Yahoo! gig goes live

December 1, 2008 11:12 pm

Watch October's NYC performance

 

Good evening. The film of the special show which Coldplay played at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom in October has just gone live on Yahoo!'s site. Click here to watch it, wherever in the world you are.

 

Anchorman

Eugene Harris interview

December 2, 2008 1:13 pm

We called up Coldplay's latest support act

Eugene Harris Jnr and the Juniors are supporting Coldplay on the first half of the UK tour. We called up Eugene after the first night in Sheffield to find out a bit more about his band.

 

 

Hello Eugene. How was the first night of the tour?

It was perfect. I'm here with Pete the tour manager now and we're just reliving it. We were just saying how smooth everything was and how lovely all the Coldplay crew were.

 

Was it busy when you were on?

Maybe I'm bigging ourselves up here but I'd like to think it was 60 percent full. Put it this way I tried counting every single human being in the audience and I couldn't. So I take it there were more than fifty people there.

 

And were they receptive?

Yeah - there was lots of cheering, whooping and hollering, although a lot of it was probably from my mum, who was there.

 

Is this tour a big thing for the Francis family then?

Yeah - eight dates in big places. I think this is probably is the defining point, where instead of your mum going, "Get a real job", she's going,"You must be doing alright because everyone knows Coldplay".

 

How did you come to be doing the tour?

I'd like to think it was done on musical merit and that the guys like what I have done before and the solo project I've moved onto now. Last year when we first started peddling it about using Eugene Francis Junior and the Juniors, with the whole band, the Coldplay lads did come out and watch us. But I also knew the guys in college.

 

How did you meet them?

We were in the same halls of residence in university. And all four of us have tried our best to keep in touch since.

 

Were you at Coldplay's first gig?

Yeah, I was indeed. There was a time were they opened for my band at the time and I opened for them when they were Starfish. But they've seen a lot of musical water pass under the bridge since then. I'd like to think that both camps have got better.

 

Which of them do you know best?

Will was the first person I befriended and Will and I are, to this day, still very close.

 

It must have been quite odd watching your college pals become big rock stars.

Absolutely. But I'm also very proud knowing that good guys sometimes do finish first and it's not necessarily your rock n roll ethos or how much you talk up your game. It's nice to see that the music dictates how people perceive you and what people buy.

 

When did you first realise that they were quite good?

Tobe honest with you, the first time I saw Jonny play guitar with Chris when they were just jamming in a room, it gave me goosebumps. It just made me think of all the wrongs and the rights in the world.

 

Did you ever make music with them?

Not too much. Me and Jonny used to jam and me and Champs used to write songs about 24-hour off-licenses, but that's about as far as it went because I had my thing and they had their's.

 

And you never lost touch with them?

There have been temporary times when I've been away or they've been away but, no, we've always kept in touch.

 

Have they changed much as people?

No. Their dress sense and their hairstyles have got better. But they still live their lives with the same morals and they treat all human beings the same. And I think that's what's carried them so far.

 

For those who haven't heard it, what does your music sound like?

I would call it folk-tronica. Not folk as in the Lindisfarne sense but folk as in honest music, but with a lot of electronica. Someone else has described it as Bob Dylan meets Aphex Twin but I don't think it's as heavy as that.

 

Do you have an album out?

Yes, it was out over the summer and it's called The Golden Beatle. It's like a psychedelic adventure.

 

And you're doing this tour with a band?

Yeah. It's the perfect time to take the full seven-piece out.

 

Have you played venues this big before?

Yeah, but only between the hours of ten at night and seven in the morning in a little world known as Dreamland.

 

Were you quite nervous?

I'm not going to say nervous - it's bad not to be nervous. It was more surreal than anything. The sound was the best we've ever had it and the soundcheck was the longest we'd ever had. But when the house lights come on, you realise you can't focus on the people on the back of the room and it really dawns on you that it is quite a large space. The only way I can describe it is that it's like the difference between bungee jumping and skydiving. If something goes horribly wrong with either, you're going to die in the same way. It's just on different scales. Because you're further from the ground and you're falling through clouds. It's just all a lot more surreal if you're skydiving.

 

Did you watch Coldplay last night?

