18-Jul-09: Home Depot Centre, Carson, CA - Tickets, Previews, Meetups, Reviews, Setlists, Photos/Vid

[marie/pims]

Little Tom :)

[but a dream]

My friend says Adam Brody, Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance and Justin Timberlake were there as well.

[Mimixxx]

Awesome :D Celebfest :D

[but a dream]

That's what happens when you're in LA!!! :lol:

[Mimixxx]

Yeah and New York and London.

 

Must be a nightmare for the people who deal with the guestlists.

[LFDianne]

Wow, just wow. The boys did an amazing show, as usual. Once I realized that my little point and shoot wouldn't take decent pics, I just enjoyed the show, and I'll relive it with other's great pics. I was on the floor, 19 rows back from the pit. The pit, btw, was huge, so we were farther back than I thought we'd be. They sounded incredible, but it didn't seem like Chris used the side ramps as much as he has before. And LIT2 live? Will on drums is nothing short of fabulous. Watching him makes my arms hurt. I'm hoarse this morning. It didn't sound like the crowd was very loud, and Chris mentioned it a few times, but I don't know if it was typical LA crowd, or it's the wide open layout of Home Depot Center. But there was no sitting down in our section, unlike Honda Center last year where people sat most of the time. The butterfly cannons were cool, but there was the slightest breeze so the butterflies were blown to the stage.

 

I can't wait to do it all again tonight - then I'll be so sad it's over. Chris said they won't be back to LA again for a long time.

[DaveLev]

Review - the good and the bad

 

Here's a much more in-depth review for you to enjoy - the good and the bad.

 

Getting to the event was a snap. Left our home at 5:30, got some fast food, pulled up to Home Depot Center at 6 PM, paid $20 to park, and was only one of about 100 cars in the whole place. Walked up to Northeast gate, and waited another 20 minutes or so. The gates did NOT open at 6 PM due to 'production' issues. I later found out it was because the first band did not do their sound check earlier in the after noon (unverified).

 

Once gates opened, people were scanned through metal detectors. This is Compton, so makes sense.

 

Logistics were not so good for getting into the pit area. You showed your ticket to walk down the stairs (but only in a designated area - there were two walkways for GA ticket users). You then showed your ticket at the bottom of the stairs. Then you walked along the field sidelines through another 3 sets of guards, showing each one your ticket. At the third, they hole-punched your ticket in order to get a wristband. Once you had a wristband, you could enter the GA area, which, by the way was ENORMOUS. There was a metal barracade surrounding the stage and the rest of the field. It had seats on it, but you weren't allowed to sit. I was in the pit by 6:30 PM, and it was maybe 5 people deep to the stage.

 

Once in the pit area - or anywhere else - you had to wait for the first band a long time. They only appeared to have one roadie - this cowboy-looking guy doing all the work. 7:30 or so they started, also late. Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis was the band name, I believe. They rocked out hard - very eclectic pop-rock-ska-reggee-polynesian band. Attractive group of younger folks - except one guitarist and the gal on double-bass. They needed to at least smile, which they didn't do often, but they rocked out hard. They looked stress - presumably for starting late, missing their soundcheck, or ?? They had a collection of cool instruments. I would estimate that there were only 3,000 people in the stadium by the time they were done. The croud stunk - I was the only one dancing or clapping in the pit area that I could see - gotta show your support, even if they suck. This is an LA croud, though - everyone with cell phones, video devices, or cameras standing around, not clapping, etc. I feel compassion towards them - they had a stinky croud to perform for, which probably contributed to their overall stressed-out look. They played for at least 30 minutes. Their roadies cleared them out. The pit was still relatively empty, all things considered.

