Coldplay: Earnest trendsetters

Tash · 23-05-2012, 10:25 AM

Coldplay: Earnest trendsetters

EVERY word uttered by Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin seems to become a trending topic.

Martin's recent revelations that he suffers tinnitus from playing loud music and regrets calling his band's fifth record Mylo Xyloto both copped a flogging on all good sites where opinions rule.

He mock groans when told Mylo Xyloto and "stupid" are easily Googled.

"You say something stupid and someone tells you it is trending," he says.

"How come no one ever trends about that time with those strippers? Me and my wife and those six strippers, no one trends that!"

Both of us laugh knowing this will indeed trend and by the time the American and British gossip sites get a hold of it, a joke will have become a headline: "Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow's hot night with strippers!"

For all the earnestness ascribed to their brand of anthemic stadium rock, Coldplay's frontman is one of the funniest chaps in rock.

He doesn't miss an opportunity to complain that his wife has achieved a feat in Australia that his band cannot match.

Paltrow hit the top of the singles charts here in 2000 with Cruisin' from the film Duets.

The closest Coldplay has ever got to No.1 was with their biggest hit Paradise, which peaked at No.3.

The song scored high rotation during summer when it soundtracked promos for Revenge which has become one of the year's small-screen hits.

"It f---ing took 12 years to get up there but the reason we keep going is so we can get a No.1 single in Australia one day," Martin says.

"We'll do anything that lets us keep coming back to Australia to go on tour there.

"We're ready now but just need to lose a bit of weight and get our teeth in order."

While they have always embraced the visual aesthetic of show business, Coldplay take it to yet another level with Mylo Xyloto and its world tour.

The album artwork, the videos, the concert backdrops and lighting are all integrated, as they have been since their third album, X&Y, but now all the artforms and imaging are even more aligned.

Martin credits the inspiration offered by their continued collaborations with creative mentor Brian Eno, who receives a credit for his "enoxfication" of Mylo Xyloto.

"It's meant to be an immersive experience, that the music sits in a visual place and everything links together," Martin explains.

"We were always moving towards that but didn't quite know how to do it. Working with Brian Eno, who is such a visual person as well, and getting our own space where we can paint a bigger picture helped us get there.

"If you came into the studio, the building looks like the record. We've drawn on the walls ... it all looks like the beginning of what the record became.

"We wanted to present another visual image beside the four of us standing against a wall.

"And we're not so good at the 'walking' photo. What we've learnt from Brian over the last five years is to have fun with it all."

Fluoro is fun. Splashes and slashes of paint are fun. And for the band's fans, there is an extra dose of fun at the concerts, thanks to LED wristbands that will throw bursts of colour around the stadium, synchronised with the music.

If you have seen the Charlie Brown video or checked out live footage of the tour, you'll get just how amazing it will look in Australia in November.

The idea was brought to the band by a fan.

"It's a little self-indulgent, but we love the way it looks when there are 15,000 or 40,000 or however many people all with those lights on them," Martin says.

"The technology is still very experimental, so most of the money we're earning on the tour is put into the wristbands.

"We have to figure out how to keep it going without going broke because it's such a crucial part of the concert."

They did think about asking for the wristbands to be popped back into a basket after each show for recycling. But that would have created an even bigger bill.

"You then have to clean everything in case someone picks up herpes or tuberculosis. Our lawyers told us we'd get sued and having been sued a few times, we're not keen on that," Martin says.

"We do try not to upset people, but we still manage to. We attract some really weird, nasty s--- but that's life."

For every weirdo, there is a fan who has stayed the course with a band the critics love to hate and the comics adore to satirise.

Like Radiohead and Pearl Jam, Coldplay ignored those outside the tent and embraced the faithful on the inside, setting up an almost intimate internet relationship fed by regular contact via social media and free or limited-edition goodies offered online.

Martin says having the direct contact is a "blessing" and helps to defuse the sting of misinformation when it hits.

"Let me say that when someone comes and talks to you in the street, they are thinking 'OK, this person is a rock star' and they don't have to engage in any understanding of your real life," he says. "With the direct relationship, it gives a much more balanced reflection of what your music is meaning to people and it's taken away a lot of anxiety."

Rock stars and their anxieties. Age seems to have reduced Martin's care factor about success.

But watching Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson and Beyonce concert footage has helped translate that attitude to the concert stage.

During the last Australian tour, the frontman enthusiastically threw himself into the performance, spreading his infectious joy.

"Watching those heroes of mine, there was a common thread between them when they go on stage and that is they don't give a f--- about anything other than being totally in that moment," he says. "Being English, that is slightly harder to do because you have this hurdle of insecurity and some kind of guilt as to why I have been given this job.

"So now every day before we play, I tell myself to let go. I know it looks silly but the only thing it has in its favour is it is genuine and passionate."

But his fear returns if all he can see is fans frantically working their smartphones.

While those people may be tweeting they are at the gig of a lifetime, Martin equates the behaviour with boredom.

"The only thing I fear is texting. If they are texting, they are not enjoying the music. I remember when those phones first came in, we played a song and two people clapped and 2000 were just watching us and I thought we must have really f---ed it up," he says.

"Then I realised everyone was filming. We asked if they wouldn't mind clapping for just one song that night so we wouldn't get paranoid."

link

teernabh5 · 23-05-2012, 11:58 AM

cool!!!

LdySpace · 23-05-2012, 09:45 PM

"For all the earnestness ascribed to their brand of anthemic stadium rock, Coldplay's frontman is one of the funniest chaps in rock."

One (true, of many, but it's near the top!) of the most endearing things about him is his sense of humor! I love a funny man!

Twisted mind · 23-05-2012, 10:10 PM

That was a great read, and I especially like this part:

:

Quote:
"So now every day before we play, I tell myself to let go. I know it looks silly but the only thing it has in its favour is it is genuine and passionate."

I guess that's why he looks so freaking happy since the MX tour, he literally BEAMS when he's on stage, I love that

kittybitty · 23-05-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by LdySpace;5304491
"For all the earnestness ascribed to their brand of anthemic stadium rock, Coldplay's frontman is one of the funniest chaps in rock."

One (true, of many, but it's near the top!) of the most endearing things about him is his sense of humor! I love a funny man!

Yes to this! I love tall, skinny, funny men with blue eyes (yeah, that's my hubby too)

fakfak · 24-05-2012, 05:55 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Twisted mind;5304508
That was a great read, and I especially like this part:

I guess that's why he looks so freaking happy since the MX tour, he literally BEAMS when he's on stage, I love that

He seems a lot more comfortable in his own skin for sure. He's more upbeat, and doesn't seem to have his depressed moments with as much frequency. He's even opening up a bit about the missus and kids, and that's the thing that used to send him around the bend the most.

teernabh5 · 24-05-2012, 06:06 AM

I really do want to see the headline "Chris Martin and those strippers" !!!! LOL!

Phoebeo · 24-05-2012, 06:21 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by teernabh5;5304645
I really do want to see the headline "Chris Martin and those strippers" !!!! LOL!

I wouldn't be surprised if the sun wrote that.

Tash · 25-05-2012, 05:44 AM

The Sun copied the article

link

purplemonkeyz232 · 25-05-2012, 05:54 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tash;5305567
The Sun copied the article
link

Coeurli · 25-05-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tash;5305567
The Sun copied the article
link

LoryABjerre · 30-05-2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by teernabh5;5304645
I really do want to see the headline "Chris Martin and those strippers" !!!! LOL!

I do not see why you want to see strippers if with his wife Gwyneth Paltrow

teernabh5 · 30-05-2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by LoryABjerre;5309761
I do not see why you want to see strippers if with his wife Gwyneth Paltrow

That was actually a joke....

