30-Jul-08: Toronto - Tickets, Preview, Meetups, Review/Photos [originally 29/30 Oct]

[open6l]

hmm - just read that Chris Martin is ill and will not be at the EDGE Studios today - Guy will take his place...

[Larry]

Sandersidle, you're sooo lucky! :D

 

But you look cute in the picture so you really deserved it. ;)

[Mimixxx]

 

July 30, 2008

Air Canada Centre

Toronto, ON

By Kate Harper

 

Santogold might have been a bit of a strange opener for this show. Though, relatively speaking, there weren't that many people there for her set, the multi-styled songs from her self-titled debut full-length received more cheers than any opening act I've seen at the Air Canada Centre in a while. But by the end of her set it seemed like the audience was getting tired and anxious for the headliners, so she managed to pick up some more cheers by dropping Coldplay's name whenever she could.

 

Coldplay opened with "Life In Technicolor" while playing behind a black, translucent curtain. This is something Sigur Ros were doing about two years ago. (Interestingly enough, Sigur Ros have also been wearing 18th century military jackets at their recent gigs.) Despite immediately imitating someone else, Coldplay started off strong, running through "Violet Hill" before they got the audience screaming with "Clocks," "In My Place" and "Viva La Vida."

 

During "In My Place," guitarist Jonny Buckland wandered off onto one of the wings that extended into the crowd on either side of the stage. Chris Martin ran after him and launched himself flying into the air behind him — a strange rock star display during a very un-rock star song — and ended the song lying down, singing on his back.

 

But things started to get weird during "Yes." The seven-minute track is one of the weakest and most confused on Viva La Vida, and it certainly comes off that way live. Its main problem is it's technically two songs — one that sounds like The Velvet Underground and another "hidden" number that apes My Bloody Valentine — all in a single track. But Coldplay seem to think it should be played as two tracks live, which raises questions about why they didn't split it up on the record. They ran through The Velvet Underground half of the song before transitioning into a lackluster version of the Radiohead-imitating "42."

 

A full stadium singalong to "Fix You" somewhat buoyed them, but then Coldplay decided to play the second half of "Yes," using electronic drums on a glass part of the stage with white lights underneath. It came off flat again, mainly because it sounds like a different band and it just doesn't translate well live. What was even more confusing was when they ran through "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" after that, still using the electronic drum kit and putting a techno spin on it. But then they cut the song off after one verse and one chorus. Maybe it just wasn't working.

 

Coldplay redeemed themselves at the end of "Lost!" when they ran off the stage, through the floor seats and up into the Red seats area of the stands for acoustic versions of "The Scientist" and "Death Will Never Conquer" while surrounded by fans. It worked, and the singalong during the former song is probably one of the loudest I've heard anywhere.

 

Though Coldplay said they were done, they weren't, and before their encore began, a video of Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly calling Martin "not man enough" to come on his The O'Reilly Factor television show played. They got a jab at him by playing "Politik" and ran through some more songs from Viva La Vida before they left the stage.

 

But the crowd wasn't having this. The cheering was so loud that they came back on stage to play what Martin said was a "real encore, we haven't unrehearsed" of "Don't Panic" and "The Dubliners" before things were truly finished.

 

While the audience loved the entire gig and were enthusiastic throughout, Coldplay need to stop trying to sound like other people and find their own shtick again, because it's hurting the quality of their live show. They're four albums in, and they sounded better during the tour for X&Y than they do now.

 

Here's what Coldplay played:

 

"Life In Technicolor"

"Violet Hill"

"Clocks"

"In My Place"

"Viva La Vida"

"Yes" (half)

"42"

"Fix You"

"Strawberry Swing"

"Yes" ("hidden" half)

"God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" (shortened)

"Speed Of Sound"

"Yellow"

"Lost!"

"The Scientist"

"Death Will Never Conquer"

"Politik" (first encore)

"Lovers In Japan" (first encore)

"Death And All His Friends" (first encore)

"The Escapist" (first encore)

"Don't Panic" (second encore)

"The Dubliners" (second encore)

 

http://www.chartattack.com/DAMN/2008/07/3101.cfm

 

Ack. :confused:

[Merwithani]

Yeah it was at the Lobby and it was private. You had to have a blue wrist band. I took a pic of it and the backstage pass:

 

Really really big pic.

