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[2015-12-03] BBC Radio 1 Special Show at St John’s Hackney Church, London


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The very best was the end of Charlie Brown but that was because everyone joined in with the crouching. Hopefully we'll see it on the iPlayer tomorrow!

 

What happened exactly? Why did Chris ask people to crouch? :) I hope I´ll be able to see it tomorrow, if there is not regional block

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They were brilliant. Was expecting much better than last year's Ghost Stories concert and it exceeded that by much more than I thought. For the 'jumping' songs, everyone joined in and it was great :D Overall, the left side by Jonny were slightly better, a few statues around the right side :p

 

Everything got a brilliant response, apart from HFTW which hasn't gone down popular with everyone but it was it's live debut so once people get used to the live version, it will be better.

 

The very best was the end of Charlie Brown but that was because everyone joined in with the crouching. Hopefully we'll see it on the iPlayer tomorrow!

 

Hi, here is a clip from the balcony of Charlie Brown and the crowd jumping. Incredible night!!

[MEDIA=instagram]-3PC9omKbO[/MEDIA]

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They were brilliant. Was expecting much better than last year's Ghost Stories concert and it exceeded that by much more than I thought. For the 'jumping' songs, everyone joined in and it was great :D Overall, the left side by Jonny were slightly better, a few statues around the right side :p

 

Everything got a brilliant response, apart from HFTW which hasn't gone down popular with everyone but it was it's live debut so once people get used to the live version, it will be better.

 

The very best was the end of Charlie Brown but that was because everyone joined in with the crouching. Hopefully we'll see it on the iPlayer tomorrow!

 

The jumping songs were so so good! I was on the left side and it was crazy all the time, with everyone dancing and singing even on the new songs.

 

Shout out to this guy next to me during the gig, it was his birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY again! And hello to all the nice people during the queue, the French girl who got a miraculous ticket, Vero, Ian and Charley, and this absolute legend guy who flew from India without having a ticket and finally managed to get in. Don't ever give up :)

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Ah yes, that Indian guy! Thought he'd have no hope as he couldn't get tickets at all outside of the venue. Must of somehow got them as everyone was going in. He kept trying to call myself and Mayur (he was over the right side a few rows back) but couldn't understand what he was trying to say :p

 

Video now on the iPlayer : http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p037lx9p/radio-1-live-sessions-coldplay

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Charlie Brown crouching part:

 

<div id="fb-root"></div><script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153777883098624"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153777883098624"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153777883098624">Coldplay - Charlie Brown (Live at Hackney Church)</a><p>Chris making the whole crowd crouch down during 'Charlie Brown' last night!Full Hackney Church (Radio 1) concert video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p037lx9p/radio-1-live-sessions-coldplayMore audio/video links: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/index.php?threads/12-03-2015-st-john-at-hackney-church-london-england.105364/#post-5776359</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/coldplayingHQ/">Coldplaying</a> on Friday, 4 December 2015</blockquote></div></div>

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just as the album reviews are almost all bad, the live reviews are all good!

 

Coldplay, tour review: Rock colossus Chris Martin roars band out of the dark times ahead of new album launch

From the moment they sprinted on stage and tore into their new album’s chant-friendly title track, A Head Full Of Dreams, Coldplay were re-invigorated, says John Aizlewood

 

5/5 *s

 

It's not always straightforward being planet earth’s most popular band. Last year’s Ghost Stories, Coldplay’s fourth successive British and American No 1, was a subdued affair and they refused to tour it. A year on, with their seventh album out today and a world tour including three June nights at Wembley Stadium and the Super Bowl half-time show beckoning, they’ve rediscovered themselves.

 

Attended by a select few including Sophie Dahl, Simon Pegg and Jamie Cullum, last night’s show for Radio 1 was broadcast worldwide. With a spring in their step and a smile on some of their faces, from the moment they sprinted on stage and tore into their new album’s chant-friendly title track, A Head Full Of Dreams, Coldplay were re-invigorated.

