My Coldplay.com - A Coldplay Blog

Coldplay have launched the European leg of their Viva La Vida Tour with a cracking performance at Strasbourg’s Zenith theatre tonight, which included the live debut of ‘Cemetries of London’ [*pouts*]. Pictures are in the gallery here. Reviews and videos below…

Chris Martin has described it as their “ghost march” and he is clearly trying to tackle the big questions as he sings about a supernatural and religious quest. This, along with a few other tracks, brings to mind the resonant 1980s stadium rock of bands like U2, Genesis, Simple Minds and Marillion.

Pre-Show Updates from Chavi:

11.30: We’re at the venue and spoke to a roadie, fuckin excited!
12.47: They came in but didn’t stop, phil was there too
13.04: (Answer to mimi’s question) I waved my banner, hope they read I screamed Phil and will Like mad when they got out the car, I think they both smiled yay
13.43: They’re doing soundcheck right now, only playing Violet Hill, frustrating cause we can’t get in
14.24: Just saw Guy cause he went out to smoke, bit hid behind a car, I’m a bit sad have to go back in the queue people are starting to gather
14.36: We can’t get closer because of security tried to give flyers to roadies but wouldn’t come and take em bummer!
15.27: Holy shit! they went back for souncheck and played CoL! they fuckin read my banner which says: ‘play the amazing cemetries of london please’ weeeeeee

Setlist:

1. Life In Technicolor
2. Violet Hill
3. Clocks
4. Cemeteries of London (debut on tour)
5. Chinese Sleep Chant
6. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
7. 42
8. Don’t Panic
9. Yellow
10. The Hardest Part (piano)
11. In My Place
12. Speed Of Sound
13. Viva La Vida
14. Lost!
15. The Scientist
Acoustic (?) Encore
17. Death Will Never Conquer
18. Politik
19. Lovers In Japan
20. Death And All His Friends
2nd Encore
21. The Dubliners
22. The Escapist

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It is official this evening coldplay is going to interpret CEMETERIES OF LONDON because there is 30minutes the band(strip) has chris to repeat the song on scene(stage) with chris and jonny who settled(adjusted) their balances and will has to strike some measures…
The group looks like tret to relax apres whom chris is one can disappointed by the nasty because he bandaged that that was going to be one can bigger but it finds that it is one can young on all the pit or there are standing places because as has

[thanks coldplay12]

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A couple of translated comments which have been left below…

It was just splendid, I do not arrive has to find words precise to express which I feel.
Thank you Coldplay, and the public for this good ambience.

[merci Anissa]

HEY! I was the guy has your left which had the lungs atrophied and which wanted simply to put RIGHT and not to push you (and your girlfriends consequently occasion)

I excuse myself besides because of being taller than they but, afflicted, I do not have faculty to reduce myself, even less in front of Coldplay.

Cheer for the site all the same.

[merci Pierre ;)]

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Coldplay in concert: first test of Strasbourg transformed

After having given the blow of sending of its French mini-round on September 1 in Strasbourg, Coldplay will unload in Lyon, then in Paris for two concerts in the largest room of France.

Posting complete since weeks with the Zenith of Strasbourg, Coldplay did not disappoint its public, on September 1, for the blow of sending of its French mini-round.

The British combo, which left its new album “Viva La Vida”, is now on the point of giving a new concert Halle Tony Garnier, on September 4. The group will be then in Paris, for two concerts in Bercy on September 9.

This series in concerts has vocation to present the new album of Coldplay, produced by Brian Eno. The concerts also lie within the scope of a vast round international, which began in June 2008.

Coldplay also projects to leave a new “EP” entitled “Prospect’s March”. A new album is already the pipes, according to Chris Martin, singer of the group.

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Well, just one word about this show : it was H-U-G-E !! I didn’t meet any of you guys, but whoo, I’ll never forget this evening !!!! I never realized how GREAT Chris Martin’s voice is… And I was standing in the first rows with a perfect view at the band ! And the butterflies, and the harmonica, and the little Gnossienne from Satie at the piano, and Chris being topless, and the not so bad French speaking, and the little jokes, and… and everything else ! I’m flying on a little cloud since, and it is really hard for me to focus on work right now ! It was worth every hour of wait, standing, feet hurting, thirst and tiredness. That was the best show I have ever seen !

[thanks Eliness]

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The concert was awesome. I first almost didn’t regognize Chris, because of his hair! *cries* Why did he have to cut it down?

