Critique of Coldplay in Chicago

soleil · 28-09-2003, 07:53 AM

I went to two of Coldplay's concerts, and I must say that the first concert was better than the second. Chris just didn't seem as into it the second time around and the concert also felt shorter. (Will did kick it up a notch with his exceptional drum playing, Jonny and Guy were fine). Perhaps, it was that I had high expectations, but I don't know... This critique was of the second performance and I found it pretty interesting...

Any thoughts or personal experiences?

Size of UIC Pavilion puts a chill on Coldplay performance

BY JIM DEROGATIS POP MUSIC CRITIC

The critical consensus over Coldplay is divided: Some see the platinum-selling British pop band as the poor man's U2 (circa the early days of grand gestures and hollow chest-thumping), while others have it nailed as Radiohead-Lite (all over-emoting and wispy, ethereal ambience).

Neither view is entirely fair. Taken via the short bursts of hit singles such as its 2000 breakthrough "Yellow" or recent chart-toppers "Clocks" and "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face," the quartet distinguishes itself with its indelible melodies, its heartfelt lyrics and Chris Martin's soulful, soaring voice (which is no doubt a major source of the attraction for current girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow).

But while the group rings out amid the clutter and clang of modern-rock radio, it failed to make much of an impact onstage at a sold-out UIC Pavilion Monday night.

Part of the problem is that the band has grown too popular too fast, and it really isn't ready for the arenas yet. It kept the stage set simple, performing under four video screens that flashed images of the musicians and created a mood via swirling psychedelic lights and a lone green laser that must have been purchased used from Genesis circa 1977.

Unfortunately, the band members' stage presence wasn't big enough to make up the difference in filling such a large space. Martin spoke only sporadically, and he couldn't be understood when he did.

And when he wasn't tethered to his acoustic guitar or doing his Schroeder imitation at his black upright piano, his bouncing-on-one-foot-while-reaching-for-the-sky dancing was just plain goofy.

Coldplay's sound is based on a simple formula that pairs the unrelenting 4/4 pounding of drummer Will Champion with the interplay between Jon Buckland's Edge-like single-note guitar lines and Martin's insistent piano and acoustic strumming (plus, of course, those nimble vocal gymnastics).

The group opened strong, with a pounding version of "Politik," the timely protest song that it played on the Grammys. (Adding to the Radiohead connection, it also celebrated leftist political activism by trumpeting a fair-trade group on the video screens and in booths throughout the lobby.)

But while its string of hits stood out--inspiring several crowd sing-alongs--at least half of Coldplay's 90-minute set sounded repetitious and indistinct.

It was also disappointing to see the band relying on taped acoustic guitar and piano (or an unseen roadie playing those instruments) during several of its best numbers, including the rousing hits "Yellow" and "In My Place."

Any band with songs this strong can't be dismissed as a serious contender. But Coldplay needs to polish its act and learn to better project its passions if it wants to continue playing the enormodomes.

Adding aggravation to the night was the fact that the group didn't take the stage until nearly 2-1/2 hours after the advertised starting time. And underwhelming openers Eisley (a cookie-cutter female-fronted pop band from Tyler, Texas) and Ron Sexsmith (the over-rated Canadian singer-songwriter) had even less cause to perform on such a large stage than the headliners did.

Professor Peedston · 28-09-2003, 09:17 AM

you know what? that's pretty much exactly how i felt after seeing them in a huge amphitheatre thing. they're just not cut out for it. places like that were built for fucking Aerosmith and U2 and shit.

i guess i should consider myself extremely lucky to have seen coldplay twice in very small venues. (and once before most americans had a damn clue who they were)

gvargas · 29-09-2003, 02:55 AM

it was aggravating when they didn't show up on stage till 2 1/2 hours later...
UIC isn't that big...but their first tour here was better I think

"It was also disappointing to see the band relying on taped acoustic guitar and piano (or an unseen roadie playing those instruments) during several of its best numbers, including the rousing hits "Yellow" and "In My Place."

I didn't know they did that...

Valleyboy · 29-09-2003, 05:12 AM

They did that when they were playing yellow here... i found that kinda strange... but i bet that's just cos they were tired from touring and stuff...

:

Quote:

Unfortunately, the band members' stage presence wasn't big enough to make up the difference in filling such a large space. Martin spoke only sporadically, and he couldn't be understood when he did.

