Coldplay pretending to play in some songs live

[Coldplayer11]

I'm not mistaken when I say that Guy is definitely playing the bass drum in LOST! without it being monitored. I say this because he'll be "playing" it but it doesn't follow the rhythm of the song and when he stops to adjust to his bass guitar, the speaker is still performing his part. this doesn't bother as much as when they perform Viva La Vida live.

 

Whenever Chris or Jonny go off to play the little keyboard, their hand movements do not line up with what the song is outputing. they're just playing whatever on the keyboard cause if you actually follow what they are playing, it would sound totally different. also when will hits the jerusalem bell, i don't think it really goes through the monitor instead the playback track takes care of it.

 

So my question is, am I right? or am I missing something. Are they really playing but somehow there's some delay going on? Im not bashing them, I just want to make sure im not crazy. I know that hey have some complex songs where they really cant' play every instrument and I just wanted to make sure

[purplemonkeyz232]

I'm thinking there may be some sort of delay. I know that on some songs, there is definitely some playback. Remember White Shadows during the X&Y tour? Or the beginning of ETIAW? (Also, the second "para" in paradise.) There's no way those sounds can be replicated with live instruments. Other than that, I think the band play everything else live.... :)

[Forty Two]

Yeah, you are ABSOLUTELY right. I've noticed the same thing and it kinda made me feel like shit. But as a musician, I can tell you that you kinda feel lame when you're just standing on stage and not doing anything.

 

Jonny is an awkward guy, so he can't just stand around during songs which is why he goes to the small keyboard.

 

But I think they fake play instruments just make the band seem more engaging. I mean, most people won't realize that they're fake playing the instruments.

 

I've seen videos in which you could tell that Will isn't really playing the bell during the chorus of Viva La Vida.

 

Other than that, I also feel like Chris doesn't really play the post chorus of Viva La Vida on that small keyboard, Will doesn't really play the xylophone during Mylo Xyloto and the list goes on.

 

But here's the deal. Coldplay is the best live act in the world in my opinion, hands down and that's because every aspect of their performances is perfect. They use a backtrack on almost all of their songs to make them sound as close as they can to the studio version of their respective song. Perhaps that's because years back, Michael Stipe told Chris to play Coldplay's songs the way they're recorded because that's what people are coming to see them for (which was good advice in my opinion). But almost all of the synth parts in their songs are backtracks, because if you think about it, there's only so much the boys can play on stage.

 

SO ALL IN ALL, and I'm sorry for rambling: I think that it's okay for Coldplay to use backtracks and fake play instruments because if they didn't then their performances wouldn't be as great as they are.

[Coldplayer11]

Yeah, you are ABSOLUTELY right. I've noticed the same thing and it kinda made me feel like shit. But as a musician, I can tell you that you kinda feel lame when you're just standing on stage and not doing anything.

 

Jonny is an awkward guy, so he can't just stand around during songs which is why he goes to the small keyboard.

 

But I think they fake play instruments just make the band seem more engaging. I mean, most people won't realize that they're fake playing the instruments.

 

I've seen videos in which you could tell that Will isn't really playing the bell during the chorus of Viva La Vida.

 

Other than that, I also feel like Chris doesn't really play the post chorus of Viva La Vida on that small keyboard, Will doesn't really play the xylophone during Mylo Xyloto and the list goes on.

 

But here's the deal. Coldplay is the best live act in the world in my opinion, hands down and that's because every aspect of their performances is perfect. They use a backtrack on almost all of their songs to make them sound as close as they can to the studio version of their respective song. Perhaps that's because years back, Michael Stipe told Chris to play Coldplay's songs the way they're recorded because that's what people are coming to see them for (which was good advice in my opinion). But almost all of the synth parts in their songs are backtracks, because if you think about it, there's only so much the boys can play on stage.

 

SO ALL IN ALL, and I'm sorry for rambling: I think that it's okay for Coldplay to use backtracks and fake play instruments because if they didn't then their performances wouldn't be as great as they are.

 

Thanks for your input!

[zzz]

There are a few threads about this:

 

http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89151

 

There is another one about the bell and some video's about how it works, but I can't seem to find it atm. It basically concludes Will does play the bell, it just triggers a sound when he hits it (like playing a keyboard).

[42JTR]

Yeah, you are ABSOLUTELY right. I've noticed the same thing and it kinda made me feel like shit. But as a musician, I can tell you that you kinda feel lame when you're just standing on stage and not doing anything.

 

Jonny is an awkward guy, so he can't just stand around during songs which is why he goes to the small keyboard.

 

But I think they fake play instruments just make the band seem more engaging. I mean, most people won't realize that they're fake playing the instruments.

 

I've seen videos in which you could tell that Will isn't really playing the bell during the chorus of Viva La Vida.

 

Other than that, I also feel like Chris doesn't really play the post chorus of Viva La Vida on that small keyboard, Will doesn't really play the xylophone during Mylo Xyloto and the list goes on.

