hey everyone, so i thought i'd share this review i wrote up about the Toronto show and i also included some links for my video clips. hope you all enjoy :cool:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Canada Centre, Toronto
March 22, 2006
Can Coldplay’s performance in Toronto be summed up in one word? No, but it can in 2 words: astonishingly phenomenal.
No one can say they expected less from a band whose accolades and international recognition continue to mount. With the release of their third album, X&Y, the band launched an international tour. The sold out shows at the AXX are Coldplay’s third appearance in the tour, having played the Kool Haus in May 2005 and the ACC in early August 2005. Coldplay’s Twisted Logic tour 2005-2006 has been a steady stream of sold out shows and amazing performances, but the Toronto shows are home to more than that. Coldplay chose Toronto to be the basis of their upcoming Live DVD. As Chris Martin announced to the Toronto crowd "We auditioned audiences all around the world — and you came in number one." With cameras capturing the band’s every movement for a DVD, Coldplay was ultimately putting on a show for the world to see – it was bound to be spectacular.
Prior to Coldplay’s entrance to thunderous applause, former Verve front man Richard Ashcroft took to the stage. A legendary musician and lyricist, Ashcroft epitomized British swagger and cool in his appearance and music. Wearing his classic sunglasses, jean jacket and barefoot, Ashcroft greeted the Toronto crowd with a set list of his solo work and definitive Verve songs. He started with “Keys to the World”, then passionately driving through songs like “Break the Night With Colour”, “Music is Power”, “Science of Silence”, “Sonnet”, “The Drugs Don’t Work” and crowd favourite “Lucky Man”. Ashcroft was in top form throughout his performance, his voice smoothly emitting memorable lyrics, while he actively fell on his news to sing or raised his arms in triumph of the music.
Naturally, Ashcroft left the best for last. The climax of his performance was the distinguished “Bittersweet Symphony” which had the crowd singing along to one of Britpop’s most prominent anthems. “Bittersweet Symphony” is considered one of the best songs of our time, and it accordingly ignited uproar inside the ACC after its first few chords were played. Richard Ashcroft performed like a legend and it was an honour to have the opportunity to watch him perform live.
Richard Ashcroft’s Setlist:
Keys to the World
The Drugs Don’t Work
Music is Power
Science of Silence
Break the Night with Color
Lucky Man
Words Just Get in the Way
Bittersweet Symphony
Following Ashcroft, who departed to a much deserved round of booming cheers, the crowd eagerly anticipated the main attraction. Upon the fading of lights, 17000 fans erupted in excitement for the arrival of Coldplay. The roars heightened when Jon Buckland and Guy Berryman secured their guitars, Will Champion seized his drum sticks and “Square One” detonated a bomb of cheers. Chris Martin’s mystical silhouette could be seen in front of the screen’s display of a countdown, and in 3 swift steps he ran to mid-stage to be greeted by the explosion of lights and applause.
The set continued with “Politik” as Martin enthusiastically played the piano, jumping in his seat. “Yellow” followed, receiving a wild reaction from the crowd. Massive yellow balloons drifted down to the crowd, surfing the waves of people. Several balloons wandered on stage, compelling Martin to pop them with his guitar. The burst showered Martin with Gold confetti, as the crowd sang along with every word. During “Clocks”, a fantastic display of lasers swam through the arena.
A highlight of the show and a rarity was Jon Buckland’s short solo during “Don’t Panic”. Chris Martin wholeheartedly introduced John and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed his singing. During “The Scientist”, Martin embraced the crowd’s aura by turning the mic to the open air, where the chorus reverberated through the arena. The scene was an indication of Coldplay’s mass popularity and appreciation in the world, where the entire crowd hung on to every word of Coldplay’s most sentimental tracks.
Before playing an acoustic set, Chris Martin went side stage for a brief wardrobe change (which I got on film, thank you very much), received by the cheers of his female fans. The band regrouped at centre stage, where the acoustically played “Till Kingdom Come”, written for Johnny Cash and they also covered Cash’s song “Ring of Fire”.
