Absolute Radio “Live Stories” – Forum Competition

 

We have the opportunity to take part in another forum competition with Absolute Radio, similar to the Rock-Off. This time around it’s all about your live experiences, and could win prizes for you and the Coldplaying forum.

 

This summer, Absolute Radio is bringing you free live music every day. To celebrate, they are once again pitting forums against each other in a series of competitions called 'Live Stories'. Your gig and festival experiences could win you tickets to a fantastic live event, and the winning forum gets to pick the line-up for a virtual festival to be broadcast on Absolute Radio, using our extensive archive of live recordings!

 

Here’s how the Absolute bit works:

 

• 
   
  Absolute are asking forums to discuss your live experiences and submit the best stories. It could be anything connected to live music; the time you watched a David Bowie gig from backstage, or got lost at Glastonbury and discovered Tibetan throat singing for example. Chances are though, it will be a Coldplay show!
   
  
• Coldplaying.com has to submit 4 live stories to the Absolute Competition (that’s one a week for 4 weeks from 3rd August)
   
  
• Each week, the entries from each forum will be judged by a panel. They will select stories to go forward to the public vote for that week.
   
  
• The winning story for the week wins the writer a pair of live concert tickets (see below for more info), and puts the forum into the final.
  

 

Here’s how Coldplaying need you:

 

1. Submit your story to this thread when you have finished it;
   
2. Your fellow forum friends then vote for the entries and the Administrator of the forum submits a vote-winning story for each event. (four in total)
   
3. Each week, the nominated stories from various forums get filtered down by a panel of Absolute judges. The selected stories then go to a public vote for which story is the best.
   
4. The winner for the event it was submitted to will receive a pair of tickets to that event.
   
5. The winner of each event then writes an account of the event they attended, and these stories then go to a vote. The forum the winning story came from then gets to program their very own two hour virtual festival made up of live music from the Absolute Radio back catalogue to be played out live on air.
   

 

What you need to do now:

 

• We need you to post your live stories in this thread by 19:00 GMT Sun 19th July. The following instructions apply: Please don't use any smilies or links in your review. The review should be written in proper english - no abbreviations or text speech. Think of how the better newspaper reviewers write their reviews!
   
  
• From Sun 19th July to Wed 29th July, the forum will vote on their favourite reviews. The 4 reviews with the most votes will be our 4 entries for the Absolute Competition. In the event of a tie-break, the Admins & mods will decide which stories are entered.
  

 

The Prizes:

 

If your story is one of Absolute’s 4 weekly winners, you will get tickets for any of the following:

 

• Oasis at V Festival
  
• The Killers at V Festival
  
• U2 at Wembley
  
• Coldplay at Wembley
  
• Radiohead at Reading Festival
  
• Arctic Monkeys at Reading Festival
  

 

(as far as I understand it, they will specify which tickets are up for grabs each week). Even if you can't go to one of these concerts, please consider entering and if you win, donate your tickets to your Coldplaying friends! They'll love you forever!

 

*If Coldplaying gets to the final, the forum wins its own virtual festival on the radio! We program a two-hour festival, choosing songs from Absolute’s live archive.

 

There’s a little bit more about the competition on Absolute’s website http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music/live/stories/ but as yet there are no terms & conditions. Once we know more, we’ll let you know.

 

 

The Terms & Conditions are here: http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music/live/stories/terms.html?utm_source=left_nav

 

The bits that stood out to me:

 

• The live stories submitted for entry must be on behalf of the forum, not you as an individual.
  
• Only one entry is permitted from each forum and must be submitted by a forum administrator or moderator. (As part of the entry process, you’ll have to include the forum thread/s showing the discussion your forum had).
  
• Your entry has to be made up of four live stories, one per competition. You’ll be able to match your stories to events on the entry form.
  By entering the competition, you warrant that your submission is original and does not infringe the third party intellectual property rights of any third party (and you shall indemnity Absolute Radio for any breach of this warranty).
  
• We’re looking for great stories from live events. These could be about seeing a band play, or the exploits you got up to at a festival.
  
