'99 Problems' blasted from the speakers at the Hollywood Bowl, and the audience turned toward the stage, anxious to see if Jay-Z was going to walk out with a microphone. Screens flashed, telling audience members to put on the wristbands they were handed upon entry. The lights went out. The wristbands started blinking, writes the Daily Bruin in another review of Coldplay's concerts at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday night (1st, 2nd & 4th May) published this weekend. Catch up on the latest tweets, pictures, videos from the shows at the Coldplay Live forum here (1st), here (2nd) and here (4th) now. Read on for the Daily Bruin review article...
Yes, this was Coldplay’s welcome to the stage at the May 2 Los Angeles show for the Mylo Xyloto tour, and it set the tone for the entire performance: high energy, adrenaline filled, pulse-pounding entertainment. Simply put, a rush of blood to the head. For those who have never attended a Coldplay concert, it is quite possibly one of the most enjoyably exhausting experiences of a lifetime...
Watching Chris Martin, the lead singer, jump around on-stage for 90 minutes could make concert-goers tired for him. But he appeared unfazed, staying true to the motto he stated at the beginning of the show: that the audience has taken the time and effort to come see the band, and for that they deserve to see the band at its best. It didn’t disappoint.
The show, which was as much designed for the as it was for the ears, featured pyrotechnics and neon lights on stage. Laser beams flashed over smoke released from the sides of the amphitheater, creating the illusion of clouds moving above the audience’s heads. Inspired by graffiti and street art, many songs were accompanied by projected images, giving the appearance of graffiti being drawn on the dome of the Hollywood Bowl stage, reminiscent of the “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall” music video.
Perhaps the most inspiring part of the show, however, was the Xylobands given to each of the audience members when they entered the concert venue. A simple grosgrain wristband that, upon activation, lit up and flashed in pitch black, creating a sea of color. The bands were programmed to serve as accompaniment to the music. Not only did the Xylobands make for a visual display but also created a sense of audience involvement, making audience members feel as though they were up on stage next to the band; a true part of the show. The sheer anticipation of the bracelets lighting up built a powerful energy in the stands.
Beyond the consuming imagery that had an almost transporting quality, the showmanship was equally impressive. Though songs are always a little altered live compared to the recorded album, there was no attempt by the band to eliminate some of the more challenging parts of their music.
Martin hit the high notes in “Up in Flames” perfectly, played piano beautifully for “The Scientist” and even took on the guitar for “God Put a Smile Upon Your Face.” Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion all backed the lead singer with the same intensity one feels when listening to the band’s music on an iPod. With no shortage of thrills, these guys know how to put on a show.
New photos of Coldplay performing at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles (1-4 May 2012):
Photos courtesy of Stereogum (click for more!)
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]
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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