Who resurrected this thread? Be weary as it will get some people's underwear in a knot here.

 

While Coldplay was obviously influenced by U2, within the rock spectrum they are very different and always will be. Coldplay still have not reached U2's critical or commercial heights though, and that isn't an opinion - it's just a fact. You can like Coldplay more (as I do), but you can't dispute that U2 was bigger in their heyday than Coldplay are at this point.

 

Maybe this next album will really catapult them to the top, but I don't know. I hope so!

Good points, but the times where different in the 80's. U2 style of music when started was NEW sound to everyone, so that is the reason of their huge success imediatly.

Were not coldplay influeced by the Beatles too....?

Good points, but the times where different in the 80's. U2 style of music when started was NEW sound to everyone, so that is the reason of their huge success imediatly.

Were not coldplay influeced by the Beatles too....?

 

My dog was influenced by the Beatles.

COLDPLAY 100%

U2 were not immediately successful. The Joshua tree was their first HUGE album, even though previous records had their hits. It is a different world. The internet has changed music, allowing lots of niche band following. There won't be anyway for anyone to verify popularity in the old fashion way anyway, as digital sales and individual song sales have changed the game. But u2 were not game changes musically, just as coldplay aren't. They just did it better than others and were able to be reborn in new ways.

 

But yeah Beatles are probably an influence on coldplay, as they are on every band since the 60s. Not a big influence though...

U2 were not immediately successful. The Joshua tree was their first HUGE album, even though previous records had their hits. It is a different world. The internet has changed music, allowing lots of niche band following. There won't be anyway for anyone to verify popularity in the old fashion way anyway, as digital sales and individual song sales have changed the game. But u2 were not game changes musically, just as coldplay aren't. They just did it better than others and were able to be reborn in new ways.

 

But yeah Beatles are probably an influence on coldplay, as they are on every band since the 60s. Not a big influence though...

 

well said

My dog was influenced by the Beatles.

:laugh3: How was your dog influenced by the Beatles?:rolleyes:

 

Why try and compare apples to oranges? I think the same problem arose when people tried to compare The Beatles to The Rolling Stones back in the day - they're so completely different in style.

U2 were not immediately successful. The Joshua tree was their first HUGE album, even though previous records had their hits. It is a different world. The internet has changed music, allowing lots of niche band following. There won't be anyway for anyone to verify popularity in the old fashion way anyway, as digital sales and individual song sales have changed the game. But u2 were not game changes musically, just as coldplay aren't. They just did it better than others and were able to be reborn in new ways.

 

But yeah Beatles are probably an influence on coldplay, as they are on every band since the 60s. Not a big influence though...

 

+1,000

COLDPLAY 100%

 

I agree with Chloe, U2 is great but not as amazing as Coldplay.

:laugh3: How was your dog influenced by the Beatles?:rolleyes:

 

Why try and compare apples to oranges? I think the same problem arose when people tried to compare The Beatles to The Rolling Stones back in the day - they're so completely different in style.

 

The Beatles influenced EVERYONE!!!!!

U2 were not immediately successful. The Joshua tree was their first HUGE album, even though previous records had their hits. It is a different world. The internet has changed music, allowing lots of niche band following. There won't be anyway for anyone to verify popularity in the old fashion way anyway, as digital sales and individual song sales have changed the game. But u2 were not game changes musically, just as coldplay aren't. They just did it better than others and were able to be reborn in new ways.

 

But yeah Beatles are probably an influence on coldplay, as they are on every band since the 60s. Not a big influence though...

 

I would argue that U2 were in fact game changers musically.

 

Look at how many bands play guitar similar to the Edge. I think that his guitar playing helped pave the way for the Killers, Radiohead, Coldplay, etc.

 

Also they are definitely game changers when it comes to live touring. From the ZooTV screens to the giant lemon to the spaceship, they have pushed the boundaries of touring live music. They have also done extensive tours that hit most places in the globe that most bands would never consider doing....Australia, South Africa, Finland, Chile, etc. all on the same tour.

U2 were not immediately successful. The Joshua tree was their first HUGE album, even though previous records had their hits. It is a different world. The internet has changed music, allowing lots of niche band following. There won't be anyway for anyone to verify popularity in the old fashion way anyway, as digital sales and individual song sales have changed the game. But u2 were not game changes musically, just as coldplay aren't. They just did it better than others and were able to be reborn in new ways.