The cameras weaving over and around the stage transmitted live footage onto the screen behind the stage, amplifying the band’s movements, from Buckland’s and Berryman’s guitar strokes to Champion’s rapid drum beats. He notably beat those drums with heart and soul, putting on a great display of workmanship. “Talk” was the last song before Coldplay left the stage. Of course, the crowd persisted for more from Coldplay.
Within 3 minutes, the band returned to the stage to the crowd’s satisfaction, ready to play their encore. “Swallowed in the Sea” opened, followed by “In My Place”, and closing with “Fix You”. An anthem of great proportions, the crowd loved joining Martin in signing. It proved to be a fantastic sing-along. The bad dismantled and rose to thank the audience for their hospitality. They were received by deafening praise from the crowd, who clearly enjoyed the show. They bowed and were thrown a Canadian flag, which Buckland draped over his shoulders.
The Toronto crowd could not have asked for more. It was a phenomenal show, marked my Martin’s ability to connect with the audience through his energy, charisma and passion. There was not a moment when the crowd did not feel Martin was enjoying himself. From start to finish, the show was a treat to the senses. The atmosphere generated by the band and the crowd was like no other. I went into the concert loving Coldplay and came out loving them even more. It was a night I will remember forever and I can’t wait to see Coldplay, one of the best bands on the world, play again.
Coldplay's Setlist:
Square One
Politik
Yellow
Speed of Sound
God Put a Smile upon Your Face
What If
How You see the World
Don't Panic
White Shadows
The Scientist
Till Kingdom Come
Ring of Fire
Trouble
Clocks
Talk
Swallowed in the Sea
In My Place
Fix You
DOWNLOADS
01 – Richard Ashcroft – The drugs don’t work
http://s65.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2WFSAZJVU8RJV01KSGMTGFN0GR
02 – Richard Ashcroft
http://s65.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=38TYSUIZQE9PH2LHUCTRZUOAVG
03 – Richard Ashcroft – Lucky Man
http://s65.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=25NCY1LLGD8LD0CKELYEBUL0CY
04 – Richard Ashcroft - Bittersweet Symphony
http://s65.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0KMFUW2ZOK78D0K4ZJ7YH53P1H
05 – Coldplay – Square 1 – opening of the show
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=07FAB1A4OOBS73NE94HU8S8M2Z
07 – Coldplay – Square 1 – Chris was so close!
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0VKJZE6VPJNSH0KB7QU0JXVNAL
08 – Coldplay – Politik – lighting was cool
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=16AXQ3J2RJ9BO1CT8T3274YKV8
09 – Coldplay – Yellow
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3413UVKD0ZP382FZ3ZH6O0SBXP
10 – Coldplay – Yellow – balloons falling on crowd
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2JCHSTZC1DANB3AFDTCY65O05W
11 – Coldplay – Speed of Sound – Chris was so close again!
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2DCQL7TX6PP2C08BFHLU1ZUXAB
13 – Coldplay – God Put A Smile Upon Your Face – screen was cool
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=10Q5EZQYTRTEU33DOJX2Y1C1LQ
14 – Coldplay – God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3Q5V7NAES0PWT3UCZ8RS4YCNYC
15 – Coldplay – How You See The World – Chris sang this song so close in front of me. I had to get it on camera
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1YRELLD976XEK08DGGAGPKUAXX
16 – Coldplay – How You See the World (continued)
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0P8MQ6DT6PRHB0GID7MS8Y7EIY
21 Chris Martin changing shirt! Woo hoo! Ha ha
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=29J3FLR0M37I91AXUFXG5MELW3
23 – Coldplay – Clocks – lasers in the arena were cool
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3UVYBT4EO5WWH1YUDW31WFN915
24 – Coldplay – Talk – pretty cool! I love Chris Martin!
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=17Z6TMLS7VDTS0G8RSRXMN1XSZ
27 – Coldplay – Fix You – Chris Martin spinning light
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1DNJWM75MUWNO17Z3LHBH7KCXG
28 – Coldplay – Fix you – almost all the song. One of the best [performances of the night! An amazing way to end the show!
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2B13SK6PMSFS91WHGE58BV27UF
29 – Coldplay – end of the show, bowing and leaving the stage.
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0KYPT1VXFYUJQ2XH4U6R5RVMSZ
cheers :)