 

Leaving nothing to chance, there were lasers, confetti as early as the fifth song and detailed projections that made the church’s walls look like stained glass. The band unfurled a handful of new tracks, most notably Up & Up, the epic rocker they’ve always seemed on the verge of writing, and Hymn For The Weekend, which suggested that funk is not beyond Coldplay before bursting into a thrilling, stentorian coda.

 

coldplay.jpg

Chris Martin was at his best: a bundle of tics and twitches while sat at his piano, he transformed himself into a rock colossus when he prowled the stage. If there were fears that Fix You would lose its reason to exist now he and Gwyneth Paltrow are no more, the crowd carried it home. Better still, Viva La Vida — with drummer Will Champion stage-front thwacking timpani and clanging bells — and the pounding Clocks brought stadium theatricality to the intimacy of a church setting.

 

After the broadcast, there was a mass singalong of Happy Birthday to the band’s US manager “who’s been with us through the good albums and the not so good one” and a festive treat of Christmas Lights, which segued neatly into White Christmas. For Coldplay, the dark times and the tired times are over.

 

evening standard

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Coldplay, St John at Hackney, review: 'a band happy to be happy'

 

4/5 *s

 

Coldplay-large_trans++eo_i_u9APj8RuoebjoAHt0k9u7HhRJvuo-ZLenGRumA.jpg

 

While Adele spent three years struggling to write about the absence of heartbreak in her life, Coldplay have had the opposite problem. The band's last album, 2014's Ghost Stories, was darkly shaded with the bruised fruit of Chris Martin's separation from Gwyneth Paltrow. To gossip gawkers, the maudlin, muted lyrics were hardly confessional, with spectral electronic noodling filling in the void of Martin's inarticulacy. But, for the first time since they became one of the blockbuster headline bands of the Noughties, they played only a handful of small gigs before retreating back to the studio to lick their emotional and musical wounds.

 

The script couldn't be more different for seventh album, A Head Full of Dreams. In a suitably ecclesiastical setting in east London, Coldplay gathered to celebrate their return to happier themes of hope and redemption and a world stadium tour lined-up for next year.

 

This church was the smallest venue they will play in some time but perfectly suited to Martin's trendy vicar character, calling his faithful to rejoice. The pulpit was decorated like the inside of a Thai tuk tuk but their sound was as elemental as ever, pounding up to the pews, filled with family and celebrity admirers like Simon Pegg and Abbey Clancy. Within a minute of opening, the crowd's arms were aloft, crying out in a chorus of "woo hoos".

 

To non-believers, Coldplay's entire back catalogue could be summarised as one long "woo hoo", but to the faithful, it is a communal cry of joy, spiriting up the rowdy excitement of a football match. And it was something to behold the passion and ecstasy their songs bring to their believers.

 

Coldplay1-large_trans++eo_i_u9APj8RuoebjoAHt0k9u7HhRJvuo-ZLenGRumA.jpg

Coldplay performed in east London CREDIT: PA

Most held a camera phone in one hand while the other stabbed the air. At times if felt you could be in one long Apple advert, with Steve Jobs looking down in approval from the heavens.

 

For their reward, the band treated their fans to a set as heavy on the hits as it was on their latest songs. Out of the five new numbers, Hymn for the Weekend and Adventure of a Lifetime reflected the band's embrace of pop and dance beats, absorbing chunky hip-hop beats and disco grooves respectively, while on the former Beyoncé's backing vocals seemed to radiate from the stained glass windows. Unlike other guitar bands, Coldplay's reliance on rhythm and texture rather than melody or groove has allowed them to borrow electronic trends without sounding like they have had a dance makeover.

 

The whole band seems remarkably unchanged nearly 20 years on from their formation, with Martin still in his student uniform of double t-shirt and trainers. His tiggerish enthusiasm for performing is also still irrepressibly intact — all kinetic finger-pointing, leghopping sincerity in counterpoint to the almost shy stiffness of the others.

 

Despite the size of the venue, the band couldn't resist rolling out some impressive lasers and a confetti machine that if they leave behind, will make the church nativity play go off with a bang.

 

Barely speaking for the hour-long set, they returned for an encore that included a round of happy birthday to their manager and an airing for their 2010 Christmas song, Christmas Lights, segued into Bing Crosby's White Christmas, a sentimental end for a band happy to be happy again.

 

the telegraph

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Coldplay perform new album A Head Full of Dreams, review: 'A feeling of optimism and a new beginning'

Expect something between the darker Viva La Vida and the club feel of Mylo Xyloto

 

4/5 *s

Coldplay-Chris.jpg

Coldplay's Chris Martin Getty

Coldplay are something of a British institution: however much you might be inclined to mock them for their perceived lack of cool, they're ingrained into our culture.

 

It’s bizarre to witness them in as intimate a setting as St. John’s Church in Hackney, in the knowledge that their January 2016 slot at Wembley Stadium sold out in minutes and prompted them to add another date.

 

Despite these humble dwellings, frontman Chris Martin is as enthusiastic as ever, if not more: the band seem thrilled to be performing to what is likely one of the smallest crowds they're had in over 15 years. He's said previously that Coldplay's seventh studio album A Head Full of Dreams was “written as a record to be performed live”.

 

It follows on from 2014’s Ghost Stories but ends up diverting down a different path altogether. Unlike the unbearable “Sky Full Of Stars” or affected “Midnight”, the latter of which came across as a Bon Iver parody, the tracks played from this latest offering feel fresh and vibrant – perhaps thanks to Norwegian production duo Stargate, along with regular band collaborator Rik Simpson.

 

What they appear to have achieved is something between the darker, more pensive mood heard on Viva La Vida and the club feel of Mylo Xyloto.

 

The disco tone - anthemic, slightly cheesy - is there in the album’s first single “Adventure of a Lifetime” – the video of which was filmed in Andy Serkis’ Imaginarium studio – and the album’s title track.

 

It's difficult not to think of Martin's split from Gwyneth Paltrow, whose voice can be heard among wafting electronics on A Head Full of Dreams’ “Everglow”.

 

Beyonce’s role on “Hymn For The Weekend” is limited to ad libs and a sparse intro. The song is a let-down on the record - bursting with lyrical clichés that occur when Martin - never a strong lyricist to begin with – becomes too self-indulgent (see: “Life is a drink/And love is a drug/Got me feeling drunk and high”).

 

The pair don’t have the same chemistry heard on Mylo Xyloto’s “Princess of China”, where Rihanna’s cool distance worked perfectly with Martin’s earnestness; the result on Head Full Of Dreams falls a little short of the latter's ambitions.

 

But live this a different story, and it all becomes immensely clear as to why the band have such a formidable following.

 

The set is interspersed with crowd favourites; ”Paradise“ from 2011's Mylo Xyloto runs in to Ghost Stories' redeemer ”Magic” while ”Fix You“ is followed by ”Viva La Vida“.

 

Bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion and guitarist Jonny Buckland all put as much effort into their parts as they would for an arena but are far less mobile on stage, balancing out their frontman's overexhuberant mannerisms.

 

Martin is clearly looking to the future, he sings about the “change in the winds” and there's a general feeling of optimism tonight, of a new beginning, as though he can't wait to get started. Considering rumours that this may be the last outing for Coldplay for some time, it seems wise to appreciate what we've got.

 

the independent

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Coldplay take fans to church as they dazzle in Hackney show

5 / 5 stars

 

Coldplay in Hackney

Taking to the stage for an exclusive BBC Radio 1 gig, Chris Martin and co reduce fans to tears with a moving performance.

