[19-May-2014] Royce Hall, Los Angeles, USA

[MosesTheMarshmallow]

LOL YO THAT WAS ME! I haven't watched any of the videos of the performances yet but I might look for myself as that guy jumping up and down. I was absolutely LOSING it when they were doing A Whisper, I don't think too many people understood the significance of that until Chris pointed it out afterwards. I caught on to the F Chord Chris strummed for Don't Panic and I totally knew what they were going to play before anyone else. The people around me were like :dozey: until they found out.

 

I have such an insane story for yesterday. I'm pretty sure its one of those days I can tell my future kids about because of how crazy everything was. In short, I met Phil, Jonny, and Will and got pictures with them! I snuck through the side door of the venue leading to the basement floor, bought a balcony ticket from someone and made my way in. Afterwards I moved by myself from the balcony to the center orchestra's 4th/5th row. I got emotional listening to all of those old songs, man. Til Kingdom Come made my day, I am SO HAPPY they played that. To know I saw them play Don't Panic is so awesome.

 

I go to UCLA and had a midterm review session in Royce during the afternoon. I walked out, got up to the third floor of the building to look back and see all of the roadie trucks and supplies and saw a friend of mine who had a ticket for the show standing in the back. He texted me saying that Chris Martin had just walked by them and inside the venue while giving his daughter a piggy back ride. I joined him a little after.

 

Not too many students or fans were chilling outside in the back except for a few individuals who were just trying to get their albums or instruments signed by the guys.

 

A black BMW pulled up to drop Phil off and we had a conversation with him for some time. He affirmed that they were only doing these few shows for the entire album. This was it. They finish the Ghost Stories tour July 1st with London. I asked if something was in the works for the year after and he alluded to it as if something was in progress, although I forget his verbatim wording.

 

Afterwards two other BMW's came to the back. Will and Jonny were in one and Guy was in the other. When Will and Jonny came out we all gravitated towards them for autographs and pictures while Guy slid through the back to avoid fanfare haha. Classic Guy.

 

I went up to the third floor where some lecture halls are (I've had class on the floor here and there) and heard the boys sound check for some time from outside as well. They were soundchecking Magic, and Paradise while I was up there.

 

My friend knew of an acquaintance that bought two tickets. He sold one prior so that individual would be his plus one. I was trying to purchase the balcony ticket he had for himself. The will call process was very strict so they put the wrist band on his wrist instead of mine and I was told to walk out with nothing for the time being. There was no guarantee that I would even get in at all so I was very anxious and rather sad, again.

 

I sat out on this side door of Royce Hall, being a student here makes it a little helpful to know the building. There were a few girls that tried to flirt their way through to get a guy chilling on the balcony drinking beer to help them in. That guy agreed and opened the door from the inside and I was able to come in, meet the guy on the bottom floor in the bathroom, make the transaction of the wrist band and ticket, and made my way up. Bought merch. Ticket was for the balcony so I went up there for some time. I missed the majority of London Grammar, I caught them on the TV while waiting to buy my t shirt. I noticed the girls that snuck in but didnt have a wrist band or ticket were being escorted out lol, and afterwards they were guarding the side door to make sure others didnt come in. I went up to the balcony and had a seat on the second to last row, center right. I saw my friend down there in the orchestra with a vacant line of seats next to him so I decided to walk down during the intermission shortly before Coldplay went up to see if I could sit there instead. I tried walking through as if I knew where I was going in a rush, just flashed my ticket and didnt let them see it. The ticket lady just asked "oh, you know where your seat is right?" and I was like yep sure um what and just kept going through haha. If I was occupying someone's seat I would have just gone back to my balcony seat. Thankfully and at the same time to my chagrin, no one actually did. I'm disgruntled with Ticketmaster as a service, they did a rough job with this gig. I still noticed a decent amount of vacant seats. It was very disappointing, especially given the fact that I knew of so many friends and fellow students who were crying on the third floor listening to them through the wall, unable to get in. After some time they should have just allowed students to fill vacant seats.

 

Chris started the show emphasizing that "its only us! its only us!" He was thanking us for coming the night of their album release. He emphasized how they were going to play a lot of old songs, and even some they've never played before, perhaps alluding to A Whisper. It threw me off that they just started with Atlas up front, made me know that this setlist was going to be pretty different and special. Til Kingdom Come is one of my favorites of all time, I'm just so happy they played that and Don't Panic; Don't Panic is one of the first tracks I ever heard by them. And A Whisper, such a low key track from AROBTH. Man. I lost it haha.

