Panoramas: TD Garden, Boston

31 July 2012 9:19 am

Check out the crowd panoramas from the two Boston shows

 

Here are Roadie #42's ever-excellent panorama shots from two great shows in Boston ("Coldplay rocks the house" as the Boston Globe put it in their review). Click the images to see the full, hi-res versions. And add your photos from the show to our Live Archive here.

 

MONDAY 30 JULY

 

SUNDAY 29 JULY

 

Click here for lots more summer 2012 crowd panoramas.

 

Anchorman

Coldplay up for three VMAs - voting open

31 July 2012 9:36 pm

Band nominated for awards for Paradise and Princess of China videos

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G4isv_Fylg&feature=player_embedded]Coldplay - Paradise[/ame]

 

Good evening. We're very pleased to report that the 2012 MTV VMAs have nominated Coldplay for Best Rock Video (Paradise), Best Cinematography (Princess of China) and Best Direction (Princess Of China).

 

Voting is open now for the Best Rock category. It'd be lovely if you'd vote for Coldplay by clicking here.

 

Thanks very much.

 

Anchorman

Roadie #42 - Blog #179

2 August 2012 10:12 pm

#42 gives us the world premiere of Graham Against The World

We head out to Boston spread across a couple of smaller planes. It would seem that there’s been some storm damage to the regular ride, so this is the best way forward. It’s impossible to sit on the tarmac looking at the similarly nippy looking plane opposite us out of the window and not think one thing: “Let’s race ‘em”. Plainly this isn’t going to happen - and the other plane contains the band, so us getting there before them is not on the cards. Trainer Dan, though, still suggests a whip round to offer the pilot some cash in exchange for “putting the hammer down”. Can’t say it isn’t tempting…

 

Boston sees more sound-checking and general fiddling. As well as a slight brush-up on God Put A Smile, they head off to the C-Stage to have a look at Us Against The World. The planned change is microscopically subtle, but the version they end up playing turns into a gag tune. I’ve talked before about how from time to time they’ll launch into a tune in soundcheck and Chris will make up lyrics on the spot to make a tribute song to one of the crew.

 

Today is Lighting Director Graham Feast’s turn. The lyrical re-write is extreme in its minimalism, but it’s wonderful nonetheless. As ever, Mr Champion’s harmony vocal is utterly exemplary…

 

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And so on for three and a half minutes…

 

Soundchecking means longer days - we’re often in the venue merely for a few hours, but now we’re about for a little longer. We’re still part timers compared to the majority of the crew, but it’s a different experience nevertheless. I’m sat going through my flightcases just after doors and the first few hundred folks are finding their seats.

 

They’re whooping and cheering and yelling “Coldplay!” from all over the cavernous empty arena. It’s gloriously bonkers. There’s almost nobody here and there’s still a good few hours until showtime. Bodes well for a good night though…

 

I’m watching all this when DeeDee, who has been with the Band’s record label over here since way back comes wandering around with her adorable daughter picking up the previous night’s butterfly confetti. I comment that the crowd are pretty mad and she says she left the building last night to the sound of thousands of them doing the Viva chant all the way down the escalators and down onto the street.

 

This reminded me of the first night in Montreal last week where they were Viva-chanting a good ten minutes after the band had left the stage (and in Guy’s case - left the building, if I remember correctly). Maybe I’ll wander out through the crowd one night and see if this is a common thing…

 

A definite regular occurrence is the home-made outfits. Trainer Dan pops over during the changeover before the show claiming to have found a couple that definitely need to be photographed. They both have clothes in the full Mylo Graffitti style, but the fella has something slightly more permanent going on in the form of tattoos of the lyrics to Everything’s Not Lost and also Will’s Viva logo. Wowzers!

 

 

The B-stage gets a shuffle on Boston night two, with the re-appearance of Green Eyes for the first time in ages.

 

The C-stage also gets a new addition in Detroit, but not with the Graham-tinged re-write of Us Against The World.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aSC4LT_Uyg]Happy birthday Will - YouTube[/ame]

 

Yep, instead, it’s a Birthday mention for Mr. Champion and Detroit were in fine voice to assist with the celebration.

 

R42

The pics really do not want to post :/

Did Will create the Viva logo? I know he pained on the Bakery's walls.

^ yeah he did

What a treat the Happy Birthday to Will video. Hoppy clapping for Will's birthday and Guy laughing! They really are a GREAT bunch! Every single one of them.

The 2 videos put a huge smile on my face :D :awesome::wacky:

The 2 videos put a huge smile on my face :D :awesome::wacky:

Especially the end of the first one where Chris bursts out laughing xD

^yes that's a great moment :awesome::dazzled:

The 2 videos put a huge smile on my face :D :awesome::wacky:

 

:dazzled: They totally cheered me up :smug:

 

Especially the end of the first one where Chris bursts out laughing xD

 

True :wacky:

Panorama: Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit

3 August 2012 8:08 pm

Check out the pre-show crowd panorama shot

 

Good evening. Here's the crowd panorama shot from Wednesday night's show in Detroit. Click the photo to see the full, hi-res version, and add your photos from the show to our Live Archive here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for lots more summer 2012 crowd panoramas.

 

Anchorman

Here it is Carrie's sign along with a coldplaying shout-out from Tash! :D

 

look for this one in the panoramic pic...