• We need to see that your live stories are a true forum effort, so make sure plenty of your forum users contribute to a lively discussion in the forum thread you submit with your entry.
  
• Winners in each competition will be chosen by the public by way of an online vote at absoluteradio.co.uk/music/live/stories. Each competition vote will be open for five days, between 8.00am (GMT) on the Monday and 11.59pm (GMT) on the Friday.
  
• Only one vote per person per competition is permitted.
  
• The winner of each match will be announced on-air at 2.00pm (GMT) on the Saturday.
  
• For each competition, the person whose story wins (as voted for by the Absolute Radio listeners and users) will get a pair of tickets to a live event the following weekend.
  
• The prize events for each competition are as follows: 3rd to 9th August, U2 at Wembley; 10th to 16th August, V Festival; 17th to 23rd August, Reading Festival; and 24th to 30th August, Coldplay at Wembley.
  
• The winner will be asked to create a live story with their experiences from the events they won tickets to. This will then go on to represent the winner’s forum.
  

hmm

Ooooooooh :D :dance:

Holy smokes. :stunned: I've been in a writing mood lately, but July 19th means I would have only a few hours to whip a review up once I wake up from the concert the night before.

 

That said, I doubt I could afford either plane tickets or the days off. I'll likely sit this competition out because of that, but you weren't lying when you said you had something big up your sleeve! Best of luck to everyone! :D

You couldn't make up one could you? :D To support Coldplaying? And myself :D

Oh I guess this competition is for those who can attend those shows..

And I obviously cant...bummer.

But anyhow good luck to those who are entering! We can surely rock this ;)

Ohhh, so this is what you had under your sleeve :wideeyed:

I'm assuming this is only for people who either live in/near the UK or can afford to get there, right??

Good luck to the ones going for it!!! :dance:

Oh man, I can write fairly well, but not when it's under pressure...I always try too hard :uhoh:. Are they looking for things geared towards the sorts of generic live reviews you would find published in newspapers, or more individual fan experiences? I guess I'm wondering what perspective they want it in: first-person active-voice personal account, or passive-voice, critical review. I think I'd write about the Today Show just because that was more of a unique concert experience that hasn't been as beaten to death by other fan & professional reviews, but I'll think about it :P

:stunned:

 

That means I have less than 5 days to write a killer review. :uhoh:

 

Do we have any more information on how the review should be written? Should it be formatted just like a generic (but good) newspaper article, or can we go crazy and write a really creative short story type thing? I need to start planning! :p

they haven't said, but I'm guessing from what they've written on the website, they're looking for something that you found special, and a good description of why you found it so great.

 

as for anyone outside the uk, as I said at the bottom of the first post, they haven't posted terms & conditions yet. they're adding the entry form for the forum on Monday, so hopefully should have more info then.

Bummer, I haven't been to a show yet and will not untill August the 16th. :\

 

Well, good luck to the everyone on here participating and to Coldplaying.com! :) I'll do what I can to vote.

*If your story is one of Absolute’s 4 weekly winners, you will get tickets for any of the following: Oasis at V Festival, The Killers at V Festival, U2 at Wembley, Coldplay at Wembley, Radiohead at Reading Festival, and Arctic Monkeys at Reading Festival (as far as I understand it, they will specify which tickets are up for grabs each week).

 

 

 

even if I had an awesome story I couldn't go there even with free tickets :lol:

 

good luck everyone and of course some nice coldplayers must win :D

This is so cool :D

 

Not that my story is interesting enough to win! :P

 

 

Good luck Coldplaying.com! We can do it :dance:

I'll submit anyways. I've had a couple amazing Coldplay live stories over the last year. Im one of the few lucky enough to seen them 3 times this tour. I'm working on it now!

I keep reading the title of this thread as "Absolute Radio LOVE Stories" :lol:

 

I'm still undecided as to whether or not I'm going to write something...I can't make it to most of the concerts anyway even if I did win, despite actually being in the right country at the time (shocker there), and I almost feel as though there aren't enough guidelines for me to write something worthwhile. Knowing the way I write, whatever I come up with would be A) too long, B) unoriginal if I were to take the "gig review" road, or C) too personal and fangirly if I were to take the "personal experience" road.

