My Coldplay.com

Dear Bono:

Love,
Your Fans

Occasionally a band comes along that has a frontman capable of taking a 20,000-seat arena and making it feel like an intimate 100-person club. I can personally vouch for Bono’s ability to do so, having seen it in person three times now (with a fourth coming up in November). His charisma and ability to connect with an audience makes it feel like you’re actually part of the show, even if you’re sitting in row ZZZZ of section 547.

However, after having seen Coldplay live last night at Philips Arena, I can safely say that Bono isn’t alone in his ability to perform that feat. Chris Martin obviously eats audience participation up, and does anything and everything he can to get the crowd singing along with him and on their feet (including running through the audience all the way to the back of the arena!). He was a one-man whirling dervish last night, leaping up on the cabinets on the side of the stage, yelling “I can see all of you way in the back” during numbers, and letting the audience take lead on the songs on occasion.
[Read more]

Coldplay has been nominated for two mtvU Woodie Awards - the Good Woodie and the Alumni Woodie.

The Good Woodie awards charity and humanitarian efforts by the band. The Alumni Woodie recognizes artists that have gone mainstream but stay true to their roots. The winners are determined by the fans. The voting is in full effect and the competition is tough. Time to really show our support for Coldplay at this year’s mtvU Woodie Awards!

Vote online here for Coldplay as many times as you can. Voting ends on October 28th.

Vote for Coldplay in the Good Woodie category here
Vote for Coldplay in the Alumni Woodie category here

Via Coldpaying.com

Coldplay were were joined by Michael Stipe at their show in Atlanta.

The REM frontman duetted with the band at the Philips Arena for a rendition of the track Nightswimming.

Introducing Stipe, Martin told the crowd that the last time Coldplay played Atlanta they were joined by Elton John on piano and they felt they had to do something to top that.

A Coldplay fan told a music magazine: “Stipe got a huge standing ovation, and they couldn’t start the song for a minute or so because it was so loud.

“It was unbelievable.”

ITN

Grade: A | Genre: Brit Rock
Summary: It was a heady evening of sensational music that really cemented Coldplay’s place as one of the greatest bands in the world.

Date: September 28, 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Last night saw Coldplay entering Atlanta as true rock gods, playing their first big time arena show at Philips. Touring on their recently released X&Y, the “Twisted Logic” tour is set to introduce America to the next huge rock star. Most of us have seen this runaway train coming ever since they fulfilled their tremendous promise on that tough second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. Now there was never any question in my mind if Coldplay would put on an amazing show. Their performance at the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte squeezed into the number 7 slot of my top 10 concerts of all time. The question was more along the lines of whether they could adapt to being a true arena rock stars, sharing the same musical performing space as giants like Oasis and U2. I’m very happy to report Coldplay was more than up for the challenge.
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Dear Dexter,

I’m in a Chris Martin conundrum. On the one hand (i) he married that big ol’ snob Gwyneth, (ii) he named his daughter Apple, (iii) he threw Apple a vegan birthday party, (iv) his voice is whiny and (v) he has an insatiable appetite for media attention (which explains why the names of his bandmates are virtually unknown). All this makes me think he’s self-important and pretentious, and most people as self-important and pretentious as he appears to be piss me off.
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The astonishing sales of open, emotional acts such as Katie Melua, James Blunt or Coldplay has been matched only by the vitriol of pop’s pundits, writes Neil McCormick

What do Coldplay, James Blunt and Katie Melua have in common? How you answer that may depend on whether the mention of their names has you warmly contemplating your record collection or reaching for a sickbag.

If it is the former, you might observe that this triumvirate are likely to be the biggest selling British popular music acts of the year. If the latter, however, you might note that they are also among the most derided, routinely attracting the kind of reviews that can make grown men weep.
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An epidemic of concerts has rushed through the semifall season and fans become imbued in its wonderfulness. Tours are scheduled here and there and people gather together to enjoy concert euphoria. One of these in particular, is the Twisted Logic Tour under Coldplay’s command. Mr. Harrison did the newest album, X&Y, justice in his earlier article on it.

Coldplay has been running across America delivering outstanding performances. I was one of the witnesses.
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Coffee is a bit like a designer drug: It satisfies you at first, but it always leaves you wanting more.

I stopped paying $3 for a gallon of gas, yet I gladly pay $4 for my tub of Yuban. But I recently pondered the implications of my purchase after watching a Coldplay concert in which lead singer Chris Martin preened around onstage in support of the Make Trade Fair trend. Each day, as I freshen up my brew, I wonder if I am I in fact subsidizing social inequity.
[Read more]

While Robbie and Foos are among the performers…

Coldplay and The Gorillaz lead the way in the nominees stakes at this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards.

Chris Martin’s four-piece and Damon Albarn’s animated crew are both nominated for five awards apiece at the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards - taking place on November 3 in Portugal.

Coldplay’s nods include Best Group, Best Album (’X & Y’) and Best UK and Ireland, while the Gorilliaz will battle it out in categories including Best Pop, Best Song (’Demon Days’) and also Best UK & Ireland Act.

Hot on their heels, Gwen Stefani tops off a great year with four EMAs nominations, while 50 Cent, Green Day, Snoop Dogg, U2 and James Blunt are all up for three gongs a pop.

Meanwhile, this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards host is Khazakstani TV journalist Borat (Sacha Baron Cohen).

Performances at this year’s EMAs will come Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Green Day and Black Eyed Peas.

The MTV Europe Music Awards 2005 are sponsored by LG and Replay Blue Jeans.

Watch this space for more details.

MTV.co.uk

‘Ali G’ creator will host November 3 ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal.

Coldplay and Gorillaz top the nominated acts at the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards. Both bands received five nominations each for the 12th annual EMAs, which will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, on November 3. “Ali G” creator Sacha Baron Cohen will host the show as one of his alter egos, clueless Kazakhstan journalist Borat Sagdiyev.

Both top nominees are vying for Best Group, Best Song, and Best UK and Ireland Act, with Coldplay picking up additional noms for Best Album and Best Rock Act while Gorillaz are in the running for Best Video (”Feel Good Inc.”) and Best Pop Act.

Best Group

* Coldplay
* Green Day
* Gorillaz
* The Black Eyed Peas
* U2

Best Album

* 50 Cent - The Massacre
* Coldplay - X&Y
* Green Day - American Idiot
* Gwen Stefani - Love, Angel, Music, Baby
* U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

Best Rock

* Coldplay
* Green Day
* Foo Fighters
* Franz Ferdinand
* U2

Best Song

* Coldplay - “Speed of Sound”
* Gorillaz - “Feel Good Inc.”
* James Blunt - “You’re Beautiful”
* Snoop Dogg (with Justin Timberlake) “Signs”
* The Chemical Brothers - “Galvanise”

Best UK & Ireland Act

* Coldplay
* Gorillaz
* Kaiser Chiefs
* James Blunt
* Stereophonics

MTV.com