 

Next up was Amadou & Mariam. They had a full set of roadies, and lighting effects were used during their act. Amadou & Mariam are blind, and they were escorted out by their band and a roadie. They were a funky reggee-rock-hop band from Jamaica or something. They had 2 drummers, a bassist, Amadou playing guitar, & Mariam singing vocals. They also had a pair of backup singers/dancers that performed for the whole show, which added to the excitement. They were vibrant and energetic. The bassist was a semi-cheerleader for the band. Their songs were long - over 5 minutes each. They naturally got a lot more applause just from having two attractive female dancers during their entire act. They were a lot of fun, but again, LA audiences suck - most people stood with their video/camera devices out, holding them in front of other peoples' faces, not applausing, not clapping along, not dancing, and showing the band little to no support. Many near us in the front were just standing around, looking down at their blackberries texting. They got an occassional 'woohoo', most likely for the backup dancers. They rocked out hard. The lighting was good, and added to the thrill. They had some sound problems - minor - the bass was hitting too hard and flushing out the vocals. The sun was finally going down, and it was beginning to get dark in the stadium. The audience grew to probably 5,000 at the most during their set, which I would say was about 45 minutes long. When finished, they cleared out quickly, and the roadies went to work for coldplay. The pit was still relatively empty, maybe 10 people deep front and center.

 

Side note: I was surprised to see so many petite 5 foot tall women and numerous children (12-15 years old max) in the pit area. They wouldn't be able to see. I stood behind a guy who was 6' 4" or so, and I'm 6' 2", so it worked out for me. We appeared to be the only really tall people in the pit.

 

There was about a 30 minute delay until Coldplay came on. There was a guy sweeping the stage that started to breakdance to the background music that was playing...that was cool. Next a classical music song came on, and a gal let us swaying our arms left and right. That was fun...audience was growing at that point, as people began arriving. The only seats I could see that appeared empty were the ones behind the stage, behind the speaker towers in the back, and some of the 'vip' seats. Most of the VIP suites were empty. In one of them, though, they had the television on during the show - was funny to see. Someone was watching TV during a live show! Then the lights went out, which caused the pit to swell. People dropped their beers and ran towards the stage from wherever they were in the pit area. We moved 10 feet closer to the stage, elbow to elbow instantly.

 

Coldplay started. They rocked it hard. Again, most of the 'fans' in the pit area were holding cell phones or video cameras up in your face the whole show, not clapping, singing along, or dancing. One could not tell if they were having a good time at all. There were a few of us couples there in the pit having a great time with our spouses. The rest looked like they won the tickets, but didn't really care to be there. Several people were trying to shove others out of their way to 'get to their friends at the front'. Combine that with holding bright cell phones in your face, and when they're not holding it in front of you, they're texting their friends, checking email, posting to blogs, etc...but not smiling or looking like they're having a good time whatsoever.

 

I was at the LA show last year at the Forum. Compared to that, this show was more polished, however, last year they had more energy, which translates to a happier audience, and the pace/speed was faster last year. I think there were 3-5 more songs last year, too. Like last year, Chris screwed up on two-three songs (he admitted this). He praised the LA crowds numerous times, and made references to those sitting in the back during Fix You '12 miles from the band...at a coldplay show'. I felt sorry for them in the back - they looked like ants they were so small. The band felt sorry two, and headed back there to do a set. While there, they did a cell-phone 'wave' - too hard to explain. Looked cool, but further encouraged the use of mobile devices during their show.

 

Lighting was great - the digital orbs/balls, the upper truss of lights bobbing up and down, the lasers, smoke, digital displays, and projectors all in top order. Spotlights had some problems - not sure why.

 

Chris said the 'f' word, aka "f-bomb" numerous times during the show, usually after his mistakes. There were a lot of kids there - we saw families in line with blankets for the grass, plus those we saw in the pit.

 

Sound was very good, with the bass hitting a little too hard. Here's what I mean: when you strike a note on the bass guitar, it sounds great. When they were strung back to back, the speakers didn't have time to relax, so it sounded washed-out. Microphone volumes were best for coldplay compared to the others - you could clearly hear him. They had trouble with Will's mike twice.

 

The bassist seldom smiled - looked like he was concentraiting or this had come routine. He did wave to us in the pit a few times as they walked off three times.

 

It was a killer show. Obliviously, I wish the audience didn't suck as bad as they did, but, this is Los Angeles, and respect for others is not taught to the youth.

 

Again, compared to last year's show at the forum, this one seemed more 'canned' or 'routine'. They have been touring for over a year now, so that's justifiable. I really enjoyed their set - was terrific, even if I was one of the few who were chanting, clapping, and dancing.

 

The confettii was a big hit, as always. During the break between encores, they came out with leaf blowers to attempt to clear them off. Didn't work so well, except on keyboard and drums. The breeze was to the south - right towards the stage.

