Barcelona fan reviews (part 1): Coldplay suffer sound problems at Estadi Olimpic

More fan reviews of Coldplay's concert at the Estadi Olimpic in Barcelona that didn't make the review article yesterday morning, have been posted at the Coldplay Live forum. Most of them feature comments on the sound problems (video) that marred parts of the concerts, as well as voice problems that Chris Martin allegedly suffered. Those who left the stadium last after the show were also left without a LeftRightLeftRightLeft CD because of short supply due to concertgoers taking handfuls. Here are some more of the reviews...

I was very very near to the stage and the boys definitely noticed the sound problems. Chris looked to the side of the stage several times saying "f*ck" during Violet Hill. After that, the gig was great. I don't understand all the critics. I was standing in the front and it was great. I had friends seated on the sides and they said it was great too. There were a lot of cameras recording the show (6 or 7 only in the main stage!). [thanks ITF]

I think problems wasn't in backing tracks. Problems happened when they forced the big loudspeakers baffle (translation of altavoz?) that where hanged to both sides of the stage. That SSCRRREEE was the typical baffle problem when you force it and it doesn't reach the tone. They don't need to be connect to that big baffle sound to listen themselves playing, then they didn't realise what was happening. Sometimes you are paying and you don't listen the same that people is listening, in a s such a big scenario this problem can be bigger, you have to reach to a lot of people. (My father had a electronic components shop, and my husband plays in a little folk music group for fun.) [thanks mygdalom]

BTW, i have to alert everyone that getting the free CDs was a battle! Everybody got a couple or three.. so maybe people who were at first rows in the pit left with no CDs, i don't know... but the delivering was MAD! and there was a bit of disorder, i had tickets for section 123, and since it was the first seating section the view was too side and we couldn't see the screens, so the crew said we could seat in section 120... i wonder what happened with the people that had section 120 tickets..... [thanks strawberryswinger]

I thought Billie Jean was one the very few highlights of the gig. I have been to 6 coldplay concerts now, and this was poor by their standards... the failure of the sound also showed there must have been some sort of communcation problem to the band to let them know the sound fecked up big time... If they knew I am sure they would have stooped... Or they could not halt the backing track. Both excuses are very poor too. I hope the dont make the DVD from Barcelona, it was a poor showing, and I know they will be more up for it at Wembley..Still also cant get over the price they charged to get in... The sound problems were not even reconised by the band until someone told them, they should have played Violet Hill again.... as it ruined the song, and showed them up to have a CD running in the background... ! I still love Coldplay, that love will never go away... Maybe it was the Barcelona crowd, we went with such high expections... as always there was people that went to their very first coldplay concert... and they hmost likey did not sleep for days in anticpation... guys... its gonna take us a while to get over what was a shocking and very piss poor performence... remember I have been a member here for 6 years... and love coldplay and have a very personal debt of gratitude I could never repay... Chris, will, guy, or johnny if you ever read this thread.. please try and understand we also paid a lot of money to go into the gig... we paid up to a 100 euros, it was crazy the ticket tout tickets were actually cheaper... when have you heard this before... take some time out lads.... now your very tired... I would be espically after alll that flying and checking in and out... Come back one day and if Barcelona means that much to you, do a gig at la merce.. PLEASE NEVER AGAIN LET YOUR COMPLENCY, CARRY YOU THOUGH YOUR CONCERTS... in addition please dont think we are ungrateful and sad bunch... neither... when u come back, renturn to basics,,,, Parachutes... play more than yellow please.. [thanks bart]

Hi everyone... This is my first post here, I´am from Barcelona so sorry for my english. Yesterday I went to my first concert of Coldplay and I was really excited. The concert was great, Chris and the guys were great and sadly I can confirm the sound problems. I was near the stage and seated and the sound was really poor. I couldn´t hardly understand what Chris was saying when he was singing or talking. The last time they played in Barcelona, they did it in Palau Sant Jordi, a place maybe smaller but covered but this time it wasn´t and I think maybe that was the problem, but the people responsible of the sound should have known that. The people at the end were a little bit sad, but if Coldplay read this, they should know that Barcelona loves them and that we are very grateful that they chose Barcelona again to play live. We wait for them when they tour again probably with a new CD and in a big stadium as they deserve, but please with bigger loudspeaker lol lol. Believe me I don´t regret every euro that I spent for the ticket. It´s just that I was so so sad for them, because they don´t deserve that. I was so happy that they had chose Barcelona to play live again. I just want to let them know that Barcelona really loves them. We went to the concert so excited ........ I just hope that they come back again.... [thanks silvia75]

I was there last night, in the middle of the stadium floor and I have to say the sound problems were definitely real and long lasting. They sounded like they were playing underwater all night. You could hear the people around you in the crowd talking more loudly than the music from the stage, the speakers stopped working. It started in the middle of Violet Hill and it only seemed to improve a little towards the end. The worst thing is that it seemed like the only reason they didn't stop (yes it was that bad for anyone who wasn't near the front) was that they were filming the gig. They should have stopped and sorted it out. Well they will have a lot of editing to do to get rid of the sound of the whistles and the chants of 'no se oye' (we can't hear). What a shame, we were really looking forward to this gig and it was a real disappointment, as the atmosphere was killed by the fact that everyone was so fed up about the sound. Badalona years ago was ten times better, I wasn't at the San Jordi gig last year so can't compare. And yes, Billy Jean was shit. What was that?! Finally well done to anyone who got hold of one of the free CDs. We didn't see anyone giving them out at the exit we left by, which was one of the main ones. Sorry to moan but it is gutting when you spend €50 and wait for a gig for months and then that happens, and the truth needs to be told because it seems the press all had a great time, they must have been near the stage speakers in the press area. I will of course go and see them again if i get the chance but never again in an outdoor venue. [thanks beastiegirl]

More new pictures of Coldplay at Estadi Olimpic, Barcelona, Spain (4th September 2009):