I was a bit dissapointed they didn’t give any autographs. There were a few possibilities, but it seems they just weren’t in the mood for it or so…

Politik was awesome, I loved that they played that song!!
We also collected lots of butterflies (they’re hanging on my wall already, it looks beautiful!!)

[thanks G o A]

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The “try to meet the band” chapter :
I had an amazing journey !! it was definitely one of the greatest things that had happened to me in my life so far !
Mariano (aka The_escapist) and me went to the venue as soon as we got to Strasbourg. We saw a roadie there and Mariano asked him where was Chris Martin. The roadie told us they werent there yet, they’d only be there in the afternoon. So we decided to go the back entrance. There we spoke to a security guy who knew nothing.. not even the band, he actually thought they were german. He wouldnt let us in obviously.. We went to grab some food. And then when we came back another security guy, the one who knows things, told us : YEAH THEY’RE COMING! So, we’re like OMG ! 12:30 That’s when we saw the big black cars .. I waved my banner on the “Play the amazing Cemeteries of London” side, and we started screaming names ! Haha i was so excited. They didnt stop.. but we saw them getting into the venue. Well, Mariano saw Jonny, Guy and Will. And I immediatly saw Phil who was waiting to take his stuff in the trunk. So the fangirl not so deep inside of me cant help but yell his name ! He seemed embarassed but flattered, I hope ! Then we screamed for Will. He waves. The others were already inside. I didnt get to see them..
Around 1pm (I think) Christopher (aka Christo670) texted me and said I should go to the main entrance because people are starting to get in line.. Dammit, it’s too early ! So I go because I dont want to miss the first row. From outside we could hear the soundcheck. They played VH several times and then went on with 42 and Lost! Mariano, Marina (aka G o A) and me decided to go back because we thought they would go out for a break or something. and that’s when I said ‘Guy must come out of the building because he needs to smoke’ .. no sign of them and Christopher is stressing me by calling and saying people are gathering and that I really should go.. So silly me went back, while Mariano and Marina stayed. But 10 minutes later Mariano called me and said ‘You gotta come, Guy’s outside smoking!!’ HOLY SHIT ! I ran like hell ! I’m sure I wouldve beaten Guy in the marathon ! no serisouly, I was exhausted, my legs were burning.. But I saw him so it was worth it. Unfortunately he didnt come to us.. again!
We went back to the main entrance for the last time to be in the line, when we heard Cemeteries of London !!!!!!!!!!! Did they really see my banner ? yeah I think they did, but I know that wasnt the reason why they played it. It was surely already planned. But I like to think that I have something to do with it ! haha !
so then bla bla bla.. waiting.. hours.. rain.. no umbrella.. etc etc..

The “waiting inside the venue and opening act” chapter :
We got in at 6:30pm ! I was FRONT ROW as you all know ! It was a pretty good crowd I must say. Security guards just in front of us were giving out water bottles. Thank God because it was pretty HOT ! yuck, I hate being that close to strangers..
8:30pm : Albert Hammond Jr came on stage and was GREAT ! Awesome musician, really. I didnt know him before. Only looked up for a few vids on youtube. But it was pretty good! sadly, no one knew who he was so the crowd didnt really follow during the songs. But in between we did our best to give him great support ! till one girl asked him what was his name.. to which he replied ‘I dont have one’.. he seemed gutted wondering what he was doing here, or maybe not I dont really know.

9:15pm, Coldplay’s staff got everything ready. It was so exciting to see them putting everything in the right place, testing instruments and mics. The crowd got more and more PUMPED !

ps : I started writing this an hour ago.. sorry i have too much to say.. the actual live review is on its way.

pps : I was on the news tonight we saw me running to get inside the venue !

