## ABSOLUTE RADIO LIVE STORIES - PLEASE VOTE FOR DAVID SHEPPARD IN THE FINAL NOW! ##

Jenjie · 14-07-2009, 09:05 PM

UPDATE: 30TH SEPTEMBER 2009

Win a festival-themed radio show for Coldplaying! Vote for David Sheppard (coldplaying.com) in Absolute Radio Live Stories FINAL now!

http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music/live/stories/final.html

Voting for DAVID SHEPPERD (for Coldplaying.com) in the Live Stories FINAL begins on Monday 28th September... Win a festival-themed Absolute Radio broadcast for the forum!

Voting will be taking place at http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/livestories

The voting will be open from tomorrow (Monday 28th September until Friday 2nd October), and the winner will be announced on Monday 5th October. The winning forum will get to create a festival-themed radio show from Absolute Radio’s live music library. This will then be broadcast on Absolute Radio.

There's nothing like being prepared and the whole Coldplaying community will need to be on top form in this final, you may remember that we did our best in the Rock off semis and got pipped by less than half a %!

Maybe someone (who still has an account) could post at greendaycommunity.org to canvas for some votes (if they accept and we win we could donate one song from the broadcast line up to Green Day live! )
Anyone up for contacting Debs, Anchorman and RSVP about a shout out on the Coldplay.com page? Please don't all spam them though!
Each day share the voting links with all your friends on Facebook, Twitter etc. RT ColdplayingHQ's tweets and Facebook messages would also be a great way to spread the word!
Put the voting banners in your signatures, blogs, myspace pages etc - there's a whole host of them at http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music...resources.html - but keep an eye out for some Coldplaying ones if someone can help make them

I have asked Julie if she minds making some Coldplaying-specific Live Stories banners and buttons but in the meantime if anyone is able to combine these banners with these with Dave/U2 somewhere in it then please let me know, the more the merrier

If anyone else has any ideas on how to get as many votes as possible please let everyone hear about them. Lets get this bloody thing won!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: 7TH SEPTEMBER 2009

New competition open prior to the Live Stories final. Win £1500!!

Don't forget to add http://www.coldplaying.com in your submission or we won't be able to help promote your entry!!!

ENTER NOW: http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music...mpetition.html

:

Quote:
Tell us about your favourite live music act and win up to £1500.
Our Live Stories competition has been a great success so far, but we want more of your live music experiences. And by telling us who your favourite live act is, and why, you can win up to £1500.

Write up to 300 words about your favourite live act, and you’ll be entered into the public voting. At the end of the competition, the top three stories will win cash, with 1st place getting £1,500, 2nd place £1000 and 3rd place £500. And the voting starts as soon as your story is published on the site, so the sooner you enter the competition, the more time you have to get everyone you know to vote for you!

On top of this, you can also pledge your allegiance to your favourite music forum, and the forums with the most popular entries will go through to a grand final with the winners of our first four rounds to have the chance to create a virtual festival radio show on Absolute Radio.

Entries close on September 25th, 2009.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: 11TH AUGUST:

KITE (DAVE) WILL TAKE THE TICKETS TO SEE U2 AT WEMBLEY AND WILL REPRESENT COLDPLAYING WITH A REVIEW FROM THE 1ST ROUND!)

UPDATE: 7TH AUGUST:

Congratulations to Chavi Vanna from the Coldplaying.com forum who wins a pair of tickets to see U2 at Wembley.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: 5TH AUGUST 2009

1ST ROUND VOTING NOW OPEN: COLDPLAYING ENTRANT: CHAVI VANNA (CHAVI)

VOTE FOR CHAVI & COLDPLAYING (BLUE BUTTON, 2ND OPTION) NOW!
vote >> http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music...es/voting.html

I met Carla on the Coldplaying.com forum last summer and we always wanted to go to a gig together, despite the fact she lives in The Netherlands and I live in France. Then a fellow forum member said she had two tickets for Coldplay in four days. On Friday I travelled to Rotterdam after finding out my sister had gone into labour and was about to give birth. In the queue I was 20 people behind Carla, but after swapping seats in the stadium I was in the second row behind Carla. And then after the gig Chris Martin came and signed things for us, including my ‘you make me shiver’ banner – the next night he recognised it from the stage.

Full live review at: http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music...avi_vanna.html

Voting will stay open until 5pm on Friday 7 August and Geoff will then announce the winner on the Hometime Show.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are all the entries for the competition. Please vote for your favourite. The 4 with the highest number of votes will be our entries to the competition.

All the entries can be found below, in the same order they are listed in the poll.

Good Luck everyone

Easy find guide

Jenjie · 14-07-2009, 09:06 PM

1) Malcolm-Edge

It is the morning of May 9th, 2008. I awaken at 4 am Pacific Time to be one of the first to download the new Coldplay song “Violet Hill”. It is the song I have been waiting for since late 2007, and was only supposed to hold me over until the new U2 single and album were released. Little did I know that this track and day would be the kick start to the most music filled year of my life. I got to see the biggest band in the world, not once or twice, but three times in one year; once at a newly born music festival in the heart of beautiful British Columbia, and twice in the loudest arena in the world. These are my experiences of seeing Coldplay, three times in one year on the biggest tour they have embarked on to date.

May 9th and 10th, 2008 saw the release of two brand new songs off the new Coldplay album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. Those being “Violet Hill” and international super hit “Viva La Vida”. I remember first hearing Violet Hill at 4 am, listening through my headphones to the newly downloaded track, which the world and I both got free. I thought to myself after the first listen “Coldplay are back. It’s hard, edgy. Is that a overdriven guitar and solo I hear? I like the new Coldplay”. I was ready to praise Brian Eno as the greatest musical mind of our generation for yet again recreating bands sound, but not overhauling it that they lose who they were. The next night iTunes release what would then become the most downloaded song in history, and super hit “Viva La Vida”. After hearing that, I knew that this album wouldn’t just hold me over until the then untitled No Line On the Horizon, it was going to win me over.

It was in the next few days after those songs were released to the world, the first tour date was announced to the world. Coldplay would headline the newly born Pemberon Festival, in the farms of a small town just outside of Whistler site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Luckily enough I live close enough to be able to go and see what was slowly becoming my new favourite band. I never got the tickets, and thought the prospect of seeing Coldplay had long since passed me.
I waited with these two songs and a few 30-second previews until June 17th, when I finally heard Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. The album blew me away at first listen. The fun happy opener of Life in Technicolor, to the edgey, dark and mysterious 42, they had me hooked. Coldplay were maturing, going down a different path, which I loved. I knew I needed to go to the Pemberton Festival, but still couldn’t get anyone to go with me.

Not until four days before the Inaugural festival, was I blessed with free tickets to the Sunday night. It was my opportunity to see Coldplay, a sign that it was meant to be. It was to good to be true. I had to work the day of the concert. I wasn’t going to be able to work and make the hour and a bit drive to see them. I made a deal with my boss, I was to work twenty two hours and spend another 4 in traffic to see Coldplay.

When all the pain of work, festival traffic, the dust and poor planning of a new festival finally settled in, “Through the Lights and Veins” played through the festival speakers. I was in fairly satisfactory position to see the boys, not the best though. Yet when the Jon Hopkins instrumental played, (better known as the opening part of instrumental of Life in Techincolor) it all set in. The chills went down my spine as Coldplay took to the stage and 50,000 people began screaming in unison. They quickly got settled in, and played through “Violet Hill”, in which everyone enthusiastically sang the chorus “If you love me wont you let me know!” After the song had ended, Will Champion, smashed his symbols, snare and kick drum to begin the hit and crowd pleasing “In My Place”, Jonny Buckland’s simple, yet striking riff lead to a strong start. It was as the opening notes the lights went upon the 50,000 fans crammed onto a lonesome potato farm, under the dark night sky did the level of this gig set in for everyone, including front man Chris Martin, “Wow! You all stayed?”

As Jonny lead the outro of the song with his soaring riff through the open night sky and mountains as the backdrop, perhaps the most amazing live song I’ve ever seen preformed kicked in. More breathtaking and surreal then The Police playing a full concert together again in 23 years, more so then the hometown crowd singing along to Bryan Adams super hit Summer of ’69. The opening notes of Viva La Vida were blasted through the loud speakers. “Ooooooohhhhh ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”, the crowd sang along, each and every person seemingly singing at the top of their lungs to produce the most surreal experience of my life.

Coldplay then moved on their stage to play a remixed version of “God Put A Smile Upon Your Face”, which has become a staple of the live shown on this tour. After which playing a song “That seems like Bryan Adams wrote himself”, the opening chords of “Yellow” rang out. Martin then asked “I would lie you all to help me sing this one, the song that is the reason we are here tonight”. We all sang the words to the all but familiar song. “Look up at the stars” never had as much meaning, as Martin was singing that line, I did look up at the stars in the night sky, the millions upon millions of stars, shinning for me?

After “Yellow” and new song “Lost!”, the boys made their way out to a stage they had setup about 50 yards from the stage, and 3 yards from me. The boys sang my second favourite Coldplay song, “The Scientist”. Chris was singing to what it seemed like a few people surrounding the stage, getting close to the fans, giving out high fives. After which the drummer with a “voice of an angle” as Chris Martin explained to the fans. Will Champion sang the newly released-side “Death Will Never Conquer”

After the song, they thank us for being a “great audience, putting up with the hours upon hours of traffic. For having great patience while dealing with a new festival to see us [Coldplay]” The lights went out, and a techno version of X&Y hit “Talk” are played through the loud speakers. Until finally, we all hear the thrashing opening chords of “Politik”, accompanied with the bright flashing lights, the best Coldplay song is played to perfection. For me, that single song made the entire experience worth it. I could feel the passion of the song from 50 yards away; as Chris’ soaring vocals filled the entire valley and the thousands of fans were jumping along with the heavy song.

The second last song of the night then begins, “Lovers In Japan”. The thousands of paper butterflies flew into the night sky, as the band seemed to be playing together like friends of years, they gelled together nearly perfectly. For the last song Chris said “Once again thank you all for coming and staying to see us. We thank you so much. This is our last song, goodbye and goodnight”. He then began to play “Death and All His Friends”. Little did I know when they bowed on stage I would be seeing them do that again in less than a year. This time no more than ten feet away from what would become, a band that changed my life and helped me through some of the hardest days of my life.

Over the next 10 months, many things happened in my life. I had previously lost my mother to cancer. I had a fight within myself. Coldplay helped me win that battle, because of them and their music I have prevailed in the fight for myself and my happiness.

Over those 10 months, I sat and waited for another show. A proper show in Vancouver, the Festival was an amazing experience. One I can barley put into words. Everything I did, just to see my band play for an hour and a bit, yet to me it was still completely worth every second, every moment it took to get there. I would say penny as well, but the tickets were free. Well I sat there as Coldplay announced a new EP, Prospekts March, and a new North American tour, then again another North American Tour. Still no Canada, let alone Vancouver, I was in agony. Reliving the moments in my head everytime I would listen to a song like “42”, whenever I heard the soaring piano of “Clocks” I would be transported back to that magical night, one that I will never forget.

I then logged onto my RSS feed, oh the age we live in, to see that they had announced a Canadian Tour! I looked once then three more times, there was no Vancouver show. At this point I was distraught, and upset. I would once again have to travel either south to Washington state, or east through the Rockies to Alberta. Until they did it! Vancouver appeared in their announcement. They were finally coming back! After the show nearly sold out in presale alone, they added another show for the next night. I got tickets through the Live Nation Presale, but got the shaft, I was stuck way up in the nosebleeds. For the second show, I got fairly good seats, 3o feet and slightly elevated from the boys. I was more excited to see Coldplay! I upgraded my seats when I found better ones, but still not the best.

Four solid months of waiting, of anticipation and of pure excitement, all mounted day by day. It went from months, to weeks, to days, to hours. All before I knew it, I was in my seat the first night waiting. Part of what added to the excitement was the fact my third favourite band out of Glasgow, Snow Patrol were opening for the boys. Could it get any better, two of the best bands in the world in one night? From the moment Snow Patrol hit the stage to “If There Is A Rocket, Tie Me To It” to the last note of Coldplay’s “Life In Technicolor ii” the whole night was that of pure enjoyment, happiness and entertainment at its best.

Snow Patrol rocked the house with their radio friendly alternative rock songs. They were by far the best opening act I have ever seen. The entire house was in their seats, until Gary Lightbody and snow Patrol rocked everyone onto their feet. “I would like to thank Coldplay for letting us take this stage. This is our second last show with them. It has been amazing, as have their crew!” Coldplay was next! The excitement was boiling over now.

I was so excited I sat right still. I was buzzing, ready to explode in an ode to Coldplay screams at any moment. Until once again “Light through the Veins” played and they came on to perform “life in Technicolor” an “Violet Hill” which at the ending of Chris announced to the arena “I hope this is the greatest show we ever put on film!” They were filiming the show, at first I thought I misheard him and shook it off. Yet it was still in the back of my mind, “Holy! I may be able to rewatch, and relive this show again and again for years to come. I can show my kids and say “Daddy was there!””

“Clocks” was the next song played. It really showed how confident the band was, until “Viva La Vida”, this song was likely their biggest hit to date. They knocked it out of the park. The lasers of the song that went all through the stadium, the co-ordination of the lights and the amazing musicianship of all four made it an amazing high energy song that got the crowd up on their feet. Once they were up, they never sat back down!

Once again right after the closing piano improvation of Chris, Will Champion began to smash the opening of In My Place. The building shook as he lead the band into the arena rock song! In came Jonny with the soaring riff, simple yet mind blowing. Guy Berryman and Chris got up on a ramp on stage left and began some awesome interaction, in which Jonny Buckland then joined in on. The newly formed crowd moved about, Chris down his catwalk into the audience to lead the soaring chorus “Yeeeeeeahhhh” 16,000 fans sang at the top of their lungs to help the band through the chorus. Martin and Buckland then went to another ramp on stage right and proceeded to show their love for each other. Jonny lead the soaring interlude with his riff and Chris hung off of him, dancing around him, smiles about and the crowd going nuts as their seats became front row.
For the song that brought them to Canada and the world, they lead out giant yellow ballons into the audience, for fans to bounce around, play with and have a good old time. When these giant balloons would pop, confetti flew out of them. This made the song “Yellow” even more special.

They rocked through, new songs “Glass of Water”, dark and moody “Cemeteries of London” and new found crowd favourite “42”. Chris shows his abilities in “42”, singing and playing a guitar melody, to helping Jonny rock out the middle of the song providing rhythm on an acoustic and then quickly moving back to his piano for a breathtaking, literally outro of the song.

“Lights will guide you home”, the crowd helped Coldplay through hit song “Fix You”. From which they went into the happy, summer song of “Strawberry Swing”. “Now my feet won’t touch the ground’ the lynch pin lyric of the song. After this the show gets a lot more interesting for a few luck fans. A stage, complete with light up floor comes up at the end of the stage left ramp. Where they prefome a techno remix version of “God Put A Smile Upon Your Face” and “Talk”. Everyone digs these tracks, and they are dancing along to them. God has truly put a smile upon my face, I still couldn’t believe I was there seeing them again!

The band then leaves Chris to his lone piano, a spot light shinning upon him. “I would like to thank you all for coming out tonight and staring in our DVD.” The crowd erupts into a cheer, one that must have cracked the very foundations of the building. He then makes sure everyone knows that William Champion will help him sing the next tune. “The Hardest Part” and classical piano song “Postcards From Far Away”. After which, Chris leans back and mega hit begins.

“Viva La Vida” begins, and the place only gets louder at this point. Everyone in the building singing along to the song we all wanted to hear. To see Will strike the Jerusalem Bell, with such fury and might. The passion of the song transferred to everyone in the building, even the lost soul in the back. The crowd only gets louder and louder during the interlude of “ohhhhhh ooooooh”

Once again leading into new song “lost!” a crowd pleaser at this point. Then to most people’s surprise, the band walk off the stage into the audience and perform songs on a stage erected in the stands at the back. The acoustic set includes “Green Eyes”, Will Champion singing like an angle once again to “Death Will never conquer” and crowd sing a long “Im a Believer” a cover of the Monkies hit! “Guy, are you a believer?” asks Martin, Berryman replies with a delightful “ohaaooohhh”.

“Will, are you in love”, to which the heavily voice replies, “oooooooooohhhhhhhhhh”

“Jonny, I know you are shy. But everyone is here to find out the answer to this eternal question. Are you in love?” To which the guitar player deeply replies “ooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh”

Coldplay lead the Coldwave and proceed back to the change rooms once again through the audience. Which they come back to perform loud passionate,

“Politik”, as a hardcore fan I know this is Chris’ favourite song, and I can see it in the passion of the performance, which I can feel all the way from my seat.
They then go through “Lovers In Japan”, paper confetti to spice it up. Then a soulful “Death and All of His Friends”, after which a sight I had not seen in nearly a year, Guy Berryman, Will Champion, Jonny Buckland and Chris Martin, bowing, center stage to thousands of screaming fans.

They then come back, at first Martin to talk to the audience “tonight we are giving you the free album LeftRightLeftRightLeft which retials for $300,000,000. Luckily you all get it for free!” He then looks around stops and looks to the upper bowl, where I was sitting, “Holy ****, you guys are high up. Those are like the suicide seats. We better not play anything sad or depressing, someone might jump.”
They closed the night with “The Scientist” and “Life in Technicolor ii”. I couldn’t believe I had just seen them again. I was buzzing to see them again, luckily the wait wouldn’t be too long, only tomorrow!

I do it all over again the next day. My girlfriend and I arrive fairly early and are in our seats close to the floor. We talk to a nice security guard who tells us he had met Martin playing Ping Pong back stage. He explained we were in for a great night, but he didn’t need to tell me. As we were in our seats, out of nowhere comes a friendly British man in a VIVA polo. He gives us a Viva La Vida pick, “only a thousand were made”. I was very excited. I then talk to him, he is Andy the Video manager, in charge of all the video footage they put on the screens. I then ask him about Roadie 42, and Phil Harvey, both of which he seemed very surprised I knew. We then talk if its our first time seeing them. I tell him I have seen them twice. Then tell him my first story of Pemberton. Unfortunately he got dragged away, duty calls, a DVD is in production after all. We sit through the opener Hollowing Bells.

After which I turn to my side and I see Andy coming straight for us. That is when I know what is happening, I was about to get upgraded. “For being such amazing fans, I just talked to Chris and he told me to give you these.” He hands me two brand spanking new tickets. Row 4 on the floor, right next to Jonny and Chris’ catwalk. Coldplaying Karama had payed off. I hugged Andy and bid my eternal gratitude. I then made my way to see Snow Patrol and Coldplay from my new, amazing seats.

Snow Patrol once again knocked it out of the park, remaining the best opener of all time, getting the crowd truly warm for Coldplay. They played hit after hit. At one point I decided I’d be that guy who screams. “You guys ****ing rock!” Lightbody then turns to me smiles and gives me a thumbs up. I must also mention, Im the only guy wearing a Snow Patrol shirt admits of thousands in Coldplay shirts. The bass player and I trade a lot of looks and thumbs up. At this point I am already in heaven.

Nothing could make this night better! I am centimetres from Wayne the break dancing roadie. I am ready for Coldplay and to hear Jon Hopkins play again. When it does happen, I as well as every other soul in the place scream the arrival of the sparkler wielding bands forte to the stage. I am meters from my two biggest musical influences, Jonny Buckland and Chris Martin. “Violet Hill” right through to “In My Place” are a blur of pure ecstasy! Until the point in which Jonny and Guy are within my arms reach, and their interaction during “In My Place” becomes more personal than ever for me.

Tonight I am in the middle of the balloon fun during “Yellow” I could feel the envious eyes from a top in the suicide seats. Balloons are popping everywhere, confetti is flying to the arena rock song.

Once again they go out and perform the techno remixes. Chris reminds the crowd of the DVD. The crowds is a lot louder, crazier and more enthusiastic then the night before! It’s a true stormer.

Not until “Viva La Vida” do I get close to the guys again. When Chris Martin collapsed right in front of my eyes, where he lead the crowd in the ”ohhhhhh oooohhhhhh” The image of my hero, etched into my memory, right infront of me. He looked at me and gave me a thumbs up, and ran back for “Lost!”

They once again moved into the back for a quick acoustic set. When they came back and preformed “Politik” I truly realized that the lights that flash with the beat of the song are truly blinding from that close. It is truly a magically moment, meters away from my favourite band, passionately performing, my favorite song. “Lovers In Japan” then begins after “Politik” concludes. This is a song I will never forget, not in my life.