Now, this is kinda weird... i think chris talks a lot, and really well, always saying funny and smart things... and even I, a brazilian boy, can understand 90% of what he's saying... And the band's stage presence is great... chris is always jumping around and stuff... and when he's on the piano, he always gets too much into the songs... it's great!

gvargas · 29-09-2003, 05:17 PM

^That quote was totally true...he only spoke sproradically for the 2003 concert unlike the one in 2002. That was kind of a bummer for me. But, what can you do! He was much more personal in 2002, but maybe because like you said they were tired of touring!

badlydrawngirl · 29-09-2003, 05:28 PM

I like it when Chris chats, he's usually quite funny

Professor Peedston · 30-09-2003, 01:11 AM

yeah the first time i saw them back in 2001 chris seemed to spend as much time talking as he did playing. he went on about how "yellow" was originally them making fun of neil young and how "we never change" is a good song to explain how they do their laundry on tour, etc.

soleil · 30-09-2003, 02:11 AM

"It kept the stage set simple.. and created a mood via swirling psychedelic lights and a lone green laser that must have been purchased used from Genesis circa 1977."
^I don't know why I thought that was soo funny! I didn't really notice that during the concert.

I felt like that the band already new that they were popular and that since they had already been to Chicago, they didn't really need to "prove" themselves or anything and they were just like, ok, lets play, get it over with, done. Now let's get ready for the real thing - Madison Square Garden. I guess maybe they were too tired to try to connect a little more with the audience.

I'm not trying to bash them, though. I still thought they sounded great (even though we were sitting farther away ) and played great - in particular, much better sound quality than some other concerts that I have been to.

Valleyboy · 30-09-2003, 02:33 AM

:

Quote:

I like it when Chris chats, he's usually quite funny

yeah, same here. Gotta love chris quotes.

"Hey, there's no point in screaming, cos i didn't say anything smart"

"Sometimes we have to play new songs... And this one is as new as... What's new, Jonny? Oh yeah, as new as American Idol... And a lot better!"

"Just pretend your in the Nsync concert and justin timberlake is asking you to sing along!"

28-09-2003, 07:53 AM	#1
soleil Coldplayer Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 6,254 Location: Chi town Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Critique of Coldplay in Chicago I went to two of Coldplay's concerts, and I must say that the first concert was better than the second. Chris just didn't seem as into it the second time around and the concert also felt shorter. (Will did kick it up a notch with his exceptional drum playing, Jonny and Guy were fine). Perhaps, it was that I had high expectations, but I don't know... This critique was of the second performance and I found it pretty interesting... Any thoughts or personal experiences? Size of UIC Pavilion puts a chill on Coldplay performance BY JIM DEROGATIS POP MUSIC CRITIC The critical consensus over Coldplay is divided: Some see the platinum-selling British pop band as the poor man's U2 (circa the early days of grand gestures and hollow chest-thumping), while others have it nailed as Radiohead-Lite (all over-emoting and wispy, ethereal ambience). Neither view is entirely fair. Taken via the short bursts of hit singles such as its 2000 breakthrough "Yellow" or recent chart-toppers "Clocks" and "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face," the quartet distinguishes itself with its indelible melodies, its heartfelt lyrics and Chris Martin's soulful, soaring voice (which is no doubt a major source of the attraction for current girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow). But while the group rings out amid the clutter and clang of modern-rock radio, it failed to make much of an impact onstage at a sold-out UIC Pavilion Monday night. Part of the problem is that the band has grown too popular too fast, and it really isn't ready for the arenas yet. It kept the stage set simple, performing under four video screens that flashed images of the musicians and created a mood via swirling psychedelic lights and a lone green laser that must have been purchased used from Genesis circa 1977. Unfortunately, the band members' stage presence wasn't big enough to make up the difference in filling such a large space. Martin spoke only sporadically, and he couldn't be understood when he did. And when he wasn't tethered to his acoustic guitar or doing his Schroeder imitation at his black upright piano, his bouncing-on-one-foot-while-reaching-for-the-sky dancing was just plain goofy. Coldplay's sound is based on a simple formula that pairs the unrelenting 4/4 pounding of drummer Will Champion with the interplay between Jon Buckland's Edge-like single-note guitar lines and Martin's insistent piano and acoustic strumming (plus, of course, those nimble vocal gymnastics). The group opened strong, with a pounding version of "Politik," the timely protest song that it played on the Grammys. (Adding to the Radiohead connection, it also celebrated leftist political activism by trumpeting a fair-trade group on the video screens and in booths throughout the lobby.) But while its string of hits stood out--inspiring several crowd sing-alongs--at least half of Coldplay's 90-minute set sounded repetitious and indistinct. It was also disappointing to see the band relying on taped acoustic guitar and piano (or an unseen roadie playing those instruments) during several of its best numbers, including the rousing hits "Yellow" and "In My Place." Any band with songs this strong can't be dismissed as a serious contender. But Coldplay needs to polish its act and learn to better project its passions if it wants to continue playing the enormodomes. Adding aggravation to the night was the fact that the group didn't take the stage until nearly 2-1/2 hours after the advertised starting time. And underwhelming openers Eisley (a cookie-cutter female-fronted pop band from Tyler, Texas) and Ron Sexsmith (the over-rated Canadian singer-songwriter) had even less cause to perform on such a large stage than the headliners did.