 

I got a bag full of confetti from A Sky Full of Stars, Ink was good live. Oceans is really good live too. Midnight is much better live, the laser harps were so cool. One of the roadies gave some setlists and I got my hands on one! I snatched a pick from Guy's mic stand. A lady got one of Chris' picks. I kindly asked if she'd be willing to give it to me since I play guitar and he's my favorite musician. Her only explanation in denying was that nothing special was on it, there was no harm in asking I guess. (it was a generic Dunlop pick, I didn't care at all, the sentimental value of that would be priceless for me.)

 

Afterwards I went to the back and only saw Phil as he walked out. He signed my setlist and that summed up one of the best nights of my life. I Ocean's 11'd my way to see my favorite band perform a slew of their old songs in front of 1,800 people in my favorite building on my college campus. My dream of an intimate Coldplay gig came true.

 

Now if only I could jam with Chris one day haha. A guy can dream. :)

 

Wow you are good at life.

[mayrn43]

Wow you are good at life.

I'm curious, is that sarcasm?

[MosesTheMarshmallow]

I'm curious, is that sarcasm?

 

Jaja no not at all. I'm thoroughly impressed by the whole story - a bunch of good luck and smart moves. I can identify a lot because I'm also a university student so I enjoy moments like those though usually for me it just results in free food.

[halup]

LOL YO THAT WAS ME! I haven't watched any of the videos of the performances yet but I might look for myself as that guy jumping up and down. I was absolutely LOSING it when they were doing A Whisper, I don't think too many people understood the significance of that until Chris pointed it out afterwards. I caught on to the F Chord Chris strummed for Don't Panic and I totally knew what they were going to play before anyone else. The people around me were like :dozey: until they found out.

 

I have such an insane story for yesterday. I'm pretty sure its one of those days I can tell my future kids about because of how crazy everything was. In short, I met Phil, Jonny, and Will and got pictures with them! I snuck through the side door of the venue leading to the basement floor, bought a balcony ticket from someone and made my way in. Afterwards I moved by myself from the balcony to the center orchestra's 4th/5th row. I got emotional listening to all of those old songs, man. Til Kingdom Come made my day, I am SO HAPPY they played that. To know I saw them play Don't Panic is so awesome.

 

I go to UCLA and had a midterm review session in Royce during the afternoon. I walked out, got up to the third floor of the building to look back and see all of the roadie trucks and supplies and saw a friend of mine who had a ticket for the show standing in the back. He texted me saying that Chris Martin had just walked by them and inside the venue while giving his daughter a piggy back ride. I joined him a little after.

 

Not too many students or fans were chilling outside in the back except for a few individuals who were just trying to get their albums or instruments signed by the guys.

 

A black BMW pulled up to drop Phil off and we had a conversation with him for some time. He affirmed that they were only doing these few shows for the entire album. This was it. They finish the Ghost Stories tour July 1st with London. I asked if something was in the works for the year after and he alluded to it as if something was in progress, although I forget his verbatim wording.

 

Afterwards two other BMW's came to the back. Will and Jonny were in one and Guy was in the other. When Will and Jonny came out we all gravitated towards them for autographs and pictures while Guy slid through the back to avoid fanfare haha. Classic Guy.

 

I went up to the third floor where some lecture halls are (I've had class on the floor here and there) and heard the boys sound check for some time from outside as well. They were soundchecking Magic, and Paradise while I was up there.

 

My friend knew of an acquaintance that bought two tickets. He sold one prior so that individual would be his plus one. I was trying to purchase the balcony ticket he had for himself. The will call process was very strict so they put the wrist band on his wrist instead of mine and I was told to walk out with nothing for the time being. There was no guarantee that I would even get in at all so I was very anxious and rather sad, again.