By HANNAH BRITTS

Coldplay-624205.jpgPH

 

Coldplay show at Hackney

Having recently sold out a three night run at Wembley Stadium, a small church in East London seems an unlikely venue for one of the biggest bands in the world. Yet last night saw a very special performance from Coldplay at St-John-at-Hackney Church.

 

With a capacity of just 1400, tickets for the one-off show were snapped up in seconds. Moments later, many were being touted online for thousands of pounds.

 

Yet for those lucky enough to have bagged a ticket, it was a night to remember. Perhaps not quite up there with the birth of a first child. But for the superfans queuing since the early hours to get in, it can’t have been far off.

 

Coldplay-405701.jpgPH

 

The 1400 tickets were snapped up in seconds

 

During the hour-long set, in celebration of its release, Coldplay treated fans to tracks from their new album A Head Full of Dreams, with some old classics thrown in too.

 

It's been a long time since we've done a show like this

 

Chris Martin

 

"It's been a long time since we've done a show like this," said frontman Chris Martin, addressing the crowd as the band took to the stage.

 

With a floral set reminiscent of the Healing Fields at Glastonbury, Coldplay worked their way though Clocks, Paradise and Magic.

 

Watching from the VIP area were Abbey Clancy, Peter Crouch and Simon Pegg, as well as Radio 1 favourites Annie Mc, Greg James and Edith Bowman.

 

Also in attendance was Chris Martin's new flame, actress Annabelle Wallis. Dancing and singing her heart out through the show, she looked every inch the doting girlfriend.

 

Momentarily turning St John’s into a club with the not-very-Coldplay-sounding Hymn For The Weekend, the band’s new collaboration with pop megastar Beyonce was a particular crowd favourite. Adventure Of A Lifetime, the band’s latest single, was also spectacular.

 

Coldplay-405702.jpgPH

 

A floral set reminiscent of the Healing Fields at Glastonbury

It was a nice touch when, during A Sky Full Of Stars, confetti canons filled the church with thousands of white paper stars and, despite the cramped space, during Charlie Brown Chris got the crowd to crouch on the floor before leaping in the air.

 

But predictably, it was classic Coldplay that received the biggest cheers of the night. As the anthemic Fix You resounded around the church, it would have taken a hard heart not to be moved. As the stage lighting mingled with the moonlight streaming in through the stained-glass windows, I watched as tears ran down the face of a man below me.

 

Coldplay-405703.jpgPH

 

Watching from the VIP area were Abbey Clancy, Peter Crouch and Simon Pegg

“We are so grateful for the job you've given us and the life you've given us," Chris told the crowd as the set drew to a close.

 

Ending all too soon on the pretty Christmas Lights, Coldplay took a much-earned bow as they left the stage. The crowd dispersed, pre-ordering the album as they headed towards the tube.

 

Next stop, Wembley. I’ll see you at the front.

 

expresshttp://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/624205/Coldplay-fans-church-review-Hackney-show

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The jumping songs were so so good! I was on the left side and it was crazy all the time, with everyone dancing and singing even on the new songs.

 

Shout out to this guy next to me during the gig, it was his birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY again! And hello to all the nice people during the queue, the French girl who got a miraculous ticket, Vero, Ian and Charley, and this absolute legend guy who flew from India without having a ticket and finally managed to get in. Don't ever give up :)

 

Hey it's me! And how stupid of me not to have told Chris it was my birthday, even though I saw him TWICE!!!

 

Who are you btw? Were you 1st in the queue or just behind?

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Ah yes, that Indian guy! Thought he'd have no hope as he couldn't get tickets at all outside of the venue. Must of somehow got them as everyone was going in. He kept trying to call myself and Mayur (he was over the right side a few rows back) but couldn't understand what he was trying to say :p

 

Video now on the iPlayer : http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p037lx9p/radio-1-live-sessions-coldplay

 

Sparky, it turns out both people who wanted to get in actually got in. Where there's a will, there's a way!

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