28-09-2003, 09:17 AM	#2
Professor Peedston Coldplayer Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 8,126 Location: West Philadelphia Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	you know what? that's pretty much exactly how i felt after seeing them in a huge amphitheatre thing. they're just not cut out for it. places like that were built for fucking Aerosmith and U2 and shit. i guess i should consider myself extremely lucky to have seen coldplay twice in very small venues. (and once before most americans had a damn clue who they were) __________________ MY NAME IS TOM STOP I LIKE MUSIC AND BRIGHT RED SHOES STOP THIS INTERNET TELEGRAM SERVICE IS WONDERFUL STOP END

29-09-2003, 02:55 AM	#3
gvargas Coldplayer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,653 My Mood: Location: Chicago! Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	it was aggravating when they didn't show up on stage till 2 1/2 hours later... UIC isn't that big...but their first tour here was better I think "It was also disappointing to see the band relying on taped acoustic guitar and piano (or an unseen roadie playing those instruments) during several of its best numbers, including the rousing hits "Yellow" and "In My Place." I didn't know they did that... __________________ ::Gisela:: Chicago 07-22-08!!! (With my binoculars and all!!) Lolla 08-05-11!!! (on the grass!) *My pics* **Chicago!**

29-09-2003, 05:12 AM	#4
Valleyboy Coldplayer Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,834 Location: go figure Gender: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	They did that when they were playing yellow here... i found that kinda strange... but i bet that's just cos they were tired from touring and stuff... : Quote: Unfortunately, the band members' stage presence wasn't big enough to make up the difference in filling such a large space. Martin spoke only sporadically, and he couldn't be understood when he did. Now, this is kinda weird... i think chris talks a lot, and really well, always saying funny and smart things... and even I, a brazilian boy, can understand 90% of what he's saying... And the band's stage presence is great... chris is always jumping around and stuff... and when he's on the piano, he always gets too much into the songs... it's great!

29-09-2003, 05:17 PM	#5
gvargas Coldplayer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,653 My Mood: Location: Chicago! Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	^That quote was totally true...he only spoke sproradically for the 2003 concert unlike the one in 2002. That was kind of a bummer for me. But, what can you do! He was much more personal in 2002, but maybe because like you said they were tired of touring! __________________ ::Gisela:: Chicago 07-22-08!!! (With my binoculars and all!!) Lolla 08-05-11!!! (on the grass!) *My pics* **Chicago!**

29-09-2003, 05:28 PM	#6
badlydrawngirl do I know you? Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 13,076 Location: London Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I like it when Chris chats, he's usually quite funny __________________ I'm on a roll this time ::Charlie::

30-09-2003, 01:11 AM	#7
Professor Peedston Coldplayer Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 8,126 Location: West Philadelphia Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	yeah the first time i saw them back in 2001 chris seemed to spend as much time talking as he did playing. he went on about how "yellow" was originally them making fun of neil young and how "we never change" is a good song to explain how they do their laundry on tour, etc. __________________ MY NAME IS TOM STOP I LIKE MUSIC AND BRIGHT RED SHOES STOP THIS INTERNET TELEGRAM SERVICE IS WONDERFUL STOP END

30-09-2003, 02:11 AM	#8
soleil Coldplayer Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 6,254 Location: Chi town Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	"It kept the stage set simple.. and created a mood via swirling psychedelic lights and a lone green laser that must have been purchased used from Genesis circa 1977." ^I don't know why I thought that was soo funny! I didn't really notice that during the concert. I felt like that the band already new that they were popular and that since they had already been to Chicago, they didn't really need to "prove" themselves or anything and they were just like, ok, lets play, get it over with, done. Now let's get ready for the real thing - Madison Square Garden. I guess maybe they were too tired to try to connect a little more with the audience. I'm not trying to bash them, though. I still thought they sounded great (even though we were sitting farther away ) and played great - in particular, much better sound quality than some other concerts that I have been to.

30-09-2003, 02:33 AM	#9
Valleyboy Coldplayer Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,834 Location: go figure Gender: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	: Quote: I like it when Chris chats, he's usually quite funny yeah, same here. Gotta love chris quotes. "Hey, there's no point in screaming, cos i didn't say anything smart" "Sometimes we have to play new songs... And this one is as new as... What's new, Jonny? Oh yeah, as new as American Idol... And a lot better!" "Just pretend your in the Nsync concert and justin timberlake is asking you to sing along!"