Here’s some video of Chavi running into the venue…

The LIVE REVIEW chapter :
9:25pm (or something) the curtains went down ! and 9:30pm (or something) the band came on stage ! OMG OMG OMG ! They all walked to their spots, Chris was jumping around, picked up their instruments and IT WAS ON !
Life in technicolor : my heart exploded just hearing the first note! I couldnt believe I was there. It was really intense, didnt expect that much adrenaline at once. They were so into it. It was even more amazing to them really enjoying it and playing for us, performing for a crowd!
Vh : I loved it ! I was so impressed to see them performing live. I was totally amazed. And having freaking GUY BERRYMAN just in front of me didnt help ! I thought the piano at the end was much better, but I changed my mind since last night. Chris is perfect at the guitar ! when the song ended I held as high as I could my banner on the “Nothing matters except life and the music Coldplay make’ side. Jonny stopped to read it ! how cute ! I was excited because I saw him reading it, so I was jumping up and down when I noticed Guy was trying to read but couldnt because I was going nuts, so I stopped and he got to read it ! Yaay ! so then I put it down on the floor.
Clocks : OMG !!! I love the song so much, I love every single live performances they did, and this one was the best ! I’m biased I know. The crowd went bananas when Chris started on the piano. The lights effects were awesome, really cool !
CoL : SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ! HUGE HIGHLIGHT of the night ! The lalalalalalays were immense and how great was Guy on the piano ! what can i tell ? it was perfect !
CSC : Chris, Jonny and Guy gathered and played close to each others ! it was great because they stayed on the main stage when I thought they would go on Guy’s catwalk.
God put a smile : Awesome version ! always loved the bassline of that song.
42 : I have blurred memory of that song.. I think it was great ! haha ! I know I was singing.. I know I got the lyrics at the end too early ! haha.. but nothing particular ! I believe it’s everything about that part is gone because of the next song they played.
DONT PANIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FAVORITE SONG OF ALL TIME. And I requested it like a BILLION time ! I wouldve done ANYTHING to hear it and TADAAAAAAA ! THANKS COLDPLAY, I LOVE YOU ! Definitely the best moment of the concert for me. It was so special. Even more because they did the perfect version of it, which is the simple one, the old one, with Jonny’s singing ! I almost had a heart attack when Chris said “Jonny Buckland”
Yellow : Chris started to speak French and Guy looked at him all smiling and giggling ! awwww he said their French was shit (which really isnt!!!!) and that it was the best place to start touring again.. (something like that).
so yellow is a classic, everybody was singing ! and it feels awesome to all get along and sing together !
THP : everybody turned around to Guy’s catwalk to see the piano which was waiting for Chris. It was a great moment, but having heard it two days before on the BBC show. I wasnt so much into it. So I turned around back to the stage to take pictures of Guy ! HAHAHA ! He looked scared and I think he didnt understand why I wasnt paying attention to Chris nor the song. but then turned to Chris and listened to the song
In my place : Weeeeee ! Will on the drums always giving me goose bumps ! then Jonny came to our side and was fucking amazing ! the whole song was an epic Jon/Chris episod !
SOS : The song that made me fall in love with Coldplay ! really special moment !
Viva la vida : Finally, I can see Will better ! not so easy when you’re front row. I barely saw him all night .. so it was a really awesome time ! and of course the song is amazing live, the crowd was perfect during the Oooh ooh Ooh ooH !
Lost! : I completely forgot Guy was doing the boom boom thing at the beginning ! it was GOOD, not my favorite song but I liked it very much !
That’s when the band went to the back, and that’s when Chris took his shirt off !!!!
The scientist acoustic : awwwwww ! Chris spoke French again, said he loved us but not in a sexual way. Asked us if we wanted a sexual song, and then added ‘No I know you all want some looovee’. He dedicated the song to Albert Hammond Jr which was nice. It was weird to see the band so far but the song sounded great !
Death will never conquer : WILL IS THE BEST ! his voice is beautiful ! people were surprised, some of them (well the ones next to me) didnt know the song!
they went back to play Politik : SQUEEEE ! my second favorite ! they wouldve played White Shadows and I wouldve died for real! The song’s so powerful live. it was so intense ! I freaking loved it, didnt want it to end !
Lovers in Japan : OMG ! the confettis are beautiful !!!!! when they come down and fly all over the crowd, it’s gorgeous !! The song’s another favorite of the moment. I was blown away !
Death and all his friends : awwwww ! the ending is so close.. i’m enjoying every single piece ! and when they all sing together, Oh wooow !
They waved and went off stage.. yeah right I know they’d come back ! so I took my banner and held it up high again ! they came back and Will saw it this time. He was going to his spot and suddenly stopped to read it and smiled ! yaaaaay !!!!!!
The dubliners (sorry I didnt recognize it) : it was pretty cool ! they added new stuff to it ! not the last song I was hoping for but IM SURELY NOT GOING TO COMPLAIN !
so, they waved again and went off for good. Guy took a last picture of the crowd and left..