I did. I watched them with my mother. We had some really good seats.They've got a great show with psychedelic butterflies and lots of movement over three stages. And now they've got a repertoire where they can drag anything they want off the last four albums. And it definitely brings tears to my eyes when I see Will playing the guitar and singing with all his heart.

 

Final question, what's you're favourite Coldplay song?

I knew you were going to ask that, so I've done a bit of research! My favourite song ever is off Parachutes and it's called We Never Change. I've probably cried like a small child to that. Parachutes is my favourite album because it's so honest. On Rush Of Blood, I think my favourite song is Green Eyes. On X&Y it would be The Hardest Part, and on Viva it would without doubt be Lovers In Japan purely because of the emotions, the way certain things make you feel. That song just makes me want to go out and live the greatest day of my life.

 

For more information on Eugene Harris Jnr and the Juniors check out their MySpace page here

That's a great interview. Awwww he calls Will Champs. hehe He sounds like one of us when he talks about the band. :D

That is true.. So, Eugene Harris, welcome to coldplaying :P

I love that they're taking so many bands/artists on the road that they have a connection with...you know?

 

Sleepercar, Eugene, The Hire Wire, Domino State, Albert Hammond...is great to see them doing something for their mates. :D

^Yeah, you're right.

Nice interview, I think. I like his answers especially the last thing about LIJ. I think I'm actually going to put that in my signature, because it kind of descibes the song as I feel about it unable to put it in words. :nice:

 

As you others said; welcome to coldplaying Eugene. :P

"Champs"

 

awww I love that nickname.. too cute. :D

That is such a nice interview :nice:

 

***************************

 

Lost? video competition closes

December 2, 2008 9:37 am

Winner to be announced on Friday

 

Good morning. The Lost? video competition closed at midnight last night (UK time), amid a late flurry of entries from around the world. Once they've all been watched, a shortlist of the best ones will be given to the band. They will then pick the winner, which will be announced on Friday.

 

We hit our "favourites" limit on the official Coldplay YouTube late last night, so you can now check out 650 entries at http://www.youtube.com/coldplaytv and a bunch more at http://www.youtube.com/coldplaytv2.

 

Big thanks to everyone who entered. We've been bowled over by the effort, imagination and time you put into making the videos. So much so that we're glad we don't have to pick the one eventual winner...

 

Anchorman

"Champs"

 

awww I love that nickname.. too cute. :D

 

it is :):)

2ND WEMBLEY SHOW ANNOUNCED

 

Second Wembley show announced

December 3, 2008 12:02 pm

With support from Girls Aloud

Good afternoon. We're pleased to announce that Coldplay have announced a second gig at Wembley Stadium next year, after the first one sold out. The second show takes place on Friday 18th September 2009 and support will come from top popsters Girls Aloud. It goes on sale from 9.30am on Friday December 5th fromwww.gigsandtours.com, www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.ticketline.co.uk.

 

Anchorman

Hmmm Jay-Z or Girls Aloud....:thinking:.

 

Its like its a game to see who will make Coldplay look the best by comparison :P.

Second Tokyo show added

December 3, 2008 3:36 pm

All four Japanese dates on sale now

Good afternoon. We can confirm that Coldplay are playing a second show at the Tokyo Super Arena, on February 11th 2009. Tickets are available for all four Japanese shows from http://www.creativeman.co.jp/. The dates are as follows:

 

Feb 11th - Tokyo, Saitama Super Arena

Feb 12th - Tokyo, Saitama Super Arena

Feb 14th - Osaka, Kobe World Kinen Hall

Feb 15th - Osaka, Kobe World Kinen Hall

 

Anchorman

 

ps - here's an overflow pic from last night's Birmingham blog...

 

I think it's strange the concert in Holland next year still isn't announced, the presale is starting right now.

Really???

 

I don't think i would dare to get a ticket unless the gig is announced on coldplay.com :\

I am trying to get two ticks but the site doesn't work anymore.. Overload..

The presale that's going on, is an exclusive one.. The gig has been confirmed by Mojo concerts..

 

The official pre-sale starts friday 5th of dec. @ 10 AM (GMT + 1)

The site works now :)

yeah, til you need to log in or create a membership.. Then you're put in the waitingroom.. Oooowwhh I'm so damn frustrated!! I NEED THOSE TICKS!!