 

 

 

The after party was at a club/bar thing called The Lobby. I had a backstage pass but that was just for the concert and I had a blue wrist band for the party. My family knows Chloe so...

 

Okaay here goes my review:

 

Before the show I stayed at a house which is where Chloe was and the baby. Then we drove to the Air Canada centre and got our tickets. Chloe took us backstage and we hung out in the "Coldplay Family Room" but the guys were getting ready to go on stage obviously, so we didn't see them then. I got to talk to Chloe for a bit about Violet and stuff like that.

 

Then we went to our seats and we were sitting to the right of the stage. AWESOME seats. I sat beside Chloe and it was soo adorable. When Jonny came over to our side and went down that ramp thing, he was scanning the crowd and then he saw Chloe and he gave her the biggest smile. Awww.

 

So we rocked out for the whole amazing concert and okay, I don't know why, but I had to keep myself from crying so much. Like when they came on stage I almost burst out crying, I don't know why. And when they played Fix You I almost cried too but I didn't want to infront of everyone haha. It was amazing.

 

After the show Chloe took us backstage again and we waited around in the family room thing again and then Jonny came out. You wouldn't be able to tell he's some dude in a world famous band. He's so down to Earth and chill. He's shy too, which makes him even more adorable. I was standing with Chloe when he came in the room so he obviously went over to her and I got to shake his hand. He was at my cousin's wedding 3 years ago but I didn't say anything to him because I didn't want to bug him so I was really happy to be able to meet him formally.

 

Later I saw tons of photos of him with Violet and that baby is honestly the most adorable thing in this world, hahah.

 

Umm and then Chloe insisted it was okay to get a photo with Jonny because I didn't want to bug him. But he was very nice about it. Chloe even took the picture on his iphone and then sent it to me. O:

 

 

K so I'm the most awkward person alive but whatever. There's the picture, and don't mind my face. It kinda wrecks it. xD

 

Then after that was the after party at The Lobby. I am not a party girl at all and I'm only 15 so this was definitely weird for me. But the whole band eventually showed up and at one point I was 5 feet away from Chris and we made eye contact and smiled at each other. Haha I was too nervous to say anything and he was in the middle of a conversation, so. But it was really cute because the band came in and started hugging each other and Will and Chris were dancing for a few seconds. xD I also brushed shoulders with Guy but he was in a conversation so I didn't say anything.

 

It was Will's birthday, well technically, because it was like 1am so people brought in cake and we sang him happy birthday.

 

I just talked to Chloe a lot (who is, by the way, so effing adorable.)

 

Then Chloe and Jonny were going to go because they wanted to check up on Violet and everything so I said by to Jonny and we both said it was nice meeting each other and they were off!

 

It was amazing.

 

Amazing is right! You took a fine picture with Jonny and have an awesome story to share. It's nice to hear how down to earth both Chloe and Jonny are. WOW!

[open6l]

Viva La Vida Live

 

and here's Viva La Vida (more to come)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuoxET9z_2c&fmt=18

 

damn youtube sure takes a while to encode

[Jenjie]

Yeah it was at the Lobby and it was private. You had to have a blue wrist band. I took a pic of it and the backstage pass:

 

Really really big pic.

 

 

 

The after party was at a club/bar thing called The Lobby. I had a backstage pass but that was just for the concert and I had a blue wrist band for the party. My family knows Chloe so...

 

Okaay here goes my review:

 

Before the show I stayed at a house which is where Chloe was and the baby. Then we drove to the Air Canada centre and got our tickets. Chloe took us backstage and we hung out in the "Coldplay Family Room" but the guys were getting ready to go on stage obviously, so we didn't see them then. I got to talk to Chloe for a bit about Violet and stuff like that.

 

Then we went to our seats and we were sitting to the right of the stage. AWESOME seats. I sat beside Chloe and it was soo adorable. When Jonny came over to our side and went down that ramp thing, he was scanning the crowd and then he saw Chloe and he gave her the biggest smile. Awww.

 

So we rocked out for the whole amazing concert and okay, I don't know why, but I had to keep myself from crying so much. Like when they came on stage I almost burst out crying, I don't know why. And when they played Fix You I almost cried too but I didn't want to infront of everyone haha. It was amazing.

 

After the show Chloe took us backstage again and we waited around in the family room thing again and then Jonny came out. You wouldn't be able to tell he's some dude in a world famous band. He's so down to Earth and chill. He's shy too, which makes him even more adorable. I was standing with Chloe when he came in the room so he obviously went over to her and I got to shake his hand. He was at my cousin's wedding 3 years ago but I didn't say anything to him because I didn't want to bug him so I was really happy to be able to meet him formally.

 

Later I saw tons of photos of him with Violet and that baby is honestly the most adorable thing in this world, hahah.

 

Umm and then Chloe insisted it was okay to get a photo with Jonny because I didn't want to bug him. But he was very nice about it. Chloe even took the picture on his iphone and then sent it to me. O:

 

 

K so I'm the most awkward person alive but whatever. There's the picture, and don't mind my face. It kinda wrecks it. xD

 

Then after that was the after party at The Lobby. I am not a party girl at all and I'm only 15 so this was definitely weird for me. But the whole band eventually showed up and at one point I was 5 feet away from Chris and we made eye contact and smiled at each other. Haha I was too nervous to say anything and he was in the middle of a conversation, so. But it was really cute because the band came in and started hugging each other and Will and Chris were dancing for a few seconds. xD I also brushed shoulders with Guy but he was in a conversation so I didn't say anything.

 

It was Will's birthday, well technically, because it was like 1am so people brought in cake and we sang him happy birthday.

 

I just talked to Chloe a lot (who is, by the way, so effing adorable.)

 

Then Chloe and Jonny were going to go because they wanted to check up on Violet and everything so I said by to Jonny and we both said it was nice meeting each other and they were off!

 

It was amazing.

 

 

that's a fab story! thanks for sharing :D

[open6l]

Life in Technicolor & Violet Hill Live

 

and some more

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3V5hmuShPs&fmt=18

 

Yellow and Lost up next...

[KissesBirds]

Yeah it was at the Lobby and it was private. You had to have a blue wrist band. I took a pic of it and the backstage pass:

 

Really really big pic.

 

 

 

The after party was at a club/bar thing called The Lobby. I had a backstage pass but that was just for the concert and I had a blue wrist band for the party. My family knows Chloe so...

 

Okaay here goes my review:

 

Before the show I stayed at a house which is where Chloe was and the baby. Then we drove to the Air Canada centre and got our tickets. Chloe took us backstage and we hung out in the "Coldplay Family Room" but the guys were getting ready to go on stage obviously, so we didn't see them then. I got to talk to Chloe for a bit about Violet and stuff like that.

 

Then we went to our seats and we were sitting to the right of the stage. AWESOME seats. I sat beside Chloe and it was soo adorable. When Jonny came over to our side and went down that ramp thing, he was scanning the crowd and then he saw Chloe and he gave her the biggest smile. Awww.

 

So we rocked out for the whole amazing concert and okay, I don't know why, but I had to keep myself from crying so much. Like when they came on stage I almost burst out crying, I don't know why. And when they played Fix You I almost cried too but I didn't want to infront of everyone haha. It was amazing.

 

After the show Chloe took us backstage again and we waited around in the family room thing again and then Jonny came out. You wouldn't be able to tell he's some dude in a world famous band. He's so down to Earth and chill. He's shy too, which makes him even more adorable. I was standing with Chloe when he came in the room so he obviously went over to her and I got to shake his hand. He was at my cousin's wedding 3 years ago but I didn't say anything to him because I didn't want to bug him so I was really happy to be able to meet him formally.

 

Later I saw tons of photos of him with Violet and that baby is honestly the most adorable thing in this world, hahah.

