Offering some festive cheer in the way of a Coldplay article (and almost previewing their forthcoming show on April 18th) are the Calgary Herald, who write this entitled 'Reasons to like Coldplay'. After you've got past the U2 comparisons and the Gwyneth references that invades most Coldplay articles these days, we couldn't think of a better way to say merry Christmas than this. So enjoy the article and... merry Christmas!
In 2008, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin famously told the U.K. newspaper The Daily Express that rock ’n’ roll — Coldplay’s brand of it, anyway — was a young man’s game.
“I’m 31 now and I don’t think that bands should keep going past 33,” he said at the time. Martin is now 34. The same goes for guitarist Jonny Buckland. Bandmates Guy Berryman and Will Champion are both 33 — although we’re not anxiously awaiting news of their imminent retirement. (The October release of Coldplay’s latest album, Mylo Xyloto, and a subsequent tour announcement, would suggest that’s altogether unlikely.)
For the many who picked up Mylo Xyloto this fall — shooting it to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in its first week — they’re no doubt ecstatic that Martin isn’t entirely a man of his word. Had Coldplay entered early retirement, they never would have appeared at London’s iTunes festival this year, for instance — and highlights from that performance were captured in today’s featured download, Coldplay’s iTunes festival: London 2011 EP. (And they certainly wouldn’t be playing a sold-out show in Calgary April 18.)
But that’s just one reason we’re glad Coldplay are here to stay. Here are more. They’re meek, but have inherited the EarthSure, they’re one of the most successful rock bands operating today, with more than 50 million albums sold. Still, there’s a certain aw-shucks quality to Coldplay. It’s something that reminds you they’re still just a bunch of college pals (who do things like sell out Wembley Stadium for kicks). It’s there every time Chris Martin charms the crowd when he rolls with an accidental stumble (in both the musical and physical sense of the word). It’s there whenever they reveal they’re not just self-aware, but self-deprecatingly hilarious. (“We had to settle on being s— Radiohead. We’re called that sometimes, you know,” Martin told a London crowd this November, as per Gigwise.)
They’re the next U2
Sure, music snobs and critics might not fawn over arena rock, but nothing puts us in a better mood faster than raising our arms (and lighters) while shouting out the chorus of a pop song alongside thousands of fellow fans. Following 2008’s war-themed Viva La Vida, on which they set aside their middle-of-the-road melodic soft rock and made a bid for artistic respect with a handful of introspective, difficult (for them, at least) tunes, Coldplay are back to their unabashed, hook-filled roots on their latest album, Mylo Xyloto. From the boisterous opener, Hurts Like Heaven, to the anthemic first single, Paradise, the band has returned to doing what they do best: creating rousing, sentimental tunes that are sure to get you singing along.
They make Gwyneth Paltrow seem almost relatable
Before Gwyneth Paltrow married Martin, she was a chilly Oscar-winning actress and sometime model who holidayed annually with the Spielbergs, was best friends with Madonna and showed occasional pretences at a singing career. Wed to Martin for eight years now, none of that has really changed, although there’s something about the fact she has settled down with a scruffy musician who sings weepy soft-rock ballads — and not, say, one of the two People’s Sexiest Men of the Year she formerly dated — that lends that Nordic exterior a little warmth. A little GOOPiness, perhaps. Paltrow and Martin have successfully kept much of their private lives private, all the better for everyone to imagine that this theory might, in fact, be true.
They keep us awake when they’re on SNL
The boys know how to put on a show — even when they’re competing with Kristen Wiig’s Gilly and Bill Hader’s Stefon. Coldplay have become one of the most reliably solid SNL musical guests in recent memory, performing on the late-night sketch show four times. Their last appearance in November featured an explosive performance of Paradise and Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall, and Martin even joined in on a few comedy skits.
They play well with others
Whether we’re talking their two-album partnership with legendary producer Brian Eno or contributions to recordings by Kanye West — or Nelly Furtado or Ron Sexsmith, etc., etc. — the guys in Coldplay have continuously proven they’re willing collaborators. That’s led to many gems for fans, seemingly disparate pairings that have led to some memorable moments on their C.V. Take Coldplay’s long-standing ties to rapper Jay-Z, for example — a relationship that’s resulted in numerous live appearances (dating back to a collaboration at Jay-Z’s historic 2006 Royal Albert Hall show) as well as recordings (Jay-Z’s Beach Chair, Coldplay’s Lost+ remix). Their latest cross-genre team-up is also a prime example, a Martin/Rihanna duet on Mylo Xyloto single, Princess of China, that made for a fusion of sounds unusual to hear from either act.
Their videos don’t suck
Coldplay has come a long way since a rain-soaked Martin sung into the camera while walking along a dreary beach in Yellow. The band has become known for pushing the envelope with their music videos, whether it’s the trippy reverse-narrative of The Scientist, the two dimensional cut-outs of the band members in Trouble, or the emotional arena singalong that is Fix You. Most important, they still seem to be having fun with the oft-overlooked medium (see Martin’s elephant costume in Paradise). [article ends]
They still thrill audiences the world over
The boys have come a long way from their early touring days. With every ambitious new album, Coldplay have an equally ambitious live show. Whether it’s the light spectacular of X&Y, the multi-coloured civil war uniforms of Viva La Vida, or Mylo Xyloto’s dystopian future, the group has blossomed into a well-oiled live machine in the mould of heroes U2. Martin, in particular, has become one of rock music’s most engaging frontmen, equally comfortable displaying his vulnerability as he is flailing himself across the stage as if possessed by the spectre of rock’s holy ghost. And surely there’s nothing better at the end of any night than the cathartic glow of Fix You sung from the mouths of thousands.
New photos of Coldplay @ Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium (18th December 2011):
Photos courtesy of digg.be
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 2011 and 2012 shows:
DECEMBER 2011
14 - Paris, France @ Bercy [discussion]
15 - Cologne, Germany @ Lanxess Arena [discussion]
17 Rotterdam, Netherlands @ Ahoy [discussion]
18 Antwerp, Belgium @ Sportpaleis [discussion]
20 Frankfurt, Germany @ Festhalle [discussion]
21 Berlin, Germany @ O2 World Arena [discussion]
31 Abu Dhabi, UAE @ Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village [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]
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 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]
28 Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum [discussion]
29 Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena [discussion]
JULY 2012
2 Atlanta, GA @ Philips 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
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]
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]
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]
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 - 17th December 2011)
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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