 

But yeah Beatles are probably an influence on coldplay, as they are on every band since the 60s. Not a big influence though...

Yes, exactly.

Touring is true. But how many people who buy an album see a band live? It's hard to say.

 

U2 did influence bands, but mostly mainstream bands. Radiohead is no product of u2 in anyway. Killers yes, coldplay yes. Many modern bands. But that doesn't mean they changed music. There were bands doing what u2 did before them. Every band is a product of many influences who were products of influences. So technically the first guy to hit a rock influenced all modern drummers. But big clear influences arent easily made.

Touring is true. But how many people who buy an album see a band live? It's hard to say.

 

 

.....on the flip side how many people who go to shows legally acquire the album they are touring in support of? Touring is more important than putting out albums. Arcade Fire aren't making a shit tonne of money by selling the Suburbs for $3.99 on Amazon when it first comes out. They make their money from touring. If you can't tour and put bodies into seats, onto floors, pubs, clubs, stadiums, arenas, theatres, etc then you aren't going to survive.

.....on the flip side how many people who go to shows legally acquire the album they are touring in support of? Touring is more important than putting out albums. Arcade Fire aren't making a shit tonne of money by selling the Suburbs for $3.99 on Amazon when it first comes out. They make their money from touring. If you can't tour and put bodies into seats, onto floors, pubs, clubs, stadiums, arenas, theatres, etc then you aren't going to survive.

 

 

Not really though , I mean if you don't release albums you can not go on tour . I doubt that arcade fire with their million seller album and an ok tour got more money than Adele who sold 10 million copies in 6 months ( and continues to be number one worldwide in the album charts after 20 weeks ) and 10 million singles this year alone.

 

Sure touring is incredibly important , but unless you are an established touring act ( like Madonna or u2) you gotta see your album doing well before you go into a big tour .

 

Oh and by the way. Mariah Carey hates to tour yet she has sold over 240 million records and has a 22+ year career . Same with other acts

Not really though , I mean if you don't release albums you can not go on tour . I doubt that arcade fire with their million seller album and an ok tour got more money than Adele who sold 10 million copies in 6 months ( and continues to be number one worldwide in the album charts after 20 weeks ) and 10 million singles this year alone.

 

Sure touring is incredibly important , but unless you are an established touring act ( like Madonna or u2) you gotta see your album doing well before you go into a big tour .

 

Oh and by the way. Mariah Carey hates to tour yet she has sold over 240 million records and has a 22+ year career . Same with other acts

 

Sure albums are important and new music will help draw people in, but it isn't as important as it used to be.

 

And acts like Mariah Carey are pretty rare. Like 99 out of 100 bands wouldn't be able to survive without touring.

 

I think bands don't necessarily have to put out a good album to still but on a decent tour.

Not really though , I mean if you don't release albums you can not go on tour . I doubt that arcade fire with their million seller album and an ok tour got more money than Adele who sold 10 million copies in 6 months ( and continues to be number one worldwide in the album charts after 20 weeks ) and 10 million singles this year alone.

 

 

Also you are completely distorting what I said an missing the point.

 

You can't compare Arcade Fire and Adele here. Of course they didn't get more money than Adele.

 

But Arcade Fire don't make all their money from their albums.

Touring is true. But how many people who buy an album see a band live? It's hard to say.

 

U2 did influence bands, but mostly mainstream bands. Radiohead is no product of u2 in anyway. Killers yes, coldplay yes. Many modern bands. But that doesn't mean they changed music. There were bands doing what u2 did before them. Every band is a product of many influences who were products of influences. So technically the first guy to hit a rock influenced all modern drummers. But big clear influences arent easily made.

 

Which ones? The Edge was a massive influence on the guitar sounds of future bands showing, like he did in The Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree the very best in what a guitar can provide in atmosphere. It is a trend that has been picked up by the likes of Radiohead, Coldplay and many other massively successful bands. No band has ever done a tour like Zoo TV pre and post Achtung Baby? And very rarely did bands change their sound so radically in the way the albums of Boy to Pop were. While they made massive shifts musically they still seemed to be remarkably successful commercially. I don't think any band has had a bigger influence on other bands in the last 30 years.

 

And I completely agree with Briggins. If you can't sell seats during tours then you can't survive as a band. Touring really is the most profitable way in the music business these days.

Just to let you know, I feel like Stay (Faraway, So Close) by U2 and Warning Sign by Coldplay have the same aesthetic, just different moods. They both are some of my favorite songs ever!!

I think they are both two of the best songs either band has written.

I couldn't help but notice the title of this thread...

 

I love U2, I do... I'm a really big fan.. I saw them twice last year and it absolutely the most amazing concert I've ever seen, I've never seen any concert like it... I cried my eyes out when it was over, I don't know why... maybe cause it was the last show in the U.S. for the tour or because I just couldn't believe I actually got to see them live in person, in the flesh...but to me it was an honor just to be able to see them live and be able to listen to their music.

 

I respect Coldplay for the music they write.. they are unlike any band I've ever seen.. its great to see that their are still bands out there who want to write beautiful poetic music and don't care what other people think... and do it because its their passion, not get caught up in the whole "rich celebrity" life, I read in an interview that Chris hates that word.. being called a "celebrity". Every musicians lyrics is a free expression that describes the kind of person they are, what they love, care about and find interesting.

 

To me I don't think Chris Martin is trying to show anybody up or try to beat anyone... I've seen enough interviews and listened to their music many times to know that their not like that... no, I don't know them personally but from what I've seen their a whole completely different genre from any other musician out there. Some of their music videos don't go with the songs but that's one reason why I love them, they don't have to follow the same rules as rap, hip-hop and pop artists singing about drugs, sex, partying, violence and drinking... their different and unique in their own special way... who cares if their music videos didn't coast millions to make or their not wearing expensive jewelry and clothes, there just simple, delightful and amazing, and that simple, cheap style is how they work.

 

The artistic image they have is makes makes their music so enjoyable and amazing.. I don't think Chris, Jonny, Will or Guy would diss any other band when they've gone way outside the box when it comes to making music and their own unique style they've come up with...

 

Bono isn't Bono without his signature sunglasses... and Chris isn't Chris unless he's dancing at their concerts... I'm a huge fan of both bands and as a fan I will stand up for my favorite musicians and say to you that in no way is Coldplay trying to rip off U2, there's a difference between ripping off some one and being inspired and influenced by some one.

 

I'am not in any way mad at you for what you said.. but I did at least want to say something...Coldplay's music I believe has a hidden message of freedom and expression to be yourself and not be afraid of what other people think... to live life and enjoy it for all it has, to find the positive in the negative times.. to find the color in the black and white. You would think musicians believe in the message of their own music especially if they keep writing like that on every record.. I'm glad Coldplay broke the rules on how to be a top musician without sex, drugs, violence and partying... Why? Because they chose to be themselves and they love playing. Have you seen the smiles on their faces when people sing along at their concerts... especially to Fix You.. so beautiful.

 

I will always love both bands, they both have different styles. Not to be mean or yell at you, I'm not mad but I think your wrong about Coldplay trying to be the next U2.. their too different to be the next U2 that's not a bad thing but their different in a good way and that's what makes them unique. I'm attracted to Coldplay because of their clean, happy, positive, artistic lyrics... their artistic image and creativity.

BUMP

 

Anything to add?

They are both decent bands. Both have their highs, both have their lows. I can't possibly say which I prefer, mainly because U2 have 35 years of experience and evolution behind them whereas Coldplay have less than half that.

This first post is so funny! Coldplay and U2 couldn't be anymore different, and Chris Martin and Bono really couldn't be any further from each other. Coldplay don't try to copy anyone, they are now the band everyone else will be trying to replicate, the biggest band on the planet and no one beats them, not even U2.

 

If both bands were to release albums in 2014 I could confidently say, Coldplay's album would sell more, Coldplay's singles would sell more, and Coldplay would have a bigger tour. Obviously that means nothing, Justin Bieber and 1D sell a lot. But then I would also definitely prefer Coldplay's music and gigs.

 

This is coming from a big fan of both bands.

Coldplay > U2

U2 have a couple of good songs, but that's my opinion. :)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t4_kjr3zfY]Coldplay - What's Going On (ft. Bono & The Edge & Brian Eno) - YouTube[/ame]