Hell yeah!! I'll be there, I've got my ticks!! :D:D:D:D

 

WOOOOOOOOOWWWW!!! :D

More Australian shows

December 4, 2008 11:27 am

Three more Oz dates confirmed

Good morning. We're pleased to confirm that Coldplay have announced three more Australian shows, taking the number of gigs on their 2009 Antipodean adventure to 11. The three new ones are at Perth on February 28th, Melbourne on March 5th and Sydney on March 15th. All of the Oz gigs are onsale now from here. Here's the full list of shows...

 

Friday 27th February - Perth, Burswood Dome

Saturday 28th February - Perth, Burswood Dome

Tuesday 3rd March - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena

Wednesday 4th March - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena

Thursday 5th March – Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena

Sunday 8th March - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre

Monday 9th March - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre

Wednesday 11th March - Sydney, Acer Arena

Thursday 12th March - Sydney, Acer Arena

Saturday 14th March - Sydney, Acer Arena

Sunday 15th March – Sydney, Acer Arena

 

Anchorman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coldplay nominated for seven Grammy Awards

December 4, 2008 6:49 am

Nominations aplenty for 51st Grammys

Good morning. We're very pleased to announce that Coldplay have been nominated for seven gongs at the 51st Grammy Awards. They're up for...

 

- Record Of The Year (Viva La Vida)

- Album Of The Year (Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends)

- Song Of The Year (Viva La Vida)

- Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (Viva La Vida)

- Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (Violet Hill)

- Best Rock Song (Violet Hill)

- Best Rock Album (Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends)

 

Happy days.

 

Anchorman

Roadie #42 - Blog #58

December 4, 2008 4:08 pm

#42 on being back in Blighty

 

http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=232

 

I've often said that I never feel as British as when returning from a long stint away. We've been out of the country for so much of the last six months though, that for the first time ever, it actually feels a little odd to be back in Blighty. Without wanting to get all cliched and "life on the road" about it, I have to admit to finding my own country feeling a bit foreign and unfamiliar when we get home his time.

 

It's difficult to put my finger on exactly what gives me this feeling. One thing that I notice myself doing almost constantly when abroad is gazing out of the windows as we travel. Just being in a foreign country makes everything interesting. Everyday things such as bus stops, payphones and letterboxes are all a little different. I often watch folks going about their everyday lives and form a (most likely quite inaccurate) idea of what it would be like to live here (wherever "here" happens to be on that particular day). For the first time ever, I'm looking out of the window at the UK in the same way.

 

Maybe it's the jetlag. Usually, when I'm this disorientated, we've just landed in Tokyo and the whole world seems like a slightly odd dream. Today though, we're at Heathrow, which is a place I've been more times than I care to think about and hence should feel comfortingly familiar. It seems that it's not just me that's feeling confused though. We're all saying our goodbyes and "see you tomorrow"s when Jon Hopkins (Viva collaborator and creator of wonderful audio visual chaos in his capacity as support act) looks quizzically and insists that tomorrow is a day off. He has plans for a day of recovery, phone off, curtains shut. Once we tell him what day it is, he slowly comes to realise that it is indeed the first UK show day tomorrow. No rest for the wicked, indeed....

 

Normally, there would be a week to ten days between touring legs. Someone somewhere has decided though, that it's time to see what we're made of. A lot of folks on the crew flew pretty much straight out of the Phoenix load-out and hit the ground running putting the UK rig together in Sheffield. We haven't really had a good bout of jetlag-twisted working since the promo run right at the start of the tour. Everyone is fried and adrift going into the first show. Communication for the first couple of days is limited mainly to grunts and nods. As I write this in Sheffiled, the clock on the wall says 6pm, but my body insists that it's two in the morning. By the time the first show is over, it'll be well past 6am where my body thinks it is. Coffee, how I love thee...

 

It's hard to tell how the first show back here in the UK went. When I arrive a couple of days later in Birmingham, there is a newspaper review doing the rounds in catering claiming that the band were on form but the crowd were a little disappointing. Who knows, perhaps they were jetlagged too? During the acoustic section of the first Birmingham show, Chris admits to the crowd that after doing 80 shows this year without doing a single proper gig in the UK, he felt a little like an unfaithful lover returning home - not knowing whether his key would still work in the front door. I think it's fair to say that their possessions haven't been thrown out in the street, but it does feel like they're getting a bit of a stern look.