 

Anyway, sorry for blabbing, I'm just trying to work out whether or not I should have a go :P

Even though I am from the West coast, i would Fly out to London for either Coldplay or U2. Surreal.

ohhh man.

I am sooo ON this!

 

Good luck everyone!!!

:) :) :) :)

3,000 word so far. Im talking about all three of my shows.

It is the morning of May 9th, 2008. I awaken at 4 am Pacific Time to be one of the first to download the new Coldplay song “Violet Hill”. It is the song I have been waiting for since late 2007, and was only supposed to hold me over until the new U2 single and album were released. Little did I know that this track and day would be the kick start to the most music filled year of my life. I got to see the biggest band in the world, not once or twice, but three times in one year; once at a newly born music festival in the heart of beautiful British Columbia, and twice in the loudest arena in the world. These are my experiences of seeing Coldplay, three times in one year on the biggest tour they have embarked on to date.

 

May 9th and 10th, 2008 saw the release of two brand new songs off the new Coldplay album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. Those being “Violet Hill” and international super hit “Viva La Vida”. I remember first hearing Violet Hill at 4 am, listening through my headphones to the newly downloaded track, which the world and I both got free. I thought to myself after the first listen “Coldplay are back. It’s hard, edgy. Is that a overdriven guitar and solo I hear? I like the new Coldplay”. I was ready to praise Brian Eno as the greatest musical mind of our generation for yet again recreating bands sound, but not overhauling it that they lose who they were. The next night iTunes release what would then become the most downloaded song in history, and super hit “Viva La Vida”. After hearing that, I knew that this album wouldn’t just hold me over until the then untitled No Line On the Horizon, it was going to win me over.

 

It was in the next few days after those songs were released to the world, the first tour date was announced to the world. Coldplay would headline the newly born Pemberon Festival, in the farms of a small town just outside of Whistler site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Luckily enough I live close enough to be able to go and see what was slowly becoming my new favourite band. I never got the tickets, and thought the prospect of seeing Coldplay had long since passed me.

I waited with these two songs and a few 30-second previews until June 17th, when I finally heard Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. The album blew me away at first listen. The fun happy opener of Life in Technicolor, to the edgey, dark and mysterious 42, they had me hooked. Coldplay were maturing, going down a different path, which I loved. I knew I needed to go to the Pemberton Festival, but still couldn’t get anyone to go with me.

 

Not until four days before the Inaugural festival, was I blessed with free tickets to the Sunday night. It was my opportunity to see Coldplay, a sign that it was meant to be. It was to good to be true. I had to work the day of the concert. I wasn’t going to be able to work and make the hour and a bit drive to see them. I made a deal with my boss, I was to work twenty two hours and spend another 4 in traffic to see Coldplay.

 

When all the pain of work, festival traffic, the dust and poor planning of a new festival finally settled in, “Through the Lights and Veins” played through the festival speakers. I was in fairly satisfactory position to see the boys, not the best though. Yet when the Jon Hopkins instrumental played, (better known as the opening part of instrumental of Life in Techincolor) it all set in. The chills went down my spine as Coldplay took to the stage and 50,000 people began screaming in unison. They quickly got settled in, and played through “Violet Hill”, in which everyone enthusiastically sang the chorus “If you love me wont you let me know!” After the song had ended, Will Champion, smashed his symbols, snare and kick drum to begin the hit and crowd pleasing “In My Place”, Jonny Buckland’s simple, yet striking riff lead to a strong start. It was as the opening notes the lights went upon the 50,000 fans crammed onto a lonesome potato farm, under the dark night sky did the level of this gig set in for everyone, including front man Chris Martin, “Wow! You all stayed?”

 

As Jonny lead the outro of the song with his soaring riff through the open night sky and mountains as the backdrop, perhaps the most amazing live song I’ve ever seen preformed kicked in. More breathtaking and surreal then The Police playing a full concert together again in 23 years, more so then the hometown crowd singing along to Bryan Adams super hit Summer of ’69. The opening notes of Viva La Vida were blasted through the loud speakers. “Ooooooohhhhh ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”, the crowd sang along, each and every person seemingly singing at the top of their lungs to produce the most surreal experience of my life.