 

But here's the deal. Coldplay is the best live act in the world in my opinion, hands down and that's because every aspect of their performances is perfect. They use a backtrack on almost all of their songs to make them sound as close as they can to the studio version of their respective song. Perhaps that's because years back, Michael Stipe told Chris to play Coldplay's songs the way they're recorded because that's what people are coming to see them for (which was good advice in my opinion). But almost all of the synth parts in their songs are backtracks, because if you think about it, there's only so much the boys can play on stage.

 

SO ALL IN ALL, and I'm sorry for rambling: I think that it's okay for Coldplay to use backtracks and fake play instruments because if they didn't then their performances wouldn't be as great as they are.

 

I totally agree with you there's just 4 people and they can't all play every instrument at the same time, but if you listen carefully Chris and Jonny do really play on VLV although the recorded sound is much louder. As for the bells I think sometimes it is recorded and sometimes it isn't I remember watching a video on youtube where Will lost one of his drumsticks during VLV and the bell just continues:P Also I think Guy's drums on Lost! are all recorded(he probably does play them). And the beginning of ETIAW Guy also plays a bit but it's so difficult to hear, he play's the lower tones.

 

The only thing I can't really understand is the fake sing alongs(mostly Guy) during Lost!, Violet Hill, Paradise(the wooohoo's) Charlie Brown (all the boys), VLV. It just seems Guy thinks, ''ooh these people won't hear me so I will just fake a little''. On the other hand Jonny does look like he's really singing(although some of it is playback of course). And for example, back in 2003 you can hear Jonny singing very loud on Politik, and now it's like he doesn't sing at all, why would that be?

 

The last thing I'm wondering about, just like most other bands do, couldn't they just hire 2-3 people who play the additional instruments? Davide Rossi for Violin during sooo many songs, and an additional percussionist, vocalist for those Para's and guitarist/pianist?

[Cleggy]

I've been noticing this since the Twisted Logic tour but I didn't really mind back then because it seemed to be only the synths and sound effects that weren't live and while the sounds were playing the band didn't attempt to disguise the fact that they were playing through a backing track.

 

However since the Viva tour they've been overusing the ability to play portions of the song through the use of a backing track and have been 'pretending' to play the drums and synths which annoys me, especially when it's extremely obvious that they're miming. Notable instances of this are Guy pretending to sing, the bell in Viva, the drum being played out of time in Lost even though it can be heard in time, the fake keyboard playing in Viva and the 2nd 'para' even though nobody is singing.

 

If the band just came out and admitted that some of the instruments that they are 'playing' aren't being played at all then I'd be okay with that but the fact that they pretend to play portions of the song without telling anyone really makes me lose respect for the band. I seriously doubt that Coldplay would have won all those 'band act in the world' awards if everybody knew that they mimed on stage.

 

We could try asking the Oracle about this but I very much doubt we'll get an answer and if we did I would question it's reliability. She is after all another cog in Coldplay PR machine.

[Dannyrobertsonviva]

People like you that moan piss me off, I know how it works! (yes I KNOW) for example viva la vida- The keyboards are midi controllers which for viva in question make the sound of a tack piano, yes just like lovers in japan! They all have in ear monitors which out put a click track counting them into the song and keeping them in line with backing, viva has string backing which Jon plays the same riff over it but with a tack piano sound. The keyboard does not activate the playback, Miller (R42) presses play on the playback unit (only for viva, Will presses it on other songs) as for the bell! it is a real bell but the sound is from a trigger, the bell has a sensor taped to it which triggers a virtual bell sound (virtual because the only sound to replicate the studio version is sampled) so the bell is like a keyboard really - Coldplay play most of what you hear but things like strings are playback and guess what many many many bands use it. SO shut up -_- I have had enough with people that don't understand say they mime. any questions about any songs please ask and I will say how they are played live

[Odvan]

Now I understand why I don't give a shit about Viva.

 

But who really cares?

[Nikola]

Here's a thread I started. It answered many of my questions...

 

http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90828

[myloxyloto:)]

I'm thinking there may be some sort of delay. I know that on some songs, there is definitely some playback. Remember White Shadows during the X&Y tour? Or the beginning of ETIAW? (Also, the second "para" in paradise.) There's no way those sounds can be replicated with live instruments. Other than that, I think the band play everything else live.... :)

 

I noticed in Paradise, the 2nd "para" comes in before the first finishes. And just so I'm clear on this, we're saying they're backtracking not lip singing, right?

[Keddie]

I don't know specifically what the band does and dosen't play live, but it should in no way disappoint you that they cannot always play every instrument or every aspect of each song live on their own. Their music has slowly grown in complexity and it's simply not possible for them to be handling that many controls at once. It doesn't make them any less talented.

[coldplaykb]

I think the bell triggers a sound. In this video you here the roadie hit it at :17 seconds in.