23-05-2012, 10:25 AM	#1
Tash Ms Coldplaying 2012 Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 35,475 Location: 0118 Gender: Seen CP: 12 times Fav. CP album: VLVODAAHF Fav. CP song: See You Soon Fav. CP member: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 235 Thanked 4,039 Times in 1,884 Posts	Coldplay: Earnest trendsetters Coldplay: Earnest trendsetters EVERY word uttered by Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin seems to become a trending topic. Martin's recent revelations that he suffers tinnitus from playing loud music and regrets calling his band's fifth record Mylo Xyloto both copped a flogging on all good sites where opinions rule. He mock groans when told Mylo Xyloto and "stupid" are easily Googled. "You say something stupid and someone tells you it is trending," he says. "How come no one ever trends about that time with those strippers? Me and my wife and those six strippers, no one trends that!" Both of us laugh knowing this will indeed trend and by the time the American and British gossip sites get a hold of it, a joke will have become a headline: "Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow's hot night with strippers!" For all the earnestness ascribed to their brand of anthemic stadium rock, Coldplay's frontman is one of the funniest chaps in rock. He doesn't miss an opportunity to complain that his wife has achieved a feat in Australia that his band cannot match. Paltrow hit the top of the singles charts here in 2000 with Cruisin' from the film Duets. The closest Coldplay has ever got to No.1 was with their biggest hit Paradise, which peaked at No.3. The song scored high rotation during summer when it soundtracked promos for Revenge which has become one of the year's small-screen hits. "It f---ing took 12 years to get up there but the reason we keep going is so we can get a No.1 single in Australia one day," Martin says. "We'll do anything that lets us keep coming back to Australia to go on tour there. "We're ready now but just need to lose a bit of weight and get our teeth in order." While they have always embraced the visual aesthetic of show business, Coldplay take it to yet another level with Mylo Xyloto and its world tour. The album artwork, the videos, the concert backdrops and lighting are all integrated, as they have been since their third album, X&Y, but now all the artforms and imaging are even more aligned. Martin credits the inspiration offered by their continued collaborations with creative mentor Brian Eno, who receives a credit for his "enoxfication" of Mylo Xyloto. "It's meant to be an immersive experience, that the music sits in a visual place and everything links together," Martin explains. "We were always moving towards that but didn't quite know how to do it. Working with Brian Eno, who is such a visual person as well, and getting our own space where we can paint a bigger picture helped us get there. "If you came into the studio, the building looks like the record. We've drawn on the walls ... it all looks like the beginning of what the record became. "We wanted to present another visual image beside the four of us standing against a wall. "And we're not so good at the 'walking' photo. What we've learnt from Brian over the last five years is to have fun with it all." Fluoro is fun. Splashes and slashes of paint are fun. And for the band's fans, there is an extra dose of fun at the concerts, thanks to LED wristbands that will throw bursts of colour around the stadium, synchronised with the music. If you have seen the Charlie Brown video or checked out live footage of the tour, you'll get just how amazing it will look in Australia in November. The idea was brought to the band by a fan. "It's a little self-indulgent, but we love the way it looks when there are 15,000 or 40,000 or however many people all with those lights on them," Martin says. "The technology is still very experimental, so most of the money we're earning on the tour is put into the wristbands. "We have to figure out how to keep it going without going broke because it's such a crucial part of the concert." They did think about asking for the wristbands to be popped back into a basket after each show for recycling. But that would have created an even bigger bill. "You then have to clean everything in case someone picks up herpes or tuberculosis. Our lawyers told us we'd get sued and having been sued a few times, we're not keen on that," Martin says. "We do try not to upset people, but we still manage to. We attract some really weird, nasty s--- but that's life." For every weirdo, there is a fan who has stayed the course with a band the critics love to hate and the comics adore to satirise. Like Radiohead and Pearl Jam, Coldplay ignored those outside the tent and embraced the faithful on the inside, setting up an almost intimate internet relationship fed by regular contact via social media and free or limited-edition goodies offered online. Martin says having the direct contact is a "blessing" and helps to defuse the sting of misinformation when it hits. "Let me say that when someone comes and talks to you in the street, they are thinking 'OK, this person is a rock star' and they don't have to engage in any understanding of your real life," he says. "With the direct relationship, it gives a much more balanced reflection of what your music is meaning to people and it's taken away a lot of anxiety." Rock stars and their anxieties. Age seems to have reduced Martin's care factor about success. But watching Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson and Beyonce concert footage has helped translate that attitude to the concert stage. During the last Australian tour, the frontman enthusiastically threw himself into the performance, spreading his infectious joy. "Watching those heroes of mine, there was a common thread between them when they go on stage and that is they don't give a f--- about anything other than being totally in that moment," he says. "Being English, that is slightly harder to do because you have this hurdle of insecurity and some kind of guilt as to why I have been given this job. "So now every day before we play, I tell myself to let go. I know it looks silly but the only thing it has in its favour is it is genuine and passionate." But his fear returns if all he can see is fans frantically working their smartphones. While those people may be tweeting they are at the gig of a lifetime, Martin equates the behaviour with boredom. "The only thing I fear is texting. If they are texting, they are not enjoying the music. I remember when those phones first came in, we played a song and two people clapped and 2000 were just watching us and I thought we must have really f---ed it up," he says. "Then I realised everyone was filming. We asked if they wouldn't mind clapping for just one song that night so we wouldn't get paranoid." link __________________ Luctor et Emergo/not swallowed in the sea Rotterdam 03-10-08 Nijmegen 09-09-09 Landgraaf 11-06-11 Arras 03-07-11 London 09-12-11 London 10-12-11 Rotterdam 17-12-11 London 01-06-12 London 02-06-12 London 04-06-12 Detroit 01-08-12 The Hague 06-09-12 *it means everything and it means nothing to everybody and nobody - Guy Berryman* *Phil, who is our fifth member, he doesn’t play an instrument but he plays the mobile phone and the laptop computer - Will Champion* *a negative capability is the ability within yourself to accept that things go up and down and you can't always control it and they can't always be up but they won't always be down - Chris Martin* it’s a good noisy crowd that sing through the show at the Ahoy - none more so than when the band are on the B-Stage and the cheer for Will during Us Against The World is so huge that the song grinds to a halt amidst disbelieving giggles on stage - Roadie #42