 

Coldplay then moved on their stage to play a remixed version of “God Put A Smile Upon Your Face”, which has become a staple of the live shown on this tour. After which playing a song “That seems like Bryan Adams wrote himself”, the opening chords of “Yellow” rang out. Martin then asked “I would lie you all to help me sing this one, the song that is the reason we are here tonight”. We all sang the words to the all but familiar song. “Look up at the stars” never had as much meaning, as Martin was singing that line, I did look up at the stars in the night sky, the millions upon millions of stars, shinning for me?

 

After “Yellow” and new song “Lost!”, the boys made their way out to a stage they had setup about 50 yards from the stage, and 3 yards from me. The boys sang my second favourite Coldplay song, “The Scientist”. Chris was singing to what it seemed like a few people surrounding the stage, getting close to the fans, giving out high fives. After which the drummer with a “voice of an angle” as Chris Martin explained to the fans. Will Champion sang the newly released-side “Death Will Never Conquer”

 

After the song, they thank us for being a “great audience, putting up with the hours upon hours of traffic. For having great patience while dealing with a new festival to see us [Coldplay]” The lights went out, and a techno version of X&Y hit “Talk” are played through the loud speakers. Until finally, we all hear the thrashing opening chords of “Politik”, accompanied with the bright flashing lights, the best Coldplay song is played to perfection. For me, that single song made the entire experience worth it. I could feel the passion of the song from 50 yards away; as Chris’ soaring vocals filled the entire valley and the thousands of fans were jumping along with the heavy song.

 

The second last song of the night then begins, “Lovers In Japan”. The thousands of paper butterflies flew into the night sky, as the band seemed to be playing together like friends of years, they gelled together nearly perfectly. For the last song Chris said “Once again thank you all for coming and staying to see us. We thank you so much. This is our last song, goodbye and goodnight”. He then began to play “Death and All His Friends”. Little did I know when they bowed on stage I would be seeing them do that again in less than a year. This time no more than ten feet away from what would become, a band that changed my life and helped me through some of the hardest days of my life.

 

Over the next 10 months, many things happened in my life. I had previously lost my mother to cancer. I had a fight within myself. Coldplay helped me win that battle, because of them and their music I have prevailed in the fight for myself and my happiness.

 

Over those 10 months, I sat and waited for another show. A proper show in Vancouver, the Festival was an amazing experience. One I can barley put into words. Everything I did, just to see my band play for an hour and a bit, yet to me it was still completely worth every second, every moment it took to get there. I would say penny as well, but the tickets were free. Well I sat there as Coldplay announced a new EP, Prospekts March, and a new North American tour, then again another North American Tour. Still no Canada, let alone Vancouver, I was in agony. Reliving the moments in my head everytime I would listen to a song like “42”, whenever I heard the soaring piano of “Clocks” I would be transported back to that magical night, one that I will never forget.

 

I then logged onto my RSS feed, oh the age we live in, to see that they had announced a Canadian Tour! I looked once then three more times, there was no Vancouver show. At this point I was distraught, and upset. I would once again have to travel either south to Washington state, or east through the Rockies to Alberta. Until they did it! Vancouver appeared in their announcement. They were finally coming back! After the show nearly sold out in presale alone, they added another show for the next night. I got tickets through the Live Nation Presale, but got the shaft, I was stuck way up in the nosebleeds. For the second show, I got fairly good seats, 3o feet and slightly elevated from the boys. I was more excited to see Coldplay! I upgraded my seats when I found better ones, but still not the best.

 

Four solid months of waiting, of anticipation and of pure excitement, all mounted day by day. It went from months, to weeks, to days, to hours. All before I knew it, I was in my seat the first night waiting. Part of what added to the excitement was the fact my third favourite band out of Glasgow, Snow Patrol were opening for the boys. Could it get any better, two of the best bands in the world in one night? From the moment Snow Patrol hit the stage to “If There Is A Rocket, Tie Me To It” to the last note of Coldplay’s “Life In Technicolor ii” the whole night was that of pure enjoyment, happiness and entertainment at its best.