 

Then Will hits it at :57 seconds in and again at 1:05.

 

And finally Jonny plays the keyboard at 1:07.

 

I think some things are backtracks, depending on the song, but I think they actually play most things, it just sounds different when played live. But you can't expect them to play every instrument. ;)

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3FwPYMHSF0]BNN Presents Coldplay (part 3) - YouTube[/ame]

[SupermassiveCPnerd]

Or we COULD just enjoy the performance... :P

[Mrk]

I still wonder why this discussion keeps popping up

[Mrk]

Anyway, I still think that they should bring Davide Rossi with them on tour :nod:

[JillyBlue]

and the 2nd 'para' even though nobody is singing.

 

I'm not as astute about the music technology as many who have responded, but I must say that in every performance of "Paradise" that I've seen (and I've seen three of them live), Will has been singing the 2nd "Para" bit. I watched him do it.

[LoryABjerre]

I don't know specifically what the band does and dosen't play live, but it should in no way disappoint you that they cannot always play every instrument or every aspect of each song live on their own. Their music has slowly grown in complexity and it's simply not possible for them to be handling that many controls at once. It doesn't make them any less talented.

not worry. they will not get started the guitars

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AFbbMRdnfM]Coldplay God Put A Smile Upon Your Face Live Music Midtown Festival Atlanta GA September 24 2011 - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp1IDJmnfqc&feature=related]Coldplay - God Put a Smile Upon Your Face (Live @ Pinkpop 2011) - YouTube[/ame]

[Comicforce]

Or we COULD just enjoy the performance... :P

 

:nod: :nod: and I agree with Jillyblue, above, Will sings the second para... :D

[fakfak]

You do realize that youtube videos are not the best source to determine such things, right?

 

Most of the videos on youtube have at least a small degree of seperation between the video and the audio, it's very rare the elements are perfectly synched. Additionally many uploaders combine the best video available with the best audio elements which may not be original to the video.

 

The bell is real, though the sound it produces is a midi process effect., as are the small keyboards which are likewise midi. Coldplay does make significant use of looping live, but it's for obvious elements like strings, synth, and many of the unusual ethnic instruments used in the songs from VLVODAAHF Their "main" instrumentation (guitar, bass drums) is always live. If you've ever seen them play live, it's pretty clear they don't care if people know there's a looped track playing (perhaps best seen during performances of Lit), so I don't see why they'd feel compelled to hide it during other songs.

[OfficialMuffin]

Ok heres what I figured out. In their performance at the BBC in 2008: [video=youtube;dyE3lbUpHW0]

at about 12:50 you can see Chris tapping at the keyboard to test it and you can hear it make a sound. After watching them play viva la vida at glastonbury 2011 you can hear that same keyboard sound along with the sting sound from the original song. What I now know is that Jonny is playing along to a backing track on the keyboard and then later he stops playing along to play his guitar towards the end. when Chris goes off the play the keyboard he is just playing a few fills while he is not singing. When they played it in 2014 he used the piano for the same fills. But apart from that most of the string parts are backing track. It doesn't really bother me because there is often a little TV with a video of them playing the cellos violins etc near the keyboards when they play.

 

Either way Coldplay have always been brilliant live so it doesn't bother me that they use backing tracks to make their songs sound as accurate to the recording as possible.

[Jonny and the cake]

it bothers me when they can actually play the instrument, like it doesnt bother me if the strings in square one are backing track cause jonny is busy playing guitar, so does guy with bass, will with the drums and chris with the piano, so unless one of the guys grows another pair of arms its impossible to play the strings live

but with a song ASFOS they have a backing track of an acoustic guitar, that chris, without any problem whatsoever, could play live but noooooo he's to busy jumping around like a rabbit. that gets on my nerves and makes me angry

[CP-EST]

Yes... it's pretty awkward how much backing tracks they use and when they fake playing keyboards. People can argue that they do this and they do that, but the fact is that they do very much miming and playing with backing tracks on stage and they do it well. There are even parts where you could think they are definately playing live, but there is backing track playing. Anyway, we should accept that they have gone this way. Most of the songs after X&Y are all about giving a performance and not actually concentrating on playing the songs purely live. That's what Coldplay is now... a pop/rock act, which is relying more on giving perfromances full of effects than playing songs live. There are a lot of different bands out there if you want to see and hear the band playing amazingly 100% of the music live, but just right now Coldplay is not one of them.

[Tarkovsky2]

And what about midnight? It's fucking ridiculous, that's the worst example of what you are talking about in my opinion.

[ARoBttH14]

And what about midnight? It's fucking ridiculous, that's the worst example of what you are talking about in my opinion.

 

I know what you mean. The only part live in midnight is the drum beat, the piano chords and half of Chris' singing. I remember in the RAH, he came in a bit late on the last chorus and you could hear a bit of the vocoder, he only sings the falsetto parts.

There's that stuff about the laser harp but I'm not sure..