On a historic roller-coaster of a day, there was a definite need of a palate cleanser from the vitriol and division in the world and if there's one band that is the perfect cure, it's Coldplay.
The four-piece formed 27 years ago in London and are they intact, featuring the same members since meeting in university. In fact, the first time they haven't played with their full complement was in the opening night of this tour in Melbourne. Quite an impressive feat.
The band have managed to transcend generations with just as many older fans as young ones, proof of the longevity and wide-ranging appeal of the group tha thave recently declared that their twelfth album will be their last. They just released their tenth, 'Moon Music'.
So, eight years since their last visit to Sydney, how have things changed for the band that famously recorded a video clip on King Street in Newtown on their last visit.
Extravagance is one word that comes to mind, but there are timely messages pointing out the environmental measures that have been taken. Yes, even the (apparently) compostable planet-based LED wristbands that are handed out to every crowd member. Interestingly, the percentage of returned wristbands was also mentioned, with the average being 86% returned.
Overly hectic? Too busy? - or just exuberant entertainment, there certainly was a feeling that if you went to the bar line or used the amenities at the wrong time, you might miss something!
In all honesty, Coldplay have become one of the biggest bands in the world by being pleasingly wholesome, completely inoffensive and very joyful. I mean,when lead singer, Chris Martin, can't keep the smile off his face as he's dancing down the long driveway through the middle of the stadium after at least200 shows in the last four years, then how can we ever judge?
And so it was that the band performed over twenty songs from nine of their ten albums in a two hour plus performance. Before mentioning the visuals, it needs to be said that the audio for the whole show was excellent. The stadium level,observed from the side stands, was flawless throughout and considering the band shifted to two other locations during the show, that's worth mentioning.
2021's 'Music of the Spheres' would feature the most with 'Higher Power' kicking off the night, but there was decent mix of old and new to follow. Songs from their first three albums, whilst sparse, generally attracted the biggest sing-a-longs, particularly 'The Scientist', which the crowd heartily belted out early in the set.
The evening was separated into four acts, often with small music interludes or visuals in between and with the length of the show clocking just over two hours, Chris Martin was careful to check in with the crowd to make sure they were ok, including suggesting a young fan sit in front of the fence to avoid the crush.
Speaking of the fans, the keen ones were positioned around the stage at the end of the runway in the middle of the stadium and would later in the show have their signs read out. A particularly wholesome part was the invitation of two crowd members to the stage to sit and sing with Martin for the rarely performed 'Green Eyes'. With such a large crowd, personal contact is rare, but Martin made us feel like we were all in the front row.
There were a number of small local references throughout the night. John Farnham, AC/DC and Kylie Minogue were all cleverly referenced at some point as well as reminding us of their Newtown filmed music clip for 'A Sky Full Of Stars' which would later be performed twice in a row with accompanying fireworks!
It's hard not to mention the music without the stunning visuals that accompanied them. Almost every single song had some sort of visual element,whether it be the lights on our wrists, a stunning stage lighting set-up,flames or fireworks. Not to mention the array of balls, balloons, puppets and confetti that were scattered throughout. It was a feast for the eyes and - at times - felt like a little too much.
In all fairness though, when there was a song which didn't have any opulence,like 'God Put a Smile Upon Your Face', the interaction noticeably dropped and for a song that was a featured single, it seemed that many had forgotten it.It’s a song that still stands up, however.
"Let's all be one people on a day when we need to feel that", Martin shared at one point, not quite referencing the tumultuous US Election result directly, but indicating that – for many – it was a day that didn’t quite go to plan.
Whilst you might not recognise the rest of the band - guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion – if you passed them on the street, they performance was flawless, professional and almost a little wooden, but when you have Chris Martin overflowing with charisma and charm, does it really matter?
A sweet interlude of ‘WE PRAY’ featuring local soul singer, Becca Hatch, made up for the lack of local supports (just), but there is an appreciation that Martin certainly makes sure to expose himself to artists wherever he performs.
On a day where we needed positive energy, Coldplay delivered. It was the pure definition of a stadium show for the whole family and really, you couldn’t ask for more even when we all teared up with a gorgeous rendition of ‘Fix You’.
“Sometimes we forget that coming to Sydney is one of the biggest pleasures we can have!” Chris Martin may say that to all the audiences,but on this night, we believed him. It was a gorgeous and interstellar show that replenished a cup that needed filling.
Words by Mick Radojkovic
Images by Peter Dovgan