 

Once the lights came up, you could see the audience scramble for their cars. Took us 10 minutes to get from pit to car. They gave away free LeftRightLeftRight CDs on the way out, which was nice.

 

Once to my car, it took 50 minutes to get out of the parking lot. That sucked. Logistics were terrible - rent-a-cops, campus police, and sheriff's office all trying to help get people out. Mad house.

 

Once out, I took a side street to the 91 west (which was empty at 12:30 - 85 MPH easy), and shot down artesia blvd to Denny's. While there, we ate, and on our way out, saw a group of folks with wristbands from the show. They were just arriving, and they said they were in the parking lot trying to get out for over an hour and a half. That's terrible. Lessons learned: arrive even earlier, and park on the street. Side streets were blocked off and guarded - you couldn't park there.

 

We had a very good time. I wish LA crouds did not suck the way they do, both for the sake of those attending, and more importantly, for the band themselves.

 

Kind of hard to clap and dance when you're afraid of ruining your YouTube video.

 

See you in a few years, Coldplay!

[busybeeburns]

mega review, thanks Dave!

[Zeya]

DaveLev's review is really good and in depth...It's great.

[technicolor_love78]

^^great reviews and updates, everyone :D :dance:

 

Ok so I was supposed to update via Twitter but, the bastard thing wouldn't work in the stadium :angry:

 

 

Had THE best time tonight, I'm tired and sweaty from jumping and dancing the whole time!!! Will post what decent pics I have tomorrow or Monday, got a long drive and work ahead of me. The boys were fucking brilliant tonight!! Damn work or I'd be there tomorrow doing it all over again.

Met Erick and Brandi, you guys rock!

 

Gotta get some sleep night all

 

AHHHHH!! JENN! :dance: so glad that you had a great time!!! can't wait for your pics and review! :D

 

My friend says Adam Brody, Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance and Justin Timberlake were there as well.

 

heck yes for all these celeb sightings! :dance: love Adam Brody and JT. But 2 big facepalms for Katy Perry and her "Fix Me" tweet :rolleyes:

[Makayla]

The concert was so amazing last night!

Front row.

Got a guitar pick.

Awesome video footage.

I'll have to upload it when i get home which wont be until tuesday.

But let me just say, one of the best nights of my life by far.

Chris and guy saw my sign, and absolutely loved it.

Chris told me thank you and put his hand over his heart, while giving me a thumbs up and shooting me an A-okay signal with his hands.

[Corkus]

Fantastic review, Dave. This crowd may have actually been worse than the Honda Center crowd, but I had just as enjoyable of a time. When Blue Danube Waltz started, I told folks around me to stand up and sway, to which they responded "Why?" and I told them "Trust me". But they still didn't. Blah. And these were pretty respectable floor seats, for crying out loud.

 

I was a little lukewarm to Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis, but I still gave them some respectful applause. Though I actually thought Amadou & Mariam were awesome, and the guy behind me totally agreed. I was seated but still found myself dancing to their songs.

 

It only took me about 10 minutes to get out of the parking lot, but I wasn't back on the freeway for at least 30. Everyone was swept down Victoria St. for miles and it sucked.

 

Was I seeing things, or did Jonny totally bump into Will while waving to the audience when coming back for the encore?

[starbright31]

Show was brilliant last night! The last time I was ever this close to the band was for their Jimmy Kimmel appearance and I never thought I'd be able to be that close again! I was on the right side in that middle pit. And that was some ordeal with the entrances and running down the steps to get to the field.

 

Anyway, I got some videos I've uploaded to Youtube already:

 

Lovers in Japan: [ame=

]

[/ame] (The sound's not so great in this one and my hand gets kinda shaky at some points..)

 

Death and All of His Friends: [ame=

]

[/ame]

 

The Scientist: [ame=

]

[/ame]

[Jsalyers]

Show was amazing!! Not front row this time:P:rolleyes: But always grateful to be at a Coldplay concert no matter where:D The guys were sounding great, and Chris was so funny when he did the little song that he made up on the C stage! I got some pretty decent pics that Ill have to post later as well as the pics from the San Diego show!

