Coldplayer Jason-DeBord has written a fantastic review to go with his up-close and personal photos of Coldplay's benefit concert last night, which took place at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, in collaboration with iHeartRadio and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Los Angeles radio stations KIIS FM, 98-7FM and MYFM. The proceeds of the show benefit two charities – A Place Called Home and Youth Mentoring Connection. Read Jason's full review at the link above (excerpt and a selection of photos below), and find out more about A Place Called Home and Youth Mentoring Connection. You can also read some more reviews of last night's show, including the setlist, at WikiColdplay now.
A Place Called Home
A Place Called Home is a safe haven in South Central Los Angeles where underserved youth are empowered to take ownership of the quality and direction of their lives through programs in education, arts, and well-being; and are inspired to make a meaningful difference in their community and the world. Click to visit official website
Youth Mentoring Connection
Youth Mentoring Connection awakens at-risk youth to their power, unique gifts and purpose by matching them with caring adult mentors and placing that “match” within a structured group dynamic that provides the resources youth need to reach productive, conscious adulthood. We further seek to awaken society to the needs, promise and value of this overlooked population. Click to visit official website
I saw Coldplay quite a few times last year (Los Angeles, Madrid, London, Paris), so it is always interesting to compare and contrast experiences. Given the size of the venue, my proximity to the stage, and the sheer energy of the band (I don’t think I’ve ever seen them this happy – they were truly beaming with joy), I think I can say this is absolutely my favorite show I’ve been to, as far as the show itself goes and my own personal enjoyment during the show (to factor in the ‘before’ and ‘after’ and other variables, I would have to favor my “Hidden Gig” events in December 2010 in Liverpool and Newcastle).
This concert featured more or less their standard set list of late, framed by the newest album Mylo Xyloto with many of the older fan favorites mixed in, sans “LOST!” and “Politik” (though the latter appear as the midsection of the encore on Guy’s set list (see photos below), which I was able to obtain after the show). The biggest bonus was closing out with the older “Everything’s Not Lost”, which was the one song I captured (mostly) in its entirety on video, as Chris Maritn had said the encore was not being broadcast via iHeartRadio (though the technicians were still filming it).
Given the broadcast, I took almost entirely still photos, since it was being professionally filmed. Hopefully the broadcast will be made available in some manner in the future.
It was a great, energetic crowd which enjoyed some of the interactive staples that have evolved from their tours over the years, the highlight being the light-up interactive bracelets which flash on cue with different songs (and some background on the inventor of these was recently published on the official Coldplay website): Interview: Xylobands inventor Jason Regler
This is the closest I’ve been to the band for a full concert performance, and it was really just amazing. I was right in front of Chris Martin, and was so close to the stage (which is unusually small for the high energy and acrobatic frontman) that I found myself splashed with his sweat several times!
Among many personal highlights for me during the show (and there were many), the best moment for me was when the band came out to pay some gratitude to the crowd following the first set, guitarist Jonny Buckland locked on my face and pointed at me smiling for quite a while. I don’t know if he remembered me from my meet and greet with him a few years ago, in which I had let him know that I won his “VIVA” guitar at their charity auction and discussed it with he, Chris Martin, and Jonny’s guitar tech Matt McGinn earlier that day, or if maybe he just kind of recognized me and couldn’t place why or how. Then again, it was a long day of standing around, and it’s now 4am, and I’m maybe a bit delirious… I’ll probably never know, but it was a truly surreal moment and just very cool whether it was real or imagined on my part.
Another really awesome moment was when Chris Martin came out by himself to open the encore, sat down right in front of us at the edge of the stage, and performed “Us Against The World” with his acoustic guitar (joined in by the rest of the band a bit into it). Something incredible to experience, standing just a couple feet away. [Read full review]
New photos of Coldplay at the iHeartRadio benefit concert at Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA (8th February 2012):
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] [NEW!]
9 Los Angeles, CA @ Jimmy Kimmel Live [discussion] [RESCHEDULED FROM 7TH FEB!]
10 Los Angeles, CA @ GRAMMY Week MusiCares Person of the Year tribute [discussion] [NEW!]
12 Los Angeles, CA @ 54th Grammy Awards, Staples Center [discussion] [NEW!]
16 Sydney, Australia @ 2DayFM, Mobile Live Set (intimate show) [discussion] [NEW!]
17 Sydney, Australia @ Sunrise (intimate show) [discussion] [NEW!]
21 London @ Brit Awards 2012, O2 Arena [discussion] [NEW!]
MARCH 2012
4 New York, NY @ The Secret Policeman's Ball, Radio City Music Hall (Amnesty International) [discussion] [NEW!]
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]
4 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl [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 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] [NEW!]
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] [NEW!]
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] [NEW!]
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 - 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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