I wish I could see them also in Arras

I wish I could see them also in Arras

 

You mean you wish you had been there?

Did you read my review?

 

Here it is, in case anyone's interested:

 

OK. Having read everyone's comments and reviews, here's my take on the event.

First of all, while everyone is obviously entitled to their opinion, you can't truly know what the atmosphere was like unless you were actually there.

I definitely don't think a live stream could have properly reflected what was happening in the throng.

Similarly, if you were lucky enough to have been there (as I was), you can only really give an opinion based on what was going on within your field of vision and hearing.

Based on my position in the crowd (front row, left side facing the stage), the atmosphere was fantastic (I have already alluded to this in another thread).

In fact, I would go as far as to say I have never experienced a better atmosphere at any Coldplay concert I've attended (with the possible exception of Wembley, because of all the T-shirts, glowsticks, mass number of Coldplayers, Jay-Z etc.).

From a purely personal point of view, I would say the atmosphere was better at Arras than at Wembley (including the queuing phase) owing to the spontaneity and unexpected 'happenings'.

I was surrounded by a group of French Coldplayers and ColdplayFrance members, and I thought they were "amazing" (if you were within earshot, you will know why I have used that word ).

During the appallingly dirge-like sets by PJ Harvey (quite possibly my worst-ever live experience) and Portishead, they were particularly entertaining (starting Mexican waves etc. when it was needed most to

keep everyone's spirits up) and I fully appreciated this, as it had already been a long day, and I was in need of a boost.

They also screamed and sang from start to finish of Coldplay's set, and were also handing out balloons and glow bracelets, as well as waving a banner and a union flag.

 

Now to the performances themselves.

 

Overall, I would say that (Coldplay and Elbow apart) the main stage line-up on the day was pretty dreadful.

It appears that Saturday's was way better, with Arcade Fire, Moby, Kaiser Chiefs, The National and White Lies all on the bill.

I now wish I could have been there for that, as I'm sure I would have appreciated all of those acts.

Bruno Mars was entertaining in a cheesy pop kinda way, and Charles Bradley's soul set was at least pleasant, but I thought the first band, Rival Sons were awful (their set even prompted me to shell out on some ear protectors for the remainder of the event), and IMO, neither PJ Harvey nor Portishead belonged on the MAIN stage as their sets were ultra-depressing, dreary to the point of annoyance.

Judging by the reaction of the crowd, this view was shared by the vast majority (I even have photos and video of their reactions if anyone's interested).

IMO, this wasn't a good advert for the festival.

 

Added to this, there were problems with the venue itself. Most people I've spoken to have told me the festival was far better when it was staged in the "main square" of Arras itself. I can totally believe this after my experiences on Sunday.

First of all, the stage ground was covered in horrible grey dust which got down everyone's throats and caused a lot of choking.

It also managed to change the colour of my trainers from black to grey during the course of the event (maybe I should post a photo before I clean them).

Also, even though I have been in front rows countless times in the past, I have never experienced a crush as bad as that. It was virtually impossible to move, let alone get out for some much-needed food or drink!

It definitely wasn't anywhere near that bad when I saw Coldplay at Wembley, Duesseldorf or Cologne.

Arras should definitely have had some kind of "inner circle" with a limit to the numbers who could enter.

 

The other problem I had was with the construction/layout of the big stage itself, which I felt was very poor.

Even in the front row itself, you felt a hundred miles away from the performers, which can't have helped the performers' interaction with the crowd, especially in Coldplay's case, as it was totally dark by the time they came on stage.

Again, even at Wembley, the performers felt like they were much closer, and the view was much better at the front.

At Arras (from the front) it was virtually impossible to see any performers who happened to be at the back of the stage (e.g. in the case of Elbow), and during Coldplay's set, the view was further obscured by poorly positioned cameras, which partially obscured my view of Chris and Will during much of the performance.

Of course you could see them clearly on the big screens, but that defeats the object of seeing them "live" IMO.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure all these factors contributed to Coldplay's "below par" performance, as Chris's movement around the stage appeared to be somewhat hampered, certainly in comparison to the Viva tour.

I feel it is unfair to say his performance "lacked energy", as I'm sure he was trying his best, but it simply wasn't possible for him to leap and bound and truly interact with the crowd.

I therefore have to agree with all those who have stated that Coldplay's performance was somewhat disappointing on this occasion.

Nobody is suggesting they were "bad". I have never seen a "bad" Coldplay performance, and I'm confident I never will, because as someone has already pointed out, even their below-par performances are better than most bands' BEST performances.

I still enjoyed all the songs (in spite of my near zombie-like state), and am glad I got to experience the new songs live.

It's just that for me, the performance came across as rather "routine" and lacked that special something that makes one of their shows memorable (for example, Chris singing "Billie Jean" at Duesseldorf, or "Wonderful World" and the laser pyramid at Glastonbury, or coming up with some humorous banter, as he often does).

I would even go as far to say that, even at the all-seater 02 gigs in 2008, I enjoyed their performances more than at Arras, and that's saying something. At least I could see everything that was going on at the first of those gigs.

I don't think I will bother attending Main Square Festival again, even though I'm glad I went and will treasure countless happy memories of the whole trip, not least the great camaraderie.

Maybe the festival experience itself isn't for me, or maybe it was that festival in particular.

I guess I won't know unless I attend another one in the future.

 

I'll just have to wait and see.

Omg Léa & Raph are so lucky. :dead:

Omg Léa & Raph are so lucky. :dead:

 

I'm very happy for them!:D

Pity there was no way I could see them at Arras. I was completely boxed in.:(

I had two interviews for graphic design school and both of them accepted me. :awesome:

And I'm going to my hometown soon so that's cool.:nice:

What about you?:wacko:

congrats ;) i've been staying at my sister's for a few days, i had a chance to plug my guitar to real big amplifier :D we had good time playing and singing.

yeah, i'm happy to be back too ;)

Yeah I'm really happy for them to! And after Ireland's festival, they (the girls) come back to France or they have other festivals?

congrats ;) i've been staying at my sister's for a few days, i had a chance to plug my guitar to real big amplifier :D we had good time playing and singing.

yeah, i'm happy to be back too ;)

 

Thanks I feel very happy. :awesome:

Nice! Are you going somewhere during summer?

You mean you wish you had been there?

Did you read my review?

 

yeah I'm just wishing I was able to go to another fest

Yeah I'm really happy for them to! And after Ireland's festival, they (the girls) come back to France or they have other festivals?

 

I think it's their final one.

Thanks I feel very happy. :awesome:

Nice! Are you going somewhere during summer?

hm.. i don't know, i don't have plans yet, maybe i'll go to the sea with parents. what about u? :)

I think it's their final one.

 

Okay, thanks.

 

hm.. i don't know, i don't have plans yet, maybe i'll go to the sea with parents. what about u? :)

 

I'll go to my grandma's with my family and there is the beach there so i'll go to the beach also! And I'll see some friends before.:awesome:

Jade and Lily's thread : if you're bored come say "hello" - PART II

 

This is PART II of the 'Jade and Lily's thread : if you're bored come say "hello"' thread

 

PART I - http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70583

This thread is locked in accordance with a recent forum announcement: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77782

 

The Part II of this thread is here: http://coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77894

Hello! :lol:

My thread and Lily's! :nice:

^in a second part

Indeed.

YES.

Omg Anutz. :hug:

Hello again!

Jady :awesome:

Hello.

David: Hey again! :nice:

Anutz: :love:

 

Hi bubbleymonki, i'm Jade nice to meet you! :cheesy:

^ Hi Jade, nice to meet you. How are you?

hey here :cheesy: