9-Jun-2009: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA, USA - Page 9

Pguild142 · 10-06-2009, 06:47 PM

A few topics/issues:

1) The VIP seating. I bought VIP row 10 through Ticketmaster. I believe when the "good" Coldplay tickets went on sale a few weeks late for all of the shows, these became available. There was an option to purchase VIP Floor on the Ticketmaster seating choices. What pissed me off, was that I called the arena several times and they told me that VIP was the same as main floor, so i bought row 3 tickets from a secondary seller. Waste of money, and I sat in my VIP 10th row.

2) VIP rows. There were supposed to be 10 rows and they only sat up 9. (the first row only had two seats all the way in the left and right). Talk about serious problems. Poor security people didn't know what to do. Bad execution by the New Orleans Arena all the way around with the floor seating.

3) Satellite stage. Please tell me this wasn't a dream, but didn't they sing a New Orleans friendly song? Someone please confirm

If so, what was it?

4) The show. I have seen this tour 5 times now and have to say this is the friendliest I've seen them in front of a crowd. The Atlanta amphitheater show was very good too; but, I'm surprised how well they were with the crowd. I liked the purple shirt Chris was wearing also, I hadn't seen that one yet.

5) Exiting. I went with my sister and after Yellow, she spotted a yellow unpopped balloon and grabbed and hung on to it throughout the show. Her intention was to take it home with her. After passing several security people, one lady she passed just said, you can't take that, and popped it in her hands. I was pissed yet again.

6) Speed of Sound. Replaced by Glasses of Water I believe, which is a good substitution.

Final thoughts: Fabulous show but I was perturbed with the Arena and the people they had working there. I didn't get a CD because I already had one from previous shows. I know this wasn't really a review, but just some thoughts that ran longer than I expected! haha

Mikejpss · 10-06-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pguild142;3103483
A few topics/issues:

1) The VIP seating. I bought VIP row 10 through Ticketmaster. I believe when the "good" Coldplay tickets went on sale a few weeks late for all of the shows, these became available. There was an option to purchase VIP Floor on the Ticketmaster seating choices. What pissed me off, was that I called the arena several times and they told me that VIP was the same as main floor, so i bought row 3 tickets from a secondary seller. Waste of money, and I sat in my VIP 10th row.

2) VIP rows. There were supposed to be 10 rows and they only sat up 9. (the first row only had two seats all the way in the left and right). Talk about serious problems. Poor security people didn't know what to do. Bad execution by the New Orleans Arena all the way around with the floor seating.

3) Satellite stage. Please tell me this wasn't a dream, but didn't they sing a New Orleans friendly song? Someone please confirm If so, what was it?

4) The show. I have seen this tour 5 times now and have to say this is the friendliest I've seen them in front of a crowd. The Atlanta amphitheater show was very good too; but, I'm surprised how well they were with the crowd. I liked the purple shirt Chris was wearing also, I hadn't seen that one yet.

5) Exiting. I went with my sister and after Yellow, she spotted a yellow unpopped balloon and grabbed and hung on to it throughout the show. Her intention was to take it home with her. After passing several security people, one lady she passed just said, you can't take that, and popped it in her hands. I was pissed yet again.
.

Final thoughts: Fabulous show but I was perturbed with the Arena and the people they had working there. I didn't get a CD because I already had one from previous shows. I know this wasn't really a review, but just some thoughts that ran longer than I expected! haha

Your review is very good. I am pissed at security too for what they did to your sister & her balloon. For Pete's sake, its a BALLOON. Overall, I think they did a good job, but it only takes one instance such as yours to spoil an otherwise wonderful night.Try to keep in mind these people are very low paid workers.

Thanks for clearing up the VIP seating, next time I will still try for those seats and watch my girls melt away.

Jenjie · 10-06-2009, 07:57 PM

thanks guys

so setlist was same, apart from New Orleans specific song? any ideas what it was/where in the setlist it came, please? tyvm

Mimixxx · 10-06-2009, 07:59 PM

I think he's referring to the little made up song he's started doing at each show before DWNC:

YouTube - Coldplay

Jenjie · 10-06-2009, 08:05 PM

ahhhh makes sense. ty michie xxxxxx

busybeeburns · 10-06-2009, 09:09 PM

piccies!

http://photos.nola.com/gallery/4500/...rleans%20Arena

Mimixxx · 10-06-2009, 10:18 PM

Coldplay warmed up to the New Orleans Arena

Musicians fortunate enough to perform in arenas sometimes act as if they've done their audience a favor simply by showing up. Not Coldplay.

On Tuesday night in a nearly full New Orleans Arena, Coldplay went well beyond the call of duty. The musicians were not, for instance, required to march to the rear of the building and deliver an unabashed unplugged set in the middle of section 109.

Vocalist Chris Martin did not need to alter the lyrics of "Fix You," or quasi-freestyle, to match the concert's setting ("sitting in the place where the Hornets play...I don't know if you know what it means/when you know the musical history of New Orleans").

And Coldplay certainly was under no obligation to distribute free copies of "LeftRightLeftRightLeft," a nine-song live CD recorded earlier on the tour, to attendees as they exited.

But they did all this, and more.

Dressed up in "Les Miserables" chic to match the cover of their current "Viva la Vida" CD, the quartet arrived on stage twirling sparklers. A similarly playful mood prevailed, despite frequent lyrical pathos.

Representatives of Oxfam, an international anti-poverty organization championed by Martin, roamed concourses, but the singer refrained from proselytizing. Instead, he was exceedingly likable as the band's sole source of charisma.

He needled "Jonny Boy" Buckland for the guitarist's alleged reluctance to perform in public ("you chose the wrong profession"). He orchestrated the "first, as far as we know" New Orleans cell phone wave. He literally bent over backwards, touching his skull to the floor. He fought off beach ball-size yellow balloons during "Yellow." He pantomimed taking hits to the body, collapsed in a heap, then sprang to life and arrived back at a microphone on cue.

Taking turns on acoustic guitar and keyboards, he also contributed to a sonic profile that was as crisp as I've ever heard in the unforgiving arena. Behind Martin, drummer Will Champion was particularly aggressive, boosting "Clocks" with extra strikes on his floor tom. Buckland and bassist Guy Berryman were content to render their required parts with precision; Buckland, the anti-guitar hero, churned out chiming notes and riffs.

All four bunched up at the tip of a stage runway for a techno-beat "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face." Martin's bandmates left him alone at a piano for the "Phil Collins segment of the show," which he likened to "just before Justin Timberlake left NSync and he had a suspicion that he wanted to go on his own."

With that, Martin conjured a lovely "The Hardest Part," his voice easily scaling the necessary heights. Following the instrumental "Postcards From Far Away," the band rejoined him for the rousing "Viva la Vida" title track.

The aforementioned acoustic interlude in the back bleachers spanned the early ballad "Green Eyes" -- with Champion and Buckland on acoustic guitars and Berryman on mandolin -- and "I'm a Believer," the Neil Diamond-penned Monkees hit. Champion also sang "Death Will Never Conquer."

The strobe lights of the driving "Politik" made for a jarring, post-acoustic transition.

Thousands of fluorescent paper butterflies erupted from confetti cannons during "Lovers in Japan." "Death and All His Friends" wrapped up the main set, followed by an encore of "The Scientist" and "Life In Technicolor II."

The career arcs of most arena acts follow a predictable course from that first, ungainly rush of fame to cashing in on recitals of old hits on the nostalgia circuit. Coldplay occupies the sweet spot in between, where experience intersects with still-vibrant creative energies.

Tuesday's well-rounded, confident and compelling show is the result.

Scottish quintet Snow Patrol, the middle act on Tuesday's bill, served up precise, meaty versions of mid-tempo fare that, in temperament and tone, approximates Keane, Death Cab for Cutie and Coldplay. The natural ache in Gary Lightbody's voice illuminated the bittersweet "Run," which he dedicated to New Orleans.

Lightbody and company embraced their assigned role: To warm up the crowd for Coldplay. "You're about to be blown the hell away, I promise you that," Lightbody said.

It was no false promise.

http://blog.nola.com/keithspera/2009..._new_orle.html

Aww. How nice of Gary to say that

busybeeburns · 10-06-2009, 10:24 PM

definately one of the better reviews of this leg

Pguild142 · 10-06-2009, 10:25 PM

A lot has been said about Coldplay not changing up the setlist much if at all; however, after reading that story, it made me realize that this show is really really awesome. There is a reason I've been drawn to it so many times. Each time they deliver.

What more can we really ask?

Mimixxx · 10-06-2009, 10:26 PM

Yeah, it's fantastic...they've all been pretty great though

ginobiliqueen · 10-06-2009, 10:27 PM

I signed up today to give my review of the show but I see Keith Spera of the The Times-Picayune said everything I wanted to say! (If confused by this comment, please see the article Mimixxx posted above!)

I have been a fan of Coldplay since 2000 and this was my first Coldplay concert. It was a fantastic experience! Chris is so charismatic and really seemed to enjoy interacting with the crowd. No matter what I say, it will never be enough to adequately describe the show last night! It was amazing!

busybeeburns · 10-06-2009, 10:33 PM

welcome to coldplaying!

taylorb · 10-06-2009, 10:57 PM

Pguild142, the song with the "New Orleans tune"...are you talking about "I'm a Believer" where Chris asked each band member if they were in love?

Mimixxx · 10-06-2009, 11:52 PM

How did he sound vocally? Just found this video for The Scientist and he seems to be struggling a little...

YouTube - Coldplay-The Scientist

taylorb · 10-06-2009, 11:58 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mimixxx;3104421
How did he sound vocally? Just found this video for The Scientist and he seems to be struggling a little...

YouTube - Coldplay-The Scientist

I thought he sounded good, although I did not even notice him struggling during The Scientist. I actually found that I they sound much better live than they do recorded, unlike other bands when they perform live. That is just my opinion though.

10-06-2009, 06:47 PM	#121
Pguild142 Coldplayer Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 160 Location: mississippi Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A few topics/issues: 1) The VIP seating. I bought VIP row 10 through Ticketmaster. I believe when the "good" Coldplay tickets went on sale a few weeks late for all of the shows, these became available. There was an option to purchase VIP Floor on the Ticketmaster seating choices. What pissed me off, was that I called the arena several times and they told me that VIP was the same as main floor, so i bought row 3 tickets from a secondary seller. Waste of money, and I sat in my VIP 10th row. 2) VIP rows. There were supposed to be 10 rows and they only sat up 9. (the first row only had two seats all the way in the left and right). Talk about serious problems. Poor security people didn't know what to do. Bad execution by the New Orleans Arena all the way around with the floor seating. 3) Satellite stage. Please tell me this wasn't a dream, but didn't they sing a New Orleans friendly song? Someone please confirm If so, what was it? 4) The show. I have seen this tour 5 times now and have to say this is the friendliest I've seen them in front of a crowd. The Atlanta amphitheater show was very good too; but, I'm surprised how well they were with the crowd. I liked the purple shirt Chris was wearing also, I hadn't seen that one yet. 5) Exiting. I went with my sister and after Yellow, she spotted a yellow unpopped balloon and grabbed and hung on to it throughout the show. Her intention was to take it home with her. After passing several security people, one lady she passed just said, you can't take that, and popped it in her hands. I was pissed yet again. 6) Speed of Sound. Replaced by Glasses of Water I believe, which is a good substitution. Final thoughts: Fabulous show but I was perturbed with the Arena and the people they had working there. I didn't get a CD because I already had one from previous shows. I know this wasn't really a review, but just some thoughts that ran longer than I expected! haha __________________ ___________________________________ Dallas 2/26/06 FRONT ROW Atlanta 11/5/08 35th ROW Belfast 12/19/08 10th ROW Dublin 12/22/08 FRONT ROW Atlanta 5/17/09 PIT New Orleans 6/9/09 10th ROW Charlotte 8/7/09 PIT

10-06-2009, 07:22 PM	#122
Mikejpss Coldplayer Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 61 My Mood: Location: Gonzales, Louisiana Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Quote: Originally Posted by Pguild142;3103483 A few topics/issues: 1) The VIP seating. I bought VIP row 10 through Ticketmaster. I believe when the "good" Coldplay tickets went on sale a few weeks late for all of the shows, these became available. There was an option to purchase VIP Floor on the Ticketmaster seating choices. What pissed me off, was that I called the arena several times and they told me that VIP was the same as main floor, so i bought row 3 tickets from a secondary seller. Waste of money, and I sat in my VIP 10th row. 2) VIP rows. There were supposed to be 10 rows and they only sat up 9. (the first row only had two seats all the way in the left and right). Talk about serious problems. Poor security people didn't know what to do. Bad execution by the New Orleans Arena all the way around with the floor seating. 3) Satellite stage. Please tell me this wasn't a dream, but didn't they sing a New Orleans friendly song? Someone please confirm If so, what was it? 4) The show. I have seen this tour 5 times now and have to say this is the friendliest I've seen them in front of a crowd. The Atlanta amphitheater show was very good too; but, I'm surprised how well they were with the crowd. I liked the purple shirt Chris was wearing also, I hadn't seen that one yet. 5) Exiting. I went with my sister and after Yellow, she spotted a yellow unpopped balloon and grabbed and hung on to it throughout the show. Her intention was to take it home with her. After passing several security people, one lady she passed just said, you can't take that, and popped it in her hands. I was pissed yet again. . Final thoughts: Fabulous show but I was perturbed with the Arena and the people they had working there. I didn't get a CD because I already had one from previous shows. I know this wasn't really a review, but just some thoughts that ran longer than I expected! haha Your review is very good. I am pissed at security too for what they did to your sister & her balloon. For Pete's sake, its a BALLOON. Overall, I think they did a good job, but it only takes one instance such as yours to spoil an otherwise wonderful night.Try to keep in mind these people are very low paid workers. Thanks for clearing up the VIP seating, next time I will still try for those seats and watch my girls melt away.

10-06-2009, 07:57 PM	#123
Jenjie PA to SammyBeeBurns Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 5,805 My Mood: Location: at Coldplaying.com Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 35 Thanked 90 Times in 41 Posts	thanks guys so setlist was same, apart from New Orleans specific song? any ideas what it was/where in the setlist it came, please? tyvm __________________ "The fat lady has sung and the world's Vida has been well and truly Viva-ed." - R#42 14th March 2010 I've got my "I Heart Coldplaying.com, It's My Life" knickers in a twist!!! 2012: 9&10 June - Manchester Etihad; 2011: 4 Dec - MEN Arena 2010: 25 Nov - Boat Trip 2009: 30 Jan - Absolute Radio; 18 Feb - War Child; 19 Sep - Wembley 2008: 11&12 Dec - MEN Arena 2005: 4&5 July - Reebok Stadium; 19 Dec - MEN Arena 2003: 14 Apr - MEN Arena 2002: 20 June - Mountford Hall; 11 Oct - MEN Arena

10-06-2009, 08:05 PM	#125
Jenjie PA to SammyBeeBurns Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 5,805 My Mood: Location: at Coldplaying.com Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 35 Thanked 90 Times in 41 Posts	ahhhh makes sense. ty michie xxxxxx __________________ "The fat lady has sung and the world's Vida has been well and truly Viva-ed." - R#42 14th March 2010 I've got my "I Heart Coldplaying.com, It's My Life" knickers in a twist!!! 2012: 9&10 June - Manchester Etihad; 2011: 4 Dec - MEN Arena 2010: 25 Nov - Boat Trip 2009: 30 Jan - Absolute Radio; 18 Feb - War Child; 19 Sep - Wembley 2008: 11&12 Dec - MEN Arena 2005: 4&5 July - Reebok Stadium; 19 Dec - MEN Arena 2003: 14 Apr - MEN Arena 2002: 20 June - Mountford Hall; 11 Oct - MEN Arena

10-06-2009, 09:09 PM	#126
busybeeburns mr coldplaying himself Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 46,333 My Mood: Location: test Gender: Country: Seen CP: 20 times Fav. CP album: X&Y Fav. CP song: GPASUYF Fav. CP member: Chat posts: 4 Thanks given: 1,548 Thanked 934 Times in 420 Posts	piccies! http://photos.nola.com/gallery/4500/...rleans%20Arena __________________ The early bird catches the worm. The second mouse gets the cheese!

10-06-2009, 10:18 PM	#127
Mimixxx If we could float away... Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 42,489 My Mood: Location: London Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Coldplay warmed up to the New Orleans Arena Musicians fortunate enough to perform in arenas sometimes act as if they've done their audience a favor simply by showing up. Not Coldplay. On Tuesday night in a nearly full New Orleans Arena, Coldplay went well beyond the call of duty. The musicians were not, for instance, required to march to the rear of the building and deliver an unabashed unplugged set in the middle of section 109. Vocalist Chris Martin did not need to alter the lyrics of "Fix You," or quasi-freestyle, to match the concert's setting ("sitting in the place where the Hornets play...I don't know if you know what it means/when you know the musical history of New Orleans"). And Coldplay certainly was under no obligation to distribute free copies of "LeftRightLeftRightLeft," a nine-song live CD recorded earlier on the tour, to attendees as they exited. But they did all this, and more. Dressed up in "Les Miserables" chic to match the cover of their current "Viva la Vida" CD, the quartet arrived on stage twirling sparklers. A similarly playful mood prevailed, despite frequent lyrical pathos. Representatives of Oxfam, an international anti-poverty organization championed by Martin, roamed concourses, but the singer refrained from proselytizing. Instead, he was exceedingly likable as the band's sole source of charisma. He needled "Jonny Boy" Buckland for the guitarist's alleged reluctance to perform in public ("you chose the wrong profession"). He orchestrated the "first, as far as we know" New Orleans cell phone wave. He literally bent over backwards, touching his skull to the floor. He fought off beach ball-size yellow balloons during "Yellow." He pantomimed taking hits to the body, collapsed in a heap, then sprang to life and arrived back at a microphone on cue. Taking turns on acoustic guitar and keyboards, he also contributed to a sonic profile that was as crisp as I've ever heard in the unforgiving arena. Behind Martin, drummer Will Champion was particularly aggressive, boosting "Clocks" with extra strikes on his floor tom. Buckland and bassist Guy Berryman were content to render their required parts with precision; Buckland, the anti-guitar hero, churned out chiming notes and riffs. All four bunched up at the tip of a stage runway for a techno-beat "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face." Martin's bandmates left him alone at a piano for the "Phil Collins segment of the show," which he likened to "just before Justin Timberlake left NSync and he had a suspicion that he wanted to go on his own." With that, Martin conjured a lovely "The Hardest Part," his voice easily scaling the necessary heights. Following the instrumental "Postcards From Far Away," the band rejoined him for the rousing "Viva la Vida" title track. The aforementioned acoustic interlude in the back bleachers spanned the early ballad "Green Eyes" -- with Champion and Buckland on acoustic guitars and Berryman on mandolin -- and "I'm a Believer," the Neil Diamond-penned Monkees hit. Champion also sang "Death Will Never Conquer." The strobe lights of the driving "Politik" made for a jarring, post-acoustic transition. Thousands of fluorescent paper butterflies erupted from confetti cannons during "Lovers in Japan." "Death and All His Friends" wrapped up the main set, followed by an encore of "The Scientist" and "Life In Technicolor II." The career arcs of most arena acts follow a predictable course from that first, ungainly rush of fame to cashing in on recitals of old hits on the nostalgia circuit. Coldplay occupies the sweet spot in between, where experience intersects with still-vibrant creative energies. Tuesday's well-rounded, confident and compelling show is the result. Scottish quintet Snow Patrol, the middle act on Tuesday's bill, served up precise, meaty versions of mid-tempo fare that, in temperament and tone, approximates Keane, Death Cab for Cutie and Coldplay. The natural ache in Gary Lightbody's voice illuminated the bittersweet "Run," which he dedicated to New Orleans. Lightbody and company embraced their assigned role: To warm up the crowd for Coldplay. "You're about to be blown the hell away, I promise you that," Lightbody said. It was no false promise. http://blog.nola.com/keithspera/2009..._new_orle.html Aww. How nice of Gary to say that __________________ M

