http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/87167353/coldplay-trip-the-light-fantastic-at-mt-smart-stadium
Coldplay trip the light fantastic at Mt Smart Stadium
BEVAN HURLEY
Last updated 01:26, December 4 2016
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LAWRENCE SMITH/FAIRFAX NZ
Coldplay's Chris Martin performs live at Mount Smart stadium in Auckland, during the "A Head Full of Dreams" world tour.
For the band's latest album, A Head Full Of Dreams, Martin enlisted such illustrious guest artists as Barack Obama, Beyoncé and even his ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow.
But last night the only musical accompaniment to the biggest sound in stadium rock was provided by his bandmates of 20-plus years: guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion — who brought their anthemic masterpieces to fans old and new.
Ever the crowd pleaser, Martin gushed with praise for his forty thousand-strong choir. Sign up for the Two Minutes of Stuff newsletter
During a singalong of The Scientist, Martin said: "That's the best singing we had all tour," he said, before launching into one final bonus chorus.
"This is show number 70 of our tour and as far as we are concerned the others were 69 rehearsals for tonight."
The band brought their music to the audience - quite literally - charging out to play mini-sets on two smaller stages stationed amongst the hallowed Mt Smart turf.
During one such interlude, Martin was suddenly alone playing a cover of Crowded House's Four Seasons in One Day.
After a few bars he stopped mid-song, saying, "I think I need some help, I'm not singing this properly."
Ou of nowhere Neil Finn appeared at stage right to say: "I think you were doing a pretty good job, Chris."
The duo continued on with soaring harmonies, backed by those who hadn't already lost their voice.
From Fix You to an extended dance remix of Paradise, Clocks and Adventure of a Lifetime, the hits kept on coming.
And yet the global turmoil of 2016 was not forgotten.
Muhammad Ali made a haunting appearance, his jive talk soaring over the loud speakers. And there was a whimsical cover of Heroes by David Bowie.
"Even in New Zealand you've been having your ups and downs," Martin told the crowd.
"Send out your vibes to the South Island, to the United States. Send out your Auckland good vibes in this song because we're all in this together."
Martin had a playful dig at some of the criticism that came their way during the week for supposedly barring fans from bringing all manner of items.
"It's a big enough commitment coming to a stadium. If you read the paper you'd think you couldn't bring anything to the gig.
"The truth is we want you to bring whatever you want to bring. I don't mind if you bring your great grandmother as long as she's having fun."
Martin spent the latter part of the gig dancing his heart out with a New Zealand flag draped from his back pocket.
He laid it down on the stage as the band took a final curtain call.
And as the lights went up on a glorious night at Mt Smart, Martin thanked the crowd and said they'd come back to our "beautiful country"'as long as we wanted them to.
Please keep coming back. - Sunday Star Times