23-05-2012, 10:10 PM	#4
Twisted mind TICKLE TICKLE Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 12,124 Location: in FUCKLAND Chat posts: 33 Thanks given: 422 Thanked 1,035 Times in 446 Posts	That was a great read, and I especially like this part: : Quote: "So now every day before we play, I tell myself to let go. I know it looks silly but the only thing it has in its favour is it is genuine and passionate." I guess that's why he looks so freaking happy since the MX tour, he literally BEAMS when he's on stage, I love that __________________ ~ DeviantArt ~ Coldplay Fanart thread Cologne 12.9.2008 Düsseldorf 27.8.2009 Wembley 19.9.2009 Cologne 15.12.2011 Cologne 4.9.2012 Leipzig 14.9.2012 Hannover 22.9.2012

23-05-2012, 10:18 PM	#5
kittybitty Coldplayer Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,603 My Mood: Location: Home, home, where I wanted to Go Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 85 Thanked 122 Times in 96 Posts	Quote: Originally Posted by LdySpace;5304491 "For all the earnestness ascribed to their brand of anthemic stadium rock, Coldplay's frontman is one of the funniest chaps in rock." One (true, of many, but it's near the top!) of the most endearing things about him is his sense of humor! I love a funny man! Yes to this! I love tall, skinny, funny men with blue eyes (yeah, that's my hubby too) __________________ Coldplay's gonna knock you out! )

24-05-2012, 05:55 AM	#6
fakfak Coldplayer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,914 My Mood: Location: Illinois Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 142 Thanked 94 Times in 79 Posts	Quote: Originally Posted by Twisted mind;5304508 That was a great read, and I especially like this part: I guess that's why he looks so freaking happy since the MX tour, he literally BEAMS when he's on stage, I love that He seems a lot more comfortable in his own skin for sure. He's more upbeat, and doesn't seem to have his depressed moments with as much frequency. He's even opening up a bit about the missus and kids, and that's the thing that used to send him around the bend the most.

24-05-2012, 06:21 AM	#8
Phoebeo Hi. I'm Louise. Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 6,589 Location: Where they don't know my name. Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 409 Thanked 146 Times in 112 Posts	Quote: Originally Posted by teernabh5;5304645 I really do want to see the headline "Chris Martin and those strippers" !!!! LOL! I wouldn't be surprised if the sun wrote that. __________________ ♥ 16/8 09 + 23/11/11 + 28/8 12♥ 5/6 12~ The day I phone chatted with Chris.♥ : Quote: You are so young. Aren't you? And you know, right now everything's ahead of you. You could be anything. You could walk among the stars. You know when I was little like you I dreamt of the stars. I think it's fair to say, in the language of your age, that I lived my dream. I owned the stage. Gave it a hundred and ten percent. I hope you have as much fun as I did. - Sig by The Doctor.