Jenjie · 14-07-2009, 09:06 PM

The shower of confetti around me was bliss! As I spun around to recreat the effect of the video! Enjoying the moment, for I knew it was surreal! That is when Chris came back upon the catwalk with his Japanese paper umbrella in hand dancing and twirling it around in the never ending amounts of butterflies. Until he turns to leave, but before doing so walks up to me and gives it right to me, smiles and runs back. A moment I will never forget, even though I am sure he has.
For that moment, I was the happiest I could ever be. That night could not get any better, no way no how. We watched, smiled and sang along to the last four songs. The perfect night was capped off with a setlist from a friendly security guard.

For me, I have called June 2008 – June 2009 the year of Coldplay. Not only have they begun to dominate the world music scene. They are dominating the soundtrack of my life. Many people made fun of me for going to two Coldplay shows. Yet I will never change them. If they do release Live 2009 Live at Vancouver, I know I was at both shows. I would never have seen and heard Coldplay live. Never would have met Andy and been so close to the guys that have helped me through the difficult times in my life.

The three nights I saw Coldplay, I will never forget. To live the music, to feel it go through you, as it is coming directly from that band, its something magical. You feel transported, when I saw them, nothing in the world mattered except the music, the band and the thousands of others there for the exact same reason of me, the love of the music and Coldplay. Pemberton, wasn’t the best show, yet the two Vancouver shows made up for it. Coldplay put on the best show I have ever seen. I think any band will be hard pressed to ever surpass them.

My dad is a hardcore U2 fan, and made fun of me for seeing Coldplay. He said U2 are an amazing live act, he said the best he had ever seen. I replied, “I am seeing Coldplay, at the begging of what will likely be their prime, when they are the best live act on earth. Not once, but twice; three times in one year. I will look back in 20 years and tell my children about how amazing Coldplay was live. How those four British blokes, had forever changed my life. Coldplay are the best live act, go see them, feel them, embrace the music. They are two hours you will never forget, I know I sure wont forget when I saw them in 2008 and 2009. Viva La Coldplay!

Jenjie · 14-07-2009, 09:07 PM

2) lucyb123

I have been a die hard Coldplay fan for the last 8 years. Indeed, when we were emigrating to Australia from England, we planned our emigration around a Coldplay concert. We had tried to get tickets for the concerts in London in December, 2005 and were heartbroken when they sold out. However as our Visa application to move to Australia was well underway, when their Australian tour dates were announced, and a July 5 concert in Adelaide was promised, we knew that we would have to say goodbye to England and be in Aus by that date. We somehow managed to get through to Ticketek from the UK and then our fate was sealed!

So, you can imagine my disgust when the 2009 tour was announced and Adelaide was NOT on the schedule. I am not ashamed to admit that I cried. I immediately created a Facebook group 'Petition to get Coldplay in Adelaide 2009' (which I have since left as the event has passed) and set about contacting our local press and radio with quite a bit of success. Chugg Entertainment, however, were not interested in little old Adelaide, and it also transpired that High School Musical the frigging ICE SHOW had booked the Entertainment Centre for the dates that an Adelaide show would have perfectly fit in the schedule. Imagine my irriration when the HSM tour was cancelled due to poor ticket sales! By that stage the Coldplay dates were set and it was too late. Believe me, I tried and was even speaking to the manager of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre at this stage!

However, every cloud has a silver lining. I became great friends with a girl called Talia who joined my Facebook group. She was in a similar state of distress because of the Adelaide bypass and we quickly became friends . One day, when she was out my house for dinner and we were watching the Live 2003 DVD, she mentioned that Channel V were running a competition. The winner would be flown to meet the band, then attend the soundcheck and concert! Well, I knew that this was fate! We had to say, in 25 word or less why we were Australia's biggest Coldplay fans. I entered EVERY DAY for 3 weeks solid. IT KILLED ME! I remembered reading this article about this woman who won every competition she entered by writing some catchy and witty jingle. So that's what I set out to do. Every day, without fail, I killed myself thinking of some funny jingle that would hopefully spell out to Channel V that I was the most deserving winner. For example:

Id run naked through streets of Sydney
just to prove to you
my undying love of Coldplay
Is that what you want me to do?

Most were much better than that , but I cannot share my secrets...I may need them again one day!

Anyway. I had the WEIRDEST feeling that I'd one for about a week before the comp closed. After it closed, I was so convinced that I'd won, that I was even taking my BlackBerry into the toilet at work. It closed on a Sunday, and at 6PM the following Tuesday, my phone rang and it was an 02 prefix for Sydney. I KNEW. This was it! My hands were shaking as I answered!

'Hello?' I said!

'Hi this is Jon calling from Channel V'

'Are you calling about the Coldplay competition?' I asked...clutching on to the kitchen counter and gazing at my mother in law who was visiting from England with unseeing eyes.

'I might be' Jon said!

'HAVE I WON?' I said in a slightly hysterical voice!

'How would you like to fly to Perth and meet Coldplay?' Jon said. At this stage I'm afraid I went beserk! My mother in law says I was screaming and shrieking on the phone like a hysterical banshee. I'm afraid I cannot really remember. My children were sitting on the sofa looking mildly concerned at this stage.

Fast forward about 2 weeks, and Talia and I are together the night before we leave Adelaide trying to get some sleep. It's not easy. Tomorrow we are meeting the best band in history. We are so desperate to look halfway decent when we meet them that we have a hair appointment booked one hour after landing in Perth, and we have also tracked down a professional make up artist. We were told that we would get our own photo op, which turned out to be a lie as we only got a group one in the end (My avatar is closely cropped, lol)

Anyway, backtracking slightly, we get to the Burswood Dome in Perth for 2PM. We are to be meeting some chap from Chugg Entertainment, who turns out to be one of the most miserable old buggers on the planet, FYI. Anyway, he's late and eventually we are ushered into the lobby of Burswood with 9 other prize winners and their plus ones. All of a sudden we hear in the auditorium 'Glass of water' and Talia nearly wets herself. Jackie Jackson, head of security comes out to greet us to lay a few ground rules, but she is lovely. She reminds us not to get to close and then we are on our way to meet Coldplay! OMFG!

We all creep in and there they are! Coldplay are RIGHT IN FRONT OF US! I cannot describe this feeling to you, other than to say, it really was probably the best experience of my life (Other than the day my two children were born) I mean...look! Coldplay are RIGHT THERE! As we walk in, Chris breaks away from the piano and greets us all by saying, 'Come on in, don't be shy!' I am shaking and reaching for my camera. Initially we stand about 30 feet back, but then I think, sod this, and start inching closer and closer. By the end Im right at the front of stage barriers, which funnily enough is where I am also lucky enough to be for the concert later that evening. They play a bit, then stand around chatting while the sound guys do their thing. Jackie is with us and is lovely....answering our questions and not treating us like idiots at all! Then, Chris says, 'Well we are going to do one more song, so shall we play you something that you'd like to hear that we wont be playing tonight?" OMG I think! 'Amsterdam!!' I scream at him. He looks at me and I fully know he's heard me "sorry, what was that? Trouble? OK . Ill play Trouble!!' Naughty boy!

So the soundcheck was unreal. During the photo op, Chris stood next to me and I gave him good natured grief about not coming to Adelaide and we had a good 5 minute chat and I also mentioned that I was coming to Melbourne for 2 of their shows the following week. (If you look on my signature below, there's a link to my Facebook album where I have put all of my fave pics from the concerts.) Afterwards we are given a backstage tour and meet all of the crew. Embarrassingly my husband rings at that stage when there's a lull in the conversation. My ringtone is 'Clocks' and everyone has a giggle. I ask Jackie if we can just stay inside so that we can be front row for the concert and she says sadly not. So we run outside after we say our goodbyes and line up. Now, it's hot, it's summer and we are EXHAUSTED as we have been up for hours by this stage. Talia has had knee reconstruction and cant yet run, so we are discussing tactics for when the dorrs open. Several hours later when they open I am first in. OMG. then my ticket doesnt scan as the machine is jammed. The old trout at the gate says to me, 'wait there' I tell her in my most polite way to get stuffed and run like I have never run before for the stage. My heart is pounding and I feel like Im about to pass out. Im the first person inside the venue. I slow for a second and then hear footsteps running behind me so pick up the pace. I get to the front..dead centre in front of Chris' microphone. Holy crap, I think! How lucky am I? I am holding a space to my left for Talia who cannot run. People are trying to push into her space, but I hold my ground. She finally arrives and we CANNOT believe we are dead centre and front row!

So, as you can imagine, the concert is unreal. It's like our own personal performance , we are so close! Drenched in butterflies, we head back to the hotel. ( I probably shouldn't reveal the name for security reasons) So Talia and I have eaten nothing more than a bag of chips in nearly 24 hours. We are faint with hunger and a bit drunk after a few glasses of wine on an empty stomach. We get in the lift to go to bed. As we get out I say to her, 'you know what? Let's just go downstairs just in case they are there'. I just had this feeling. So we get back in the elevator and as the doors open downstairs, Talia clutches my arm and whispers 'Holy F*** it's Chris Martin' and he's standing 10 feet away from us with Kelly looking sexy as hell and exhausted in a black hoodie.

'NO PHOTOS' commands Kelly, Chris' bodyguard (we were never anything but polite and courteous to him and Chris and it annoys me that he is so aggressive towards the fans) We are not even holding our cameras. Chris looks at him, then us, and says , 'nah man it's cool' then he says, 'You're the girls from Adelaide, I saw you rocking out in the front row, did you enjoy the show?!' Then some American girl came and asked him what was the 'piano tune' he played after Hardest Part and me and my friend immediately yelled at her 'Postcards from far away' (DUR!) and he smiled at me and said to her, 'see, only the super fans would know that!!' I nearly fainted, lol. Oh and then he said to me, 'Ill see you in Melbourne next week' as he fully remembered the conversation we'd had at soundcheck. He also signns a gorgeous photo of them that Talia had printed for me.... 'Hi Lucy, Love Chris Martin' with a funny face which now has pride of place in our study!

So we are buzzing and finally manage to get some sleep. The next morning we wake up and open the curtains. It's a beautiful day in Perth. Luckily we have a poolview room. I keep winding Talia up by saying, "OMG Jonny's at the pool' or 'OMG here's Will with his family' She runs to the window each time but soon realises I am teasing! And then, wait, what's that...holy crap CHRIS MARTIN HAS JUST WALKED DOWN TO THE POOL!!!! I race for my fancy new camera to turn it on and THE BATTERY DIES! Luckily I bought my old one as a back up. I had taken hundreds of pictures at soundcheck and the concert the night before...I guess in hindsight, packing the charger would have been smart. Anyway, I am ashamed to say we were crouched like paparazzi on the floor by the window with our eyes popping out of our heads. Chris appears to be wearing a pair of speedo's? Now I know I posted some pics of this shortly after I got back, but removed them as felt it was an invasion of Chris' privacy. Some of you doubted that it was Chris. But I can promise you that I was there, saw with my own eyes and it was 100% him! (Any wanyway I recognised his shoes, lol...we all know what bad taste in shoes he has!) His mobile rings constantly and he has ants in his pants. He does not sit still for a minute. Then he starts rolling around and doing all sorts of weird yoga moves. And then, Guy rocks up with some blonde chick. He sits awayfrom Chris but seems very relaxed and content to just chill out on a sun lounger. At this point we are in danger of missing our flight back to Adelaide so we reluctantly make our way down to the lobby to check out. Some people asked why we didnt go down to talk to them? Well I feel that they were on their days off and relaxing, and I thought it would have been terribly rude and obnoxious to invade their privacy. (So I just took photos from our hotel window instead )!

So we are back in Adelaide, but know it's only a few more sleeps until we head to Melbourne, so we dont feel that depressed. Incidentally I also win a competition on Video Hits for the Melbourne show, but sadly not the sound check this time, just 2 normal tickets. I sold them on EBAY and used the money to upgrade to a better hotel, which proves to be the smartest move ever, as my hunch pays off and guess who happens to also be staying there?!?!?!?!?!?

We were on the early flight out of Adelaide to Melbourne. Talia heads straight to Rod Laver to scout out the best place to line up for the day, and I head to the hotel to check in. Imagine my surprise when Kelly walks past me! he does a double take and says 'Hello again!' 'Im fully NOT stalking', I say, 'I just like nice hotels!' and then I add, 'Are you guys staying here?!?!?!?!?!?' to which he hold his finger to his lips like shhhhh. Like Ill keep that one to myself? There's a white Tarago people mover outside the lobby with the doors open, waiting for I wonder who. I hang around for a bit, but dont want to look like stalker so hail a cab to Rod Laver where I break the news to the gathering super fans. Very exciting! We have a great day lining up. There are about 20 other die hard fans and we have a great time swapping stories and generally getting punch drunk on our mutual love of Coldplay. It was a great experience.

Now anyone who has had general admission to a concert at Rod Laver knows what a bloody joke it is. It doesnt matter really if you have been there all day, as when the doors open, all bets are off. You have to run like hell to gate 15 to exchange your ticket for a coded wristband which proves that you have the right to be down the front. I swear I nearly collapsed I was running so fast. All of us who have been there all day make a pact to look out for each other and make sure we all get front row. WE DO! However this time I am between Jonny and Chris, but it's still a fantastic position to be in. We joke around with the security and the camera man who gives us water and takes great care of us. We are sadly subjected to our second performance of Mercury Rev. They really were terrible. All of the audience members looked as bemused and amused as we were the previous week in Perth. The lead singer appears to be off is tits on something. The guitarist is hilrious....Id chatted to him in Perth in the elevator and he LOVED himself. He's trying to eye f*** all the girls in the front row and we are in hysterics for most of their show.

So at last we hear Strauss' Blue Danube Waltz and it's game on again! I still smile at the thought of Chris spotting me during In My Place and smiling at me. Quite a few people were like 'OMG he just smiled at you' that was bloody awesome!

After the concert we, along with Josh and Adam, 2 great guys we had met head back to our hotel, just to see who's about and wouldn't you know it, but there's Phil and Guy Berryman in the lobby. Now Im an ex smoker, however I suddenly rediscovered the need for a ciggie when we spot Guy leaning against the railing out front of the hotel. He is such a lovely , excuse the pun, Guy. So I cant remember the whole conversation but I did say to him 'Guy, you look sooo serious when you are up on stage' and he smiles and replies (probably thinking you're a f*ckwit) 'Well, it's a very serious job I have to do!' LOL. We chat about how he likes Australia and I also ask him if he remembers Adelaide in July 2006 and how shit the audience was. He has no clue....venues all blur into one for him. He really was very sweet. He still had his sexy black jeans on and red shirt, girls. I was standing 2 feet away from him for several minutes. I regret not asking for a photo, but I just didn't want to piss them off and was content just for the chance to chat to them whenever I encountered them. How many fans ever get that chance? Oh before I forget , we also saw Will several times in the hotel lobby pushing his children in their pushchair and with a woman who I presume was his wife.

So after all of those experiences, we just didn't think things could be better than that....we were wrong! We went back upstairs to our room...and by the way the hotel they stay at is now my absolute favourite hotel in Melbourne...so gorgeous! We were sad that there was only one more concert left, especially as we didnt have general admission, we had seats...the atmosphere is never as good in the seating areas, I dint care what anyone says to the contrary. Talia had general admin and was right by the piano for Hardest Part so I was super jealous! But I suppose it was interesting to see the show from a different angle, but we missed out on the butterflies! Towards the end of the encore just as they started playing The Scientist, we legged out out of Rod Laver Arena and hailed a cab back to the hotel so that we could beat the band back and be waiting there for them when they came back. It was so funny as when we got back, all the hotel management were waiting in a line on the step to greet the band, and I said 'oh for me, you shouldn't have!' as we ran into the lobby. We plonked ourselves in the comfy leather tub chairs and waited for no more than 2 minutes. Jonny was in first and walked about 3 feet past me. He is very cute and so shy in person. I called out to him 'Great show, Jonny' (Like a dork!)and he smiled and started walking towards me. Now this is where I FAILED! Rather than talking to him, I briefly turned away from him to see if I could see Chris, so he carried on towards the elevator. My husband said he was fully coming over for a chat. SHIT!!!

So we went to grab a bite to eat quickly and then later my husband had to collect something from reception that had been delivered from his office. So about midnight we went down to reception. Phil was there and came and said hello to me. He asked me if I had enjoyed the show and I said not really as it was nowhere near as good for me, atmosphere wise, as I was up in the nose bleed section! He then said, 'Oh have you met Anthony? This is Chris' dad'. Well of course we hadn't!

Now it turns out that my husband and The Martins are from the same part of Devon. It also turns out that my husband's younger brother used to play against Chris at hockey in school. My hubby and his brother went to Millfield, the rival private school to Sherborne and they are the same age. Anthony was travelling with an old family friend who as it happens was looking to move to the same village that I lived in before I moved to Australia and was friends with the vicar who had baptised/Christened my son! What a small world!!! So the four of us had a great time talking about this and that, and before I knoew it, we had been chatting for over an hour! By this stage it was well past 1AM, so Anthony asked us if we would like to join him for coffee the following morning! Out of respect, I will not write about the things we talked about regarding their grandchildren and his daughter in law. But I will say we were so impressed by what a loving, level headed and close knit family they are. We laughed at how he addressed Chris always as 'Christopher' and he is so proud of him. He says it's surreal seeing his son on stage, adored my thousands! And he was telling us how much he HATES Chris swearing! He said 'The Scientist' was his favourite and he also liked the 'piano song', which I informed him was 'Postcards' and played it off my phone for him! We spent a lovely 2 hours with them and then sadly it was time to go to Melbourne airport for our flight back to Adelaide. I really enjoyed meeting him and have a huge amount of respect for him. He is a lovely man!

Overall, you have to remember that Coldplay are just 4 normal men with an extraordinary musical talent. All I can say is that the week that I spent travelling to concerts and meeting the band was the best week of my life. I feel honoured to say that I have met them all. They are charming and down to earth. I hope that one day soon I will have the chance to say all of the things I so badly wanted to say until I got tongue tied with excitement.

Jenjie · 14-07-2009, 09:07 PM

3) walkryfe

They Call It “Coldplay Karma”: I’m a Believer!

I have to start writing this down before I forget; and these past few days, i want to remember. There is more to the story, but I’m going to go with June 9, 2009 as a starting point. The first thing that happened as i started on my journey, was that I ended up on this long, winding road behind a truck with the word “YELLOW” written across it! The journey continued, and through many a confusing exit and traffic jam, I eventually found my way to the motel I was going to stay in, in a town called “Battle Ground.” I checked in, then decided to drive to where the amphitheater was so I wouldn’t end up getting lost on my way to volunteer for Oxfam the next day. I was also very hungry! I noticed a mini-mall with a grocery and such, and decided to stop on the way back.

I found my way to the amphitheater, figured out where the box office/Oxfam meeting point was, and headed back to find dinner. In the mini-mall, there was this Thai restaurant, called the Golden Tusk? While I like Thai food, I’d pretty much convinced myself that I should just go with the granola bar in my purse when this group walked past on their way into the restaurant saying, “Yeah, Guy says this place is ...” -um, lets just say that the rest of the sentence was a compliment! So as silly as it sounds, I took it as “a sign” (and anyone reading this now thinks me a lost cause and a complete nutter). Hey, I really did want that food, but was reasoning against the expense. As it was, it was good for me to get a warm meal into myself. I bought this wonderful tofu curry with rice! I did decide to do some grocery shopping, and bought some veggies and water/juices/etc. for later. Parked outside of the grocery store was this funky silver car with British flags on its doors!

Back at the hotel, I started downloading my travel log “thus far” and to my anguish, though I thought everything was okay and saved, somehow the videos were never really downloaded! It would have been okay, except that I’d already deleted almost all of the videos I thought had transfered! Including this really cool side of a mountain that looked like a face --like Rock Biter from the Neverending Story! I was very sad and upset to have lost that image! Anyway. I was also disappointed to discover that the Internet from my room was dial-up and was not “secure” which meant there were certain things I wouldn’t get to do! Downstairs, I found that the “business office” computer was secure, but practically all my favorite haunts were blocked! Annoyance upon annoyance.

I tried getting other work done, but couldn’t sleep for the longest time! I finally did. The next day, I discovered the Fred Meyer store. As I walked around, I saw groups of excited people buying flowers, food, etc. chatting... about Coldplay! I looked all around and realized... that all these people were headed toward the same experiential context... literally thousands of people! It was so strange, to feel that sense of unconscious unity, that unseen link. Now, as i found out later at Oxfam, just because Coldplay fans agree on Coldplay, doesn’t mean that they agree on everything else . . . or anything else! But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Upon arrival at the Clark County Amphitheater, I was directed to the VIP parking zone. I explained several times that I wasn’t sure this was the right place, but everyone but me seemed certain; then the head security guy decided to agree with me! I think because hot on my heels were several other carloads of “Oxfamily” that were just as lost! We were redirected to parking lot B (I think, already forgetting details!), then finally told to go to parking lot K. (the “K. ‘Stena’ James” parking lot, obviously). I walked to the meeting point, no Soha yet, but volunteers started gravitating together; it was amazing!

Canvassing is hard. You would think it easy, because of the goodness of our cause, but many people just “--don’t want to be bothered.” Some were receptive, not all. Others are more than receptive! Oxfam training tells you that most people won’t want to talk to you, but everybody seemed to have something to say to me! I nearly lost my voice with all the discussion! Soha is so great though. As was Alexis, our local coordinator! Amazingly calm, secure, kind, brilliant women! We volunteers all knew well in advance that we would be sitting space available on the lawn, so it was an incredibly strange, unreal, and fantastic happenstance to be given tickets for seating near front and center! Whooohooo!!! I remember just sort of standing there, in shock, wondering at it all. As challenging as it was, I’d do it all again. (Soha, you ever need some help and I can get there in time, you got my number!)

The show was magnificent. Everything was perfect! Although i nearly killed myself falling off of a chair I was standing on during The Hardest Part. The reason I fell, was because my back was to the main stage, and I forgot that Will would be harmonizing from there! I heard his voice and I reeled around so fast that I lost my balance! I’m not sure, but I think he saw me and gave me a little smile. After my brush with “death by awkwardness,” I was gently asked to please stay off of my chair for the rest of the show. I think I was lucky not to get evicted altogether though! I’m certain my ecstatic dancing and screaming made me a total nuisance to everyone around me!

I tried to capture some of the show on video and in pictures, but to be honest, I don’t know how anyone manages this! My head may tell me to keep still, get clear footage, and focus on one thing, but my feet wouldn’t listen! I was spinning around, looking at all the cool stuff there is to look at, video globes, projection screens, people, the band, floating yellow balloons, and rainbow butterflies! It was just impossible for me not to dance and sing and yell and spin about! Everything was so perfect, I never wanted it to be over; but half-way through “The Scientist” was the prearranged cue to go back to Oxfam tent. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go. It was so great to work with everyone on the Oxfam team! We gave each other hugs, and then for me it was back to the motel, to try to get a couple hours of sleep, before I had to be up and away again to get to the Gorge show.

“What!” you say? “The Gorge show too?!”

I had gotten a ticket to that show before I found out about the Oxfam/Coldplay alliance, and this particular volunteer opportunity. When i did find out about this, I signed up for the Portland show, not actually expecting to get to participate, but thinking that at the least Oxfam looked like a wonderful organization. When I got the mail asking if I still wanted to volunteer for Portland show I was on the moon! I immediately said YES.

Then I realized the marathon I was in for.

Let’s go back to the night after the Portland show, day before the Gorge. It took me until almost 1 a.m. to get through the traffic back to my hotel room. I lay down on the bed and wept strange, happy/sad tears; that’s really not like me. Part of it was being tired, but part of it was that it had been such a perfect experience. How many of those do you get in life? Where you really feel like “Hey! somebody up there likes me!” Yeah, i know. One should feel that way about every day, but. . . one doesn’t; or I don’t. I even thought, “Maybe I shouldn’t go to the Gorge, because, like, nothing could ever be better, right?” Then I further thought, “Nah! Coldplay will be awesome whatever!” As it was, my seat was “Section C, Row 42, Seat 3” which had made me laugh originally when it was my random selection from Ticketmaster! As i wrote in my journal: “Section C, Row 42, Seat 3 = Crazy Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything <3 (the number three with a less-than sign in front of it: a heart emoticon meaning love). Given the novelty, I was okay with whatever view “C 42 3” would happen to be.

The morning of July 11, 2009, I wasn’t thinking very clearly. I got lost straight away for about half of an hour before finding a way to proper direction. I was running on 3-4 hours of sleep that had been had 34 hours previous. I nearly ran off the road or into road barriers three times, because I would fall asleep at the wheel with my eyes wide open. It wasn’t like nodding off, it was as if I suddenly wasn’t awake or seeing the road anymore, then I’d be “aware” again. One moment I’d be driving and keeping everything in line, the next i’d realize I was headed for a cement barrier! Very scary. I did make it back to my parents’ home though, for to rest a couple of hours; a short break before continuing on to the Gorge show.

Recumbent at my folks’ home, I’ve rarely been so tired, yet so wired that still couldn’t sleep. I wrote a couple of blip and twitter updates, then lay down on the bed. The next thing I knew, I was awakened by my cell phone ringing! It was Soha? She had phoned me mistakenly! She was answering my message from yesterday. It was providential, though, because I would’ve probably overslept! As it was, I had just enough time to make it to the Gorge and see some of both of the guest artists’ shows!
Sorry, getting ahead of myself again.

It was easier traveling in general, but the line of traffic to the Gorge itself, which is a two lane road, is arduous. I arrived, and started toward the venue, eventually meandering through this entrance where all these limos were parked; “VIP” camping? I tried to visualize what that could mean: gold-plated tent stakes? Le Cordon Bleu chefs roast your marshmallows for you? I moved to exit to the venue entrance, and the lady usher standing at the “VIP Camping” exit gate, said that technically she should turn me away and I should have to walk all the way around this other direction, but she was very kind and just let me go through.

Those that have been, will tell you “The Gorge is the most beautiful, breathtaking, amazing venue on the planet,” but until you go and see it, you are incredulous. Having been, I have to tell you: “The Gorge is the most beautiful, breathtaking, amazing venue on the planet!”

As I meandered though the crowd sitting way up on the lawn ridge of the venue, I realized how lucky i’d been to get a ticket in the seated area at all! There were about 24000 people at the Gorge July, 11, 2009. It was a long journey from the ridge top to the seated area. When I got there, there was no seat where mine should be! I was worried, but then this man came, looked at my ticket, looked at me, said “You’re alone?” and yes, I was. Then with a little smile, he flipped through a stack of tickets and gave me a complimentary ticket, pointing silently to the section, row, and seat; it was for SEC C, ROW 6, SEAT 15! Brilliant! Even if I did get reprimanded for dancing in the aisle during the opening sets.

Again, I proved a terrible nuisance to everyone around me! Hands in air, swinging my minicam around, yelling, singing. The show seemed more intense to me than it had the night before, for some reason; or perhaps many reasons. And I should say, that while I got some footage, I had a lot of technical difficulties --like dropping the camera when I nearly fainted at one point in the show (lack of sleep, slight dehydration, and “the nearness” are probably responsible). Also, I ran low on battery power, camera memory, and the minicam just didn’t seem to “feel like” functioning! I’d press the “rec” button, and nothing happened! Most of the time after that, I just surrendered to the experience and accepted I would not be able to capture every moment. I just felt badly, knowing that there are Coldplay fans out there that would love to have gotten that close, and might never ever have the opportunity! I would’ve liked to be in a better position to share that experience with them. Of course, out of 24,000 people in attendance I know I’m not the only one that was filming! Somebody out there is bound to have gotten excellent video!

It was so much good all at once. I’m not used to that; feeling like there is someone or something on my side. I guess I don’t know where I am right now, heart wise. I think, that I’m a little depressed? Some sort of “Post-Concert-Traumatic-Stress-Syndrome,” maybe? I miss it all! “It” . . . that frantic getting between new places, feeling a part of something interesting and beautiful, even if it's only for a day!

Don't let me give the impression that I'm not grateful for my “normal” life; for what I do have in life, because I am! Yet clearly, I want things to be different; less quiet, less routine, less in my head all the time, less on my own. Which occurs to me is one of the things an excellent concert can do for the heart and head; make them start listening to each other. Many thanks to any patient reader that has made their way through my story, and many thanks to Coldplay, for “such a perfect day,” times two!

Jenjie · 14-07-2009, 09:07 PM

4) TheAngie

Jan 28, 2003- Houston, Texas
Let’s Go Back to the Start

It was my first time to see the band live. I was so excited when the tour dates were announced and was on line to buy my ticket the second they went on sale. I tried to get someone to go with me. “Who? Coldplay? Never heard of them,” was the response I got. Forget them, I will go alone!

After months of waiting, finally show day arrived. At the time I was living about 100 miles from Houston, so I left out extra early because I wasn’t exactly sure of the venue location or what traffic would be like. I absolutely had to be up front. It was a general admission ticket, so if I could get there early enough, I should be able to be in the front row.

I got to downtown Houston around 1pm and passed their tour buses parked on the street on my way to the underground garage. My heart was racing and I couldn’t park my car fast enough. I parked and asked some guy how to get to the Verizon and he said to take the stairs and it was right there. I go up the stairs and come out on the street just next to where the buses are parked and Jonny, Will and Guy are all on the street right there just walking around! I almost fainted. In my rush to get topside, I had left my camera in the car . I didn’t even have anything for them to sign. I said hi to Will first, then Guy and then Jonny. They were so beautiful in person. Will was very nice, not scary like in most of his pictures. Guy was so skinny; I just wanted to feed the poor child. Jonny was so tall, had the sweetest voice and the most beautiful eyes. I was in love. It amazed me that they were just so normal! And so shy and amazed that anyone knew who they were. They went into the venue and I rushed back to my car to get my camera, but when I got back, they didn’t come back out. People were starting to arrive for the show, so I went and got in the line. Some girls came and got in line and said they had come back out just after I had left. I wanted to cry. Anyway I was at the front of the line and was for sure going to be front row.

At around 3pm, a lady from Capitol Records comes out and asks if we are there for the contest. They had a contest on their website for 10 people to attend the sound check. We said no and then she got all uppity and asked why we were there then. Well they are playing a concert here tonight you know. A few of us tried to talk our way in, but Miss Capital wasn’t having any of that. The radio station was setting up tables next to where we were standing and came over and told us that they would be interviewing Chris after the sound check right here next to us so that perked us up. Just before the interview started, they moved the tables inside the building and did the interview inside. We had to settle for watching Chris through the glass. Bummer!

It took what seamed like for ever for gates to open. Once inside venue we had to stand in line again. Come on already! There was a mad rush to get to the front. Don’t run! Yeah right! Get out my way! Everyone ran to the center, I ran to where Jonny would stand. Front row baby, front row!

Outside security was firm on the No Cameras rule. Inside security could care less. I could have brought my 35mm instead of cheap disposable I smuggled in. Mos Eisley and Ron Sexsmith were openers. I liked Ron, but thought he was a bit too slow paced for an opener. Sorry but I didn’t care much for Mos Eisley.

Stage set up was pretty simple. Four large screens hung at the back of the stage. Chris’ piano facing toward Jonny. Will’s silver drum kit at the back Guy stage right and Jonny stage left. Small video cameras set up in front of each person. They had what looked like blue rope Christmas tree lights outlining the edge of the stage.

Finally, house lights down. My heart is pounding! The crowd is screaming and whistling. Movement on stage, I see them! My pulse rate shoots up to about a million. Organ sounding music filled the room and a quick “Hello” from Chris and we were off!

Politik starts, lights flashing, piano banging, Will beating those poor drums to a pulp, and the crowd bouncing along with the beat. Chris sounds awesome live. He’s bouncing on his piano stool like a mad man and I thought he might knock himself out at any second.

When the song ends, we get a quick speech from Chris about being back in Texas then straight into Shiver. A definite crowd favorite and sadly the last time they would play it on this tour.

Spies was next with this trippy sounding guitar opening from Jonny. Chris flubs the first line of the lyrics and gets the giggles, which gives Jonny the giggles. It’s OK because the crowd picks up the slack and sings it for him. He quickly recovers and the rest is just beautiful.

Daylight and Jonny singing! What, Jonny sings! Eyes closed and singing, deep sexy voice, right in front of me….. “Slowly breaking through the daylight”. I might have fallen over if it had not been for the crowd to hold me up.

Chris has a guitar malfunction and the crowd gets introduced to guitar tech, Hoppy, who looks a bit like Brian Adams according to Chris. Guitar repaired and Warning Sign started. What can I say? It’s one of my favorites off AROBTTH and sounds just so beautiful live.

One I Love was next. What a great song. It allows them to totally rock out. Why it wasn’t included on AROBTTH I will never know.

Don’t Panic up next with this U2 sounding intro guitar and quick time drum part. Jonny gets the harmonica solo on this tour. He finishes the solo, looks down, walks to toward me and throws it right at me. Some tall person standing behind me snatches it from the air just above my outstretched hand. I was gutted.

Chris then dedicates next song to Destiny’s Child. Everything’s Not Lost is what happens if George Bush runs your country according to Chris. Will singing back up! Wow! He has a voice just the softest sweetest voice. Big crowd sing along.

Chris then introduces a new song, Moses and informs the crowd that Jonny is more handsome than Justin Timberlake. I agree! The song is beautiful! This was back before songs appeared on the internet 10 minutes after the show was over, so we knew they were playing new stuff but had not heard it before the show. It remains a favorite of mine.

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face followed and it is much better live than on the record and it’s pretty awesome on the record! Chris says it’s about not moaning when you got it all. Guy’s bass line is so great on this song. And Chris lets loose, dancing and jumping about.

“Your skinnnnnnnnnnn. Your skinnnnnnnnnnnnn. Jonny.” Then the open notes of Yellow and the crowd goes ballistic! Matt was playing Chris’ guitar part during this tour so he could jump about and go insane along with the crowd and that’s pretty much what he did. I thought he might actually jump over his piano at one point.

Main set ended with The Scientist which is so beautiful live it makes you want to cry. Jonny playing both acoustic and electric guitars. Chris’s voice is just so beautiful.

Encore starts with Clocks. The laser, the giant green laser! There is just so much energy in this song. And I just love the piano riff.

Will smashes the opening to in In My Place and Chris does his “climb the ladder” dance. Yellow and In My Place were the only songs where Chris didn’t play an instrument and he really let loose with the dance moves on both as only Chris can.

Trouble complete with epic audience sing along followed.

Chris announces one last song. A new song just written only a few weeks ago and its “good”, Ladder to the Sun. Yes it is. Wow two new songs at one show.

After the show I went and hung around the back by the buses hoping to meet them again and after standing around for about an hour decided on plan B. I didn’t have a ticket for Austin. I didn’t have a place to stay in Austin. I wasn’t even sure how to get to Austin, but I knew I would regret it if I didn’t see them again. So off to Austin I went. An obsession begins.

Jenjie · 14-07-2009, 09:09 PM

June 10, 2003 Cleveland, Ohio
Away Day

Cleveland was my first time to travel away to see the band. I had seen them around Texas, but I don’t consider that traveling. Traveling requires getting on a plane in my book. I had met Mary on the old Coldplay message board. We worked similar schedules so we were on line at the same times each day and became friends. The band was nearing the end of their AROBTTH tour and we wanted to try and go to a show together. Why Cleveland, a question we would ask ourselves after seeing Cleveland, but basically because it was a general admission show with tickets still available. We had to have a GA show so everyone that wanted to go could get their ticket and we didn’t have to worry about getting seats next to each other. We had people coming from all over to meet us there, me from Texas, Mary and Lulu from Indiana, Britney and her friend from Ohio, Abbey from Arizona, Todd from Vegas, and Leah from New Jersey. I rented a suite at a downtown hotel so we could all stay together. At work everyone told me I was going to be killed by “internet people”. Yes, those mad axe wielding psycho Coldplay fans, they are always on the news. We got into town the night before the show so we could have a look around and get to know each other but that is a whole other weird story. On with the Coldplay bits.

Woke up early the next day and most of us went down to the venue at 8am. Ha! What we needed to be down there that early for I don’t know because the band wasn’t even there yet. Their crew wasn’t even there yet! We didn’t care. We got in line anyway. We had a walk around to the back to see where the band would be coming in. This venue was basically as Chris put it during the show, “a car park with a tent over it, next to a river, under a giant bridge”. At around 10am we could see the band’s buses up on the highway as they made their way in, so some people held our places in line and we ran to the back to greet them. Mary had made everyone a shirt with Will’s picture on it. I can only imagine what must have gone through their heads. They have been driving for hours from Chicago and arrive to find a bunch of crazy people all wearing the same Will shirt waiting at the venue at 10 in the morning. They start parking the buses and Rocky their security guy comes and tells us we need to stay on the corner across the street from where the buses are being parked. We wait and Mary gets up and does her “Clocks Dance” outside the band’s bus as they wait to park. I don’t even know how to describe it, but basically it involves her dancing while swinging her arms around like the arms on a clock. I am sure they are now too frightened to get off the bus. Finally all buses are parked and one by one they exit and go into the enclosed backstage area. Will is last off and he doesn’t go backstage but instead walks right over to us! He is wearing his now famous green Nike shoes and pink shirt. You can tell he is so embarrassed about his picture on all our shirts. It’s just so sweet. He signs stuff and takes pictures with us. He leaves and goes back stage.

We hung around in the back for most of the day, but eventually went and got back in line. We could hear them sound checking later in the day. The played some of their stuff and some Smiths and then Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday? OK, that’s interesting.

We soon discover that this venue is strange and security here is even stranger. Before gates opened some security dude comes out and gives everyone free water. Well that’s a first. I have never received anything free from a venue before. Then they make a no backpack announcement which sends some people into frenzy. They took a cab to the show and had no place to put their packs. There are signs on the fence which surrounds the venue stating the dangers of moshing. Once we get inside we all make it onto the first row and then security makes everyone sit down until the bands come on. Sit down like we are in kindergarten or something. There are enough security guards at the front to invade a samll country. Most shows have 3 maybe 4 at the front, they had at least 12. Well if that dangerous Coldplay mosh pit gets out of control, they will be ready! Stage at this venue is very high, around 6 feet. Who do they think will be able to jump up on that stage? Openers were again Mos Eisley and Ron Sexsmith. Eisley still not good. Why me? We could see the band sitting on this giant hill of dirt that was behind the venue watching Ron Sexsmith’s set, drinking beer. Between bands the security guard standing in front of me keeps telling me he doesn’t like Coldplay. What ever dude, leave me alone.

After what seamed like an eternity, the band is finally ready to come on stage. Lights down, band on! Chris is his normal bouncy self. How can one person have so much energy? Jonny has a porn stash! It is beautiful.

Politik still the opener. For a crappy tent venue, the sound was pretty good. Chris bounced madly on his stool, the crowd bounced madly in unison.

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face up next with Guy’s fat bass line and Chris dancing with his guitar.

A Rush of Blood to the Head. Finally! I had been so disappointed that they didn’t play it in Texas. Why they didn’t play Rush on the Rush tour until near the end of the tour, such is the Coldplay. It is so beautiful and worth the wait.

Daylight with Jonny singing. Why don’t they let Jonny sing more!

Trouble moved up in the show. Much better in this spot I think. The Security guard that told me how he doesn’t like Coldplay now comes over and asks the name of this song because he “knows it and likes it”. A feat he repeats several more times that night much to my agitation. Leave me alone dude, I am trying to watch Jonny!

One I Love, rocking out. Man I wish they would play this one again.

Don’t Panic. No throwing of the harmonica. There must have been some kind of riot for it so they had to stop throwing them into the crowd. But I was ready this time.

Moses. More road tested now and sounding brilliant.

Everything’s Not Lost. How does a guy that smashes drums like that have such a sweet angelic voice? Big crowd sing along.

Pour Me. New songs are awesome. They played so many new songs on this tour.

Yellow. Crowd goes nuts, jerk security guard again agitating me with questions.

The Scientist. I remember watching Chris’ hands up on the 4 giant screens hanging at the back. He has really pretty hands. This song is just so beautiful.

Encore
Clocks. In the six months since I had seen them in Texas, Clocks was released as a single and it was huge. It got a bigger reception than Yellow I think. And the green laser is just awesome! Here’s s shocker, security dude loves this song too.

In My Place. Chris’ dancing not improved but so adorable.

Amsterdam! YES!!!!!!!!!!! Britney had brought a yellow helium balloon to the show and we wrote “Play Amsterdam” on it and floated in front of their faces all night. Ha! Amsterdam and AROBTTH, I could die in peace now.

I can’t remember what all Chris said during the show, but I do remember him talking about the venue and Jonny’s sexy stash. We also found out the reason for the happy birthday sound check. Chris started coughing and their assistant Vickie Taylor comes out on stage to bring him a drink but he was just faking. He grabs her and announces it is her birthday and has the crowd sing happy birthday and Jonny gives her flowers. How sweet are these guys. The mystery of the Happy Birthday sound check solved.

After the show was over, we met the Oxfam people on the way out and signed up. Bought some stuff from the merchandise stand. Then we all headed to the back of venue to wait for the band to come out. God I miss the days when they toured by bus. If the bus is there, they are still there. Huge crowd at first, but people started getting tired of waiting and started leaving. Finally around 2am Chris and Jonny were first out. They came out with Rocky. They walked along the line of waiting fans and signed stuff, people taking pics. Mary had brought the picture of them wearing the black afro wigs to get it signed. Chris had to ask which one was him so he could sign next to his pic. I remember that they smelled really good and how nice they were. Jonny’s porn stash up close is just a thing to behold. He looked so thin. And he didn’t have his then trademark red hat. Said he had lost it. But he did have a stripy shirt, so yah! Chris started walking down the street and the crowd and Rocky all followed him. Jonny was left behind with just me, Mary and Todd. Some drunk dude came out of nowhere and staggered into him and almost knocked him over. He didn’t get mad, just said something like whoa mate. We asked for a pic and he stood between me and Mary and Todd took the pic. Jonny smiled, Mary smiled, I smiled and gave his bum a bit of a squeeze. Best picture ever! Chris made his way back up the street, crowd in tow and they left and got on the bus. Most of the fans left after that. After a long wait, Will came out next. Rocky joked that his fan club was waiting for him. That made his ears turn bright pink. How can people think this guy is scary. Pink shirt, pink ears. He’s just a big old teddy bear. He signed everyone’s stuff and posed for pics. We waited and waited and waited for Guy. After what seamed like forever, he came out and walked straight to the bus and got on. Not even a wave. Meanie!

The next day we found a store near the hotel that could develop film and dropped off the pictures. I can remember people staring and us as me and Mary jumped up and down screaming in the streets “JONNY SANDWICH” when we picked up the prints. Mary and I talked about how it would never be the same again. I saw how the popularity of the band had grown in that six months. They would be playing Madison Square Garden a few days after that. That was the last tour where they lived on the bus, where they sold general admission seats, where they hung out after the shows and met with fans on a nightly basis. At least I say I was there.

Jenjie · 19-07-2009, 07:50 PM

5) guyluvsliz

Part 1 of DC show: May 21, 09
I met up with Zoe (notlost) on here and her one friend Cecilia, we all arrived at Nissan Pavilion at about o ....10 till 4pm to line up for the pit! Started talking a mile a minute about Coldplay when we first met...already like we were old friends. And this was Cecilia's first concert ever, so WOOHoo! Concert Virgin and her first time will be seeing Coldplay, front row....lucky gal! We were the first girls there, the only other people around were a couple other guys that had been there since 12pm. We ended up taking a seat by the gates and we talked to one of the guys, Todd who ended up being a really cool guy. This was his 9th Coldplay concert ....ahh so jealous...its only my 2nd, I would see them so much if only I had the money. So he had been seeing them for a long time. Not as far back as Parachutes, but he had seen them during a Rush of Blood to the Head tour, which I'm very jealous about, it being my all-time favorite Coldplay era. I would have killed to see them back then.

Btw. so we were outside waiting for about 2 and 1/2 hours and it was HOT! haha Zoe said it was so hot because Coldplay was in the house! haha I cannot disagree with that! We kept hearing someone soundchecking in the venue, but it wasn't Coldplay, it sounded like Howling Bells, one of their support acts that were opening for them tonight. But we freaked when we heard the opening to Don't Panic coming from the stadium! REALLY?! A Parachutes song besides Yellow?! I love it when they play their older stuff, because that's where the real Coldplay gold is at. But sadly I think it was just the Howling Bells warming up and covering Coldplay's Don't Panic.

So now more ppl started showing up, but it didn't matter bc we were front row bound! We looked like some hard core fans too Zoe had her "Whatever It Takes" bag that Chris designed and I had my "Viva" bag from the last show. And Zoe had her Viva La Vida tour shirt on and I had my pink Guy Berryman shirt on! Along with my 2 sided poster with "USA <3 COLDPLAY" on one side and "Berry-Girl & Apparat-chick" on the other side for Guy.
O! what a Coldplay - fest we were already having! No words can even describe our exitement! But we needed to decide where we wanted to stand in the pit once we were in there. We already knew we had to be in the front row. But Zoe wanted to stay on Jonny's side all the sudden bc she said Chris would be over there giving more love to Jonny on the ramp of love, instead of on Guy's side! lol Which is true....Jonny and Chris are pretty much a pair. But- I reminded her about In My Place and how all three of them always come over to Guy's side for that song. Also, I needed to represent mah boy! No way was I not going to stand as close to Guy as possible! Got to respect the bassist!
So we agreed on Guy's side.
Next, we think we heard Pete Yorn soundchecking and we kept seeing people who worked for the stadium, walk behind the gate with all access Viva passes....AHHH!!! I wanted to steal their all access backstage passes!....ahh if only! Also around this time, I met up with Catherine, another Apparat-chick! YAH! So we were all there to represent!!

Alright so now was the countdown to when the gates were going open!!!AHHH CANT. WAIT.
Now these stupid Best Buy reward card ppl got to go in first!!! AHH! so UNFAIR!! I didnt know anything about stupid effing rewards card! It had to be some crap Live Nation thing they had going on. We were pissed we were the first ppl in line and suddenly all those ppl got to go in first!

But thank god this really nice woman came over and looked through our bags b4 so we could skip security. Once these gates opened it was a mad rush to get to the pit! We had to sprint 2 blocks around the venue and then the stairs until we were at the stage. Talk about a rush!! I took off once they opened those gates! And O! once I got in....heaven! the pit was RIGHT UP NEXT TO THE STAGE!!! I ran over to Guy's side, there were only a couple over ppl in there! So i had the best place in the venue muwahahahah!!!
I was wedged in this lil corner, so there was no way anyone was going to be pushing me back in the pit either! Zoe and Cecilia came later and we were all there!!

So now came the Howling Bells! What an awesome band from Australia! Check them out! They were great and really nice to us and humble. And it was'nt just some opening act that you want to get off the stage for the real show to begin, they were just great and original. And their bass player (o those bass players....) one of us asked him what his name was, one of the girls next to me and he talked to us and said his name was Joe. Lovely guy.
Next was Pete Yorn. I'm so happy he was opening for Coldplay bc I doubt I would have ever seen him live if not. I love Pete's music but I just don't know if I would ever get the chance to see him live. Anyway, he was great and sang some songs from his new album coming out this summer. Also Pete was pretty nice on the eyes as well ladies o yes....
Me and Zoe ended up being buddies with the security guard in front of our rail. We talked to him and he was so nice and his name was Glenn. He told us about where they had been eating dinner backstage just a little bit ago!! aHHH! fangirl happiness from us! and we told him some about Coldplay cus he didnt know much about them, but once we said the lead singer Chris was married to Gwyneth Paltrow....o he was very interested then....! lLOL and asked us if we thought she was gonna be here tonight. We said yes bc so far she had been at every show on this US tour so far. And sure enough we found out Gywneth was at our show, but she was in the first row of the seated section so we didn't talk to her or anything.
Now sometime in here, me and Zoe kept seeing all of Coldplay's roadies coming in and out of the stage and setting up and we were smiling at them and all. And its so bad that we are such super-fans that we know all of their roadies by name and recognize them hahah! And so we saw Miller like 7 or 8 times all together and even Chloe (not a roadie but she is Jonny's girlfriend) came out. She was behind a curtain peaking out from backstage. And I was watching that door like a hawk to see who was coming in and out. And I recognized her right away, and she really is pretty like ppl have said. We also Matt, Hoppie (guitar techie), Bash(Will's drum techie), and Franksie with his pimp hat! haah

So anyway, Zoe nudges me and says "look! MIller!" and I looked and Miller was taking pics with his camera (Miller is Coldplay's speical roadie who writes Coldplay's blog on their website....aka...Roadie #42...but thats a secret! haha He doesn't know that we know who he is! ). So here we are and by this time Zoe has made a hasty "Everything's Not Lost" sign bc she is obsessed with that song and she would die if they ever sang it live one of these days! So we hold up our signs and b4 we know it he is taking pics of our signs!!AHHH!! Those signs could maybe end up in his blog on Coldplay.com one day! omg! Not just that, but I look back at Chloe and I see her taking pics of our signs too! AHH! So who knows she might show those pics to Jonny or the boys and they might see our signs that way too!

Alright now Pete Yorn is off the stage....now we hear U2's Magnificent playing and the JayZ piece and then the Classical music so we know its only down to single minutes b4 the boys take the stage!! We see someone off to the side tuning up the bass and Zoe grabs me and says "IT'S GUY!!!!" ahhhh WHAT?!?! I try to see all I see is an arm......and a neck and I'm not sure if it's him or not but nontheless Im freaking out!! But why would he be tuning his own bass so close b4 the show and he should be in costume, not just a t shirt cus the show was about to start?? Plus this guy doesn't have an earring on his left year. So I decide it is NOT Guy....plus we found out later it was Hoppie....one of their roadies anyway.

Alright now the intro music comes on and we are flippin' out with excitement! We start clapping and soon enough...BAM! The lights go out! And here opens the backstage door! All I see are 4 profiles in the dark running towards us with sparklers in their hands. And O! I recognize the first one right away....ahhhh My Scotish Death!!!!!! DEAD DEAD DEAD!!!! GUY!!!! AHHH!! Alright I'll just go and get this fangirlish-ness out of my system and then I will stop....but Guy in the flesh, only and 3 and 4 ft. away from me the entire show is SO much more Gorgeous than I ever thought, beats any kind of picture or video of him i've ever seen! Chris too in the flesh that close is beautiful too! They all looked so good! We were seriously the closest girls to him in the whole stadium! He was only about 3 and 4 ft. away from me and the entire show! Even tho some of my pics looked further away, my camera does that, like most camera's it shows it farther away, but really we were RIGHT THERE!!

They ran around with their sparklers for a few sec. and then they picked up their instruments and started playing Life in Technicolor as the sheer curtain rises, but we could already see Guy since he was so close to us already! Life in Technicolor goes straight into Violet Hill which they always rock out on with Chris on the guitar dancing around the stage. And as soon as the lights turned on for Violet Hill, my poster was right in front of me and Guy saw it right away and smiled at me and you could tell he loved it! hhahh I loved being the closest person to him in the whole stadium of 19,000 people! muwhauauauauua!!hahha I was so spoiled! So anyway here was the setlist of songs they played:

Life In Technicolor
Violet Hill
Clocks
In My Place
Yellow
Glass of Water
Cemeteries of London
42
Fix You
Strawberry Swing
----------------------
* played on B stage in the audiance*
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (Techno)
Talk (Techno)
The Hardest Part (acoustic) - Chris piano
Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)-Chris piano
------------------------
Viva La Vida
Lost!
----------------
*played on C stage in the Lawn*
Green Eyes
Death Will Never Conquer (Will)
I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - acoustic)
------------------------------------
Viva La Vida (remix interlude)
------
Politik
Lovers In Japan
Death and All His Friends
----------
The Scientist
Life in Technicolor ii
The Escapist (outro)

Jenjie · 19-07-2009, 07:52 PM

Part 2:

So anyway, after Violet Hill Guy really took a good look at my sign and was smiling and nodding his head! hahah so he took a drink of water from his bottle and then gave me two thumbs up and I was crazy happy! The more me and Zoe freaked out and smiled and yelled he laughed more and ended up saying "Yeah" to us, ahhh in his Scotish accent....AMAZING! Throughout the whole show he loved the crazy attention he got from us in his lil corner What a tease that Mr. Berryman is! hahah Everytime we would yell he would do something else to get us wound up! Whether it was more smiles or laughs or eyebrow action (muhahaha some ppl know what im talking about! ).

So after Clocks....In My Place is just the best live....Guy goes over to his ramp and Jonny walks over and they do their guitar thing, rocking out and all and then Chris always comes up behind them and on to the ramp. Well our faces were right where the ramp was! So Chris is about 1 and 2 feet away from us!! AHHH!! So Zoe is flippin' out and we almost touched Chris!! But all of the sudden I notice that Guy and Jonny were looking at my sign again!! WAHHA!! And I see Guy pointing my sign out to Jonny and Jonny is laughing and smiling and nodding his head and Guy looks proud that he had so much attention from my sign and from me!! AHHH and then I start screaming and they laughed and nodded their heads!!! And poor Zoe didn't see any of it cus she was still too mesmerized by Chris's butt bending over in our faces hhahaha! We're crazy!

Next, was Yellow!! AAHHH !!! I had never seen Yellow played live in person with the yellow balloons yet!! WHOO! We loved it! One came right up to us and almost hit Guy and his bass haha! I wish I could have popped one...and taken it home! Chris always pops one with the end of his guitar at the end of the song and all the confetti falls out of it!!

Glass of Water replaced Speed of Sound from the previous tour, I absolutely LOVE Speed of Sound...but I was happy to hear Glass of Water live too since I've never heard it live and it's a newer song from the EP. They sound great with that song live...i LOVED it!

Cemetaries of London....ahhh one of those songs that deserves A LOT more attention than it gets on Viva La Vida....to me it should be a single. It's one of my favorite songs on Viva La Vida and I'm so happy that they play it live....It's a darker kind of song...but it really balances out the concert I think.

42 .....This song is BEYOND AMAZING live....Jonny's guitar solo is one of his best....he just rocks out on it! And the note that Chris sings right b4 it is so long...haha he was singing and he looked at his watch to see how long he can go hahah ...ah cocky.

Fix You, of course this song will be played at each and every Coldplay concert forever! Chris running around like a 3 year old all over the stage and I love the end when we all sing it together....reminds me of the music video so much!

Strawberry Swing is also another hidden masterpiece from Viva La Vida....the guitars seriously sound so awesome in this song and the clapping they all do. Evedently they are doing the next Coldplay music video on Strawberry Swing....cant wait for that!

Now for GPASUYF and Talk the boys move out to B stage, which is right in the middle of the audiance...haha what a suprise for those ppl huh? They are just so nice like that, wanting everyone to have a great time even if your in the back of the stadium....if you cant come to them, then they will come to you. I really love the techno versions of both of these songs...!! I wish they were on LeftRightLeftRightLeft tho...

After those 2 songs...Chris stays at the piano on B stage and Guy, Will, and Jonny come back to the stage and get ready for Viva La Vida. Now that they have started playing the Hardest Part just acoustically with the piano, I actually love it more than the original. Now since Chris was like a mile away singing for those in the back...lol we were just hanging out in the pit and we could see Guy and Will getting ready for Viva La Vida, even if it was dark on stage, I could still see what was going on.

And uhoh! Not everything was smooth sailing....o no! Yikes- a - do! Something is wrong with Guy's bass. =( *cry* He picks it up and something is wrong and I see him talking to some of the roadies. But Chris is all the way out there....and after Postcards from Far Away, he starts Viva and starts running up toward the stage.....O no! Guy is pissed....o_O!!! There is lots of back and forth of Guy on and off the stage and lots of lip reading on my part lol haha! Quite some cussing coming from Mr. Berryman and the roadies trying to help him out. He is in the back and I see Hoppie hand him a ciggy and he takes a few puffs and hands it back to him =( ahhh I was sad...I don't want Guy to smoke he was suppose to be trying to stop, but I think he needed it in stressful times! lol O my ....Guy angry + cussing + ciggy in his mouth= badass! haha
Meh...I felt bad for him but at the same time I kind of liked seeing pissed off Guy I am crazy... so he finally gets back on stage, they finally get him his different bass so he plays the end of Viva La Vida. And WIll hahah Will is on the drums for Viva of course and he looks over and starts laughing and cracking up at Guy. And Guy finally notices that he is laughing at him and he shoots him a death glance...uhoh! haha It was great to see WIll giving him some crap and how things are sometimes between them. Because they admit that they get mad at each other sometimes. How could you not when your touring all the time as a band and always with each other. Anyway, it was just cool to see that situation even if Guy was pissed.

Next is Lost! with Guy on drums first and then he moves back over to his bass. So out of no where here comes Chris to our side of the stage and he puts on this huge Chinese dragon head! hahahhaha lol and is dancing around on our ramp with it on! hahah o only Chris.... It then falls off of him and it lands right at our feet! o_O omg! it was hilarious and amazing!

Now the boys moved out to C stage which is WAY out in the lawn.....so we can barely see them for when they go out there! But they sing Green Eyes and I love this song so much. AROBTTH days....*sigh*
Then Will sings Death WIll Never Conquer and I love this part!
They cover Neil Diamond's "I'm A Believer" haha and at the end Chris hold's the microphone to Will and he asks him "Are you in Love?" and Will sings "oooooooooo" then to Guy "Are you in Love" "ooooooo" and to Jonny too! It was so cute!
So they were done out in the lawn and then came the Viva La Vida Remix during a short intermission.

Now Politik! I always love this song live.....and the bridge between the first part of the song and the second part of the song always makes me tear up....i know cliche! uhh but it does considering I think its one of the best songs ever written. The words, the chords, everything. And it being one of the first songs that got me into Coldplay. I'm never let down by this song. Its so beautiful.

Lovers in Japan time!!AHH! So much happened during this song I don't know where to begin! First off Chris got in the zone and here he comes...Running by our ramp! O god...i know something is going to happen. He runs by and leans his head over ours and I swear I thought he was falling into the crowd and going to crowd surf! I think it was the angle we were at but scooped down and his face was only about 6 in. from our faces!! AHH!!! And so as he scooped down my sign was there too....the "USA <3 COLDPLAY" side and Chris looked at it and then looked at me and said "WWHHOAA!!" really loud and fast and then lunged backwards quickly and we thought he was going to fall! And it all happened so fast! According to Zoe I yelled, "Yeah Chrissy!" and she yelled "It's Chris! Its Chris!" over and over again haha when he did that. It was all insane, also all the butterflies were falling down at that time too! So just imagine all the chaos! *sigh*

Now I knew the show was coming to some what of a close with Death and All of His Friends.... and I love the song but I know it means the end of show is coming =(
Then they came out with their Grammy jackets which i love!! aww they were so cute and I realized being so close to Guy that the jackets were actually silky! He had his pink one on <3 and Chris had the blue one and of course Jonny wearing the green one and Will wearing the purple one....just like always.
So Chris is at the piano and is talking to us about the new free live album they are handing out, LeftRightLeftRightLeft. Which is so nice of them to be handing out a free live album at their shows.....esp. since Chris had to talk to EMI in person to allow them to do this. They could be making millions of dollars off of this but instead they are giving it away for free. They just are not in it for the money, which I have always known, but that's my lil spill about lrlrl....haha
Anyway, so Chris is talking at the piano and this guy right behind me yells, "I love you Chris!" but he is half way joking bc his girlfriend is with him. And looks at him and says, "O so you love me, man?" in the way he does. All smiling and joking and Chris looks at me too since I'm standing right there! So ahh! I scream that I love Chris too! It's just something you just say at concerts, its like the only thing you can say to express what your feeling all the sudden with the music and everything. And so Guy was looking at me then I realized and I felt bad for telling Chris that, when really I love Guy the most out of Coldplay haha so i yell that "I love Guy more tho! I love you!" and that got a big laugh and more smilies out of Guy that made us *swooon*!!!omg
And then they sang the Scientist, the beautiful Scientist. That we were perfectly normal for once....no screaming or fangirl antics....just singing the Scientist bc how can you not fall in love with that song. Guy looked at me again, and the girls beside us said, "Aww He has looked at you the whole time, He keeps smiling at you! Its SO CUTE!" Which made me super dizzy and want to pass out..*swoon*!!!

Now the last song, Life in Technicolor ii - which ended the night perfectly! Its one of those songs that gets everyone in a good mood and leaving the concert with great memories.And they all bowed at the end we all went crazy for them for one last time! And Guy was the first to come over to us and I held the sign up for him again, the "Berry-Girl & Apparat-chick" side and he clapped and nodded his head and smiled! And we both started screaming and that got him to laugh more....silly boy! And he said "thank you" he looked so happy which of course makes Lizzy happy!
Chris then came over and he saw the "USA <3 COLDPLAY" side again and he looked at me and put his hand on his heart and said "OHH Thank you!" he was so nice and made a big deal out of it even tho it wasn't!
Jonny saw my sign last! He laughed and clapped too! And Jonny has a gorgeous smile too, they all do really! Sadly I never made eye contact with Will, mostly since he is the drummer so he is in the back and doing his thing and not up and moving around like the rest of them are! But still it was great!

So after the show we made off with loads of butterflies, Zoe got Chris's setlist and I got Guy's water bottle!!! haha And the girls behind us were so jealous haha! We saw our buddie Todd, at the end again and we were all talking so fast and freaking out about how WONDERFUL the show was! He was in the pit with us too but he was closer to center stage, where we had been right up next to Guy. He said he thought we had a better spot since Guy saw us the entire time and Chris came over to our side a lot too!
We got in line to get our copy of LeftRightLeftRightLeft, and the lady opened the last box when I came through! So I'm so happy they didn't run out like I heard they did at a few shows before.