 

Snow Patrol rocked the house with their radio friendly alternative rock songs. They were by far the best opening act I have ever seen. The entire house was in their seats, until Gary Lightbody and snow Patrol rocked everyone onto their feet. “I would like to thank Coldplay for letting us take this stage. This is our second last show with them. It has been amazing, as have their crew!” Coldplay was next! The excitement was boiling over now.

 

I was so excited I sat right still. I was buzzing, ready to explode in an ode to Coldplay screams at any moment. Until once again “Light through the Veins” played and they came on to perform “life in Technicolor” an “Violet Hill” which at the ending of Chris announced to the arena “I hope this is the greatest show we ever put on film!” They were filiming the show, at first I thought I misheard him and shook it off. Yet it was still in the back of my mind, “Holy! I may be able to rewatch, and relive this show again and again for years to come. I can show my kids and say “Daddy was there!””

 

“Clocks” was the next song played. It really showed how confident the band was, until “Viva La Vida”, this song was likely their biggest hit to date. They knocked it out of the park. The lasers of the song that went all through the stadium, the co-ordination of the lights and the amazing musicianship of all four made it an amazing high energy song that got the crowd up on their feet. Once they were up, they never sat back down!

 

Once again right after the closing piano improvation of Chris, Will Champion began to smash the opening of In My Place. The building shook as he lead the band into the arena rock song! In came Jonny with the soaring riff, simple yet mind blowing. Guy Berryman and Chris got up on a ramp on stage left and began some awesome interaction, in which Jonny Buckland then joined in on. The newly formed crowd moved about, Chris down his catwalk into the audience to lead the soaring chorus “Yeeeeeeahhhh” 16,000 fans sang at the top of their lungs to help the band through the chorus. Martin and Buckland then went to another ramp on stage right and proceeded to show their love for each other. Jonny lead the soaring interlude with his riff and Chris hung off of him, dancing around him, smiles about and the crowd going nuts as their seats became front row.

For the song that brought them to Canada and the world, they lead out giant yellow ballons into the audience, for fans to bounce around, play with and have a good old time. When these giant balloons would pop, confetti flew out of them. This made the song “Yellow” even more special.

 

They rocked through, new songs “Glass of Water”, dark and moody “Cemeteries of London” and new found crowd favourite “42”. Chris shows his abilities in “42”, singing and playing a guitar melody, to helping Jonny rock out the middle of the song providing rhythm on an acoustic and then quickly moving back to his piano for a breathtaking, literally outro of the song.

 

“Lights will guide you home”, the crowd helped Coldplay through hit song “Fix You”. From which they went into the happy, summer song of “Strawberry Swing”. “Now my feet won’t touch the ground’ the lynch pin lyric of the song. After this the show gets a lot more interesting for a few luck fans. A stage, complete with light up floor comes up at the end of the stage left ramp. Where they prefome a techno remix version of “God Put A Smile Upon Your Face” and “Talk”. Everyone digs these tracks, and they are dancing along to them. God has truly put a smile upon my face, I still couldn’t believe I was there seeing them again!

 

The band then leaves Chris to his lone piano, a spot light shinning upon him. “I would like to thank you all for coming out tonight and staring in our DVD.” The crowd erupts into a cheer, one that must have cracked the very foundations of the building. He then makes sure everyone knows that William Champion will help him sing the next tune. “The Hardest Part” and classical piano song “Postcards From Far Away”. After which, Chris leans back and mega hit begins.

 

“Viva La Vida” begins, and the place only gets louder at this point. Everyone in the building singing along to the song we all wanted to hear. To see Will strike the Jerusalem Bell, with such fury and might. The passion of the song transferred to everyone in the building, even the lost soul in the back. The crowd only gets louder and louder during the interlude of “ohhhhhh ooooooh”

 

Once again leading into new song “lost!” a crowd pleaser at this point. Then to most people’s surprise, the band walk off the stage into the audience and perform songs on a stage erected in the stands at the back. The acoustic set includes “Green Eyes”, Will Champion singing like an angle once again to “Death Will never conquer” and crowd sing a long “Im a Believer” a cover of the Monkies hit! “Guy, are you a believer?” asks Martin, Berryman replies with a delightful “ohaaooohhh”.