23-05-2012, 11:58 AM	#2
teernabh5 Strawberry Swinger Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,004 My Mood: Location: Major Minus Street!! Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 177 Thanked 127 Times in 70 Posts	cool!!!

23-05-2012, 09:45 PM	#3
LdySpace "He's So Hot!" Girl Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,746 My Mood: Location: Virginia is for Lovers (of Coldplay) Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 1,046 Thanked 551 Times in 310 Posts	"For all the earnestness ascribed to their brand of anthemic stadium rock, Coldplay's frontman is one of the funniest chaps in rock." One (true, of many, but it's near the top!) of the most endearing things about him is his sense of humor! I love a funny man!

24-05-2012, 06:06 AM	#7
teernabh5 Strawberry Swinger Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,004 My Mood: Location: Major Minus Street!! Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 177 Thanked 127 Times in 70 Posts	I really do want to see the headline "Chris Martin and those strippers" !!!! LOL!

25-05-2012, 05:44 AM	#9
Tash Ms Coldplaying 2012 Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 35,475 Location: 0118 Gender: Seen CP: 12 times Fav. CP album: VLVODAAHF Fav. CP song: See You Soon Fav. CP member: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 235 Thanked 4,039 Times in 1,884 Posts	The Sun copied the article link __________________ Luctor et Emergo/not swallowed in the sea Rotterdam 03-10-08 Nijmegen 09-09-09 Landgraaf 11-06-11 Arras 03-07-11 London 09-12-11 London 10-12-11 Rotterdam 17-12-11 London 01-06-12 London 02-06-12 London 04-06-12 Detroit 01-08-12 The Hague 06-09-12 *it means everything and it means nothing to everybody and nobody - Guy Berryman* *Phil, who is our fifth member, he doesn’t play an instrument but he plays the mobile phone and the laptop computer - Will Champion* *a negative capability is the ability within yourself to accept that things go up and down and you can't always control it and they can't always be up but they won't always be down - Chris Martin* it’s a good noisy crowd that sing through the show at the Ahoy - none more so than when the band are on the B-Stage and the cheer for Will during Us Against The World is so huge that the song grinds to a halt amidst disbelieving giggles on stage - Roadie #42

25-05-2012, 05:54 AM	#10
purplemonkeyz232 the original cK (Sheila) Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 431 My Mood: Location: Downtown, where the lost boys meet. Of course. Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Quote: Originally Posted by Tash;5305567 The Sun copied the article link __________________ No really. I'm purple.

25-05-2012, 11:47 AM	#11
Coeurli It's pronounced Curly Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 13,859 Location: 136 Low Street, The Little Apple. Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 1,884 Thanked 1,494 Times in 849 Posts	Quote: Originally Posted by Tash;5305567 The Sun copied the article link __________________ A dazzled Coldplay fan. Also known as R Célly, or Nikola's PR. COLDPLAY: "Four very attractive young men playing the sexiest music ever created that will melt both your heart and your brain at the same time." "We're a punk band, you know that" - CM Stade de France, Paris, 2.09.2012 The night I had eye-sex twice with The Martin

30-05-2012, 05:18 PM	#12
LoryABjerre Banned Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,937 My Mood: Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 92 Thanked 315 Times in 212 Posts	Quote: Originally Posted by teernabh5;5304645 I really do want to see the headline "Chris Martin and those strippers" !!!! LOL! I do not see why you want to see strippers if with his wife Gwyneth Paltrow

30-05-2012, 05:28 PM	#13
teernabh5 Strawberry Swinger Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,004 My Mood: Location: Major Minus Street!! Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 177 Thanked 127 Times in 70 Posts	Quote: Originally Posted by LoryABjerre;5309761 I do not see why you want to see strippers if with his wife Gwyneth Paltrow That was actually a joke....