CP-EST

One thing is having some backing tracks already, but scary thing is that it sometimes impossible to tell, how much the pre-recorded playing/singing was edited. You need really good ear to be able to notice it. Sometimes there is just some little post production, some fixes in mix, which aren't so noticeable. These two Higher Power performances sound way too perfect, perfectly mixed with some vocal editing. Although when you know it's live broadcast, it's different story. Then you might wonder about different things, for example how much there are some subtle backing tracks for fuller sound/vocals in addition to some obvious backing tracks. Oh sorry, that's what I was mostly talking about, how the audio of these performances was done. Obviously there was no live broadcast, but it's not that easy to understand what was done in recording process - that's what we are talking about.

Oh yeah! I was just talking about this Everday Life Live in Jordan performance generally, which was really good. Chris's vocals in Church are definitely not live, although it somehow seemed that there was possibility of clever mixing with live vocal and pre-recorded/studio vocal track. It's really difficult to tell actually, but it stands out that it is not 100% live.

There has been no Higher Power actual live performance yet, guys. Although it's a bit interesting how these performances were done technically. I wrote my opinion about it on this thread.

I mean it's ok to make these perfect pre-recorded versions for TV promotion, that's what artists do these days, although it's annoying for people who pay attention. Also it's annoying that a lot people are tricked and think that artists actually sound so good. Idols and BRITs were pre-recorded definitely, they did it last week already I guess, so absolutely nothing purely live about them. I'm just not very sure how it was technically done. After quickly going through both "live performances" this is just an hypothesis. For American Idol they recorded the whole band actually and created a "perfect live version", there probably was several attempts mixed together. Everything was mixed and edited to sound close to perfect - meaning heavy post production. In BRITs they just recorded some little bits (maybe just some vocals) and mixed these into this "perfect live version". As you said in another thread there are very subtle differences in vocals. So maybe it's true, knowing that for Super Bowl was just live vocals as well, wasn't it? But we also know they are capable sounding really good in actual live performance. Everyday Life live performance on YouTube raised some suspicions that it was pre-recorded and I read somewhere that their sound guys were actually a bit insulted by that. ? Waiting for that Worthy Farm performance for sure!

Even if there was tiny bit, what was actually recorded live from this performance it still has a lot of post production. I'm still waiting to hear it when they actually perform it live without hiding behind any perfect post production or perfected miming. Still, very effective performance visually.

Uuh loving it! This discussion got heated, so this also means this song has already succeeded with confronting the audience whether people like it or not. I like discussing and hearing these opinions. Although some seem a bit strongminded, this shows that Coldplay is in their hearts and they are very passionate about their music. You know people can make assumptions that they aim for fitting in, make all of it for money, writing just the right songs to make it on TikTok, getting the general appreciation or whatever. I have to say that I have heard some of my music friends or critics I follow having assumptions about Everyday Life too. So the assumption is that they were using Jacob Collier, Femi Kuti and his band or Stromae to make it look more extravagant and artsy than this thing ever actually was and this didn't came from the heart really - all of it was just a pretentious BS. Most of the strongminded Oldplayers don't say it, because it feels like this Everyday Life was somehow closer to their Oldplayer heart. These are just assumptions we make, at the end of the day if you take Higher Power as Higher Power, it's a quite good pop song, definitely the arrangement and quality of it is right there at the very top of the current pop music. You could say that the melody and lyrics are weak or average, but it seemingly delivers what it was aiming for, so rest of it is just about opinions and taste. Lets not forget that Coldplay became something bigger than just a band a long time ago and they know it. We can have a lot of assumptions about them. At the end of the day you never know what is actually true, maybe they have always been just the puppets of satanic music industry and working with Max Martin could be just the proof of it. This guy has basicly his hand in most of the mainstream music, so he could very well be one of the leaders of satanism. So they are just coworking to spread the satanism better than before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiPGOArPwfM Anyway.... ? I don't remember what I was trying to say in the previous paragraph and you might think what hell I have been smoking, but it's really fun discussing about Coldplay music! It is what it is, but at the end of the day they deliver the massive stadium shows, that's what really is in their hearts.

Guitar is not appealing that's right. And also it doesn't have very much unique to offer anymore. You know a lot of rock and metal artists say these days that writing on guitar isn't inspiring anymore, there isn't very much unique coming out of it. So whether it's about fitting in the current music scene or not being inspired by classic rock elements anymore there is no sign of lack of confidence in here. Being inspired by current music scene, writing a song and making it sound like it's supposed to, what's wrong with that?

