There was one thing which prevented me from going to more than one VLV show and that is, judging from reviews, the setlists are quite identical to one another. There's the odd change here or there but 90% of the songs and running order seems to be in tact. I'm guessing this is for technical reasons such as staging and lighting? I'd love to see them just do a new list each night, it just makes the surprise more thrilling.

 

If I had to think of something that frustrates me with Coldplay, it would be that just as it would be any other act.

They don't change the setlist often because of lighting for the songs. I have to say that the fact that they don't change it up shouldn't stop you from going. They always give it everything they have. I promse if you go, you won't be disappointed. Also, don't check the setlist beforehand and perhaps you will be surprised.

There's certainly no question of them not giving their best. It's just kind of like watching the same thing twice though. As bigger fan I am of him, Sting does this a lot too but what is really frustrating is that when he shares an anecdote with the audience, not only is it the same but he actually uses the same words, phrases and sentences, almost like a script.

 

I got the symphonicities album and blu-ray before going to the concert and I was a little shocked when he started telling precisely the same story relating to the inspiration for Why Should I Cry For You. I m ean, exactly the same tone, choice of words, everything. An excellent concert, my favourite in fact, but if I had paid for two shows, not only would I have owned a copy at home, I would have paid to see it live twice again.

'staging and lighting' is no excuse. Radiohead had an elaborate light show on the In Rainbows tour and still played a different set every night.

Bruce, whom Coldplay admire greatly, even calls audibles during his concerts, so not even the band knows what they're going to play next sometimes! Most of you are too young to remember, but back in the 80s, it wasn't uncommon for Bruce to play a 3-4 hour set.

'staging and lighting' is no excuse. Radiohead had an elaborate light show on the In Rainbows tour and still played a different set every night.

 

Once I asked to the oracle about it and she said it was because of the lighting. For me it's a bad excuse but who knows

It's so they only have to remember the words and how to play those 15 or so songs :P