 

“Will, are you in love”, to which the heavily voice replies, “oooooooooohhhhhhhhhh”

 

“Jonny, I know you are shy. But everyone is here to find out the answer to this eternal question. Are you in love?” To which the guitar player deeply replies “ooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh”

 

Coldplay lead the Coldwave and proceed back to the change rooms once again through the audience. Which they come back to perform loud passionate,

 

“Politik”, as a hardcore fan I know this is Chris’ favourite song, and I can see it in the passion of the performance, which I can feel all the way from my seat.

They then go through “Lovers In Japan”, paper confetti to spice it up. Then a soulful “Death and All of His Friends”, after which a sight I had not seen in nearly a year, Guy Berryman, Will Champion, Jonny Buckland and Chris Martin, bowing, center stage to thousands of screaming fans.

 

They then come back, at first Martin to talk to the audience “tonight we are giving you the free album LeftRightLeftRightLeft which retials for $300,000,000. Luckily you all get it for free!” He then looks around stops and looks to the upper bowl, where I was sitting, “Holy ****, you guys are high up. Those are like the suicide seats. We better not play anything sad or depressing, someone might jump.”

They closed the night with “The Scientist” and “Life in Technicolor ii”. I couldn’t believe I had just seen them again. I was buzzing to see them again, luckily the wait wouldn’t be too long, only tomorrow!

 

I do it all over again the next day. My girlfriend and I arrive fairly early and are in our seats close to the floor. We talk to a nice security guard who tells us he had met Martin playing Ping Pong back stage. He explained we were in for a great night, but he didn’t need to tell me. As we were in our seats, out of nowhere comes a friendly British man in a VIVA polo. He gives us a Viva La Vida pick, “only a thousand were made”. I was very excited. I then talk to him, he is Andy the Video manager, in charge of all the video footage they put on the screens. I then ask him about Roadie 42, and Phil Harvey, both of which he seemed very surprised I knew. We then talk if its our first time seeing them. I tell him I have seen them twice. Then tell him my first story of Pemberton. Unfortunately he got dragged away, duty calls, a DVD is in production after all. We sit through the opener Hollowing Bells.

 

After which I turn to my side and I see Andy coming straight for us. That is when I know what is happening, I was about to get upgraded. “For being such amazing fans, I just talked to Chris and he told me to give you these.” He hands me two brand spanking new tickets. Row 4 on the floor, right next to Jonny and Chris’ catwalk. Coldplaying Karama had payed off. I hugged Andy and bid my eternal gratitude. I then made my way to see Snow Patrol and Coldplay from my new, amazing seats.

 

Snow Patrol once again knocked it out of the park, remaining the best opener of all time, getting the crowd truly warm for Coldplay. They played hit after hit. At one point I decided I’d be that guy who screams. “You guys ****ing rock!” Lightbody then turns to me smiles and gives me a thumbs up. I must also mention, Im the only guy wearing a Snow Patrol shirt admits of thousands in Coldplay shirts. The bass player and I trade a lot of looks and thumbs up. At this point I am already in heaven.

 

Nothing could make this night better! I am centimetres from Wayne the break dancing roadie. I am ready for Coldplay and to hear Jon Hopkins play again. When it does happen, I as well as every other soul in the place scream the arrival of the sparkler wielding bands forte to the stage. I am meters from my two biggest musical influences, Jonny Buckland and Chris Martin. “Violet Hill” right through to “In My Place” are a blur of pure ecstasy! Until the point in which Jonny and Guy are within my arms reach, and their interaction during “In My Place” becomes more personal than ever for me.

 

Tonight I am in the middle of the balloon fun during “Yellow” I could feel the envious eyes from a top in the suicide seats. Balloons are popping everywhere, confetti is flying to the arena rock song.

 

Once again they go out and perform the techno remixes. Chris reminds the crowd of the DVD. The crowds is a lot louder, crazier and more enthusiastic then the night before! It’s a true stormer.