 

It's really hard to tell though, whether it's just a case of cultural differences. The crowd seem to be enjoying themselves plenty, it's just felt a little quiet. Perhaps the whooping and screaming that would have seemed so over-the-top when first arriving in the USA or the bonkers football-style chants that greeted them in France and Italy have all become "the norm" now. The British are famous for being slightly polite and reserved. Perhaps we only come to realise exactly why that is when we've been away long enough to notice the difference?

 

Perhaps the crowds just need a little encouraging to loosen up and join in? It's clearly hitting the band though, - when Chris closes The Scientist (now being played in full down on the main stage) by dropping into a cover of Take That's Back For Good, the line "Whatever you want, just tell me the song and I'll sing it" seems almost a genuine plea. As ever, when there is a challenge, the engine room of the band in the shape of Mr Champion, goes into overdrive. He's not giving in, giving up or putting up. He's giving the kit absolute hell in his complete determination to bring the room to life. If he wasn't already called "Will Champion" you'd really have to suggest a name change...

 

 

 

The joy of three shows in one venue is the fact that there is a glorious day in the middle with no load in and no load out. For the crew, this is utter luxury. Also tonight, we're all staying in the same hotel, so there's chance for a bit of a social. As ever, there is much drinking involved and a late finish. Special note must be made of Mr Dave Favorita, the lighting crew chief, who decided after a hard day at the gig and at the hotel bar, that a long hot bath was in order. It transpires that in his somewhat relaxed state, he woke in the bath to realise that he'd drifted off with the taps still running.

 

Quite how much time had passed is unclear, but it was enough to not only put the bathroom under an inch of water, but also to soak his luggage - which was all the way over on the other side of his hotel room. Dave apparently went to the front desk and calmly asked for a new room as he wasn't happy with the plumbing where he was.

 

In celebration the following day, the wall in catering was adorned with a picture from the newspaper of a man trudging through a flooded Venice waist deep in water, annotated with the words 'Disaster Dave'. It has also been suggested that he now be referred to as Noah. Myself, I think that falling asleep in the bath is very dangerous (and by his own admission, he does it regularly). I have added a snorkel to the runner's shopping list tomorrow which should ensure he stays with us for a long time to come. Safety first....

 

So the day rolls around to showtime and we're a little unsure how it's going to go. The band though, are clearly up for the challenge tonight. Yellow draws to a close and Chris turns his mic for the crowd to sing the ending. He makes it clear that he wants to hear the last line sung to the rafters. "Not loud enough, one more" can be seen as a terrible singer's cliche, but quite simply, it works. by the third time, they're fully alive.

 

It's the kick that everyone needs to start the engine - and they're off. It seems that indeed, what's required is a little encouragement. Tonight then, marks the first show when the culture shock of being home has worn off, - when the band have remembered how to play to a British crowd. Fix You ends with the proper choir of voices and the show goes on to get better and better. We even get the glowstick mobile phones tonight - and when the fellas return for the final encore, the Viva chant is in full force. Chris sits at the piano and joins in, then stops immediately to express his complete shock. "No way, you're perfectly in tune" he says hitting the first chord again just to confirm it. They are too. Simply amazing. Confidence restored and a job well done.

 

With no load-out and one more Birmingham show tomorrow, I decide to walk straight back to the hotel. I get outside and I'm immediately caught up in the huge procession of folks leaving the venue. I can't remember ever having done this before - and it's great. People are walking along the canal bank four deep chatting about how good a show it was and how much they enjoyed it. I have to say, I'm in agreement.

 

Well, that's a very wordy blog, so to make up for it, here's a clip of Life In Technicolor ii closing the second Birmingham show.

 

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Roadie #42

yay! :dance: new blog

 

As ever, when there is a challenge, the engine room of the band in the shape of Mr Champion, goes into overdrive. He's not giving in, giving up or putting up. He's giving the kit absolute hell in his complete determination to bring the room to life. If he wasn't already called "Will Champion" you'd really have to suggest a name change...

 

aww so determined ^^

video :D

Wow great entry! I enjoy seeing how 'human' they all are :) Thanks 42!

I absolutely love this blog entry.I love all the entries but something about this one just sings to me

 

Thank you 42

That video of LITii is AWESOME!! :dance: