When established rock groups tour in support of a new album, they typically give their fans a fairly brief taste of their fresh tracks, maybe four or five songs. Not Coldplay, writes Miami.com today, in the first review of last night's Coldplay show at the American Airlines Arena (29 June). Catch up on more on the latest tweets, pictures, videos from the shows at the Coldplay Live forum now. Read on for the rest of their review article (and others as we get them, too...)
The Grammy-winning British band – led by the lovably manic Chris Martin – dazzled a sold-out AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami on Friday night as part of its “Mylo Zyloto” tour by performing all but two of the album’s 11 songs. And why not? The new material from the group’s fifth album uniformly stands up to Coldplay favorites, especially live. The fist-pumping anthems “Charlie Brown,” “Princess of China” (with vocals by Rihanna mixed in on the video screens), “Paradise” and the closing “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall” are instant classics, sure to be a part of Coldplay shows for years to come, and all whipped the adoring crowd into a frenzy...
But as well-received as the recent songs were, the older ones provided most of the emotional spark. The heart-wrenching piano ballad “The Scientist” had everyone howling along to the chorus’ lyric “Nobody said it was easy”; Martin performed a tender version of “Warning Sign” on a piano that rose from the end of the runway in the middle of the arena floor; the bracing “Viva la Vida” was as compelling as ever, with its ending “Oh-oh-OH-oh-ohhhh-oh” chant that’s reminiscent of happy football hooligans celebrating a victory over a pint; and the gripping “Fix You” showed Martin at his best, with his falsetto strong and pure at the beginning, and his stage-roaming showmanship on full display at its cathartic end.
Other highlights included the riveting “Clocks,” with Martin flailing dangerously on his piano seat, and “Yellow” and “God Put a Smile Upon Your Face” rearranged to open in mellow fashion before exploding into their full glory. As the band strives to involve the entire crowd, Martin appeared in an aisle toward the back of the arena with an acoustic guitar to sing the swaying new ballad “Us Against the World,” and then the rest of the band surfaced – with a piano, even – to bang out a low-key version of “Speed of Sound.” On his way back to the main stage, Martin ran up into the crowd to lay a big kiss on his wife, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who proceeded to blush furiously.
More clever gimmicks also helped amp up the party atmosphere. Each concertgoer upon entry was given a colored wristband, which lighted up automatically during the racing opener, “Hurts Like Heaven,” creating a sea of red, green, pink and white lights throughout the packed arena (even extending behind the stage). The effect was exhilarating, as was the massive confetti blast during “In My Place” and the huge, paint-splattered balloons that dropped like beach balls during “Lovers In Japan.” But all the hoo-hah actually served to enhance rather than distract from the musical performances – this evening felt like a celebration from start to finish.
And that vibe comes mainly from Martin. There isn’t a more dynamic, energetic, charismatic – and ridiculously talented – front man today. He rocks the piano, strums a mean acoustic guitar, sprints around the stage, charms the crowd (he congratulated the Miami Heat for its NBA championship, and promised to try and live up to that standard on this night), sings like no one else can (both his falsetto and low range are surprisingly resonant) and leaves everything he’s got on the floor, literally collapsing in a sweaty pile. So for all you Coldplay haters out there (it’s apparently become hip to diss the band – I guess it’s like hating the Heat for being so talented), it’s pretty obvious you’ve never seen them live. Pity.
New photos of Coldplay performing at the American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL (29th June 2012):
Photos courtesy of Sun Sentinel (click for more!)
Thumb by drgordis @ Flickr
Don't forget to check out your tour discussion thread if you are getting Coldplay tickets or just getting excited for the European & North American 2012 shows and other forthcoming appearances:
FEBRUARY 2012
8 Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia (iHeartRadio) [discussion]
9 Los Angeles, CA @ Jimmy Kimmel Live [discussion]
10 Los Angeles, CA @ GRAMMY Week MusiCares Person of the Year tribute [discussion]
12 Los Angeles, CA @ 54th Grammy Awards, Staples Center [discussion]
16 Sydney, Australia @ 2DayFM, Mobile Live Set (intimate show) [discussion] [CANCELLED]
17 Sydney, Australia @ Sunrise (intimate show) [discussion] [CANCELLED]
21 London @ Brit Awards 2012, O2 Arena [discussion]
MARCH 2012
2 New York, NY @ Good Morning America [discussion]
4 New York, NY @ The Secret Policeman's Ball, Radio City Music Hall (Amnesty International) [discussion]
APRIL 2012
17 Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place [discussion]
18 Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome [discussion]
20 Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena [discussion]
21 Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena [discussion]
24 Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Arena [discussion]
25 Seattle, WA @ KeyArena [discussion]
27 San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion At San Jose [discussion]
28 San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion At San Jose [discussion]
MAY 2012
1 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl [discussion]
2 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl [discussion]
3 Los Angeles, CA @ American Idol show [discussion] [NEW!]
4 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl [discussion]
5 Los Angeles, CA @ KROQ's Weenie Roast y Fiesta [discussion] [NEW!]
18 Porto, Portugal @ Dragao Stadium [discussion]
20 Madrid, Spain @ Estadio Vicente Calderón [discussion]
22 Nice, France @ Stade Charles Herman / Nikaia [discussion]
24 Turin, Italy @ Olympic Stadium [discussion]
26 Zurich, Switzerland @ Letzigrund [discussion]
29 Coventry, UK @ Ricoh Stadium [discussion]
JUNE 2012
1 London, UK @ the Emirates Stadium [discussion]
2 London, UK @ the Emirates Stadium [discussion]
4 London, UK @ the Emirates Stadium [discussion]
7 Sunderland, UK @ the Stadium of Light [discussion]
9 London, UK @ Wembley Stadium (Capital FM's Summertime Ball 2012) [discussion] [NEW!]
9 Manchester, UK @ the Etihad Stadium [discussion]
10 Manchester, UK @ the Etihad Stadium [discussion]
22 Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center [discussion]
23 Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center [discussion]
25 Houston, TX @ Toyota Center [discussion]
26 Houston, TX @ Toyota Center [discussion]
28 Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum [discussion]
29 Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena [discussion]
JULY 2012
2 Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena [discussion]
3 Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Arena [discussion]
5 Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center [discussion]
6 Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center [discussion]
8 Washington, DC @ Verizon Center [discussion]
9 Washington, DC @ Verizon Center [discussion]
23 Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre [discussion]
24 Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre [discussion]
26 Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre [discussion]
27 Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre [discussion]
29 Boston, MA @ TD Garden [discussion]
30 Boston, MA @ TD Garden [discussion]
AUGUST 2012
1 Auburn Hills, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills [discussion]
3 East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center [discussion]
4 East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center [discussion]
7 Chicago, IL @ United Center [discussion]
8 Chicago, IL @ United Center [discussion]
10 St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center [discussion]
11 St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center [discussion]
28 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Parken Stadium [discussion]
30 Stockholm, Sweden @ Olympic Stadium [discussion]
SEPTEMBER 2012
2 Paris, France @ Stade de France [discussion]
4 Cologne, Germany @ Rheinenergie Stadium [discussion]
6 The Hague, Netherlands @ Malieveld [discussion]
9 London, UK @ Paralympics Closing Ceremony [discussion]
12 Munich, Germany @ Olympiastadion [discussion]
14 Leipzig, Germany @ Red Bull Stadium [discussion]
16 Prague, Czech Republic @ Slavia Eden Stadium [discussion]
19 Warsaw, Poland @ National Stadium [discussion]
22 Hannover, Germany @ AWD Arena [discussion]
NOVEMBER 2012
10 Auckland, New Zealand @ Mt Smart Stadium [discussion]
13 Melbourne, Australia @ Etihad Stadium [discussion]
17 Sydney, Australia @ Allianz Stadium [discussion]
18 Sydney, Australia @ Allianz Stadium [discussion] [NEW!]
21 Brisbane, Australia @ Suncorp Stadium [discussion]
Read also: European Stadium Tour announced! (general discussion thread for the Europe tour)
Read also: North America Tour announced! (general discussion thread for the US/Canada tour)
Read also: 2012: Live Appearances - Easy Thread Finder (last updated - 12th January 2012)
Read also: 2012 tour date rumours (please post dates for ALL countries in here)
Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]
The new range of Coldplaying merchanise (unofficial of course to the official shop) has hit our stores, with our biggest range of goods so far. Prices are as low as they can be for a Cafepress shop so more people will be able to afford them. We don't take any profits for the sale of the merchandise as a result. Take a browse in one of the online stores nearest to you: UK | US | Canada | Australia | European (shipping is worldwide, but you can choose what currency to pay in) - simply alter the country dropdown menu at the top of the shop page. [thanks to TracieMorgan and zzz]
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