 

Not until “Viva La Vida” do I get close to the guys again. When Chris Martin collapsed right in front of my eyes, where he lead the crowd in the ”ohhhhhh oooohhhhhh” The image of my hero, etched into my memory, right infront of me. He looked at me and gave me a thumbs up, and ran back for “Lost!”

 

They once again moved into the back for a quick acoustic set. When they came back and preformed “Politik” I truly realized that the lights that flash with the beat of the song are truly blinding from that close. It is truly a magically moment, meters away from my favourite band, passionately performing, my favorite song. “Lovers In Japan” then begins after “Politik” concludes. This is a song I will never forget, not in my life.

The shower of confetti around me was bliss! As I spun around to recreat the effect of the video! Enjoying the moment, for I knew it was surreal! That is when Chris came back upon the catwalk with his Japanese paper umbrella in hand dancing and twirling it around in the never ending amounts of butterflies. Until he turns to leave, but before doing so walks up to me and gives it right to me, smiles and runs back. A moment I will never forget, even though I am sure he has.

For that moment, I was the happiest I could ever be. That night could not get any better, no way no how. We watched, smiled and sang along to the last four songs. The perfect night was capped off with a setlist from a friendly security guard.

 

For me, I have called June 2008 – June 2009 the year of Coldplay. Not only have they begun to dominate the world music scene. They are dominating the soundtrack of my life. Many people made fun of me for going to two Coldplay shows. Yet I will never change them. If they do release Live 2009 Live at Vancouver, I know I was at both shows. I would never have seen and heard Coldplay live. Never would have met Andy and been so close to the guys that have helped me through the difficult times in my life.

 

The three nights I saw Coldplay, I will never forget. To live the music, to feel it go through you, as it is coming directly from that band, its something magical. You feel transported, when I saw them, nothing in the world mattered except the music, the band and the thousands of others there for the exact same reason of me, the love of the music and Coldplay. Pemberton, wasn’t the best show, yet the two Vancouver shows made up for it. Coldplay put on the best show I have ever seen. I think any band will be hard pressed to ever surpass them.

 

My dad is a hardcore U2 fan, and made fun of me for seeing Coldplay. He said U2 are an amazing live act, he said the best he had ever seen. I replied, “I am seeing Coldplay, at the begging of what will likely be their prime, when they are the best live act on earth. Not once, but twice; three times in one year. I will look back in 20 years and tell my children about how amazing Coldplay was live. How those four guys from Manchester, had forever changed my life. Coldplay are the best live act, go see them, feel them, embrace the music. They are two hours you will never forget, I know I sure wont forget when I saw them in 2008 and 2009. Viva La Coldplay!

That was a really great essay. I think all the Coldplay karma you have had may pay off and you'll be one of the top 4, ha. Just one thing I noticed that you might want to change. At the end you said 'those four guys from Manchester' - none of them are from there!

 

Chris - Exeter

Will - Southampton

Jonny - London / Pantymwyn, Wales

Guy - Kirkcaldy, Scotland / Kent

 

Just wanted to make sure your facts were correct before publication ;)

I'll just say those British Blokes! Thanks for the fix.

 

By the way, you missed an amazing concert in Vancouver!

I'll just say those British Blokes! Thanks for the fix.

 

By the way, you missed an amazing concert in Vancouver!

 

You're welcome ;)

 

I know :cry:

 

Oh well, now I get a double-dose in a week with both Dallas and Houston. I wouldn't be in the PIT in Dallas if I had gone to the Vancouver show, so I guess it's a decent trade off! It was just a dagger in the heart that they recorded the Vancouver shows though! But hey, I'd rather that than no DVD at all, so fingers crossed.

I do honestly think Vancouver will be Live 2009. As awesome as Wembley would be, there isn't enough time to release it for Thanksgiving.

 

Even though Andy did tell me it was for the archives, and there were no cranes. They had a lot of hand held cameras on the floor. So we'll see. It would be a dagger in the heart. I hope you get two great shows!

Even if you can't go to one of the prize concerts, please consider entering and if you win, donate your tickets to your Coldplaying friends! They'll love you forever! ;)