Richard Ashcroft, Continental Airlines Arena, aka The Meadowlands

25 March 2006

 

When people discuss the similarities between Coldplay and U2, they likely invoke the epic, skin tingling, huge and hallowed guitar sounds or the crowd-pleasing, charismatic lead singers. But another thing these bands share is the commitment to choosing superior opening acts. With the price of concert tickets a serious investment even for the privileged, getting your money’s worth at the gig is important, and a billing with some serious sonic depth is more than desirable.

 

On the Twisted Logic Tour (oddly named for a song that never appears in the set), Coldplay has chosen some great acts like Goldfrapp, Rilo Kiley, Fiona Apple, the previously obscure psychedelic blues of Black Mountain last summer, and now, much to my pleasure, the vigorous former Verve frontman, the soulful and sensational Richard Ashcroft.

 

Ashcroft took the stage and precisely 8pm and began what would be his habit for the entire night: talking before every song. This took his 8-song set to the 50 minute limit. Knowing how long many rock songs are, we could do the math. He loves to talk, and most of it was genius and generously spiced with the F-word. He also had the courtesy of properly introducing each song, which I thought excellent, making it easier for me to compile a setlist and allowing me to listen to most of the tracks while I pen this review. As I go, I will offer some quoted (or more likely paraphrased) samples of his blessed banter.

 

“Springsteen sold this place out for 15 nights. Fuck me.” “Here we go again” seems an appropriate refrain for an opening song, and the title track to the new record “Keys to the World” pulled in the few thousand fans smart enough to get to their seats on time.

 

“Most British musicians owe a huge debt to black music going all the way back to the church” introduced the old-school anthem “Music is Power.” He mentioned Curtis Mayfield (the musical saint who brought us so much funky gospel with the Impressions and the classic “People Get Ready”) and, interestingly, Jay Z. The significance of the latter was revealed when Chris Martin later told us that Jay Z was at the show (as was Michael Stipe—too bad he didn’t do his Katrina relief collaboration with Coldplay).

 

When Richard sings this delicious hymn to the medium that’s saved our sanity so many times, he asks, “Are you invited/to the party of life,” and reminds, “in these wild wild wild days you live in/yeah i know sometimes we all wanna give in,” and finally, commands, “don't give up/oh no, alright/let the melody flow/all night all night.” Of course, at that moment, I wouldn’t have minded if Ashcroft were the headliner and would have welcomed him all night, indeed.

 

But sadly, the 50 minutes flowed too quickly through amazing versions of pieces like “Break the Night with Color” and the moving ballad “Words Just Get in the Way” to his remark that he regretted sharing the last name of a particular “dickhead in your country.” While claiming “I’m not bitter,” he did complain that radio had forgotten him since the Verve, so he unhooked the hit to remind us all. “Bittersweet Symphony” had me dancing in the aisles until the ushers politely urged me back to my seat; reluctantly, I slowly obliged, but not without sharing several smiles with other fans as pleased with this last song of the opening set as I was. I’m glad the only road I’ve ever been down took me to this show.

 

Setlist:

Keys to the World

The Drugs Don’t Work

Music is Power

Science of Silence

Break the Night with Color

Lucky Man

Words Just Get in the Way

Bittersweet Symphony

Yea, I love Richard. I really wish he toured the whole time. Screw Fiona. It sucked too cause the last show fiona played with coldplay was the concert I went to. If only Richard could have started at the tampa concert. It really would have been a million times better.

Yea' date=' I love Richard. I really wish he toured the whole time. Screw Fiona. It sucked too cause the last show fiona played with coldplay was the concert I went to. If only Richard could have started at the tampa concert. It really would have been a million times better.[/quote']

 

I agree...they should've pulled in Ashcroft for some of the earlier dates. He needs to come to Florida and play a show here. I bet you he would be great in a small venue. But it would've been nice to see him instead, even in these large venues Coldplay is playing. He needs to put "Check the Meaning" and "Brave New World" in that set though :)

 

No offense to Fiona Apple ('cos she has some good tunes), but I was not feeling her live set.

i'll take richard over fiona anyday. ashcroft was great in toronto. he was so into it. i loved watching him perform

Do you remember the set list Coldplay played at Continental Airlines Arena?? Thanks!