 

I sat out on this side door of Royce Hall, being a student here makes it a little helpful to know the building. There were a few girls that tried to flirt their way through to get a guy chilling on the balcony drinking beer to help them in. That guy agreed and opened the door from the inside and I was able to come in, meet the guy on the bottom floor in the bathroom, make the transaction of the wrist band and ticket, and made my way up. Bought merch. Ticket was for the balcony so I went up there for some time. I missed the majority of London Grammar, I caught them on the TV while waiting to buy my t shirt. I noticed the girls that snuck in but didnt have a wrist band or ticket were being escorted out lol, and afterwards they were guarding the side door to make sure others didnt come in. I went up to the balcony and had a seat on the second to last row, center right. I saw my friend down there in the orchestra with a vacant line of seats next to him so I decided to walk down during the intermission shortly before Coldplay went up to see if I could sit there instead. I tried walking through as if I knew where I was going in a rush, just flashed my ticket and didnt let them see it. The ticket lady just asked "oh, you know where your seat is right?" and I was like yep sure um what and just kept going through haha. If I was occupying someone's seat I would have just gone back to my balcony seat. Thankfully and at the same time to my chagrin, no one actually did. I'm disgruntled with Ticketmaster as a service, they did a rough job with this gig. I still noticed a decent amount of vacant seats. It was very disappointing, especially given the fact that I knew of so many friends and fellow students who were crying on the third floor listening to them through the wall, unable to get in. After some time they should have just allowed students to fill vacant seats.

 

Chris started the show emphasizing that "its only us! its only us!" He was thanking us for coming the night of their album release. He emphasized how they were going to play a lot of old songs, and even some they've never played before, perhaps alluding to A Whisper. It threw me off that they just started with Atlas up front, made me know that this setlist was going to be pretty different and special. Til Kingdom Come is one of my favorites of all time, I'm just so happy they played that and Don't Panic; Don't Panic is one of the first tracks I ever heard by them. And A Whisper, such a low key track from AROBTH. Man. I lost it haha.

 

I got a bag full of confetti from A Sky Full of Stars, Ink was good live. Oceans is really good live too. Midnight is much better live, the laser harps were so cool. One of the roadies gave some setlists and I got my hands on one! I snatched a pick from Guy's mic stand. A lady got one of Chris' picks. I kindly asked if she'd be willing to give it to me since I play guitar and he's my favorite musician. Her only explanation in denying was that nothing special was on it, there was no harm in asking I guess. (it was a generic Dunlop pick, I didn't care at all, the sentimental value of that would be priceless for me.)

 

Afterwards I went to the back and only saw Phil as he walked out. He signed my setlist and that summed up one of the best nights of my life. I Ocean's 11'd my way to see my favorite band perform a slew of their old songs in front of 1,800 people in my favorite building on my college campus. My dream of an intimate Coldplay gig came true.

 

Now if only I could jam with Chris one day haha. A guy can dream. :)

 

I met you before the show in the back. I was the guy who asked Phil to confirm if any tour dates were occuring after this mini tour I'm glad to hear you got in and applaud you for your efforts.

[Batman]

LOL YO THAT WAS ME! I haven't watched any of the videos of the performances yet but I might look for myself as that guy jumping up and down. I was absolutely LOSING it when they were doing A Whisper, I don't think too many people understood the significance of that until Chris pointed it out afterwards. I caught on to the F Chord Chris strummed for Don't Panic and I totally knew what they were going to play before anyone else. The people around me were like :dozey: until they found out.

 

I have such an insane story for yesterday. I'm pretty sure its one of those days I can tell my future kids about because of how crazy everything was. In short, I met Phil, Jonny, and Will and got pictures with them! I snuck through the side door of the venue leading to the basement floor, bought a balcony ticket from someone and made my way in. Afterwards I moved by myself from the balcony to the center orchestra's 4th/5th row. I got emotional listening to all of those old songs, man. Til Kingdom Come made my day, I am SO HAPPY they played that. To know I saw them play Don't Panic is so awesome.

 

I go to UCLA and had a midterm review session in Royce during the afternoon. I walked out, got up to the third floor of the building to look back and see all of the roadie trucks and supplies and saw a friend of mine who had a ticket for the show standing in the back. He texted me saying that Chris Martin had just walked by them and inside the venue while giving his daughter a piggy back ride. I joined him a little after.

 

Not too many students or fans were chilling outside in the back except for a few individuals who were just trying to get their albums or instruments signed by the guys.

 

A black BMW pulled up to drop Phil off and we had a conversation with him for some time. He affirmed that they were only doing these few shows for the entire album. This was it. They finish the Ghost Stories tour July 1st with London. I asked if something was in the works for the year after and he alluded to it as if something was in progress, although I forget his verbatim wording.

