Ghost Stories era review - June 2014. Written by Coldplaying member, Grids (view the archive so far, below)
(January, February, March, April, May, June)
July 2014 was the magical month for the band and all Coldplayers around the world. Even though the shows during Ghost Stories era were held on a smaller scale, the band still made great efforts to make more intimate and interactive show experience for the best fans. Following from Royal Albert Hall shows on July 1st and 2nd, the best-selling album of the year, the band’s song collaboration on Wish I Was Here film played by Zach Braff, the band’s donation to ill-fan fundraiser, iHeartRadio Festival Lineup, the band’s video shoot for True Love, Yellow song for Boyhood movie soundtrack, Chris Martin on participating the music involvement for Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, ASFOS song for Apple’s Diversity advertisement, ASFOS Hardwell Remix song release, the first ever published online article on Chris Martin campaign in terms of Freedom of Exeter gains support, and Coldplay Horoscope app.
Photo Courtesy of Samir Hussein Blog
Royal Albert Hall shows on July 1st and 2nd
The most intimate show with around 5,000 people. The crowd and all the shout-out singing “oooaaah aaaah” that is clingy to a Viva La Vida song, one of the best Coldplay songs of all time throughout the music history, was beyond expectation that anyone wouldnt have thought the band would add the second show due to the excessive number of people to attend. Both shows had the same setlist as Oracle posted early on July 3rd:
3 July 2014 / submitted by Abe, United Kingdom
Q. Hi, what was the set list for the two Albert Hall shows?
THE ORACLE REPLIES >
The set list was the same for both shows:
Always in My Head
Charlie Brown
Paradise
Magic
Clocks
The Scientist
God Put a Smile Upon Your Face
Til Kingdom Come
Don't Panic
Everything's Not Lost
Ink
True Love
Viva La Vida
Midnight
Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall
Encore:
Oceans
A Sky Full of Stars
Fix You
The forum also discussed about the 2-day gig as well and Coldplayers commented on how amazing they felt to be a part of the show:
2nd July:
Here’s more snapshots from one Coldplayer on the forum:
Here is my review for both shows:
Ghost Stories as the best-selling album of the year
Coldplayers got back to the ‘Coldplay-ish’ excitement like their first time being a huge fan. Being the best-selling album of the year was an unexpected event for the band--too. This statement was also mentioned by Chris on his interview with Zane Lowe. He believes that the album is meant to be personal and suitably intimate for the gig with only 5,000 people. Call it personal--call it true!
According to Independent, “Coldplay's sixth studio album has been named the biggest-selling album of the year so far” as of July 3rd, 2014. As the best-selling album of the year ever, “Ghost Stories has sold over 375,000 copies since its release in May”.
During the first week of release, Ghost Stories sold over 182,000 copies.
The top-selling albums of 2014 so far
1-Coldplay, Ghost Stories
2-Paolo Nutini, Caustic Love
3-Ellie Goudling, Halcyon
4-Paloma Faith, A Perfect Contradiction
5-Sam Smith, In The Lonely Hour
6-Pharrell Williams, Girl
7-Bastille, Bad Blood
8-London Grammar, If You Wait
9-Beyonce, Beyonce
10-Arctic Monkeys, AM
The band’s song collaboration on Wish I Was Here film played by Zach Braff
Braff mentioned about how Chris came into an idea the song was sung by Cat Power and the idea was genius.
“Chris had the idea that it would be sung by a woman. I thought that was a genius idea, because one of the things the film is about is a strong woman [Kate Hudson’s character] becoming the matriarch of her family. When Chris and I were talking, we both kind of simultaneously said, ‘Cat Power.’ I reached out to Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) and she and I met and really clicked. I set her up to watch the film in her apartment. The whole time she was watching she kept texting me all the different parts she was loving. She said yes the instant it was over.”
Chris Martin appears to be the backing-vocals featuring Cat Power as lead vocals. The piano rhythm still brings the ‘classic Coldplay feel’. Listen to the full preview here on iTunes
The band’s donation to ill-fan fundraiser
Apart from being one of the greatest bands in the world, the band also are passionate with helping a hand in a community. “Briton Jody Duff, a long-time Coldplay fan, is battling with motor neurone disease, a progressive neurological condition that has confined him to a wheelchair”.
Through JustGiving page, he has raised over £42K for the disease including the donation from the band. The donation is still ongoing.
