If you read my blog yesterday, you'll know that Helen and I went to see Coldplay last night, in Birmingham. They were good, possibly even very good, but not great.
Musically, they were faultless: 4 musicians all of whom also sing all at the top of their game and fused together in a tight and cohesive unit. They played all of their best known songs from across all 4 albums, with the single exception of their breakthrough hit Trouble. They played most of the 2nd and 4th albums and were on stage for 1 3/4 hours. The accompanying light and laser show was also very well put together and really rather beautiful.
Most of the fans were very into it, singing along and clapping and cheering at all the right moments. I've said this before, but they manage the tricky feat of having a huge sound, and sounding intimate at the same time. Even at the back of the large arena, it felt inclusive.
They just fell short of brilliance, but it's hard to pinpoint exactly why. Some magical spark was absent and even though all the right elements were there, Helen and I both felt that there was something missing.
Two minor criticisms: Firstly, I felt that there was a little too much of getting the crowd to do the singing: I've paid to see the band sing, not the crowd. Secondly, there were 2 or 3 songs (at least) where there was clearly a backing tape playing to add in the sounds they can't make live. They clearly weren't playing the tape themselves so someone behind the scenes was doing this. I don't have a problem in principle with this as they were making the bulk of the sounds themselves but I'd still rather they didn't do it and they don't need to do it: I've heard entirely acoustic performances by them that were completely stunning, and there is no question-mark over their musicianship.
8/10
Cheers, Tom.
P.S. The "Church Of Coldplay" description was Helen's, and that's not my photograph.
kendersrule
Pro 
hmm, a good review!