10-06-2009, 10:24 PM	#128
busybeeburns mr coldplaying himself Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 46,333 My Mood: Location: test Gender: Country: Seen CP: 20 times Fav. CP album: X&Y Fav. CP song: GPASUYF Fav. CP member: Chat posts: 4 Thanks given: 1,548 Thanked 934 Times in 420 Posts	definately one of the better reviews of this leg __________________ The early bird catches the worm. The second mouse gets the cheese!

10-06-2009, 10:25 PM	#129
Pguild142 Coldplayer Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 160 Location: mississippi Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A lot has been said about Coldplay not changing up the setlist much if at all; however, after reading that story, it made me realize that this show is really really awesome. There is a reason I've been drawn to it so many times. Each time they deliver. What more can we really ask? __________________ ___________________________________ Dallas 2/26/06 FRONT ROW Atlanta 11/5/08 35th ROW Belfast 12/19/08 10th ROW Dublin 12/22/08 FRONT ROW Atlanta 5/17/09 PIT New Orleans 6/9/09 10th ROW Charlotte 8/7/09 PIT

10-06-2009, 10:26 PM	#130
Mimixxx If we could float away... Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 42,489 My Mood: Location: London Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Yeah, it's fantastic...they've all been pretty great though __________________ M

10-06-2009, 10:27 PM	#131
ginobiliqueen Coldplayer Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1 Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I signed up today to give my review of the show but I see Keith Spera of the The Times-Picayune said everything I wanted to say! (If confused by this comment, please see the article Mimixxx posted above!) I have been a fan of Coldplay since 2000 and this was my first Coldplay concert. It was a fantastic experience! Chris is so charismatic and really seemed to enjoy interacting with the crowd. No matter what I say, it will never be enough to adequately describe the show last night! It was amazing!

10-06-2009, 10:33 PM	#132
busybeeburns mr coldplaying himself Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 46,333 My Mood: Location: test Gender: Country: Seen CP: 20 times Fav. CP album: X&Y Fav. CP song: GPASUYF Fav. CP member: Chat posts: 4 Thanks given: 1,548 Thanked 934 Times in 420 Posts	welcome to coldplaying! __________________ The early bird catches the worm. The second mouse gets the cheese!

10-06-2009, 10:57 PM	#133
taylorb Coldplayer Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7 My Mood: Location: Mandeville, La Gender: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Pguild142, the song with the "New Orleans tune"...are you talking about "I'm a Believer" where Chris asked each band member if they were in love?

10-06-2009, 11:58 PM	#135
taylorb Coldplayer Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7 My Mood: Location: Mandeville, La Gender: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Quote: Originally Posted by Mimixxx;3104421 How did he sound vocally? Just found this video for The Scientist and he seems to be struggling a little... YouTube - Coldplay-The Scientist I thought he sounded good, although I did not even notice him struggling during The Scientist. I actually found that I they sound much better live than they do recorded, unlike other bands when they perform live. That is just my opinion though.