 

Afterwards two other BMW's came to the back. Will and Jonny were in one and Guy was in the other. When Will and Jonny came out we all gravitated towards them for autographs and pictures while Guy slid through the back to avoid fanfare haha. Classic Guy.

 

I went up to the third floor where some lecture halls are (I've had class on the floor here and there) and heard the boys sound check for some time from outside as well. They were soundchecking Magic, and Paradise while I was up there.

 

My friend knew of an acquaintance that bought two tickets. He sold one prior so that individual would be his plus one. I was trying to purchase the balcony ticket he had for himself. The will call process was very strict so they put the wrist band on his wrist instead of mine and I was told to walk out with nothing for the time being. There was no guarantee that I would even get in at all so I was very anxious and rather sad, again.

 

I sat out on this side door of Royce Hall, being a student here makes it a little helpful to know the building. There were a few girls that tried to flirt their way through to get a guy chilling on the balcony drinking beer to help them in. That guy agreed and opened the door from the inside and I was able to come in, meet the guy on the bottom floor in the bathroom, make the transaction of the wrist band and ticket, and made my way up. Bought merch. Ticket was for the balcony so I went up there for some time. I missed the majority of London Grammar, I caught them on the TV while waiting to buy my t shirt. I noticed the girls that snuck in but didnt have a wrist band or ticket were being escorted out lol, and afterwards they were guarding the side door to make sure others didnt come in. I went up to the balcony and had a seat on the second to last row, center right. I saw my friend down there in the orchestra with a vacant line of seats next to him so I decided to walk down during the intermission shortly before Coldplay went up to see if I could sit there instead. I tried walking through as if I knew where I was going in a rush, just flashed my ticket and didnt let them see it. The ticket lady just asked "oh, you know where your seat is right?" and I was like yep sure um what and just kept going through haha. If I was occupying someone's seat I would have just gone back to my balcony seat. Thankfully and at the same time to my chagrin, no one actually did. I'm disgruntled with Ticketmaster as a service, they did a rough job with this gig. I still noticed a decent amount of vacant seats. It was very disappointing, especially given the fact that I knew of so many friends and fellow students who were crying on the third floor listening to them through the wall, unable to get in. After some time they should have just allowed students to fill vacant seats.

 

Chris started the show emphasizing that "its only us! its only us!" He was thanking us for coming the night of their album release. He emphasized how they were going to play a lot of old songs, and even some they've never played before, perhaps alluding to A Whisper. It threw me off that they just started with Atlas up front, made me know that this setlist was going to be pretty different and special. Til Kingdom Come is one of my favorites of all time, I'm just so happy they played that and Don't Panic; Don't Panic is one of the first tracks I ever heard by them. And A Whisper, such a low key track from AROBTH. Man. I lost it haha.

 

I got a bag full of confetti from A Sky Full of Stars, Ink was good live. Oceans is really good live too. Midnight is much better live, the laser harps were so cool. One of the roadies gave some setlists and I got my hands on one! I snatched a pick from Guy's mic stand. A lady got one of Chris' picks. I kindly asked if she'd be willing to give it to me since I play guitar and he's my favorite musician. Her only explanation in denying was that nothing special was on it, there was no harm in asking I guess. (it was a generic Dunlop pick, I didn't care at all, the sentimental value of that would be priceless for me.)

 

Afterwards I went to the back and only saw Phil as he walked out. He signed my setlist and that summed up one of the best nights of my life. I Ocean's 11'd my way to see my favorite band perform a slew of their old songs in front of 1,800 people in my favorite building on my college campus. My dream of an intimate Coldplay gig came true.

 

Now if only I could jam with Chris one day haha. A guy can dream. :)

That's the most sneaky/007 way to get into a Coldplay I've ever read! HAHA! :lol: That's amazing, I'm still grinning like a fool :laugh3:

Great that you had a good time, although it's such a shame that people LEFT DURING the performance, like WTF!

[gai]

i like this review. seems to be written by someone familiar with coldplay.

[Guest LiquidSky]

Is it just me or does the stars makes/reminds you of Christmas...??

[eleanordc]

No way? I haven't had a chance to pick up the album yet. That's awesome!

 

The album's dedicated to him,right?