So that was the whole experience, I have never been exited in my whole life. Even though 19,000 people were in that stadium, it felt like the most personal concert ever, like they were playing just for us! The whole show is about 2 hours but it goes by SO quick, but it is worth everything bc you are just having SO much fun! Words cannot describe how absolutely fantastic that whole show, before, during and after was for me! Our voices were so hoarse for a few days lol! But it was worth absolutely EVERYTHING! I always knew Chris, Guy, Will and Jonny were 4 AMAZING guys, and they truly are, being so close to them and seeing how kind and great they were to us in the front....they were just mindblowing! I could go on forever about how good they treated us and what a show they put on. Good Coldplay karma definately came to us that night, and we the luckiest girls there that night getting all of Guy's attention and Chris's looks! haeheh!
It wasn't even a concert to me, it felt more like this soulful, passionate experience.And I cannot WAIT TO SEE THEM AGAIN!!!
THANK YOU COLDPLAY FOREVER! <3

Jenjie · 19-07-2009, 07:52 PM

6) justjess

The weeks leading up to June 12th, 2009 were pretty un-eventful. A few friends and I had bought our tickets to the Coldplay concert at the beginning of March, and after we bought them I really didn’t think much of it. Well as the date got closer and closer I was having second thoughts about going. I had just seen the boys the November before, less than 6 months before…that is one more time then most people that I know can say that they have seen them. Sure I’m a huge fan of their work, Chris is literally one of my heroes, and I know their discography forwards and backwards. I just wasn’t really feeling it. I was strapped on cash and very seriously thought about selling my ticket, even though it was just a $35.00 ticket, that would be $35.00 more dollars that I didn’t have before. The four other girls that I had bought tickets with had begged me not to sell my ticket because they really wanted to share the “Coldplay” experience with me. I didn’t- and I thank my lucky stars.

Well, that Friday, June 12th rolled around and I just was not in the mood for a concert. It had been a really long week and it was raining. Usually I love rain, but not that day. We were all cramped in a tiny Jetta for a 2 ½ hour drive to Des Moines, Iowa for the show. I didn’t talk much on the way there- but kept getting a little more excited the closer we got to Des Moines. We grabbed dinner and made our way to the venue. We walked through the rain to get inside and finally had our tickets scanned. Our tickets were the nosebleeds. Section 302 Row K. We walked up 3 flights of stairs to what we thought was Level 3. It wasn’t. We had to walk up another set of stairs to Level 3. We were all pretty bummed to see how high we were, and even more bummed out to see exactly where our seats were. It seemed like we went up so many stairs. I was leading the way, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I knew our seats were going to be crappy, but I never imagined this. We were on the side of the stage, it almost felt like behind the stage. We were in Section 302- 3 levels off the ground floor, in Row K… the VERY last row in the entire arena. We were all pretty sad. We settled in and one of my friends thought it would be a good idea to go down a level and see if we could find 5 seats together. We knew the show wasn’t sold out YET and it was worth a shot. By this point my blood was pumping and I was very excited to see Coldplay again and I couldn’t help wanting to be closer. We left the 3 younger girls up top and promised not to leave them there. My friend Ann and I went down a level and over 5 sections to 207. We snuck past security and sat down. I left 3 open seats to my right for the other girls. Howling Bells, the opening band, had just gotten over and the younger girls were still worried we were going to leave them. As Ann and I were sitting there, we were starting to get more nervous. We had never done anything like this before and we were hoping we weren’t in anyone’s seats. As more and more people began to fill in we decided it would be best to go back up top. As we were discussing our escape, we saw two ladies in all black walk up to security and start talking to them. Ann and I got really scared so we just sat there for a minute. The two ladies then walked down to the front of our section and asked two guys to follow them. Ann and I were really freaking out by this point. As they walked back up to the landing, I told myself not to make eye contact. Guess who made eye contact? I did. As soon as our eyes locked, the lady in all black asked me to follow her. Ann and I got up, legs shaking, and the fear of getting kicked out resounding in our heads.

When we got to the landing, the two girls, we’ll call them #1 and #2, asked us if we like Coldplay. We both excitedly answered “YES!” in unison. They then told us we were going to play a little trivia game, to which we both just smiled. Ann then chimed in that she had been listening to Coldplay since she was in 8th grade and was now 21, and the two seemed very pleased and surprised. The two girls, whom we later found out, were roadies, asked us to name 2 Coldplay albums. We obliged. They then asked us to name 4 Coldplay songs. By this point we are both freaking out and things were starting to make sense to us, so we froze a little, but managed to come up with 4 song titles. I was not so frightened anymore because things start to click in my head. Two girls in all black, Viva La Vida shirts on, British accents. This has to be good. After we choke out the 4 song titles, the two asked us if we have anyone else with us. We respond yes, and ask if we should call the other three girls down here. The two look at each other and hesitantly say yes when they hear that there are three other girls. When the girls arrived, they were a little shook up because of my phone call. They had no idea what was going on. We told them that we don’t really know either and then the two roadies tell us it’s time to play a game of trust. We all look at each other. We were a little thrown off because we don’t know these two people, but being as we are Iowans, we trust just about anyone and said “Okay!”. The girls asked us to take our tickets out of our pockets and put them in our hands. I’m sure we all looked a little hesitant because one of the girls then said with a chuckle, “Don’t worry, we aren’t going to steal your tickets”. So we take them out and put them in our hands. They then tell us to close our eyes. We hesitantly do. Then we hear, “Okay, I’m going to pick up your tickets, don’t be alarmed, and replace them with slightly better seats”. By this time, we are all grinning and expecting to be in the 100 section- maybe closer to the floor or the side stage. Then roadie #1 says, “I’m going to count to 3. Then open your eyes and look at your ticket, but don’t cheat!”. “1—2---3! Open your eyes!”… We went from speechless to complete pandemonium in about 5 seconds. The two lovely roadies had replaced out tickets with Row 3 Center. One girl was crying her eyes out, one was yelling, one was just staring at the ticket, Ann was jumping up and down, and I was going in for the most thankful hug of my life. They then told us to hurry and get down to our seats and to enjoy the show. I gave each one another hug and thanked them about 100 times in 30 seconds and ran to catch up with my posse.

After re-grouping in the bathroom quick and drying our eyes, we ran to the floor entrance. We kept getting stopped by security, but with tickets in hand, they gladly let us past. We ran up the aisle got to what we thought was Row 3 and started to sit down. The security guard right there asked us our seat numbers and we showed him the tickets and he pointed us up 3 more rows. We froze. Because of the way the stage is set up, Row 3 Center actually means Front Row Center. We couldn’t believe it. We were about to see Coldplay, the biggest and most brilliant band in the world from the front row! We got up front and just sat there stunned. We all called other friends who were at the show and called family members to tell them of our luck, and everyone else was as shocked as we were! Here we were, Front Row Center at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, waiting for Coldplay to go on and play their first show EVER in Iowa. Holy wow!

As Snow Patrol took the stage, we all loosened up a bit and asked the security guard to take a photo of the 5 of us. We chatted with him a little and he shared the ropes with us and told us to have a good time. We stood up and enjoyed Snow Patrol, but the anticipation was killing us. As soon as Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol walked off the stage, we knew it was only a matter of time. We were all shaking and felt like we were going to die from waiting. The intro music began, the dancing roadie showed us his stuff, and then the beautiful orchestra piece began. We knew it was crunch time!

“Life in Technicolor” began and we were just beside ourselves in excitement! Then we saw 4 tiny sparklers in the distance and knew the boys were coming on to the stage. As the sparklers went out and their instruments in hand, we were all screaming and squealing! They went right into “Violet Hill” and the crowd went wild. I still could not believe I was in the front row. By this time we were all standing right up at bar in front of security. I was dead center. Chris and his microphone were 5 feet in front of me and I could see Jonny, Will and Guy so clearly. It was truly a dream come true.

A defining moment in the concert was during “Fix You”. It started off real quite and Chris forgot some of the words. We all had a good chuckle. Everyone was singing at the top of their lungs and I was bawling my eyes out. Then Jonny’s guitar riff began and Chris jumped up from behind his piano and I got very excited. Chris grabbed his microphone and walked to the center of the stage. Right. In. Front. Of. Me. He was leaning over one of the light boxes and was crouched over. I felt like it was just him and I- no one else existed. I was so close to him and he looked at me for a good 10 seconds during Jonny’s guitar build. I couldn’t believe it. I was looking right into Chris Martin’s bright blue eyes. It was lovely. I don’t care if I sound all “fan-girly” here, it was an amazing moment. Not everyone can say that Chris Martin looked at them.

I’m so glad that they played so many songs and for so long! 26 songs! It was incredible. They played many of my favorites. “In My Place”, “Fix You”, “Clocks”, “Strawberry Swing”, “Lost!”, “Lovers In Japan”, and my all time favorite “Politik”. “Lovers in Japan “ was incredible because I had only dreamt of being so close to have butterflies fall on my head. Sure I had seen videos and photos of the beautiful confetti, but I was actually there, having it fall on my head, picking it off the security guards shoulder, and grabbing bunches of it and stashing it in my friend’s purse. It was just icing on the cake for them to play “Politik”, such an amazing message. Chris was all over the stage that night. High energy and giving it his all at every moment. Will’s singing on “Death Will Never Conquer” was beautiful. Jonny seemed extra dance-y that night and even Guy had a smile on his face. It is a night that I will never forget and am so incredibly thankful to be put in such an amazing situation. After the show we waited around for as long as we could until security told us to leave. Right before we turned to go- we saw Roadies #1 and #2. I slipped around security one more time in order to thank the girls. I had to yell to get their attention and they smiled, waved and said “You’re welcome”. They asked if we enjoyed the show and we all answered “Yes!” We felt on top of the world as we left and talked about every detail of the concert on the way home. It’s been over a month since the show, and we all still talk about it every time we see each other. Thank you Coldplay and wonderful Roadies, for an unforgettable night!!

Jenjie · 19-07-2009, 07:53 PM

7) strawberryfields

The Webster Dictionary defines euphoria as "a feeling of happiness, confidence, or well-being, sometimes exaggerated in pathological states as mania". Euphoria can be different for everyone. To some, euphoria is winning your final soccer match and making it to the national championships. Euphoria is getting your prized painting entered into a gallery contest; watching a loved one get married. Euphoria is falling in love or going to Paris. Euphoria is making your first TV appearance. Euphoria is having the time of your life at a concert put on by a band you love.

I arrived at the Shoreline Amphitheatre at 6:16 PM, but the euphoria kicked in way before that. I decided to entertain myself during the opening acts by playing "I Spy" with the roadies- and I was able to discover 8 of them.

At exactly 9 PM, after sitting through boiling hot sun and mosquitos for three hours, my heart began to flutter. I heard the opening notes of Strauss's "The Blue Danube", and I knew that four incredible people would be on the stage in front of me in just minutes, playing the chords and notes of "Life In Technicolor".

From there, time moved way too quickly. After the incredible opening song ended with a bang and revealed a split second moment of silence, Chris Martin started up again, belting out the lyrics to "Violet Hill" and sounding like he was thoroughly enjoying himself. After "Violet Hill" came "Clocks", a classic that was set to fancy laser shows and bright red lights. The crowd knew every word, and things were seeming more spectacular by the minute.

Euphoria was at it's highest (or so I thought) when Will Champion started banging on the drums for "In My Place". Chris, who seemed just about as euphoric as I was at this point, decided to show off his signature moves on the catwalk, and stumbled halfway into the crowd while doing so. I wasn't sure whether I should have laughed at his silly somersaults and backwards rolls, or screamed at the fact that he was so damn close to me. But before I could make up my mind, he collapsed in a heap on the stage (while simultaneously singing the opening words of "Glass of Water").

And then came "Yellow"! The band put on what seemed like an entire separate show for just that one song, complete with gigantic yellow balloons, singing lessons for the crowd, and multiple showers of yellow confetti.

"42"'s magical repeating lyrics had an audience who had never heard the song before chanting along, and "Cemeteries of London" brought humor to the show when Chris decided to play around with the lyrics for the enjoyment of the audience. And then, finally, came one of the most cliche but beautiful moments of the show-- "Fix You". Chris started out on his own, until Jonny, Guy, and Will eventually joined in. As the song came to it's climax, Chris paused and let the crowd fill in the gaps he left in the lyrics. Even the people behind me, who had been sitting down for the whole concert, stood up and joined in.

After "Fix You" was "Strawberry Swing", which was upbeat, beautiful, and felt perfect with the warm Californian air. "Strawberry Swing" was about halfway through, when I felt someone bump me and turned around to see that the security guards next to me were carefully stringing caution tape all along the aisle. My mind automatically jumped to the conclusion that someone had passed out or fainted nearby, until I put two and two together when I saw Hoppy, a roadie, run past me with a mic stand. It was just as "Strawberry Swing" was ending when I realized that Coldplay would be running up the aisle inches away from me on their way to play their intimate B-Stage set. And this is when the euphoria became mania. Every light on the stage went off, and I had just seconds to position myself next to the caution tape alongside me before Jonny, Will, and Guy came bounding past me.

Even though they were there and gone in a split second, time seemed to be in slow-motion as I reached out and gave Jonny Buckland a hi-five, and as I reached out and did the same to Will Champion. And then, 3 slow seconds later came Chris Martin, bounding past me, microphone in hand. Time was still moving wonderfully slowly as I reached out for a third time and grabbed Chris's upper arm. And then it was over. When I looked up, the band was playing a beautiful, techno-esque remix of "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", with Chris pounding away at the piano. After the song finished, Guy, Will, and Jonny disappeared from the stage, but Chris remained to play us "The Hardest Part".

Quiet transitioned to loud and stirring when "Viva la Vida" started. Chris grabbed the microphone, hopped off the B-Stage, and ran right through the crowd (and right past me) to join the other three members of the band down on the regular stage, singing "I used to rule the world!" as happy fans reached out to touch him. "Viva la Vida" was rousing and exciting, and everyone sang as loudly as they could when we were directed to "oooh-ooh-oooh". After the last "oohs" faded away, Coldplay played one more song down on the regular stage ("Lost!"), before heading up to give their fans on the lawn a special treat. "Green Eyes" was chillingly beautiful, and afterward Chris handed the microphone to Will, and let him belt out the lyrics to "Death Will Never Conquer".

Perhaps one of the best moments of the night was when Chris announced that they'd be playing a song that was better than anything they could ever write. I don't think anyone was really expecting a Michael Jackson song to be covered at a Coldplay concert, but the crowd was happily surprised when "Billie Jean" started up, and most people began dancing and singing as a tribute to the King of Pop.

As soon as the spotlights on the lawn went off, the audience went crazy. Everyone was trying to locate Coldplay, and some people thought the show was over and began to trail out. After a good seven minutes, the band reappeared down on the regular stage, flashing strobe lights, banging drums, and milking "Politik" for all it was worth.

And then came the moment that everyone who knew anything about Coldplay and their 2008/2009 Viva la Vida tour was waiting for. "Lovers in Japan" started up, and within minutes the entire amphitheatre was covered in little paper butterflies. And they just kept coming. The confetti rained down, Chris ran around waving a Japanese parasol, and every member of the audience had their hands to the sky, trying their hardest to catch hundreds of little phosphorescent strips of paper. As abruptly as "Lovers in Japan" started it finished, but the butterflies still rained down during "Death And All His Friends".

Even though at this point the stage went dark and roadies started to appear, packing up all the instruments, the crowd was relentless and stayed seated. Soon a chant for Coldplay could be heard, and everyone who wasn't chanting was on their feet screaming. And, in no time, Chris appeared at his piano, saying a few words to the crowd and mentioning the live CD that could be picked up at the exit.

Two more songs were played for the encore; "The Scientist", which had people swaying back and forth, eyes closed, and "Life in Technicolor ii", the sequel to the song that opened the show. Chris, Will, Guy, and Jonny put every part of their hearts into making "Life in Technicolor ii" as epic as they could. I watched Coldplay bow as they finished the song, and, filled with a feeling way beyond euphoria, I tried to think of a better way for such a magical night to end. And, quite simply, I couldn't.

Jenjie · 19-07-2009, 07:54 PM

8) but a dream

March 14 2009, Acer Arena, Sydney, Australia

This was my fourth time watching Coldplay live in 2009 but only the second concert I managed to get pit tickets to, so I was determined to snag a front row position for myself. Armed with my ‘Jonny Is My Guitar Hero’ banner, which I had previously unveiled in Perth (eliciting laughs from Chris and Jonny), I took the earliest train to the Sydney Olympic Park where Acer Arena was situated.

I was the third in line, and managed to pass the hours by chatting with the friendly people in the queue. Most were amazed to find out I flew in from Singapore to Australia to watch Coldplay and were tickled pink by my banner. When the doors into the venue were opened, my newfound friends and I were lucky enough to grab a standing spot at the barrier just left of centre. The camera man at the left side of the stage saw me with my banner and walked up to me.

‘Hey it's you again! I remember that banner!’

‘Haha, yes, I was front row at Perth as well! I remember you too!’ I laughed.

It was an amazing show, the energy emanating from the band onstage matched only by the overwhelming enthusiasm of the Sydney crowd. I was jumping non-stop and singing along to every song, and every time Chris came up to the front of the stage just two arms’ lengths away from us, we shrieked uncontrollably and tried to reach out to touch him.

After Death And All His Friends, when the band started walking around the stage clapping and bowing, I knew they will be leaving the stage shortly for an encore. I whipped out my banner and held it high to catch Jonny’s attention. As he came to the front, a flicker of recognition crossed his face as he saw it. He looked me in the eye and smiled widely. Time stood still as he dug around in his pants pocket to find his guitar pick, bent down and threw it to me. He threw it a little short, though, as it ended up in the security area between the stage and the barrier. In an instant, everyone in the front row started screaming and asking the security guard in front to pick it up. A veritable tangle of extended arms was jostling for that one guitar pick Jonny had intended for me to have. Fortunately, the guard passed it to one of the people who spent time with me waiting in queue, who immediately turned to me, placed the guitar pick in my palm and grasped my hand close.

‘You deserve it, love.’

They were simple gestures from Jonny and my fellow concertgoer, but I was nearly choking back tears at that moment.

March 23 2009, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore

Still hyped up from the five Australian concerts I just attended, I could not contain my excitement when Coldplay popped by my own country for a one-night-only show. With my trusty ‘Jonny Is My Guitar Hero’ banner again, I waited around the stadium to see if I can catch a glimpse of the boys as they arrived. One of the concert organisers was extremely irritated to see me, and said to the security guard, ‘Can you please get that fan away? I don’t want her to be around when the band arrives.’ I was extremely angry because he had no right to do so, but I held my tongue. The guard told me to move behind a barrier about 5 metres away from the entrance and I obliged because I did not want to get into a fight, and besides it was still close enough to catch the attention of the band.

A while later, a lot of people started to move out of the stadium, being guided out by the concert organisers. The band is coming, I whispered to myself, and I got myself ready. Soon enough, a van pulled up, and out stepped Chris, Will, Guy and Jonny. I didn’t shout out to them but waved to them quietly from the barrier, while holding up my banner as well. Will and Guy nodded at me, and Jonny gave me a wave and a smile, and the three of them ducked into the stadium.

Chris, however, started walking up to me with a smile spreading across his face. Much to my surprise, he gave me a small hug and said ‘Nice to see you again!’ I was in shock, but I managed to regain my composure quickly. We had a short conversation, and Chris asked me ‘So do you have tickets for tonight?’ I told him I did, but he still offered me a few tickets for my friends. I was stunned and couldn’t thank him enough before he had to leave for soundcheck. By this time, the concert organiser who previously snubbed me and the stadium staff were gawking. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled, embarrassed at the stares, but my mind was racing at a million miles a minute as I was still in utter disbelief at what just happened. A couple of Coldplay roadies walked by and one of them smiled knowingly at me.

'I remember that banner!'

Still in a dazed state, I could only giggle like a silly fool.

When I went to collect my tickets at the box office, I told the attendant that I was on the guest list.

‘Are you with the promoters?’ She looked around the counter for the tickets.

‘Umm, well no. I’m with the band.’

She took a good hard look at me, a girl in jeans, a band t-shirt and a cap. Shaking her head, she asked me for my name, and I gave her my last name. She scanned through the band’s guest list and smirked, ‘I’m sorry I can’t find you on here.’ I craned my neck to look at the list and pointed out my first name near the bottom of the list, one of the two guests with tickets from Chris. Without saying anything more, she searched for the envelope with my tickets and passed it to me.

My friends were ecstatic. The seats were along the catwalk with an unobstructed view of the B-stage. One of them told me she could see the blue of Chris’ eyes as he performed The Hardest Part on the piano. It was an all-seated concert, but I stood up the very moment I got the opportunity. My own ticket was for a seat third row centre on the floor. Chris caught sight of me in the middle of Lost! and he pointed at me and winked. I grinned back at him as I waved my hands wildly in the air.

