Sydney Review: Coldplay turn Acer Arena into intimate gathering of mates

There is nothing more life affirming for a music fan than falling in love with one of their favourite bands all over again. And about 18,000 Coldplay fans staged an infectious love-in for the all-conquering rock band at their opening Sydney concert at the Acer Arena last night.

While the self-deprecating band - which frontman Chris Martin refers to as soft rock - may insist they remain U2s understudy, Coldplay have put the Irish super group on notice that their crown can be taken. The British group, the biggest selling act in the world last year, achieved the almost impossible feat of making a cavernous arena an intimate gathering of mates.

There is no disconnect between rock star and fan. Martin keeps them as involved in the concert as he and his three band mates are. His energy levels, his yoga-honed flexibility, and his soaring voice were captivating. The Coldplay frontman is a force of nature.

But so are his band mates. Guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion were also beaming with the exhilaration of playing to the converted who at times swelled in voice so loudly they almost drowned them out. The set was perfectly structured, a fusion of old and new from the song that started it all, Yellow, through to the title track hit of their fourth album, Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends.

Coldplay cheekily also hinted at one of the big moments expected at their Sound Relief performance on Saturday with a chorus of John Farnham's You're the Voice. The crowd karaoke which raised the roof was another moment. And the deluge of paper butterflies which rained on the adoring audience during Lovers In Japan was another. You really just had to be there.

Coldplay perform at Acer Arena tonight and Saturday and Sunday. But fans who will also be fronting up to Sound Relief at the SCG on Saturday are urged to get there early to not miss the bands opening slot at 12:15pm. There are limited tickets still available for both benefit concert and Coldplay's final show in Sydney.

More on this Sydney review at the Coldplay Live forum here [thanks jenjie]