During Royal Albert Hall Show, Coldplay dedicated “Fix You” to Duff and invited him to spend time mingling backstage with celebs and guests. "We just want to send him, from us and from all of you, as much love as we possibly can,” Martin told the crowd.
iHeartRadio Festival Lineup
In July, iHeartRadio announced that Coldplay were on top of the list amongst other performers including Taylor Swift, One Direction, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, and many more. Coldplay part ran around 20 minutes. The shows were held on September 19 and 20. More information will be discussed in September.
The band’s video shoot for True Love
The spoiler for True Love video shoot was confirmed in Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Even though there was speculation of the unknown video that was made for, Luminario Ballet revealed about the video collaboration with Coldplay on Twitter.
the @coldplay video is True Love. We all have to wait to see how it looks I hope beautiful! pic.twitter.com/gpZ48GdtMN— Luminario Ballet (@luminarioballet) July 1, 2014
Behind the scenes:
Yellow on Boyhood movie soundtrack
The releasing movie of Boyhood on July 11th, the featured song ‘Yellow’ was played at the beginning scene when Mason is picked up from school
The featuring song of Yellow gives a good glimpse of looking back to the nostalgia where Coldplay made a huge hit on Parachutes album and this song was one those songs which made the band popular. Apart side of popularity, the song depicts to the movie perfectly following from the family in earlier years. The combination of both screen and song are just delicate and perfect.
Some reviews say about this feature song in the movie:
“Richard Linklater’s Boyhood begins with Coldplay’s “Yellow” accompanying an overhead shot of a six-year-old Texan, Mason (Ellar Coltrane), lying flat on his back and staring off into the daytime sky. The opening’s perfect balance of intimacy, grandiosity, and nostalgia sets the stage for writer/director Linklater’s unprecedented depiction of 21st century childhood and adolescence, shot over the course of 12 years with the same core cast of Coltrane, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, and Lorelei Linklater (the director’s daughter).”
“It's a sensational filmmaking achievement, and one that's backed by an eclectic mix of music from the last decade - everyone from Coldplay to Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga to Blink-182 can be heard throughout the movie. It's a wonderfully nostalgic trip down memory lane and one carefully planned out by Linklater.”
Chris Martin on participating the music involvement for Prince Harry’s Invictus Games
‘The Ghost Stories Hitmaker’ had an opportunity to compose the anthem track for Prince Harry’s Invictus Games for September event in London. The Invictus Games was supported and organized by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence.
Take a look at the lyrics and give it a listen:
‘A Sky Full of Stars’ song for Apple’s Diversity advertisement
Apple published a video related to LGBT Pride Parade in San Francisco featuring ASFOS.
Apple’s Youtube Description:
“On June 29, thousands of Apple employees and their families marched in the San Francisco Pride Parade. They came from around the world — from cities as far as Munich, Paris, and Hong Kong — to celebrate Apple's unwavering commitment to equality and diversity. Because we believe that inclusion inspires innovation.”
Additionally, this was the first time for Apple sanctioned a group to march in the San Francisco Parade.
The idea of the video is to gather everyone to get involved and respect human rights, equality and diversity. The song that comes with it in this video gives a good vibe that it is suitable to be played in huge public events. The song has made a big hit alongside Viva La Vida and Yellow singles on Coldplay's previous albums.
ASFOS Hardwell Remix song release
The official Coldplay Youtube account posted this song at the end of July 31. Apart from the original record of the song, the remix appears to be another great exploration to the ‘Electro-house’ genre.
Give it a listen!
The first ever published online article on Chris Martin campaign 'Freedom of Exeter gains support'
Chris Martin is asked to receive an honor from his hometown in Exeter, Devon in addition to creating the great musicwork over 15 years. The campaign was started in July 2014 by Mike Vinnicombe, also originally from Devon, and has made over 6,000 followers across the internet. An article also was published earlier in July.
Follow the campaign on Facebook & Twitter and make sure to follow up on Chris Martin updates too!
Coldplay Horoscope
Have you heard of this fun app? Coldplay Horoscope was released on Google Play Store in July 2014. Discover your zodiac and the current event and song of the day that will appear on your mobile screen. A free app developed by Rafael Bautista, only available on Android if you are using. The language features in English and Spanish. Havent got one yet? Download the app now!
Next on the Ghost Stories Journey....August!
Massive thanks once more to Grids for writing the fantastic review above. Next up, we review August 2014 - a month full of goodness if you love Chris Martin!
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