Thank you, Chris. Thank you, Coldplay. Thank you, everyone who made it possible.

Jenjie · 19-07-2009, 07:54 PM

9) Zeya

I have always believed that if you want something bad enough, you will one day get it. And I was right.

This is a story of my most precious three days of my entire life.

It all started on the 11th March 2009, the day of my first Coldplay concert. I arrived at the venue at nearly 9am which is quite early, yet there were already 9 others lining up in front of me and my friends. After we have secured our place, I have decided to take a walk around, wanting to find out the possible door that the boys will come in through. Then I saw an area filled with trucks and cars. An army guy approached me, asking if I was waiting for Coldplay, and of course I said yes. He told me they were not coming until it was around 2pm. So I went back to that place later at 2pm.

I waited until it was 3.30 pm, but still, no sign of the boys. I approached the security lady and asked if the boys are coming through that place after all, to which she replied “yes, they are coming through this door, but you did not hear it from me!” After the very long wait, I decided that I will just wait until 4pm, then I’ll go back to line up with the rest. And boy did I make the right decision. At approximately 3.45pm, a white mpv came in through the door, and I could see from the front Jonny and Guy, seating while smiling in the mpv. With my excitement, tears came out of my eyes a little. I decided that I will come back to that place after the show, just to try my luck again.

I went back to my line, chatted with the ones in front of me, until it was time to go in. It was like a war, everyone was running to go inside. Being the slow runner that I am, I was far behind from the rest. We were led to a room, where everyone should gather in first before going to the GA floor. After about an hour, we were given the cue to stand up, which means that it’s time to go…I was frustrated not to be able to be a bit more to the front. However, just when I thought we’ll never make it to the front, the guy who lined up in front of me since morning took my hand and pulled me to the front! I could not thank him enough. Then, as soon as we were allowed to go to the floor, the war began all over again. Everyone was running so fast while the securities tried to slow us down. In my head I was thinking that I will never get to the front row. While I was running, I saw someone at the front gate waving at me. It was my friend! She had secured a place for all of us, AT THE FRONT ROW! When I reached there, I hugged her and cried. It was a cry of joy of course! Have you ever had the moment when you have worked hard for something but felt that you have lost you hope, and suddenly it is there in front of you? That was mine.
The next one and a half hour was filled by Decoder Ring and Mercury Rev, and also some greeting to the roadies (Roadie Maynard in particular whom was shocked that I knew his name). Then Jay Z came on, and The Blue Danube, then it was time for…….COLDPLAY.

As soon as the boys came on stage behind the sheer curtain, a roar came to air. I was completely stunt for a few second, not believing what I see before my eyes. The melody and the guitar riffs of Life in Technicolor filled the whole arena. Audiences were jumping, letting out all the energy that they have built and kept long enough with them, and I was not an exception. Listening to the music that I have loved so much all these years live in front of me was the most beautiful experience. Starting from here, for the next two hours, all those 20,000 people who were united by these four brilliant men stood before them were all swayed by the magical music played. Songs after songs were played, yet the crowd still could not get enough. I wish I could pick a highlight of the show, but everything was perfect. From the yellowish atmosphere with yellow balloons flying around during Yellow, those amazing butterfly confettis during Lovers In Japan that filled the air beautifully, the Viva La Vida craze and chants, and the perfect harmonious sing along (as Chris called it) of Fix You, I was blown away by how hard these four friends have worked to bring happiness to every single person present in that space.

I forgot to mention my banner which I brought and made myself. On one side, it was written ‘COLDPLAY RULE AUSTRALIA’ while on the other side ‘HAPPY BELATED B’DAY CHRIS’. I wanted to wish him that, as I missed the actual birthday. While they were taking their bow after playing Death and All His Friends, I decided that it was now or never. So my friends and I screamed it there and then, and we got Chris’ attention. He saw my banner, said thank you while putting his hand on his chest. He then pointed at me, and then to his sleeves. I realized that he was pointing at my sleeve, as I was wearing the colour stripes similar to his military jacket. To get Chris to say thank you to me and noticing my sleeve while he was on stage, it is only natural that I died for five seconds. After that of course the boys came in for the encore, and finished that night’s show.
While I was still in the seventh heaven, I realized that I still had few missions to accomplish, one being to get a setlist. I saw Matt on stage and I immediately screamed ‘Matt can I have a setlist??? I want a setlist pleaseeeeeee!!!!!!!’ Matt tore the setlist from Johnny’s side and Guy’s side, handed it to the security. Everyone seems to want it after that, but the security guy said to them ‘no, this is for her!’ and handed me the setlist, and to another guy. Later that night I found out that he gave it to the guy who pulled me to the front. Now if that is not karma speaking to us, I don’t know what is.

So the night could not be any better right? Wrong. I went to the place where I waited for the boys during the day, where my friend I met Min (but a dream) for the first time. Not long after that, Will came out with Franksy, trying to drive through us unnoticed. Now that of course is impossible. Few other fans asked them to stop, and right in front of me is the lovely Mr Will Champion. Will, just like his voice, is like an angel. He made sure everyone got good pictures, asking to take them again if it did not turn out well. Just before he went off, I asked him if the others are coming out. He told me that Guy and Jonny has gone back, but Chris will come out shortly. So we waited. While waiting, there was a guy behind tinted van waving at us. Some of the fans thought it was Chris, but I did not think so. I went to the security lady again and asked her. She said it WAS him, and I was broken hearted. I called my friend who were there to pick me up. Just when I was stepping into his van, the security lady shouted at me “Hey young lady, Chris is coming out soon!!”. I went off the van and ran to the door again. I waited with my friend, and soon enough, the same white mpv that I saw earlier during the day came towards us. It stopped right in front of me. I hold my banner tight, while telling myself ‘yes, this is it!’.

Kelly came out from the front seat first. I greeted him ‘hi Kelly!’. He looked at me with a shocked expression, then said hi back (yes, Kelly is friendly at heart!). He opened another door, then with my very own eyes, I saw CHRIS COMING OUT OF THE VAN. My mind stopped working for one second, then I said with quite a loud voice “OH MY GOD!!!” along with others who were just shouting. Kelly told us to keep quiet, and Chris continued “yes everyone keep it low…We have neighbours!”. After saying hello and thanking us for coming to the show, the first thing he turned me and said, “I really like your banner, and I noticed your arm too..”. I said thank you in the most controlled voice, afraid that I might embarrass myself. Then I immediately continued “we should take picture together with it.” He smiled and agreed, but said that he will give out his signature to everyone first. He signed my cd, signed others’ and faced me again. He did that for two times, and I did not have anything else to hand to him for him to sign. Subconsciously, I gave him my cd again. He looked at me with his weird look and said, “I’ve signed that one.” “Oh right, I forgot!” I answered him. Then he smiled and said back to me, “Oh you want me to sign it with your silver pen don’t you? I’ll sign it with your silver pen..” Then he laughed. He took my pen and signed it again.

Then the conversation carried on for another five minutes, I talked to him about his height (which I said was 6 feet 2 but he corrected me with 6 feet 1), among other things. Then he went off. And that was the end of the first day.

The second day’s setlist (which was on Saturday, 14th March) was very similar to the first one. Everyone was enjoying themselves, especially because it was Saturday night. Eventhough this time I bought a seating ticket, I never sat down. Not caring what the people around me might say, I jumped and danced and sang my heart out, more than I did on the first night.

After the show had finished, I was hoping to repeat the joy I had on the first night. I was praying that I will meet the boys again, with the addition of Mr Buckland and Mr Berryman. However I was not having high hope as I’ve got all the good luck in the world on the first night. Luck does not always come your way was what I told myself over and over again while waiting to meet them. But I was wrong. Sometimes, good luck keeps on happening to us, and when that happens, we just have to be thankful. I met Mr Chris Martin again that night and had my friend to record the event with my video camera. This time it was even better than the first night. Chris Martin saw and recognized me, greeted me, and offered to sign my banner. I even got a hug from him, and we exchanged wristband. It never crossed my mind at that time that he will keep on wearing my wristband for a very long time, but he did, and still is. And he put a smile upon my face every time I see a new picture of him wearing it.

However, sometimes there was a limit to one’s good luck. I discovered later on that Mr Champion, Mr Buckland and Mr Berryman has gone back. But I was thankful enough with what I have gained so far.

Then came, Sunday March the 15th, 2009 which was the last day. The adrenaline rush was the same for me every time, even though it was not my first show. With the other two Coldplayers and few more others, I lined up since morning again, went through the same war of getting to the front line and succeeded to get to the centre of the first line. Few securities and other fans recognized me and my banner. When Coldplay came on stage again that night, I embraced the last night of my happiest life to the fullest, and got Guy Berryman to smile and laugh at me few times along the way. When the show ended, I was having mixed feeling. At one side, I had all the satisfaction I had waited for a long time, but on the other I was really sad that it was over.

I was not planning to stay to meet the boys again, but a friend of mine whom I met during the first show insisted that I did. He offered me a ride home, so I decided to stay. For the third time, I met Chris but not the rest of the band. He thanked me for coming to three of his shows and expressed how thankful he is that there are fans who are willing to go to extra length for them. I did not talk much with him that night as I figured that I’ve had my share, so I should let others to grab theirs. However, it broke my heart to finally see him walk away into his mpv, and soon enough, it disappeared before our eyes.

I sat down for a while after that, swallowing every bit of the memory one by one. Everything went so well, I felt like the doors were opened for me one by one. I will not say that it was all pure luck as I have worked hard to be there at the first place, but once I was there, it all paid off, and more. So next time when someone says that dreams do not come true, I would beg to differ.

Jenjie · 19-07-2009, 07:55 PM

10) Chavi

October 3rd and 4th, 2008, Rotterdam and Antwerp.
This is how a friendship is born thanks to Coldplaying.com !

This was really a last minute trip... I met this amazing friend, Carla, on the Coldplay forum Coldplaying.com last summer, and we always wanted to go to a concert together. We knew it would not be easy. She lives in The Netherlands, and I live in France. But we would do anything to make it happen. It was already late September, and the possibility for me to find tickets to the show she was attending in Rotterdam was inexistant. But she still posted a request on the forum asking if anyone had spare tickets for Rotterdam or Antwerp. Then on Tuesday, Sept, 30th, another member from Coldplaying.com, Frysk Famke, posted a link to that Extra video in which Chris Martin said the line "maybe I can help". Here, this is what we call Coldplay Karma! Frysk Famke said she had two tickets for Antwerp and that she would be more than happy to let us have them. Things went so fast. The show was in 4 days... What was I supposed to do ? As soon as Carla found out, she texted me, said she could also have a spare ticket for Rotterdam and we discussed about it. It was really hard to decide. I'm a student at university, would I be able to afford it, would it be okay to miss classes for a Coldplay concert ? Long hesitation, I couldn't think properly... but two hours later, my train tickets were booked ! It was so unexpected, the next thing I knew is that on Friday morning (Oct. 3rd) I was on my way to Holland.

Friday, October 3rd.. early in the morning, I got a phone call from my sister's fiancé. She was in labor, and about to give birth. I was crying my eyes out and it was only the beginning of what was going to be one hell of a weekend !

3:36pm I’m in Rotterdam ! Gotta find the subway to go the concert venue.. People are SO nice and helpful. Thanks to two very nice men I managed to get there safely. I can see Carla waving at me from far away. So we met for the first time and I felt like very close already ! I’m waiting in the line a little behind her, about 20 people between us. Later, I got a call from my sister who wanted to tell me to enjoy as much as possible and that she understood that I had to go and couldn’t be there with her ! Btw, it’s a girl (I know it’s not really Coldplay related but it made my day even better, so it’s important for me that this part’s included in the story !) I almost cried.. Still waiting, I met that group of women, they were crazy but in a nice way. I talked a lot to one of them and told her about the previous concerts I attended, and she recognized herself being the same way with her favorite band, I think it was Metalica. She nicely told me and kept repeating that she would definitely let me take her spot if she ended up being in front of me. HOW NICE ! Thanks Sally.

6:35pm they finally opened the doors. No security to stop me, no one checked my bag so I ran and tried to find Carla calling my name. At first, that lady between us wouldn’t let me go with her. But later, she understood that we had to be together and let me go in front of her. So I was second row, just behind Carla !

I cant remember the time, but then Albert Hammond Jr came on stage. Oh it was still pretty good after seeing them 4 times supporting for Coldplay already! But I couldn’t wait to see Coldplay for the 5th time in 33 days !

And then COLDPLAY were on ! Always as intense as the first time you see them. You’re excited, scared, happy, thrilled, worried but overall overwhelmed with joy ! And it’s even better because you share the same feeling with 10 000 people at the same time !
Highlights of the show :
-Life in Technicolor : the crowd go nuts ! and you’re full of energy, even after a long trip by train, or very long hours of waiting outside the venue !
-Clocks : awesome live, I’m sure you’ll all agree !
-Speed of sound : The cameraman wants to film my banner ‘Nothing matters except life and the music Coldplay make’ and put it on the screens at each side of venue ! THANKS A LOT FOR DOING THAT !
-Chinese Sleep Chant : I can't get over this song, especially live !
-B-stage part, always nice! And it’s the right to time to just lean on the fences or someone and just breathe, because you know you’re gonna need ALL your energy for Viva which is coming next !
-Guy and Jonny having a laugh on the main stage while Chris is doing his thing on the B-stage. It's always nice to see the non rockstar side of a band.
-Viva la vida and Lost! How can they not be highlights !?!
-Politik : time to give everything you have left ! it really really is one of the best thing live !
-Lovers in Japan : OF COURSE ! the butterflies are simply fantastic. Even if you don't like Coldplay, I swear you'd still walked out thinking "damn that was pretty amazing, wasn'it?"
-Yellow : all four of them laughing at something, they always crack up ! it’s priceless to see !
-The cameraman coming right to us and giving his setlist to Carla. Carla’s brother in law getting Will’s drumstick. AND Matt giving me Jonny’s setlist.

Again, AMAZING CONCERT ! The band’s always GREAT and really into it even though they’re extremely exhausted ! They’re giving us so much when on stage. You have to love them for that !
After the show, we (Carla, Lauren, another member from Coldplaying and myself) went to the backstage entrance and waited a LONG TIME ! People were coming in and out and a lot wondered what the heck we were waiting for... Most of them were really nice and answered when we said Good evening and everything. And then, Pete from Oxfam showed up. I HAD TO say something, so I came up with a casual ‘Hey thanks for the blogs, they’re great!’ .. smooth, right ? He was soooo surprised and wondered if we were really talking to him. Carla said his name and he felt even more embarrassed ! That was cute. He really is a nice guy and kind enough to take some of his time (it was pretty late) to stop and chat with us. Take a photo as well ! So, we talked about a lot of things and we said we would see him the day after in Antwerp. Afterwards, we met Reno Bo (Albert Hammond Jr’s bass player), and he was very kind too. We took a picture, we talked and later he came back to see us to give us some setlists and the sheet of their schedule, and he signed them ! It was lovely ! I was really really impressed by how people had been SO amazing to us all day long ! It was that security guard’s turn to be helpful and kind. He kept looking at me through the window. I thought he wanted us to leave but he was smiling. And then he came out and told us Chris was still there ! I cant believe he just told us OMG ! and gave us updates about when Chris was supposed to leave and everything !

AND AND AND, IT HAPPENED !!!! CHRIS MARTIN was coming right to us ! OMG OMG OMG ! I cant described how it feels, really cant ! it’s just so impressive, you’ve been dreaming about that day for sooo long and you imagined that scene in all the different scenarios possible BUT you never think it’d be that perfect ! Chris seemed so shy, I mean after all these successful years and all the great things that happened to him, he’s still amazed when he sees three desperate girls waiting in the rain after a concert for him to just sign something. I bet it’s like part of his everyday life but still, he’s not used to it ! He was so sweet and kind, and he just took his time and was in no rush even though people were waiting for him to get inside that car. It didn’t last long but more than I would’ve ever expected ! and then after we took a pic and talked a bit, we told him we would see him in Antwerp to which he replied : ‘okay see you tomorrow!’. And then when he was inside the car, as we were waving at him to say bye and just knocked a few times on the tinted windows as a reply to our waving !
Was it like the best night ever ? HELL YEAH DEFINITELY !!! what could make it even better ? maybe, if he’d recognized us the next day… oh wait, HE DID!

October 4th : Didnt get much sleep.. but it’ll be alright ! it’s gonna be the 6th time I see Coldplay live in 34 days for the Viva la vida Tour ! we’re on a OMG-we-met-Chris-Martin-last-night high, and nothing can bring us down ! We’re leaving for Antwerp early in the morning, because WE NEED our front row spots again ! Carla and I are the 4th and 5th person to be at the venue. The doors are wide open, the roadies are setting up the stage, we can see it from outside.. So we’re sitting here against the glass windows making new banners for the band and Reno Bo. Fryske Famke joins us and gives us our tickets. We have a pizza for lunch which was a very nice idea I must say as it probably was the only real meal we had for two days.

They open the door at 6:35pm, the security is being ANNOYING but eventually we get through, and so we run ! We struggled through security who was telling us to slow down but GOT OUR FRONT ROW RESERVED SPOTS !

Highlights :
- Reno Bo from Albert Hammond Jr's band saw us from the stage and laughed. We got two setlists of the band which were directly given to us by a roadie ! SWEET ! and also one of the guitar picks Reno threw in our direction !
-LIFE IN TECHNICOLOR : I keep repeating myself in each review, but the beginning is always AMAZING! That’s when the fun starts and you cant get tired of it ! Never ever !
-Violet hill : Chris said HEY TO US ! He saw and recognized the ‘you make me shiver’ banner he signed me the night before in Rotterdam !
-In my place : the yeahs were pretty awesome ! so much energy and that’s when the guys gather. AWESOME ! and the drums always kick ass in that song !
-Just before Cemeteries of London : ‘We hope you have a great time, Please sing with us, THANKS TO PEOPLE WHO’VE BEEN TO OTHER SHOWS BEFORE THIS ONE!’ WAIT, is he talking about us and pointing in OUR direction at the same time ? OH YEAH HE IS !
-Chinese sleep chant : I love it ! I love it ! I love it ! oh and I love it !
-Fix you : Tears almost streamed down my face !
-Viva la vida and Lost! Such a great combination ! it rocks live !
-Politik !! I was dead tired after that one ! it was so great and powerful ! -Lovers in Japan, again the tears.. I enjoyed as much as I could because it was the last show I was supposed to see in a while !
-Chris waving back at us when he goes off stage before the last encore ! -GLASS OF WATER ! The song rocks live, I cant wait to hear the studio version. It really is something to discover a song for the first time when it’s played live. You just enjoy and you cannot not fall for it ! I thought it’d be more a slow song, but I was gladly surprised !
-They took their time to say bye to Europe.. that was nice and emotional. And that was it !
-Got a setlist from the other cameraman who came to us, although he was far and could’ve given it to someone closer .. THANK YOU! We knew, or had the feeling that the band left already but we still went to the back entrance. But no German vans this time.. bummer! We met the famous ping pong table, after sneaking in backstage when we saw a door open ! we went upstairs, went into the lounge bar, but no Coldplay.. so we left. And we went back home.. that was the end .. of this tour leg I mean !

Now, I saw them ten times live, and will see them again soon... I don't think I would be such a great fan if it wasn't for Coldplaying, and the good friends I met there. Seeing Coldplay live is a way of life !

Jenjie · 19-07-2009, 07:56 PM

11) Jizo

Feb 28th 2009, Perth, Australia

I sit here, behind a glowing computer screen in a dark room, wondering if there is one word that could encapsulate my experience. One word that could start off the divulgence of my amazement and awe of the worlds biggest band. After 20 minutes I have found no words, and that is simply because, there are no words that could possibly describe it. I look to my left and I see a ticket perched next to a lamp. It reads "COLDPLAY - Sat 28 Feb 2009 7:10pm. Gold - Standing Front". Funny how those 42 or so characters printed on that ticket changed my life...

It was the second time seeing Coldplay in so many days. The previous night they had their opening concert of the Australian leg of their Viva La Vida world tour. The Burswood Dome in Perth, Western Australia isn't the most ideal of locations for concerts. The acoustics are terrible, the seating is crap, and the location is a nightmare. This plagues nearly every band who enters through the doors. Yet on this evening, all of that was insignificant. All of that was a million miles away in peoples minds. My excitement today was ten fold over the previous day. I was sitting up in the sky the night before. Today, I was on the floor. First in line with a good friend waiting to sprint our way to the barrier as soon as the doors opened. It was a long hot day, in searing 35ºC heat with no shade, and hardly any people. As the old saying goes, no pain, no gain. I ducked off for a while and left my friend to hold the fort. The fact she did so without a batter of an eyelid showed me how lucky I was to be a part of this band and have friendships with their fans. I met her through the Coldplaying website originally, a true testament to how band forums can play such a brilliant role in making gigs even better.