[Chrisedge]

Working on the recording as we speak...

 

Should be up soon (Dime)

[iduran20]

Okay the show last night was incredible. It beat my experience at the Honda Center last year. I couldn't see sometimes because i'm only 5'5 but when I started looking around heads i could(plus the Bigscreens). Anyways it was so much fun, Chris was his usual self, very energetic and funny. The crowd was okay in my section. I tried to start a chant a couple of times but no one else joined around me. At the end of Yellow the singalong didn't work out that well, even Chris noticed because he said something along the lines "We need to work on those lyrics". I sang along to every song and jumped around. They sang Billie Jean incredibly well, I was standing on my chair when they went to the C stage and so were a whole bunch of people but the security made us all get down when they left that stage. Chris, Guy, Jonny, and Will all looked very good. I don't care if some people don't like Chris with his long curly hair, but I love it. Chris kept saying a couple of times how we were all here to see David Beckham but I was like "No I'm here to see you and Guy's HOTTER!" When they came back for their final encore Chris said something about how LA was their home away from home and that they have played in LA more times than anywhere else besides London. I'm so glad they do because I love seeing them perform live and plan to see them again on their next tour. At the end of the show I experienced a bittersweet feeling. I was so happy because I had just had the best time of my life but I was sad that it was over, until next time I guess. I filled my Viva bag with butterflies and I got my LRLRL cd on my way out. I almost didn't get it because they ran out in the exit I was getting out from but I ran back inside and a security almost didn't let me through but I was like I am not leaving without my CD and ran through her, I got it though from the main exit where they still had a lot left. I took videos and pictures but I can't upload them because my laptop is down but I will soon. I got home around 1:30 am and went straight to bed but I slept with a smile on my face because that was the best day ever! Viva La Vida and Viva Coldplay!

[svenky]

waouh ^^

[backstreetchix97]

Wow....there are so many people saying the crowd at the Home Depot Center sucked but for my experience it was one of the best crowds ever compared to all my last Coldplay Shows (4 this tour already) and two during the last. Also compared to any concert I've ever been to (I've been to over 40 concerts/events). I have to say the crowd was almost as good as a crowd at a bigger stadium like Rose Bowl or Dodger Stadium. But this is my opinion and to me this was the best show ever! I shall write my review later :) Plus pictures/videos!

[Corkus]

Corkus's Full Review:

 

Five months of anticipation had all built up to this. My friend and I had left Ventura early in anticipation of potential traffic. Yet it was less brutal than expected, and as a result, we arrived at 4:30 PM, which was two hours before gates opened. Only a few folks were waiting at the gate, but we joined them after purchasing our obligatory expensive merchandise. We chatted with a few fans, but impatience was growing as the gate opening was delayed by a full half-hour. But when we entered, the view of the still-empty stadium was breathtaking. After bolting to the nearest bathroom, we quickly hopped down to our center-floor seats.

 

 

The stadium filled up slowly, and still was at minimal capacity by the time the first support act - Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis - showed up. The crowd was only mildly receptive to this act, but was slightly more open to the follow-up act, Amadou & Mariam. By the time they finished, the seats began filling up quickly. The delay in gate opening had caused a delay in Coldplay's entrance, and tensions were running high. But a screech of excitement blared across the stadium as the speakers turned up and began blaring "Magnificent" by U2, followed by a breakdancing roadie who really got the crowd going. Suddenly, the Blue Danube Waltz began, and people rose to their feet (I, as much as I tried, was not able to get the remainder of my section to stand).

 

Lights out.

 

Coldplay took to the stage to the roaring sound of crazed fans, and you'd better believe that I was in the upper tier of screaming loons. The screams would hit their apex as the band concluded "Violet Hill", as Chris repeatedly urged the crowd to yell as loud as they could. While most of my immediate area didn't even know the lyrics to "Clocks", I had an utterly fantastic time belting out song after song, even though I can't help but feel I annoyed the hell out of the less-enthusiastic people around me with my frantic glowstick action. For the most part, Chris was not as talkative as in the past, most letting out brief references to David Beckham or dropping profanities whenever he fudged up a note (I counted three instances of the word "fuck" during the night). I suppose nearly 150 shows on a tour will tire you out like that.