 

Umm and then Chloe insisted it was okay to get a photo with Jonny because I didn't want to bug him. But he was very nice about it. Chloe even took the picture on his iphone and then sent it to me. O:

 

 

K so I'm the most awkward person alive but whatever. There's the picture, and don't mind my face. It kinda wrecks it. xD

 

Then after that was the after party at The Lobby. I am not a party girl at all and I'm only 15 so this was definitely weird for me. But the whole band eventually showed up and at one point I was 5 feet away from Chris and we made eye contact and smiled at each other. Haha I was too nervous to say anything and he was in the middle of a conversation, so. But it was really cute because the band came in and started hugging each other and Will and Chris were dancing for a few seconds. xD I also brushed shoulders with Guy but he was in a conversation so I didn't say anything.

 

It was Will's birthday, well technically, because it was like 1am so people brought in cake and we sang him happy birthday.

 

I just talked to Chloe a lot (who is, by the way, so effing adorable.)

 

Then Chloe and Jonny were going to go because they wanted to check up on Violet and everything so I said by to Jonny and we both said it was nice meeting each other and they were off!

 

It was amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:o Wow, thanks for sharing. That was an amazing experience.

 

Now I am :cry::cry::cry::cry:.

 

 

God, that woman is so g*^#&^@ LUCKY!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

***OK, breathe, just breathe,..........********

 

 

 

 

 

.

[green_eyes11]

Just a quick question for those that went last night: When did the show start & end? I need to figure out how I'll be commuting home from the Toronto show tonight. Thanks so much in advance! :)

 

Santogold came on at 7:45pm and finished at 8:15pm.

Coldplay came on about 9:04pm and finished the last encore at 10:41pm.

 

 

This is true, however, I had to leave my seat during Santogold's performance (it was just THAT bad), and I asked one of the ushers what time Coldplay was scheduled to hit the stage, and she said that they were supposed to go on at 8:40pm, however they were behind about 20mins or so... and that they'd likely be on at 9pm instead. So if you're going to the show tonight... I'd prepare for them to go on at 8:40pm just to be safe :)

[green_eyes11]

Here's a pic I took during Clocks...

A little blurry...

 

[KissesBirds]

sandersidle, where exactly were you and Chloe sitting? You said to the right of the stage. Like by Guy then? Or the right if you are on stage, like on Jonny's side? Thanks!

[cpfan50]

Yeah it was at the Lobby and it was private. You had to have a blue wrist band. I took a pic of it and the backstage pass:

 

Really really big pic.

 

 

 

The after party was at a club/bar thing called The Lobby. I had a backstage pass but that was just for the concert and I had a blue wrist band for the party. My family knows Chloe so...

 

Okaay here goes my review:

 

Before the show I stayed at a house which is where Chloe was and the baby. Then we drove to the Air Canada centre and got our tickets. Chloe took us backstage and we hung out in the "Coldplay Family Room" but the guys were getting ready to go on stage obviously, so we didn't see them then. I got to talk to Chloe for a bit about Violet and stuff like that.

 

Then we went to our seats and we were sitting to the right of the stage. AWESOME seats. I sat beside Chloe and it was soo adorable. When Jonny came over to our side and went down that ramp thing, he was scanning the crowd and then he saw Chloe and he gave her the biggest smile. Awww.

 

So we rocked out for the whole amazing concert and okay, I don't know why, but I had to keep myself from crying so much. Like when they came on stage I almost burst out crying, I don't know why. And when they played Fix You I almost cried too but I didn't want to infront of everyone haha. It was amazing.

 

After the show Chloe took us backstage again and we waited around in the family room thing again and then Jonny came out. You wouldn't be able to tell he's some dude in a world famous band. He's so down to Earth and chill. He's shy too, which makes him even more adorable. I was standing with Chloe when he came in the room so he obviously went over to her and I got to shake his hand. He was at my cousin's wedding 3 years ago but I didn't say anything to him because I didn't want to bug him so I was really happy to be able to meet him formally.

 

Later I saw tons of photos of him with Violet and that baby is honestly the most adorable thing in this world, hahah.