I asked the roadies for a setlist or anything else they could give me.. but they said no. and the security guys told us to get the hell out.. I took some confettis, as much as I could ! and left..

the “trying to meet the band” chapter part2:
We went to the back entrance to see if the band’s still here. Mariano said they were because there were policemen all around, and a car was driving all around the drive way to check the traffic. Surprisingly, we were only about 10 fans waiting for them.. they came out around 12:30.. Mariano saw Will getting in the car. And they took off…….. Disappointing ! 10 minutes later the same security guy from this morning (the one who told us they were coming) said there was now only one member left backstage, having a few drinks with friends. WHO WAS HE ? we bet on Guy or Chris. Around 1:30am, we decided to leave because we called for a taxi. But then I saw the black truck. it was JONNY !! well that’s what Mariano says, I’m not sure I only see a cap, so I guess it was Jonny !
We ran.. but the car left..
Time to go to the train station … we took a taxi with some other girls who were waiting for them to get out with us. On the highway, Mariano starts screaming : “Chavi !!! Look !!” OMG, the black truck we opened the windows and showed my banner again. We screamed Jonny and everything, and then our cars went seperate ways ..

Mich, yes he took his blue shirt off to change it for a not so white one
and he did speak French much that night, but at the end was too tired to even try and finished in English

[thanks Chavi]

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The concert was wonderful!
Anyway,
for those who wanted to know…the piano playing of Chris shortly after the Hardest part was a new song, never ever played before…its name is Postcards from far away!!!!!!
I know it for sure, i have played it a bit on the piano myself, since there is a wallpaper on Coldplay’s website, which shows the score of this song!

[thanks CrestofWaves14]

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In my (orange) place.

I just came upstairs to write a little note to the world. It’s heaving down there. Will Champion just dropped the beat for ‘Politik’. I have 1411 signatures sitting next to me. The Oxfam France agir-ici volunteers just handed them in before they went in to enjoy the show. In just 3 hours, 1411 people in Strasbourg called for Health and Education FOR ALL. That’s amazing. When the numbers are added for the whole tour, world leaders will have to take note. I’m heading back down to catch some confetti, before the volunteers come back again to get even more people signed up.

Tuesday 2nd September 2008, 14:15. SAP Arena, Mannheim, DE.

Another day, another city, another arena, another language, another Coldplay concert, and a brand new group of Oxfam volunteers.

I have just had my lunch on day 3 of this European tour. Just before I go to set up the Oxfam stall, I wanted to finish off this post I started last night. I had a strange moment last night. Albert Hammond Jnr walked past me when I was brushing my teeth and said ‘hello’.. With a mouth full of Colgate and toothbrush, my reply was a muffled ‘hey’. There is the guitarist from The Strokes, walking past in his pristine cream suit, there’s me, unable to even say hello properly. It’s all about first impressions! Mind you, at least I will have minty fresh breath.

Another odd moment just now. I’m borrowing a desk in the ‘Artist Management’ office (they haven’t arrived at Mannheim yet). Someone comes up and asks me.. “Do you know where I can put fan mail?” umm.. I guess I just have to get used to these things.

I’m excited to see Albert Hammond Jnr as support. His band were great last night, and duly appreciated by the Strasbourg crowd. It was an open standing floor last night. It gives the gig a totally different feel. I like it when people can pick and choose their Coldplay experience.. almost touching distance, or dancing at the back. It gives the venue a buzz before the doors too, as the crowds wait patiently to rush to the front (even in torrential Strasbourg showers. It made me laugh when I saw them all oblivious to Jonny and Guy going for a run in the distance. That must have had them energised for the show. It was another great concert. Chris and Jonny pleasing the crowd by strutting down the catwalks for ’In My Place’. I have a feeling that it will only get better, as the tour rolls on. Lets hope Oxfam sign-ups keep going up too!

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/

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VIDEOS [more to follow...]

LIFE IN TECHINICOLOR/VIOLET HILL [thanks Ooutch]

CLOCKS Parts 1&2 [thanks chilum57]

CEMETRIES OF LONDON!!! [thanks elmermesquita] Full video can be downloaded here.

Another version [thanks sixcentsoixantesix]

CHINESE SLEEP CHANT [thanks puma6767]

GOD PUT A SMILE UPON YOUR FACE

42

DON’T PANIC [thanks chilum57]

YELLOW [thanks puma6767]

THE HARDEST PART [excellent video by keanelove]

Another version [thanks Brandmeister84]

IN MY PLACE [Thanks octokiddie]

IN MY PLACE/SPEED OF SOUND MIX [thanks trigger67390]

VIVA LA VIDA [thanks puma6767]

Another version [thanks Brandmeister84]

LOST! [thanks sixcentsoixantesix]

Another version [thanks Alice54270]

THE SCIENTIST [thanks jiminho21]

Another version [thanks chilum57]

DEATH WILL NEVER CONQUER

POLITIK [thanks chilum57]

LOVERS IN JAPAN [thanks pglaze]

DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS[ thanks misspingu07]

THE DUBLINERS [thank chilum57]

GOODBYES…

THE ESCAPIST