Getting the biggest bands in the country to play Sound Relief was always going to be enough to draw big crowds, report The Age. But when the show's co-promoters Michael Gudinski and Michael Chugg realised that two of the biggest rock bands in the world, Kings of Leon and Coldplay, would both be in the country on March 13 to play arena shows in Melbourne and Sydney, the stars had aligned in more ways than one.
The stage was set for the clash for the heavyweight rock world championship. Before Kings of Leon strutted onto the MCG stage for its highly anticipated early afternoon set, footage of Coldplay's Sydney sun-drenched show was broadcast on the MCG's big screens.
Coldplay certainly took early honours with singer Chris Martin stalking the stage to wring every last bit of emotion out of songs such as Yellow, until he collapsed on the floor. He also won points for humour. "We never thought we'd be the 15th support act for the Bee Gees," Martin joked.
In contrast, Kings of Leon were more low key. Frontman Caleb Followill delivered songs in his raspy growl from the one position. It didn't help that the band had decided against playing its biggest hit, Sex on Fire, deeming it inappropriate (whether that was because of its incendiary title or its references to STDs remained unclear).
At a press conference before its set, the band also suggested that every time it played an outdoor stadium, it seemed to rain. Those words were prophetic when the heavens opened as soon as it struck its first notes. Victory, then, to Coldplay, though they lost some points for inviting John Farnham on stage to belt out what Martin playfully referred to as "the Australian national anthem", You're the Voice.
Source: theage.com.au
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