Sorry, but I don't get that reasoning. No one makes a song purposefully worse in the studio version (which will forever and always be the definitive, standard version of that song, like it or not) so that people are surprised that it sounds better live. Maybe there is too much emphasis on what is worse or better. I think it's about what sounds good in different circumstances. As controversial as it sounds, I now think that studio version wouldn't benefit from the heavy guitar very much and they made right choice to go all in with synths. Heavy guitar is actually overwhelming to listen when you consider this song for what this song is aiming for - being a synth pop song. In live version though you see them perform and totally rock the song and the guitar has its place there. And they seem to know 100% that Jonny has some amazing guitar stuff in this song, but they are confident enough to leave that for live performance where it has more space for this. I say it again, the studio version has elements and arrangements which are better than most people actually think at first and being less guitar heavy is doing it a favor.

I'm not really a music expert or a professional sound guy, but there could be a few reasons why they hide the guitar in studio mix. For example, they intentionally let mixing and mastering reflect the current music scene, where there guitar is quite hidden sadly. Also I think they kind of aim the songs sound different for wider audience, so people would notice it more. People who aren't superfans would go "oh, kind of sounds like every other Coldplay song with this colourful guitar melody". In this case they sacrifice guitar in studio version to let the other elements get attention. Also I think they try a bit to confront the audience, be bold and not be afraid to make song unexpectedly synth orientated in studio version. Lastly, I think they know that their songs in live always sound better and have more energy, so letting different elements shine in live performance will make people surprised and have a bigger "wow effect" I think both studio and live mixes are actually really well done, but the live mix really lets the band shine. In studio version you might not even get the feeling of band playing. In live performance all of them shine, but Jonny definitely stands out more. Anyway, it definitely would be interesting to hear some comments about it from their sound guys or any top level sound guys.

I'm actually like wtf??? after hearing this live. Some of the guitar sound in live performance of this song is the most interesting sound ever from Jonny. I imagined there would be much more guitar, but couldn't imagine sounds like that. And look at that energy in this performance! Last time I remember getting that kind of reaction from hearing Charlie Brown live for the first time.

Hmm, you make a fair point... it still needs more discussion and we are not finished. Higher Power is less songier, but more dancier. So does it mean it's actually a dance? ?

This is true Finally after a long debate full of different opinions we have figured it out! Higher Power is a song. I'm glad we found an universally pleasing opinion. I guess this thread could be closed with that.?

Well to begin with, this production and mixing is as good as it can be in pop song. Of course we want more Jonny, but we probably hear him a bit higher up in live performance. I think this is definitely one of their strongest song from vocal perspective. There is so much going on with backing vocals and it varies a lot. But they have made it sound so effortless and great, sounds very clear. Also I think overall it's actually a lot better song than a lot of people realise at first. It's not their masterpiece, but it's probably one of their best arranged pop song and song gives me vibes that they have enjoyed recording it so much. I just really enjoy listening it and it makes me happy, no need to overthink and compare it too much with everything else.

Can't wait to get high of Higher Power already. I'm just wondering if it's going to be mega hit or a giga hit...

I'm not very convinced it's real song. Doesn't sound very good for me to be honest. Sounds like it could be some cover version. It says in the notes: audio by Planeta Coldplay

Okay, if anyone wants to go and wait on YouTube, here's the link:

After this I can't believe we are getting a synth pop anthem tomorrow.

It got better now yes!

Haha, that launchpad is funny. "Let's see what happens when I press this button" - crescendo of Fix You

Anyone else getting these little interruptions with static noise like Alien Radio is trying to take over?

Anyone wants to make predictions for setlist? And for how long are they going perform? Considering there is 8-9 artists and it's 5 hours long, I think as headliners they might get 45 to 60 minutes. Obviously we get Viva la Vida with video of people singing along to it. Also Yellow and Fix You. Definitely the newest single Higher Power. Maybe one more new song? Considering they are playing for the cameras, this gives them opportunity to perform some interesting songs. They don't need to hold the energy for 100 000 people in front of them. People watching the stream pay probably more attention to the beauty of them performing.

LEAK

To be honest, I don't haha. Hopefully it doesn't get leaked until the world premiere at least. ? It's more about how the record label manages to avoid the leak and it seems that they are very serious about it this time. Anyway I got the notification just a few hours ago that my CD is shipped, so it means there's bunch of Higher Power CD-s travelling around in the world possibly and leaking might be unavoidable now. Still, fingers crossed it doesn't!

I wonder that too. It will be interesting to see! I really hope they actually play a bit synths live in this song and hopefully put guitar higher in the mix in the parts where it's possible. They have always managed to make the songs work in live performances more or less. For example Something Just Like This in live was kind of a positive surprise for me.

Well, with all these "what if" speculations Coldplayers also must be thinking: What if... I got it wrong And no poem or song Could put right what I got wrong ?