 

Umm and then Chloe insisted it was okay to get a photo with Jonny because I didn't want to bug him. But he was very nice about it. Chloe even took the picture on his iphone and then sent it to me. O:

 

 

K so I'm the most awkward person alive but whatever. There's the picture, and don't mind my face. It kinda wrecks it. xD

 

Then after that was the after party at The Lobby. I am not a party girl at all and I'm only 15 so this was definitely weird for me. But the whole band eventually showed up and at one point I was 5 feet away from Chris and we made eye contact and smiled at each other. Haha I was too nervous to say anything and he was in the middle of a conversation, so. But it was really cute because the band came in and started hugging each other and Will and Chris were dancing for a few seconds. xD I also brushed shoulders with Guy but he was in a conversation so I didn't say anything.

 

It was Will's birthday, well technically, because it was like 1am so people brought in cake and we sang him happy birthday.

 

I just talked to Chloe a lot (who is, by the way, so effing adorable.)

 

Then Chloe and Jonny were going to go because they wanted to check up on Violet and everything so I said by to Jonny and we both said it was nice meeting each other and they were off!

 

It was amazing.

 

OMG - no kidding that IS amazing! I can't think of much better than your night - not only to get a VIP pass to the concert but to hang out at a party with the boys... most people on this board would give anything for that! I would!!!!!! I saw the picture of your pass - it's really cool. I haven't seen anyone with one of those before. And Chris catching your eye and smiling :stunned: - you sooo should have gone up and said hello - although I think I would have been too shy as well...

 

I'm glad Chloe was nice. Jonny deserves someone lovely (he's my favourite!!!) ;) And the fact that their baby looks like Jonny... just too effing cute! :baby::heart:

 

Oh and your picture is great - you're really pretty! :)

[green_eyes11]

lol for some reason mostly only my pics of Chris turned out...

So here's yet another...

 

[open6l]

Yellow & Lost!

 

here is Yellow and Lost!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ_Szg4UkHc&fmt=18

 

damn - video is too long by a minute (11min) - I'll have to split and re-up them separately...

[BostonSportsTD]

Yeah it was at the Lobby and it was private. You had to have a blue wrist band. I took a pic of it and the backstage pass:

 

Really really big pic.

 

 

 

The after party was at a club/bar thing called The Lobby. I had a backstage pass but that was just for the concert and I had a blue wrist band for the party. My family knows Chloe so...

 

Okaay here goes my review:

 

Before the show I stayed at a house which is where Chloe was and the baby. Then we drove to the Air Canada centre and got our tickets. Chloe took us backstage and we hung out in the "Coldplay Family Room" but the guys were getting ready to go on stage obviously, so we didn't see them then. I got to talk to Chloe for a bit about Violet and stuff like that.

 

Then we went to our seats and we were sitting to the right of the stage. AWESOME seats. I sat beside Chloe and it was soo adorable. When Jonny came over to our side and went down that ramp thing, he was scanning the crowd and then he saw Chloe and he gave her the biggest smile. Awww.

 

So we rocked out for the whole amazing concert and okay, I don't know why, but I had to keep myself from crying so much. Like when they came on stage I almost burst out crying, I don't know why. And when they played Fix You I almost cried too but I didn't want to infront of everyone haha. It was amazing.

 

After the show Chloe took us backstage again and we waited around in the family room thing again and then Jonny came out. You wouldn't be able to tell he's some dude in a world famous band. He's so down to Earth and chill. He's shy too, which makes him even more adorable. I was standing with Chloe when he came in the room so he obviously went over to her and I got to shake his hand. He was at my cousin's wedding 3 years ago but I didn't say anything to him because I didn't want to bug him so I was really happy to be able to meet him formally.

 

Later I saw tons of photos of him with Violet and that baby is honestly the most adorable thing in this world, hahah.

