IpsRich

This version of Speed of Sound is pretty damn good too

I think Warning Sign is still my favourite Coldplay song (at least top 5), but this MX tour version is simply magical.

My video and photos from last night As promised, here's my video and photos from last night's fantastic gig: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2BYjw3HiKM]Coldplay - Warning Sign @ Ricoh Arena, Coventry - YouTube[/ame] [ame=http://www.flickr.com/photos/ipsrich/sets/72157629974311488/show/]Coldplay @ Ricoh Arena, Coventry 290512[/ame]

Yeah clearly the impact is greater at the end of the set than the start, but they're pretty prominent and visible all around the arena even at the start when its still a bit light.

Xylobands start with MX intro and stay on for Hurts Like Heaven. They then reappear for the big songs from Mylo Xyloto (Paradise/Charlie Brown/ETIAW, maybe DLIBYH but I can't recall) and also a cameo in Clocks and maybe a few other up tempo numbers through the set. Looked fantastic as the night went on.

Contains spoilers! Wow! That was so, SO good! I saw the show at the o2 in December which was great, but this was so much better. Being outdoors clearly gives the stage guys so much more scope for the lights, pyrotechnics etc. There are fireworks aplenty, oceans of confetti, lasers and lights, but moreover, the boys are on top of their game. They gave their all tonight and were rewarded by a vocal and appreciative crowd at the Ricoh - very much sing-a-long-tastic, especially compared to the slightly disappointing o2 crowd last year. Highlights for me: stripped back versions of Warning Sign (sublime) and Speed of Sound. Paradise is always a treat live; Charlie Brown ("took me to Cov-en-try"!) and Hurts Like Heaven is much better and rockier than its studio version. Lowlight - group of sixteen year old kids getting drunk/stupid and ruining the show for those around them. Shame that some people's nights were spoiled by the selfish actions of these muppets. Fortunately they were slightly to my side so didn't spoil my fun. I hope those of you going to Emirates, SoL and Etihad get as good as show as we lucky lot did. Weather was fantastic too, which helps with outdoor gigs. Special mention to Rita Ora and Robyn who did good stints in support. I'll add my photos and video hopefully tomorrow night.

Is there one? If not, consider this my attempt at starting one [if there is feel free to 'merge' me moderators!]. Comments of course welcome (but remember these are my own opinions). Thanks. Coldplay go electro-pop...almost. Uncompromising isn't a word readily associated with Coldplay. All too often the critics will point to some kind of appeasement in the band's output - either to the fans, perennial favourite the label, or to the critics themselves. Frankly, at this point in their career the band should pretty much be their own boss. Their success and mass appeal today is almost peerless and this shouldn't be something to be ashamed of (even if they continue to yearn for Radiohead's credibility). So the overriding feeling with new LP Mylo Xyloto is that intention is to write songs on their own terms, unhindered from all the external baggage that goes along with being billed as one of music's big boys. Themes of defiance, adventure, paranoia, pain and resilience are all here (no doubt quite familiar by now), but whether they constitute a 'concept' is up for debate. MX is fortunately blessed with the ever-present rich, soaring Coldplay trademark melody - nobody does it better. However on this particular outing it is painted (or should that be spray-painted?!) by a bass-heavy electro/R&B production. As a result it exudes a pomp, vigour and energy rarely tapped into by the band previously. It works surprisingly well. The spine is imperious - from the drum driven question-asker Hurts Like Heaven, to mid-tempo single Paradise and then the adventurous Charlie Brown. Centre-point raver Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall is joyful and unbound (albeit lyrically challenged), on to paranoid stomper Major Minus and later the yearning swagger of Rihanna-enhanced Princess of China (although try and ignore the la la la's in the chorus). Penultimate track Don't Let It Break Your Heart is punchy and brash, if a tad on the short side. But, there is a flaw with this record. Having set their stall out early and with the great beyond for once in sight, the retreat back to a zone of acoustic comfort is all too quick. The head of steam achieved in the first four tracks and then later after ETIAW and Major Minus, is rather negligently disposed of. The band has admitted in press that there were two albums in development - an electro and an acoustic. You get the feeling that both could have co-existed well in their own right, but together the sum of the parts isn't greater. Whilst UFO is as good a melodic song that the band have done in recent times, and Up In Flames is beautifully simple, with more self-discipline maybe they shouldn't have made the cut. Along with the stripped down wailer Us Against The World, these could have worked wonders on a standalone LP or Prospekts March-esque follow-up. What Mylo Xyloto would have become as a result is a ballsy, relentless powerhouse electro-rock record from start to finish - a real statement to all and sundry. Instead the result is at times a disjointed effort, which meanders from what makes this album potentially fantastic. Yes, the quieter numbers are strong in their own right, but you have to question whether they fit. But to focus on the negative would do disservice to Mylo Xyloto, because there is much to praise. Sonically Coldplay continue to evolve and experiment where others rest on their laurels. The band offer a far more coherent proposition than predecessor Viva La Vida, where perhaps too much of guru Brian Eno's musical chemistry set were experimented with. If you buy into the 'new' electro sound (which some hardcore Coldplay-ers might not) then you'll love it. Hurts Like Heaven (although a little under-cooked in its studio guise) and Charlie Brown stand up amongst the best in the band's back catalogue to date. Complex closer Up With The Birds is also a highlight. Ironically it brings together the acoustic and electric seamlessly here, and is hopefully a sign of things to come. Coldplay uncompromising though? Agonisingly not quite, yet... 7/10

