to snuggle through the show were jolted to their feet by the strobing lights and surprising power of the music. Everyone got more than they bargained for.

Martin gave his old mate, Richard Ashcroft, the honour of opening for him on this leg of the tour.

But it wasn’t until late in Ashcroft’s set that fans put two-and-two together and realized the shaggy singer was the former frontman of Brit rockers the Verve.

What did it take to jog their collective memory? The mega-hit Bittersweet Symphony, of course. “I’m happy to be the only guy in the world who can truly sing this song,” Ashcroft said, as the opening motif drew squeals of recognition.

Before that moment, Ashcroft and a four-piece band played songs from his new disc, Keys to The World, which, Ashcroft complained, he wasn’t able to sell it to people who wanted it, apparently because of some record-company glitch.

Ashcroft gave a solid performance nonetheless, highlighted by the new songs Music is Power and Break The Night With Colour. His renowned ego appeared intact — Ashcroft said Martin would have to be one “confident motherf—ker” to follow him. Huh? Turned out he was just kidding: “He is a talented dude. Enjoy the show.”

SETLIST:

Sqaure One

Politik

Yellow

Speed Of Sound

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

X&Y

How You See The World

Don’t Panic (w/ Jonny Buckland)

White Shadows

The Scientist

‘Til Kingdom Come

Ring Of Fire (Johnny Cash Cover)

Trouble

Clocks

Talk

———-

Swallowed In The Sea

In My Place

Fix You

If it's a review from Coldplay.com why was there a link to your site in it?

I posted mine first :P

 

Only because you woke up a bit earlier than me!:P

 

I got really excited and looking forward to bootleg when it said they played "For You".............. But now I know it was "In My Place" and not "For You":dozey: How could someone confuse the two?:stunned: :confused:

Apparently this guy doesn't seem to know much about Coldplay.....

 

Another review from coldplay.com

 

 

Was this the same band that bored me to tears the last time it played in Ottawa? And whose latest record, X&Y, puts me to sleep every time I hear it?

 

 

Nice. There was even an element of fun early in the show, as dozens of huge yellow beach balls were released over the crowd to mark Yellow, Coldplay’s breakthrough hit of a few years ago.

This is an interesting new development for Coldplay, who do not strike me as a band that might be fun. Under the direction of a perfectionist like Martin, their music is dramatic and serious and completely devoid of emotion.

Or so I thought. But last night, Martin needed a haircut, there was a tear in the armpit of his black shirt and he sang like he really, really meant it. The show’s high point was Clocks, when the singer bent himself backward over his piano stool, while red lasers beamed overhead.

 

 

Wtf? Their music is so full of emotion I can hardly stand it.

I hate stupid reporters.

Only because you woke up a bit earlier than me!:P

 

I got really excited and looking forward to bootleg when it said they played "For You".............. But now I know it was "In My Place" and not "For You":dozey: How could someone confuse the two?:stunned: :confused:

 

Amateur reporters, after a pay rise that's who! :lol:

Ahhh I almost went to Ottawa for that, but I'll be seeing them Wed and Thurs in Toronto :D

More on the Ottawa Sun reporter

In regards to the review by the Ottawa Sun, whoever wrote that should be fired. Let me

begin by explaining the tribute was not to Roy Orbison, it was Johnny Cash, of course. Last time I checked Roy Orbison was not famous for Ring of Fire. Also, Coldplay does not have a song called For You, rather he sang, In My Place from the other side of the arena.

 

With that off my chest, this was undoubtedly the greatest live band performance I have ever witnessed. From the opening strum of the guitar to the gracious bow at the end of the performance the entire show was spectacular. The lighting and laser effects were awe inspiring, while the music was flawless.

 

Coldplay was definitely rocking the crowd. They played songs from X&Y, and of course all the hits from Rush of Blood to the Head. They even went back to album #1, Parachutes and treated us to less well-known songs like Don't Panic and Trouble. Arguably one of the highlights of the evening was during their third song, Yellow, and giant yellow balloons filled with golden confetti dropped from the rafters and popped over the crowd, seemingly in a timely fashion. One of them landed on stage behind Chris Martin, which he seemed to find amusing.

 

I have never seen a crowd as into a concert as I saw last night. During The Scientist the crowd sang the chorus on command, and Martin exclaimed, "They teach you how to sing here in Ottawa." After the band finished up their main set with Talk and left the stage, the crowd roared in applause, anticipating an encore. Then Coldplay took the stage again to encore with 3 songs. First, Swallowed in the Sea, during which a white curtain dropped from the rafters ,and early song lyrics and notes of the band were projected and rotated across the curtain. Next was In My Place during which Martin rushed out into the audience and drew

people out of the seats to rush over to him for a close look. Climbing back onto the stage, I believe he said something like this was one of the best stages in the world...but I could be mistaken. Finally, they encored with Fix You. In my opinion they couldn't have ended with a better song than one in which the whole band sang together.

 

Overall, this was the greatest concert experience I have ever had. I was willing to drive up from Syracuse, NY to see it, and it was well worth the ticket price. I would have paid over $200 for this show. Can't wait to see them on the next tour.

 

[Thanks Jason]

If it's a review from Coldplay.com why was there a link to your site in it?

 

Because I copied and pasted it from my site. It's your stupid WYSIWYG thingy.........:rolleyes:

disable it then :rolleyes:

does anyone have any decent pictures ?

Some good ones courtesy of Kevin Pung today

 

http://www.coldplaying.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album149&op=modload&file=index&name=gallery&include=view_album.php

 

 

 

nice! :)

Anyone else have pictures ?? So i went that site too:

http://www.coldplayfansite.com/wordpress/?pp_album=main&pp_cat=ottawa-march-17-2006

 

Nice pics !

 

But, i'd like to have high-res picture, i did see a LOT of digital camera, anyone else have picture and HIGH RES pictures too? Please, i'd like to save them on my hard disk :)

 

Btw, it was my first show of Coldplay ever, never saw those guys before, but i did know all of their 3 albums. I was very impressed of the performance of all the band !!! I did bring one Souvenir: a nice blue tee shirt!!! Now i'd like to have picture... I didn't know we were able to bring our own camera, damn! if i knew that (also: i left my cellphone too in the car...arggh!!).

 

Do you guys know any others web site about Coldplay where i can find other pictures :rolleyes:.

 

Thanks,

Toaster.

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