 

Umm and then Chloe insisted it was okay to get a photo with Jonny because I didn't want to bug him. But he was very nice about it. Chloe even took the picture on his iphone and then sent it to me. O:

 

 

K so I'm the most awkward person alive but whatever. There's the picture, and don't mind my face. It kinda wrecks it. xD

 

Then after that was the after party at The Lobby. I am not a party girl at all and I'm only 15 so this was definitely weird for me. But the whole band eventually showed up and at one point I was 5 feet away from Chris and we made eye contact and smiled at each other. Haha I was too nervous to say anything and he was in the middle of a conversation, so. But it was really cute because the band came in and started hugging each other and Will and Chris were dancing for a few seconds. xD I also brushed shoulders with Guy but he was in a conversation so I didn't say anything.

 

It was Will's birthday, well technically, because it was like 1am so people brought in cake and we sang him happy birthday.

 

I just talked to Chloe a lot (who is, by the way, so effing adorable.)

 

Then Chloe and Jonny were going to go because they wanted to check up on Violet and everything so I said by to Jonny and we both said it was nice meeting each other and they were off!

 

It was amazing.

 

soo if she took your picture with jonnys iphone... and then sent it to you.... you have jonny's cell number???

[sandersidle]

sandersidle, where exactly were you and Chloe sitting? You said to the right of the stage. Like by Guy then? Or the right if you are on stage, like on Jonny's side? Thanks!

I was sitting on Guy's side... lol why?

 

And thanks for the nice comments guys. I didn't want to come across as bragging. I just know what it's like being part of a board for a band and everyone is dying to hear everyone's stories so I thought I'd share mine. :]

 

ooh and awesome pictures. My camera wasn't working so I couldn't take any so it's nice to see some. ^^

[cpfan50]

Hell I'd be bragging my a*se off if I had a night like yours :lol:

[melanieau]

I was sitting on Guy's side... lol why?

 

And thanks for the nice comments guys. I didn't want to come across as bragging. I just know what it's like being part of a board for a band and everyone is dying to hear everyone's stories so I thought I'd share mine. :]

 

ooh and awesome pictures. My camera wasn't working so I couldn't take any so it's nice to see some. ^^

 

 

she was asking about what side he came down because the only other time so far on this tour that he has PLAYED down that ramp was during IMP in Chicago on the second night.

 

Was he coming down the ramp to come play the mini-set with CSC and GPASUYF or was he just playing guitar by himself during a song??:thinking:

[green_eyes11]

she was asking about what side he came down because the only other time so far on this tour that he has PLAYED down that ramp was during IMP in Chicago on the second night.

 

Was he coming down the ramp to come play the mini-set with CSC and GPASUYF or was he just playing guitar by himself during a song??:thinking:

 

 

Jonny came and played down that ramp at least once or twice by himself... I'm pretty positive about that.

[open6l]

Jonny came and played down that ramp at least once or twice by himself... I'm pretty positive about that.

 

yep - that little mini stage was directly in front of where I was sitting (in the uppers front row)... Jonny walked down the ramp played a few bars and walked back up to the stage... Might have been during In My Place (can't recall the exact moment and I'm skimming through all the video to see if I can find it)

[green_eyes11]

Here's another of my photos...

 

[sandersidle]

she was asking about what side he came down because the only other time so far on this tour that he has PLAYED down that ramp was during IMP in Chicago on the second night.

 

Was he coming down the ramp to come play the mini-set with CSC and GPASUYF or was he just playing guitar by himself during a song??:thinking:

Yeahh he came down it a few times like someone else said. And Chris and Guy did too.

[green_eyes11]

I believe I took this during Don't Panic... :)

 

[ZapShazam]

I believe I took this during Don't Panic... :)

 

 

That is adorable! I have to ask, what kind of camera did you use? I'm sorry if someone asked you already but if they did I didn't see it.

[green_eyes11]

That is adorable! I have to ask, what kind of camera did you use? I'm sorry if someone asked you already but if they did I didn't see it.

 

It's just a point and shoot camera... Canon Powershot S3 IS.

It's actually an older model at this point... I believe the version out now is the Powershot S5 IS. It's a beautiful camera... A little bulkier than most but I've had it for a year and a half now, and I'm rather impressed with it. It's proven to be absolutly perfect for concerts (and everything else)... Especially with the 12x optical zoom & 48x digital zoom! I highly recommend it if anyone ever needs a new camera! :)