 

But the moment that got the crowd roaring the most was, as usual, the C-stage entrance. As they walk down the side of the stadium, I bolted to the edge of my row to get a close-up glimpse. My camera phone's picture quality disappointed me there, and I doubt the band members could hear me shouting their names as they passed, but all was still fun. The floor stood on their seats while the band was on the C-stage (I almost fell off a couple times), with big cheers as the band started a brief imporvisation about Los Angeles. But the highlight for me began minutes later, as glorious butterfly confetti rained down on me and I began plucking them one-by-one out of the air.

 

 

As the gig ended, the folks in front of me were apparently aloof to the concept of an encore and left immediately after "Death and All His Friends" ended, giving me as much space as I needed to jam out to the final two songs, glowstick in hand. When the band finally left, I felt gleeful, yet upset that it may be the last time I see them for a few years. My friend helped me scoop up any remaining paper butterflies in our area. We nabbed LeftRightLeftRightLeft on our way out as people were humming the infamous Viva la Vida chant in the parking lot. After struggling to find the freeway onramp, we were on our way back from an experience that will live on in our memories.

[Mimixxx]

Fabulous review! Thank you :D

[y3110w]

The show was incredible! This was my first Coldplay show and it didn't disappoint. I was one of the people 12 miles back Chris was talking about :D. It didn't matter, I was at the very front, very near the middle.

 

My mom and I arrived around 4:50 pm and there wasn't a lot of people. I expected a lot more. We sat until around 6 when people around us started getting ready to go in. Unfortunately, we had to wait till around 6:20 to get in. Once we were in we hurried to the Grass Berm area. We were probably one of the first 15 people up there.

 

Once there we settled in the very front, near the middle. My mom and I took turns to go to the bathroom. Bought nachos and pretzels. It was a long wait till the first opening act. The opening act came in at around 7:30. I thought there weren't going to be a lot of people since almost half is still not in their seats by then. My mom wanted me to buy from the merch already but I hesitated, wanting not to miss anything.(Bad idea) The second act came in.

 

Then Coldplay came in around 8:20 or so. The crowd went nuts. In the very back, I can attest that people weren't very enthusiastic. I was one of the few people cheering them on. During the not so known songs, I was one of the few singing along with them and some was chatting through it :angry: I took very few pictures since I only had a 5 megapixel camera with 2.4 optical zoom. This didn't result on me enjoying the concert more. I don't know why but people didn't seem loud in between songs. People in the back did start going nuts when Coldplay went to the back to do acoustic songs.

 

During the wait for the encore, I saw people leaving. I couldn't believe it! There were also people walking in the walkway right below the berm in between songs. All in all, it didn't affect my experience because I'm not the one that missed out on Coldplay, it's them.

 

After the concert, I went down to the merch to get a shirt, they sold out on tour book and bracelets though :( I also went and picked up a couple of butterflies and exited with LRLRL. My mom told me that it's pretty sweet of them to give out free cds. Thinking about it, they probably have to give more than 1 million cd's by the end of their tour. She also said they don't have a break in between their sets; like a first and second act in a play.

 

It took us 10 mins or so to get out of the parking lot. We did go through the side street to avoid the traffic. After entering the freeway, we had a 30 min drive home.

 

*As I am writing this I hear Lovers In Japan playing loudly from my neighbor. I don't know if he/she went to the concert but either way good of him/her.

[yellow745]

The concert was so amazing last night!

Front row.

Got a guitar pick.

Awesome video footage.

I'll have to upload it when i get home which wont be until tuesday.

But let me just say, one of the best nights of my life by far.

Chris and guy saw my sign, and absolutely loved it.

Chris told me thank you and put his hand over his heart, while giving me a thumbs up and shooting me an A-okay signal with his hands.

 

What did your sign say? :)

[Mimixxx]

Pics by u2soul

 

[ame=http://www.flickr.com/photos/u2soul/sets/72157621696127174/show/]Coldplay - July 18, 2009[/ame]

[melanieau]

Pics by u2soul

 

Coldplay - July 18, 2009

 

Very nice pics:D

[Caroline]

I have to disagree with the crowd. I thought they were awesome, although I was in the pit so maybe we were just more into it haha...im uploading pics and videos so i will post them soon!