The first full fan reviews of Coldplay roadie Matt McGinn's forthcoming book are now available online as Coldplayers begin receiving their copies. The very latest discussion on the book release is at the Coldplay forum now. Here are the most recent reviews...
To say I was excited about reading this book would be an understatement, like any dedicated fan I love discovering little details about the inner workings of the band, whether it’s from an interview, backstage photos, a blog, or in this case a book...and I wasn’t disappointed. Born in South Devon and possessing a love of music to rival his extremely famous bosses, Matt manages to paint an honest and hilarious picture of life with the biggest band in the world, whilst remaining completely respectful to their private lives and desire to remain enigmatic...
‘Roadie’ follows Matt from discovering rock and roll as a kid, through his many years trying to make it in a band, falling into part time roadie work and finally to fully fledged ‘Bunkline Boy’. With the band from the start, he gives us a comprehensive insight into how his role has changed as the band have become more and more successful to the hours and hours of painstaking work and the man (and of course, woman) power that now goes into preparing a venue for the 90 minute show we see today.
There’s tales from the studio too, celebrity encounters, insight into the band personalities, how they work and deal with each other and the sometimes explosive fights that occur when the stress levels are high, all of which is told with complete sincerity, emotion and humour. His recollection of the final Wembley show in September, in particular, really touched me. Though boasting a foreword by the band themselves and photography from Guy, ultimately this is Matt’s story, not Coldplay’s, and that’s no bad thing. You don’t have to be an aspiring roadie or Coldplay fan to enjoy this book. This is a man who loves his job and the people he works with and he has given us an absolutely fascinating understanding of his world. Whilst it may not be as glamorous as you’d imagine, when that alarm goes off at 7am on Monday morning you may just very well find yourself wishing you were waking up on a tour bus...[thanks mimixxx]
My copy finally arrived today and I immediately ran home from the uni post office, got into bed, and read the entire thing in less than three hours. Never have I been more grateful for being a speed-reader as I have exams to get back to tomorrow! I don't think I have time to write such an eloquent review as Mich's (which I wholeheartedly agree with) but let's just say I thought the entire thing was epic and has further cemented my dream to work in live music production (though I always wanted to be more of a Vicki Taylor than a Matt McGinn). As Mich said, if you're looking for a book about the band, this isn't it, but for God's sake read it anyway.
There are great personal stories of the band in there, but this book is really about the life and practice of being a roadie and what the life entails, and Matt tells it thoroughly and with great humor. He's been there through it all, it seems, but he focuses most of his attention on the big arena tours of X&Y and Viva la Vida, and what goes on behind the scenes more than on the front lines, ending with a heartwarming account of the last Wembley gig, which almost made me tear up both because it was a perfect ending and because I was there myself. As a side note, most of the pictures in the three glossy sections were from the New Jersey concert in October 2008 which made me squee because I was at that show in the very front row...and the Today Show...ahh, memories. It was awesome to re-live my experiences of various gigs in contrast to Matt's experiences on the front lines of the crew, as well as hear about their time in the studio recording X&Y and Viva. This is probably the most inarticulate review I've ever posted, but I've only just finished and have yet to really eat or do anything else besides read the book all day (can you tell I need some excitement in my life these days? ).
I'll probably come back later with more formed thoughts as a procrastination to revising for exams! I also can't help but almost explode at the line in the introduction that says the band is working on their own biography. When I read the part about him and other roadies giving out/not giving out picks and setlists, I thought of Pris's "name that roadie" flashcards that she made for our Hartford CT concert in 2008. Matt said one of the only reasons they ignore polite requests for souvenirs is when security are making them hurry up packing away the stage...I guess that happens a lot, because very seldom have I seen them willingly passing out things. Though I made friends with a "vidiot" in NJ in 2008 and he gave me my setlist...I just wish I knew his name! [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]
As a Coldplay fan and an avid reader who'll try most genres, there was always a strong chance I was going to like 'Roadie'. Having said that, I have also read some pretty dreary autobiographies, which had promised to be interesting, so there was a chance I may hate it. I knew from the moment I read the introduction that I was going to enjoy this book, and I wasn't disappointed. After all, a man who quotes one of my favourite scenes from 'Pretty Woman' can't be bad! Its not often a book makes me laugh out loud, but I did on more than one occasion. Matt's telling of a disagreement between Guy & Chris had me chuckling, and I could picture the scene in my head...
Matt briefly fills us in on life before Coldplay & how he came to be a roadie, but he concentrates most of the book to working for Jonny Buckland & with Coldplay. There is plenty of material to keep you going: from the first time at Glastonbury; the transition from smaller venues to stadiums; life as a roadie and plenty more. For those avid fans (stalkers?), there's plenty of roadie name-dropping. With appearances from Dan Green, Bash, Hoppy & 42, and a great story about Jackie's crowd control techniques. There's plenty of inside stories about how the show works from the stage & what the venue looks like when you're the roadie on the stage pre-band. For those of us who are missing the Viva tour, there's plenty to bring the memories rushing back. I loved it and recommend that its one book that no Coldplay library should be without. [thanks Jenjie]
Coldplay blends and fanart (by Jen LondonSkies)
View more photos at Flickr now!
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