I bought Parachutes the day it came out; own the Blue Room EP and have loved Coldplay since I first heard them in 2000. I would class myself as an old school fan. Above all, I love the band for their music - simple as. They do melody like no-one else can - they are artisans, geniuses at this. No other artist in recent times has such a massive back catalogue of songs with such complex chord sequences or lingering melodies that are so beautifully shaped to produce such wonderful, emotive work. The production and manner in which they deliver this has changed over the years, but to me that's a positive not something to fear. But the melody, the beautiful melody, is there at its core in everything they do. If you can't hear that within the punchy electro orchestration of Paradise to its lilting piano close, or the soaringly uplifting Every Teardrop... then more fool you. The rest of us will listen and enjoy every lovingly created second, appreciating these are stepping stones to the new material and not meant to usurp Fix You, Yellow etc. I wait in eager anticipation for studio versions of the epic Hurts Like Heaven and Charlie Brown, and other gems that no doubt await on MX (maybe even Princess of China with Rihanna's much maligned, but as yet unheard, cameo?!). My post count will indicate that I'm a visitor here rather than an active participant. But I have posted this because I'm frankly shocked at the extreme over-reaction on this forum which has even found its way onto site pieces on the front page. Where is the balance? I considered this to be a safe haven from typical 'net trolls and moaners - how wrong could I be. We are all entitled to our opinion; and thoughts about the band's "evolution" are clearly up for discussion on this forum. But some of you think the band owe you Parachutes or AROBTTH pt 2. If your taste can't accommodate the MX era then I'm truly sorry for you. The only thing I can recommend is sticking on the old LPs and recalling old times. To criticise the band, Eno, Rihanna or whoever without even hearing the new album, is frankly pompous and premature. It also disrespects the people on this board (and around the world) who are loving this new stuff.

Yes I feel a little bit nervous Yes I feel nervous and I cannot relax How come they're out to get us? How come they're out when they don't know the facts [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9OE2vwwH9c]YouTube - ‪(HD) Coldplay Hurts like Heaven / Yellow/ In My Place Live on Rock Werchter 2011‬‏[/ame]

Hi All, My iTunes pre-order for VLV still has the old release date of 16th June; so I emailed iTunes support to clarify when I can expect the download to be available: Dear IpsRich, I understand the release date for the Coldplay album was changed from the 16th to the 12th, but the iTunes Store still shows the release date as the 16th. Currently, the release date for this album is still set for the 16th on the iTunes Store. If this date changes, you will be notified by email. Preorders for upcoming releases can be reviewed and canceled anytime before a selection is released. Preorders are automatically downloaded and charged as soon as your selection is available and you login to the iTunes Store. ... Thank you, IpsRich, and have a great day. Sincerely, [iTunes person] So - I would be wary if you've pre-ordered with iTunes. Hopefully the release date will be changed to the 12th in plenty of time but I didn't want people to get to next Thursday and for nothing to download!! Seems harsh to be able to pre-order but then to wait four days compared to people buying in store on the day!

Hi all, Haven't posted on this forum yet despite signing up probably more than a year ago! I thought I'd get myself on pre-order emailers from certain online retailers for the new album and got a message from HMV today. It goes as follows... ----------------------- Hi, You asked us to let you know when Coldplay : Prospekt was ready to pre-order. Good news! Coldplay : Prospekt has just been added to our catalogue, so you can be the first to get your order in now. Coldplay : Prospekt CD £8.99 Free Delivery Release date: 16-6-2008 Number of Discs: 1 Catalogue Number: PRERELCD Label: PARLOPHONE ---------------------- I'm a little hesistant to totally trust the accuracy of this info, particularly as we've been told it won't be called Prospekt and they haven't got a proper catalogue number at the mo. However this is a different release date than we've heard before (June rather than May) and seeing as it's Coldplay I wouldn't be surprised by them pushing the release date back a month! Anyway - I thought I'd share with you all! Discuss away!