By the time 5pm rolled around we entered the doors. Though entered may be too soft a word. Piled in with no regards for peoples safety is a more accurate description. The next 20 seconds were a blur. My feet propelled me as fast as they could towards the front. In enough time as it turns out. I was slap, bang on the barrier. Just in front of the main microphone. Perfection. The pre-acts were clearly there for one reason. To be so bad that Coldplay looked even better when they eventually came on stage. It was a lengthy 4 hour wait, but the time flew by as quickly as the atmosphere built around me. Once U2 passed on the sound system, Jay-Z had his spot, the Blue Danube came on, and I knew it was time. The lights went out. The crowd roared. Coldplay, were here.

The moment Life in Technicolor started playing I was so nervous, it felt like I was reaching in for my first kiss. As soon as the boys came out though I realised this would be a lot better than my first kiss! Once Life in Technicolor ended the curtain dropped and my ear drums exploaded from the uproar behind me. Chris Martin pursed his lips to the microphone and the tender ressonance of Violet Hill bounced around the arena. Jonny Buckland's guitar crashed in with a mighty force, Guy Berryman's bass sunk in to everyones skin, and Will Champion's drumming seemed to hold the whole song together somehow. After the crowd classics In My Place and Clocks, and a few new tracks, came the first real highlight of the evening. Yellow. Being right there in front of the band as they played this true British classic made me realise what a brilliant band they are. Such a beautiful song, yet such an anthem as well. Yellow balloons made their way to the pit, and the energery was electric. The feeling after the song ended was one of pure jubilation. A few more tracks then came one of my favourites, Strawberry Swing. It wasn't the perfect execution of the song itself that made me have a heart attack, it is what happened at the end.

Chris Martin took the pick he was holding, the one that had just plucked the strings of his hand painted guitar, and threw it towards me from the stage. It fell just short of me, which as you can imagine, did not leave me feeling so fantastic. A kind word to the security guard near me and within seconds I was holding Chris Martin's pick in my hand. The moment was surreal. I was holding something that had moments before been sitting in Chris Martin's sweaty palms. I quickly pocketed the pick so I could continue enjoying the concert. Yet the rest of my night my hand drifted down every so often for a quick pat, just to make sure it was still there.

The band did a short set on the B stage, which included a techno remix of God Put a Smile Upon Your Face and Talk. It showed how Coldplay are able to keep up with emerging and popular music trends, yet keep their roots firmly in place also. The scene flipped 360º after this, and an acoustic rendition of The Hardest Part was played by Chris on piano. Soft, elegant, and charming, it made the hairs on my neck stand up on end and my eyes well up as the lyrics seemed to tug on every heart string I had. However there was no time to reflect. The energy rose once more when the band cranked up Lost! from their Viva La Vida album, and then launched in to the title track. This was a moment like no other. Hitting number one all over the world, everybody knew the lyrics, and everybody was ready to chant the chorus. My feet jumped off the ground by themselves, it was an experience like no other. When the crowd started singing the "woooaaaahs" the roof lifted off its supports for a good 3 seconds at least, it was that intense. It wasn't like a typical sing a long. This was something different altogether. Thinking about it now still sends shivers down my spine.

The band moved up in to the crowds to do a short spell of acoustics songs, the show seemed so much more intimate now, and suddenly the fans up in the sky had the same feeling us down the front did. After an interlude they came back down to play the epic Politick, Death and All His Friends and sandwhiched inbetween those was my favourite Coldplay song of all time, Lovers in Japan. As the song got in to the swing of things, confetti butterfly reigned down, glowing under the stage lights. A party atmosphere was definitely flowing through the crowd. The boys took a short break then burst back on stage for the encore. The Scientist was an instant, mellow crowd pleaser, and then the band jumped up, donned new brightly coloured jackets, and belted out their latest single Life in Technicolor ii, a great high to leave the show on. The band were gone as quick as they came. As the multi coloured set faded away to black and the roadies came on to pack up, it seemed the engergy had been flicked off with a switch. I had blinked and the concert was over. Any feeling of sadness was instantly erased with pure ecstasy. I collected some butterflies, and headed out of the venue with my friend. She is a smart thinker, and detoured via the front of house in the middle of the arena. A perfect way to end a perfect evening was picking up a setlist for herself and I. We walked out as if we had been to heaven and back in 2 hours.

My concert experience didn't include meeting the band, or having something truly extraordinary happen. But in all honesty, I didn't set out to try because there was no need. The sweet taste left in my mouth was from the music, the band, the feeling, the way I couldn't shut up for days and weeks afterwards. The fact that I got Chris Martins pick and a setlist was a bonus I would never have imagined. Being right there front row, was something I would never have dreamed of. And the lasting effect it had on my life, well, thats something I take with me in every second of my life. Some people may say it is stupid that a concert can change a persons life. But when music that is so powerful and personal is played mere metres in front of you, somehow it always remains at that distance, from the instance you leave the concert. From the moment you take a breath of fresh air. From the moment you walk to your car, and start echoing the Viva chant with the hundreds of other fans around you.

14-07-2009, 09:06 PM	#3
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	The shower of confetti around me was bliss! As I spun around to recreat the effect of the video! Enjoying the moment, for I knew it was surreal! That is when Chris came back upon the catwalk with his Japanese paper umbrella in hand dancing and twirling it around in the never ending amounts of butterflies. Until he turns to leave, but before doing so walks up to me and gives it right to me, smiles and runs back. A moment I will never forget, even though I am sure he has. For that moment, I was the happiest I could ever be. That night could not get any better, no way no how. We watched, smiled and sang along to the last four songs. The perfect night was capped off with a setlist from a friendly security guard. For me, I have called June 2008 – June 2009 the year of Coldplay. Not only have they begun to dominate the world music scene. They are dominating the soundtrack of my life. Many people made fun of me for going to two Coldplay shows. Yet I will never change them. If they do release Live 2009 Live at Vancouver, I know I was at both shows. I would never have seen and heard Coldplay live. Never would have met Andy and been so close to the guys that have helped me through the difficult times in my life. The three nights I saw Coldplay, I will never forget. To live the music, to feel it go through you, as it is coming directly from that band, its something magical. You feel transported, when I saw them, nothing in the world mattered except the music, the band and the thousands of others there for the exact same reason of me, the love of the music and Coldplay. Pemberton, wasn’t the best show, yet the two Vancouver shows made up for it. Coldplay put on the best show I have ever seen. I think any band will be hard pressed to ever surpass them. My dad is a hardcore U2 fan, and made fun of me for seeing Coldplay. He said U2 are an amazing live act, he said the best he had ever seen. I replied, “I am seeing Coldplay, at the begging of what will likely be their prime, when they are the best live act on earth. Not once, but twice; three times in one year. I will look back in 20 years and tell my children about how amazing Coldplay was live. How those four British blokes, had forever changed my life. Coldplay are the best live act, go see them, feel them, embrace the music. They are two hours you will never forget, I know I sure wont forget when I saw them in 2008 and 2009. Viva La Coldplay! __________________ "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

14-07-2009, 09:07 PM	#5
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	3) walkryfe They Call It “Coldplay Karma”: I’m a Believer! I have to start writing this down before I forget; and these past few days, i want to remember. There is more to the story, but I’m going to go with June 9, 2009 as a starting point. The first thing that happened as i started on my journey, was that I ended up on this long, winding road behind a truck with the word “YELLOW” written across it! The journey continued, and through many a confusing exit and traffic jam, I eventually found my way to the motel I was going to stay in, in a town called “Battle Ground.” I checked in, then decided to drive to where the amphitheater was so I wouldn’t end up getting lost on my way to volunteer for Oxfam the next day. I was also very hungry! I noticed a mini-mall with a grocery and such, and decided to stop on the way back. I found my way to the amphitheater, figured out where the box office/Oxfam meeting point was, and headed back to find dinner. In the mini-mall, there was this Thai restaurant, called the Golden Tusk? While I like Thai food, I’d pretty much convinced myself that I should just go with the granola bar in my purse when this group walked past on their way into the restaurant saying, “Yeah, Guy says this place is ...” -um, lets just say that the rest of the sentence was a compliment! So as silly as it sounds, I took it as “a sign” (and anyone reading this now thinks me a lost cause and a complete nutter). Hey, I really did want that food, but was reasoning against the expense. As it was, it was good for me to get a warm meal into myself. I bought this wonderful tofu curry with rice! I did decide to do some grocery shopping, and bought some veggies and water/juices/etc. for later. Parked outside of the grocery store was this funky silver car with British flags on its doors! Back at the hotel, I started downloading my travel log “thus far” and to my anguish, though I thought everything was okay and saved, somehow the videos were never really downloaded! It would have been okay, except that I’d already deleted almost all of the videos I thought had transfered! Including this really cool side of a mountain that looked like a face --like Rock Biter from the Neverending Story! I was very sad and upset to have lost that image! Anyway. I was also disappointed to discover that the Internet from my room was dial-up and was not “secure” which meant there were certain things I wouldn’t get to do! Downstairs, I found that the “business office” computer was secure, but practically all my favorite haunts were blocked! Annoyance upon annoyance. I tried getting other work done, but couldn’t sleep for the longest time! I finally did. The next day, I discovered the Fred Meyer store. As I walked around, I saw groups of excited people buying flowers, food, etc. chatting... about Coldplay! I looked all around and realized... that all these people were headed toward the same experiential context... literally thousands of people! It was so strange, to feel that sense of unconscious unity, that unseen link. Now, as i found out later at Oxfam, just because Coldplay fans agree on Coldplay, doesn’t mean that they agree on everything else . . . or anything else! But I’m getting ahead of myself. Upon arrival at the Clark County Amphitheater, I was directed to the VIP parking zone. I explained several times that I wasn’t sure this was the right place, but everyone but me seemed certain; then the head security guy decided to agree with me! I think because hot on my heels were several other carloads of “Oxfamily” that were just as lost! We were redirected to parking lot B (I think, already forgetting details!), then finally told to go to parking lot K. (the “K. ‘Stena’ James” parking lot, obviously). I walked to the meeting point, no Soha yet, but volunteers started gravitating together; it was amazing! Canvassing is hard. You would think it easy, because of the goodness of our cause, but many people just “--don’t want to be bothered.” Some were receptive, not all. Others are more than receptive! Oxfam training tells you that most people won’t want to talk to you, but everybody seemed to have something to say to me! I nearly lost my voice with all the discussion! Soha is so great though. As was Alexis, our local coordinator! Amazingly calm, secure, kind, brilliant women! We volunteers all knew well in advance that we would be sitting space available on the lawn, so it was an incredibly strange, unreal, and fantastic happenstance to be given tickets for seating near front and center! Whooohooo!!! I remember just sort of standing there, in shock, wondering at it all. As challenging as it was, I’d do it all again. (Soha, you ever need some help and I can get there in time, you got my number!) The show was magnificent. Everything was perfect! Although i nearly killed myself falling off of a chair I was standing on during The Hardest Part. The reason I fell, was because my back was to the main stage, and I forgot that Will would be harmonizing from there! I heard his voice and I reeled around so fast that I lost my balance! I’m not sure, but I think he saw me and gave me a little smile. After my brush with “death by awkwardness,” I was gently asked to please stay off of my chair for the rest of the show. I think I was lucky not to get evicted altogether though! I’m certain my ecstatic dancing and screaming made me a total nuisance to everyone around me! I tried to capture some of the show on video and in pictures, but to be honest, I don’t know how anyone manages this! My head may tell me to keep still, get clear footage, and focus on one thing, but my feet wouldn’t listen! I was spinning around, looking at all the cool stuff there is to look at, video globes, projection screens, people, the band, floating yellow balloons, and rainbow butterflies! It was just impossible for me not to dance and sing and yell and spin about! Everything was so perfect, I never wanted it to be over; but half-way through “The Scientist” was the prearranged cue to go back to Oxfam tent. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go. It was so great to work with everyone on the Oxfam team! We gave each other hugs, and then for me it was back to the motel, to try to get a couple hours of sleep, before I had to be up and away again to get to the Gorge show. “What!” you say? “The Gorge show too?!” I had gotten a ticket to that show before I found out about the Oxfam/Coldplay alliance, and this particular volunteer opportunity. When i did find out about this, I signed up for the Portland show, not actually expecting to get to participate, but thinking that at the least Oxfam looked like a wonderful organization. When I got the mail asking if I still wanted to volunteer for Portland show I was on the moon! I immediately said YES. Then I realized the marathon I was in for. Let’s go back to the night after the Portland show, day before the Gorge. It took me until almost 1 a.m. to get through the traffic back to my hotel room. I lay down on the bed and wept strange, happy/sad tears; that’s really not like me. Part of it was being tired, but part of it was that it had been such a perfect experience. How many of those do you get in life? Where you really feel like “Hey! somebody up there likes me!” Yeah, i know. One should feel that way about every day, but. . . one doesn’t; or I don’t. I even thought, “Maybe I shouldn’t go to the Gorge, because, like, nothing could ever be better, right?” Then I further thought, “Nah! Coldplay will be awesome whatever!” As it was, my seat was “Section C, Row 42, Seat 3” which had made me laugh originally when it was my random selection from Ticketmaster! As i wrote in my journal: “Section C, Row 42, Seat 3 = Crazy Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything <3 (the number three with a less-than sign in front of it: a heart emoticon meaning love). Given the novelty, I was okay with whatever view “C 42 3” would happen to be. The morning of July 11, 2009, I wasn’t thinking very clearly. I got lost straight away for about half of an hour before finding a way to proper direction. I was running on 3-4 hours of sleep that had been had 34 hours previous. I nearly ran off the road or into road barriers three times, because I would fall asleep at the wheel with my eyes wide open. It wasn’t like nodding off, it was as if I suddenly wasn’t awake or seeing the road anymore, then I’d be “aware” again. One moment I’d be driving and keeping everything in line, the next i’d realize I was headed for a cement barrier! Very scary. I did make it back to my parents’ home though, for to rest a couple of hours; a short break before continuing on to the Gorge show. Recumbent at my folks’ home, I’ve rarely been so tired, yet so wired that still couldn’t sleep. I wrote a couple of blip and twitter updates, then lay down on the bed. The next thing I knew, I was awakened by my cell phone ringing! It was Soha? She had phoned me mistakenly! She was answering my message from yesterday. It was providential, though, because I would’ve probably overslept! As it was, I had just enough time to make it to the Gorge and see some of both of the guest artists’ shows! Sorry, getting ahead of myself again. It was easier traveling in general, but the line of traffic to the Gorge itself, which is a two lane road, is arduous. I arrived, and started toward the venue, eventually meandering through this entrance where all these limos were parked; “VIP” camping? I tried to visualize what that could mean: gold-plated tent stakes? Le Cordon Bleu chefs roast your marshmallows for you? I moved to exit to the venue entrance, and the lady usher standing at the “VIP Camping” exit gate, said that technically she should turn me away and I should have to walk all the way around this other direction, but she was very kind and just let me go through. Those that have been, will tell you “The Gorge is the most beautiful, breathtaking, amazing venue on the planet,” but until you go and see it, you are incredulous. Having been, I have to tell you: “The Gorge is the most beautiful, breathtaking, amazing venue on the planet!” As I meandered though the crowd sitting way up on the lawn ridge of the venue, I realized how lucky i’d been to get a ticket in the seated area at all! There were about 24000 people at the Gorge July, 11, 2009. It was a long journey from the ridge top to the seated area. When I got there, there was no seat where mine should be! I was worried, but then this man came, looked at my ticket, looked at me, said “You’re alone?” and yes, I was. Then with a little smile, he flipped through a stack of tickets and gave me a complimentary ticket, pointing silently to the section, row, and seat; it was for SEC C, ROW 6, SEAT 15! Brilliant! Even if I did get reprimanded for dancing in the aisle during the opening sets. Again, I proved a terrible nuisance to everyone around me! Hands in air, swinging my minicam around, yelling, singing. The show seemed more intense to me than it had the night before, for some reason; or perhaps many reasons. And I should say, that while I got some footage, I had a lot of technical difficulties --like dropping the camera when I nearly fainted at one point in the show (lack of sleep, slight dehydration, and “the nearness” are probably responsible). Also, I ran low on battery power, camera memory, and the minicam just didn’t seem to “feel like” functioning! I’d press the “rec” button, and nothing happened! Most of the time after that, I just surrendered to the experience and accepted I would not be able to capture every moment. I just felt badly, knowing that there are Coldplay fans out there that would love to have gotten that close, and might never ever have the opportunity! I would’ve liked to be in a better position to share that experience with them. Of course, out of 24,000 people in attendance I know I’m not the only one that was filming! Somebody out there is bound to have gotten excellent video! It was so much good all at once. I’m not used to that; feeling like there is someone or something on my side. I guess I don’t know where I am right now, heart wise. I think, that I’m a little depressed? Some sort of “Post-Concert-Traumatic-Stress-Syndrome,” maybe? I miss it all! “It” . . . that frantic getting between new places, feeling a part of something interesting and beautiful, even if it's only for a day! Don't let me give the impression that I'm not grateful for my “normal” life; for what I do have in life, because I am! Yet clearly, I want things to be different; less quiet, less routine, less in my head all the time, less on my own. Which occurs to me is one of the things an excellent concert can do for the heart and head; make them start listening to each other. Many thanks to any patient reader that has made their way through my story, and many thanks to Coldplay, for “such a perfect day,” times two! __________________ "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

14-07-2009, 09:07 PM	#6
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	4) TheAngie Jan 28, 2003- Houston, Texas Let’s Go Back to the Start It was my first time to see the band live. I was so excited when the tour dates were announced and was on line to buy my ticket the second they went on sale. I tried to get someone to go with me. “Who? Coldplay? Never heard of them,” was the response I got. Forget them, I will go alone! After months of waiting, finally show day arrived. At the time I was living about 100 miles from Houston, so I left out extra early because I wasn’t exactly sure of the venue location or what traffic would be like. I absolutely had to be up front. It was a general admission ticket, so if I could get there early enough, I should be able to be in the front row. I got to downtown Houston around 1pm and passed their tour buses parked on the street on my way to the underground garage. My heart was racing and I couldn’t park my car fast enough. I parked and asked some guy how to get to the Verizon and he said to take the stairs and it was right there. I go up the stairs and come out on the street just next to where the buses are parked and Jonny, Will and Guy are all on the street right there just walking around! I almost fainted. In my rush to get topside, I had left my camera in the car . I didn’t even have anything for them to sign. I said hi to Will first, then Guy and then Jonny. They were so beautiful in person. Will was very nice, not scary like in most of his pictures. Guy was so skinny; I just wanted to feed the poor child. Jonny was so tall, had the sweetest voice and the most beautiful eyes. I was in love. It amazed me that they were just so normal! And so shy and amazed that anyone knew who they were. They went into the venue and I rushed back to my car to get my camera, but when I got back, they didn’t come back out. People were starting to arrive for the show, so I went and got in the line. Some girls came and got in line and said they had come back out just after I had left. I wanted to cry. Anyway I was at the front of the line and was for sure going to be front row. At around 3pm, a lady from Capitol Records comes out and asks if we are there for the contest. They had a contest on their website for 10 people to attend the sound check. We said no and then she got all uppity and asked why we were there then. Well they are playing a concert here tonight you know. A few of us tried to talk our way in, but Miss Capital wasn’t having any of that. The radio station was setting up tables next to where we were standing and came over and told us that they would be interviewing Chris after the sound check right here next to us so that perked us up. Just before the interview started, they moved the tables inside the building and did the interview inside. We had to settle for watching Chris through the glass. Bummer! It took what seamed like for ever for gates to open. Once inside venue we had to stand in line again. Come on already! There was a mad rush to get to the front. Don’t run! Yeah right! Get out my way! Everyone ran to the center, I ran to where Jonny would stand. Front row baby, front row! Outside security was firm on the No Cameras rule. Inside security could care less. I could have brought my 35mm instead of cheap disposable I smuggled in. Mos Eisley and Ron Sexsmith were openers. I liked Ron, but thought he was a bit too slow paced for an opener. Sorry but I didn’t care much for Mos Eisley. Stage set up was pretty simple. Four large screens hung at the back of the stage. Chris’ piano facing toward Jonny. Will’s silver drum kit at the back Guy stage right and Jonny stage left. Small video cameras set up in front of each person. They had what looked like blue rope Christmas tree lights outlining the edge of the stage. Finally, house lights down. My heart is pounding! The crowd is screaming and whistling. Movement on stage, I see them! My pulse rate shoots up to about a million. Organ sounding music filled the room and a quick “Hello” from Chris and we were off! Politik starts, lights flashing, piano banging, Will beating those poor drums to a pulp, and the crowd bouncing along with the beat. Chris sounds awesome live. He’s bouncing on his piano stool like a mad man and I thought he might knock himself out at any second. When the song ends, we get a quick speech from Chris about being back in Texas then straight into Shiver. A definite crowd favorite and sadly the last time they would play it on this tour. Spies was next with this trippy sounding guitar opening from Jonny. Chris flubs the first line of the lyrics and gets the giggles, which gives Jonny the giggles. It’s OK because the crowd picks up the slack and sings it for him. He quickly recovers and the rest is just beautiful. Daylight and Jonny singing! What, Jonny sings! Eyes closed and singing, deep sexy voice, right in front of me….. “Slowly breaking through the daylight”. I might have fallen over if it had not been for the crowd to hold me up. Chris has a guitar malfunction and the crowd gets introduced to guitar tech, Hoppy, who looks a bit like Brian Adams according to Chris. Guitar repaired and Warning Sign started. What can I say? It’s one of my favorites off AROBTTH and sounds just so beautiful live. One I Love was next. What a great song. It allows them to totally rock out. Why it wasn’t included on AROBTTH I will never know. Don’t Panic up next with this U2 sounding intro guitar and quick time drum part. Jonny gets the harmonica solo on this tour. He finishes the solo, looks down, walks to toward me and throws it right at me. Some tall person standing behind me snatches it from the air just above my outstretched hand. I was gutted. Chris then dedicates next song to Destiny’s Child. Everything’s Not Lost is what happens if George Bush runs your country according to Chris. Will singing back up! Wow! He has a voice just the softest sweetest voice. Big crowd sing along. Chris then introduces a new song, Moses and informs the crowd that Jonny is more handsome than Justin Timberlake. I agree! The song is beautiful! This was back before songs appeared on the internet 10 minutes after the show was over, so we knew they were playing new stuff but had not heard it before the show. It remains a favorite of mine. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face followed and it is much better live than on the record and it’s pretty awesome on the record! Chris says it’s about not moaning when you got it all. Guy’s bass line is so great on this song. And Chris lets loose, dancing and jumping about. “Your skinnnnnnnnnnn. Your skinnnnnnnnnnnnn. Jonny.” Then the open notes of Yellow and the crowd goes ballistic! Matt was playing Chris’ guitar part during this tour so he could jump about and go insane along with the crowd and that’s pretty much what he did. I thought he might actually jump over his piano at one point. Main set ended with The Scientist which is so beautiful live it makes you want to cry. Jonny playing both acoustic and electric guitars. Chris’s voice is just so beautiful. Encore starts with Clocks. The laser, the giant green laser! There is just so much energy in this song. And I just love the piano riff. Will smashes the opening to in In My Place and Chris does his “climb the ladder” dance. Yellow and In My Place were the only songs where Chris didn’t play an instrument and he really let loose with the dance moves on both as only Chris can. Trouble complete with epic audience sing along followed. Chris announces one last song. A new song just written only a few weeks ago and its “good”, Ladder to the Sun. Yes it is. Wow two new songs at one show. After the show I went and hung around the back by the buses hoping to meet them again and after standing around for about an hour decided on plan B. I didn’t have a ticket for Austin. I didn’t have a place to stay in Austin. I wasn’t even sure how to get to Austin, but I knew I would regret it if I didn’t see them again. So off to Austin I went. An obsession begins. __________________ "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