 

Panorama: Izod Center, East Rutherford

4 August 2012 4:41 pm

Check out the crowd panorama from the first night in NJ

 

Good afternoon. Here's Roadie #42's panorama shot from a great first night in East Rutherford. Click on the image to see the hi-res version. And upload your pics to our Live Archive.

 

 

Click here for lots more summer 2012 crowd panoramas.

 

Anchorman

 

 

 

Panoramas: Izod Center, East Rutherford

5 August 2012 4:41 pm

Check out the crowd panoramas from two amazing nights in NJ

 

Good afternoon. Here are Roadie #42's panorama shots from two amazing nights in East Rutherford. Click on the images to see the hi-res versions. And upload your pics to our Live Archive.

 

SATURDAY 4 AUGUST

 

 

 

 

 

FRIDAY 3 AUGUST

 

 

Click here for lots more summer 2012 crowd panoramas.

 

Anchorman

Roadie #42 - Blog #180

8 August 2012 12:18 pm

#42 recounts his experiences at the New Jersey shows

 

For touring folks, New York is a great place to spend time. Everything you could possibly want is within walking distance or a short cab ride from the hotel. This, of course, can play havoc with your cashflow, but hey - that’s what per diems are for…

 

For the band, it’s almost another hometown run. They are all staying away from the hotel with families for the duration. This makes the New York (or more accurately New Jersey) shows also somewhat like hometown gigs. The backstage is buzzing with friends and family and the guestlist meanwhile, is just buzzing.

 

Not buzzing at the first New Jersey show was my phone. Quite often venues can be in remote enough areas to have patchy reception - or maybe it’s being inside a concrete box? Maybe it’s the huge concentration of folks in one place, who all want to take photos and post them to Facebook as soon as possible?

 

 

Whatever the cause, the text message saying that the plan has changed and we’re doing a runner doesn’t reach me during the show. Normally, I’m out the back door before Every Teardrop has finished - in the belief that we’re sticking around, I decide to get out and take some photos during the bits I normally miss.

 

 

Suddenly, Production Co-ordinator Nicole is waving frantically at me and miming “runner”. Bollocks. The tune reaches Will’s drum outro and I’m ramming my laptop in the rucksack and heading for the vans. Almost as soon as we emerge from the underground ramp, everyone’s phones start vibrating en masse as the entire evening’s communications hit them all at once.

 

 

The runner is headed to the aftershow in the city. I’m undecided. I’m still keeping UK hours, so I’ve been up since 7am. There’s also a soundcheck scheduled that requires me to be able to function as close to professionally as I’m able. I make it three minutes into the party and bail. There’s always tomorrow night.

 

I wake to find a message sent at gone 4am that soundcheck is off. Clearly it’s been a good one…

 

Both New Jersey shows are rowdy and celebratory. I have a guest at the second, who informs me that his 16-year-old daughter has accompanied him and has proclaimed it the “best experience of her life”.

 

 

You do sometimes forget that that’s what’s going on out there - and it’s always good to be reminded!

 

 

The second night’s aftershow is predictably somewhat more subdued and sedate than the first. I stay for a couple glasses of red and as folks start to head off, I jump in a van with the ‘early one’ posse. We have two days off in town coming up. What was I saying about disappearing per diem? Must *not* go looking at camera stuff at B&H - no no no…

 

R42

Oh how this warms my heart!!

 

I wonder if B &H realizes how much publicity and buzz they get from Coldplay? It's a great store

Panorama: United Center, Chicago

8 August 2012 1:54 pm

Check out our hi-res crowd shot from last night's show

 

Here's Roadie #42's pre-show crowd shot from last night in Chicago. Click the image to see/download the full hi-res version. And please do add your own photos from the show to our Live Archive.

 

Click here for lots more summer 2012 crowd panoramas.

 

Anchorman

Could someone please explain what is a 'runner' in roadie talk? It's embarassing, but I got really confused :embarrassed:

Could someone please explain what is a 'runner' in roadie talk? It's embarassing, but I got really confused :embarrassed:

 

A runner is when the band leaves directly after the concert, they jump in the waiting cars as soon as the concert is over : )

Oh, thanks, I thought about it, but somehow the text didn't come together :thinking: Ah well, blame it on the summer :D

 

Great to have you back! : )

It's good to be back! : )

Wanted: Your films from Montreal show

8 August 2012 10:45 pm

Did you film Us Against The World or Speed Of Sound?

 

 

If you were at either of the recent Montreal shows, we'd love to see your videos of Us Against The World and/or Speed Of Sound. Please send YouTube or Vimeo links to [email protected] - thanks very much!

 

Anchorman

Panoramas: United Center, Chicago

9 August 2012 2:34 pm

Check out our hi-res crowd shots from the two shows

 

Here are Roadie #42's pre-show crowd shots from two great nights in Chicago. Click the image to see/download the full hi-res version. And please do add your own photos from the show to our Live Archive.

 

WEDNESDAY 8 AUGUST

 

 

TUESDAY 7 AUGUST

 

 

Click here for lots more summer 2012 crowd panoramas.

 

Anchorman

Wanted: Your films from Montreal show

8 August 2012 10:45 pm

Did you film Us Against The World or Speed Of Sound?

 

 

If you were at either of the recent Montreal shows, we'd love to see your videos of Us Against The World and/or Speed Of Sound. Please send YouTube or Vimeo links to [email protected] - thanks very much!

 

Anchorman

 

 

 

Hmmm... wonder what that's all about:thinking: