LeftRightLeftRightLeft: CD giveaway problems detract from start of 2009 US Coldplay tour

Coldplay's highly touted giveaway of a free live CD to concert goers -- a generous idea which Chris Martin announced from the stage -- was badly executed, leaving many fans empty handed, according to reports in Miami today.

The only sour spot on an otherwise excellent show, was either insufficient stocks of CDs or poor distribution, which meant they were difficult or even impossible to find. But for most people, it's likely that their memories of this show were gift enough. However, Coldplaying have been receiving emails and messages from Cruzan concertgoers regarding their missing CDs. Here were just some of the feedback comments:

I could not find the free CD LeftRightLeftRightLeft that was supposed to be given away last night at Cruzan Amphitheatre in W. Palm Beach. I asked several Cruzan personnel in several different areas and they all responded that they had no information about a “supposed free CD from Coldplay” at that show. I asked some jocks at a radio station booth and they said the CDs would be given away as everyone exits. We were funneled out of the venue, past dozens of Cruzan staffers and none were giving away the CD. No one leaving had a CD.

We were promised this by Chris Martin and now it seems to be an empty promise. How can it be that the personnel in charge knew nothing of this giveaway? They were dismissive of my request for information. I even went back over to Cruzan this morning to speak with someone in authority and got nowhere. The woman at the ticket office was rolling her eyes over my request for information or help. She said they were not responsible and did not know anything about it and to call the front desk on Monday. I am being swept aside.

I want to know if Coldplay members have any idea of the thousands of fans that are now left with bitter feelings regarding the CDs. I will call Cruzan’s front office on Monday but a fat lot of good that will do me, and I know it. Why did this happen? I feel robbed now. If I find those employees horded the CDs that were supposed to be for ticket-buying fans and are selling them on eBay, I will be calling all the major newspapers and TV stations in the area. I want the CDs (one for my daughter and one for me). [name supplied]

Some greedy bastard obtained TEN copies of LRLRL and is selling them [edit: already sold for $100 not including P&P!] as a bundle on eBay. It was supposed to be 1 CD for 1 ticket, therefore some people missed out because of this guy! [thanks Benjamin]

In the hope of collecting useful feedback from Coldplayers on the CD giveaway at all the shows as they progress through the 2009 tour, please leave your comments here on how you got a CD, how many you were given (how many you could have got), and whether you got one at all. It would be useful to mention which show you attended as well.

Don't forget, if you missed out on a CD at the Cruzan Amphitheatre yesterday you can still download the music from the Coldplay site. Go here directly for the download page.