14-07-2009, 09:09 PM	#7
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	June 10, 2003 Cleveland, Ohio Away Day Cleveland was my first time to travel away to see the band. I had seen them around Texas, but I don’t consider that traveling. Traveling requires getting on a plane in my book. I had met Mary on the old Coldplay message board. We worked similar schedules so we were on line at the same times each day and became friends. The band was nearing the end of their AROBTTH tour and we wanted to try and go to a show together. Why Cleveland, a question we would ask ourselves after seeing Cleveland, but basically because it was a general admission show with tickets still available. We had to have a GA show so everyone that wanted to go could get their ticket and we didn’t have to worry about getting seats next to each other. We had people coming from all over to meet us there, me from Texas, Mary and Lulu from Indiana, Britney and her friend from Ohio, Abbey from Arizona, Todd from Vegas, and Leah from New Jersey. I rented a suite at a downtown hotel so we could all stay together. At work everyone told me I was going to be killed by “internet people”. Yes, those mad axe wielding psycho Coldplay fans, they are always on the news. We got into town the night before the show so we could have a look around and get to know each other but that is a whole other weird story. On with the Coldplay bits. Woke up early the next day and most of us went down to the venue at 8am. Ha! What we needed to be down there that early for I don’t know because the band wasn’t even there yet. Their crew wasn’t even there yet! We didn’t care. We got in line anyway. We had a walk around to the back to see where the band would be coming in. This venue was basically as Chris put it during the show, “a car park with a tent over it, next to a river, under a giant bridge”. At around 10am we could see the band’s buses up on the highway as they made their way in, so some people held our places in line and we ran to the back to greet them. Mary had made everyone a shirt with Will’s picture on it. I can only imagine what must have gone through their heads. They have been driving for hours from Chicago and arrive to find a bunch of crazy people all wearing the same Will shirt waiting at the venue at 10 in the morning. They start parking the buses and Rocky their security guy comes and tells us we need to stay on the corner across the street from where the buses are being parked. We wait and Mary gets up and does her “Clocks Dance” outside the band’s bus as they wait to park. I don’t even know how to describe it, but basically it involves her dancing while swinging her arms around like the arms on a clock. I am sure they are now too frightened to get off the bus. Finally all buses are parked and one by one they exit and go into the enclosed backstage area. Will is last off and he doesn’t go backstage but instead walks right over to us! He is wearing his now famous green Nike shoes and pink shirt. You can tell he is so embarrassed about his picture on all our shirts. It’s just so sweet. He signs stuff and takes pictures with us. He leaves and goes back stage. We hung around in the back for most of the day, but eventually went and got back in line. We could hear them sound checking later in the day. The played some of their stuff and some Smiths and then Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday? OK, that’s interesting. We soon discover that this venue is strange and security here is even stranger. Before gates opened some security dude comes out and gives everyone free water. Well that’s a first. I have never received anything free from a venue before. Then they make a no backpack announcement which sends some people into frenzy. They took a cab to the show and had no place to put their packs. There are signs on the fence which surrounds the venue stating the dangers of moshing. Once we get inside we all make it onto the first row and then security makes everyone sit down until the bands come on. Sit down like we are in kindergarten or something. There are enough security guards at the front to invade a samll country. Most shows have 3 maybe 4 at the front, they had at least 12. Well if that dangerous Coldplay mosh pit gets out of control, they will be ready! Stage at this venue is very high, around 6 feet. Who do they think will be able to jump up on that stage? Openers were again Mos Eisley and Ron Sexsmith. Eisley still not good. Why me? We could see the band sitting on this giant hill of dirt that was behind the venue watching Ron Sexsmith’s set, drinking beer. Between bands the security guard standing in front of me keeps telling me he doesn’t like Coldplay. What ever dude, leave me alone. After what seamed like an eternity, the band is finally ready to come on stage. Lights down, band on! Chris is his normal bouncy self. How can one person have so much energy? Jonny has a porn stash! It is beautiful. Politik still the opener. For a crappy tent venue, the sound was pretty good. Chris bounced madly on his stool, the crowd bounced madly in unison. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face up next with Guy’s fat bass line and Chris dancing with his guitar. A Rush of Blood to the Head. Finally! I had been so disappointed that they didn’t play it in Texas. Why they didn’t play Rush on the Rush tour until near the end of the tour, such is the Coldplay. It is so beautiful and worth the wait. Daylight with Jonny singing. Why don’t they let Jonny sing more! Trouble moved up in the show. Much better in this spot I think. The Security guard that told me how he doesn’t like Coldplay now comes over and asks the name of this song because he “knows it and likes it”. A feat he repeats several more times that night much to my agitation. Leave me alone dude, I am trying to watch Jonny! One I Love, rocking out. Man I wish they would play this one again. Don’t Panic. No throwing of the harmonica. There must have been some kind of riot for it so they had to stop throwing them into the crowd. But I was ready this time. Moses. More road tested now and sounding brilliant. Everything’s Not Lost. How does a guy that smashes drums like that have such a sweet angelic voice? Big crowd sing along. Pour Me. New songs are awesome. They played so many new songs on this tour. Yellow. Crowd goes nuts, jerk security guard again agitating me with questions. The Scientist. I remember watching Chris’ hands up on the 4 giant screens hanging at the back. He has really pretty hands. This song is just so beautiful. Encore Clocks. In the six months since I had seen them in Texas, Clocks was released as a single and it was huge. It got a bigger reception than Yellow I think. And the green laser is just awesome! Here’s s shocker, security dude loves this song too. In My Place. Chris’ dancing not improved but so adorable. Amsterdam! YES!!!!!!!!!!! Britney had brought a yellow helium balloon to the show and we wrote “Play Amsterdam” on it and floated in front of their faces all night. Ha! Amsterdam and AROBTTH, I could die in peace now. I can’t remember what all Chris said during the show, but I do remember him talking about the venue and Jonny’s sexy stash. We also found out the reason for the happy birthday sound check. Chris started coughing and their assistant Vickie Taylor comes out on stage to bring him a drink but he was just faking. He grabs her and announces it is her birthday and has the crowd sing happy birthday and Jonny gives her flowers. How sweet are these guys. The mystery of the Happy Birthday sound check solved. After the show was over, we met the Oxfam people on the way out and signed up. Bought some stuff from the merchandise stand. Then we all headed to the back of venue to wait for the band to come out. God I miss the days when they toured by bus. If the bus is there, they are still there. Huge crowd at first, but people started getting tired of waiting and started leaving. Finally around 2am Chris and Jonny were first out. They came out with Rocky. They walked along the line of waiting fans and signed stuff, people taking pics. Mary had brought the picture of them wearing the black afro wigs to get it signed. Chris had to ask which one was him so he could sign next to his pic. I remember that they smelled really good and how nice they were. Jonny’s porn stash up close is just a thing to behold. He looked so thin. And he didn’t have his then trademark red hat. Said he had lost it. But he did have a stripy shirt, so yah! Chris started walking down the street and the crowd and Rocky all followed him. Jonny was left behind with just me, Mary and Todd. Some drunk dude came out of nowhere and staggered into him and almost knocked him over. He didn’t get mad, just said something like whoa mate. We asked for a pic and he stood between me and Mary and Todd took the pic. Jonny smiled, Mary smiled, I smiled and gave his bum a bit of a squeeze. Best picture ever! Chris made his way back up the street, crowd in tow and they left and got on the bus. Most of the fans left after that. After a long wait, Will came out next. Rocky joked that his fan club was waiting for him. That made his ears turn bright pink. How can people think this guy is scary. Pink shirt, pink ears. He’s just a big old teddy bear. He signed everyone’s stuff and posed for pics. We waited and waited and waited for Guy. After what seamed like forever, he came out and walked straight to the bus and got on. Not even a wave. Meanie! The next day we found a store near the hotel that could develop film and dropped off the pictures. I can remember people staring and us as me and Mary jumped up and down screaming in the streets “JONNY SANDWICH” when we picked up the prints. Mary and I talked about how it would never be the same again. I saw how the popularity of the band had grown in that six months. They would be playing Madison Square Garden a few days after that. That was the last tour where they lived on the bus, where they sold general admission seats, where they hung out after the shows and met with fans on a nightly basis. At least I say I was there. __________________ "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

19-07-2009, 07:50 PM	#8
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	5) guyluvsliz Part 1 of DC show: May 21, 09 I met up with Zoe (notlost) on here and her one friend Cecilia, we all arrived at Nissan Pavilion at about o ....10 till 4pm to line up for the pit! Started talking a mile a minute about Coldplay when we first met...already like we were old friends. And this was Cecilia's first concert ever, so WOOHoo! Concert Virgin and her first time will be seeing Coldplay, front row....lucky gal! We were the first girls there, the only other people around were a couple other guys that had been there since 12pm. We ended up taking a seat by the gates and we talked to one of the guys, Todd who ended up being a really cool guy. This was his 9th Coldplay concert ....ahh so jealous...its only my 2nd, I would see them so much if only I had the money. So he had been seeing them for a long time. Not as far back as Parachutes, but he had seen them during a Rush of Blood to the Head tour, which I'm very jealous about, it being my all-time favorite Coldplay era. I would have killed to see them back then. Btw. so we were outside waiting for about 2 and 1/2 hours and it was HOT! haha Zoe said it was so hot because Coldplay was in the house! haha I cannot disagree with that! We kept hearing someone soundchecking in the venue, but it wasn't Coldplay, it sounded like Howling Bells, one of their support acts that were opening for them tonight. But we freaked when we heard the opening to Don't Panic coming from the stadium! REALLY?! A Parachutes song besides Yellow?! I love it when they play their older stuff, because that's where the real Coldplay gold is at. But sadly I think it was just the Howling Bells warming up and covering Coldplay's Don't Panic. So now more ppl started showing up, but it didn't matter bc we were front row bound! We looked like some hard core fans too Zoe had her "Whatever It Takes" bag that Chris designed and I had my "Viva" bag from the last show. And Zoe had her Viva La Vida tour shirt on and I had my pink Guy Berryman shirt on! Along with my 2 sided poster with "USA <3 COLDPLAY" on one side and "Berry-Girl & Apparat-chick" on the other side for Guy. O! what a Coldplay - fest we were already having! No words can even describe our exitement! But we needed to decide where we wanted to stand in the pit once we were in there. We already knew we had to be in the front row. But Zoe wanted to stay on Jonny's side all the sudden bc she said Chris would be over there giving more love to Jonny on the ramp of love, instead of on Guy's side! lol Which is true....Jonny and Chris are pretty much a pair. But- I reminded her about In My Place and how all three of them always come over to Guy's side for that song. Also, I needed to represent mah boy! No way was I not going to stand as close to Guy as possible! Got to respect the bassist! So we agreed on Guy's side. Next, we think we heard Pete Yorn soundchecking and we kept seeing people who worked for the stadium, walk behind the gate with all access Viva passes....AHHH!!! I wanted to steal their all access backstage passes!....ahh if only! Also around this time, I met up with Catherine, another Apparat-chick! YAH! So we were all there to represent!! Alright so now was the countdown to when the gates were going open!!!AHHH CANT. WAIT. Now these stupid Best Buy reward card ppl got to go in first!!! AHH! so UNFAIR!! I didnt know anything about stupid effing rewards card! It had to be some crap Live Nation thing they had going on. We were pissed we were the first ppl in line and suddenly all those ppl got to go in first! But thank god this really nice woman came over and looked through our bags b4 so we could skip security. Once these gates opened it was a mad rush to get to the pit! We had to sprint 2 blocks around the venue and then the stairs until we were at the stage. Talk about a rush!! I took off once they opened those gates! And O! once I got in....heaven! the pit was RIGHT UP NEXT TO THE STAGE!!! I ran over to Guy's side, there were only a couple over ppl in there! So i had the best place in the venue muwahahahah!!! I was wedged in this lil corner, so there was no way anyone was going to be pushing me back in the pit either! Zoe and Cecilia came later and we were all there!! So now came the Howling Bells! What an awesome band from Australia! Check them out! They were great and really nice to us and humble. And it was'nt just some opening act that you want to get off the stage for the real show to begin, they were just great and original. And their bass player (o those bass players....) one of us asked him what his name was, one of the girls next to me and he talked to us and said his name was Joe. Lovely guy. Next was Pete Yorn. I'm so happy he was opening for Coldplay bc I doubt I would have ever seen him live if not. I love Pete's music but I just don't know if I would ever get the chance to see him live. Anyway, he was great and sang some songs from his new album coming out this summer. Also Pete was pretty nice on the eyes as well ladies o yes.... Me and Zoe ended up being buddies with the security guard in front of our rail. We talked to him and he was so nice and his name was Glenn. He told us about where they had been eating dinner backstage just a little bit ago!! aHHH! fangirl happiness from us! and we told him some about Coldplay cus he didnt know much about them, but once we said the lead singer Chris was married to Gwyneth Paltrow....o he was very interested then....! lLOL and asked us if we thought she was gonna be here tonight. We said yes bc so far she had been at every show on this US tour so far. And sure enough we found out Gywneth was at our show, but she was in the first row of the seated section so we didn't talk to her or anything. Now sometime in here, me and Zoe kept seeing all of Coldplay's roadies coming in and out of the stage and setting up and we were smiling at them and all. And its so bad that we are such super-fans that we know all of their roadies by name and recognize them hahah! And so we saw Miller like 7 or 8 times all together and even Chloe (not a roadie but she is Jonny's girlfriend) came out. She was behind a curtain peaking out from backstage. And I was watching that door like a hawk to see who was coming in and out. And I recognized her right away, and she really is pretty like ppl have said. We also Matt, Hoppie (guitar techie), Bash(Will's drum techie), and Franksie with his pimp hat! haah So anyway, Zoe nudges me and says "look! MIller!" and I looked and Miller was taking pics with his camera (Miller is Coldplay's speical roadie who writes Coldplay's blog on their website....aka...Roadie #42...but thats a secret! haha He doesn't know that we know who he is! ). So here we are and by this time Zoe has made a hasty "Everything's Not Lost" sign bc she is obsessed with that song and she would die if they ever sang it live one of these days! So we hold up our signs and b4 we know it he is taking pics of our signs!!AHHH!! Those signs could maybe end up in his blog on Coldplay.com one day! omg! Not just that, but I look back at Chloe and I see her taking pics of our signs too! AHH! So who knows she might show those pics to Jonny or the boys and they might see our signs that way too! Alright now Pete Yorn is off the stage....now we hear U2's Magnificent playing and the JayZ piece and then the Classical music so we know its only down to single minutes b4 the boys take the stage!! We see someone off to the side tuning up the bass and Zoe grabs me and says "IT'S GUY!!!!" ahhhh WHAT?!?! I try to see all I see is an arm......and a neck and I'm not sure if it's him or not but nontheless Im freaking out!! But why would he be tuning his own bass so close b4 the show and he should be in costume, not just a t shirt cus the show was about to start?? Plus this guy doesn't have an earring on his left year. So I decide it is NOT Guy....plus we found out later it was Hoppie....one of their roadies anyway. Alright now the intro music comes on and we are flippin' out with excitement! We start clapping and soon enough...BAM! The lights go out! And here opens the backstage door! All I see are 4 profiles in the dark running towards us with sparklers in their hands. And O! I recognize the first one right away....ahhhh My Scotish Death!!!!!! DEAD DEAD DEAD!!!! GUY!!!! AHHH!! Alright I'll just go and get this fangirlish-ness out of my system and then I will stop....but Guy in the flesh, only and 3 and 4 ft. away from me the entire show is SO much more Gorgeous than I ever thought, beats any kind of picture or video of him i've ever seen! Chris too in the flesh that close is beautiful too! They all looked so good! We were seriously the closest girls to him in the whole stadium! He was only about 3 and 4 ft. away from me and the entire show! Even tho some of my pics looked further away, my camera does that, like most camera's it shows it farther away, but really we were RIGHT THERE!! They ran around with their sparklers for a few sec. and then they picked up their instruments and started playing Life in Technicolor as the sheer curtain rises, but we could already see Guy since he was so close to us already! Life in Technicolor goes straight into Violet Hill which they always rock out on with Chris on the guitar dancing around the stage. And as soon as the lights turned on for Violet Hill, my poster was right in front of me and Guy saw it right away and smiled at me and you could tell he loved it! hhahh I loved being the closest person to him in the whole stadium of 19,000 people! muwhauauauauua!!hahha I was so spoiled! So anyway here was the setlist of songs they played: Life In Technicolor Violet Hill Clocks In My Place Yellow Glass of Water Cemeteries of London 42 Fix You Strawberry Swing ---------------------- * played on B stage in the audiance* God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (Techno) Talk (Techno) The Hardest Part (acoustic) - Chris piano Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)-Chris piano ------------------------ Viva La Vida Lost! ---------------- played on C stage in the Lawn Green Eyes Death Will Never Conquer (Will) I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - acoustic) ------------------------------------ Viva La Vida (remix interlude) ------ Politik Lovers In Japan Death and All His Friends ---------- The Scientist Life in Technicolor ii The Escapist (outro) __________________ "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

View Poll Results: Which Review would you like to see as one of our entries for the Absolute competition?
Malcolm-Edge	7	5.65%
lucyb123	12	9.68%
walkryfe	1	0.81%
TheAngie	5	4.03%
guyluvsliz	24	19.35%
justjess	15	12.10%
strawberryfields	15	12.10%
but a dream	5	4.03%
Zeya	4	3.23%
Chavi	19	15.32%
Jizo	5	4.03%
ImLovingGuyBerryman	5	4.03%
Cobalt	7	5.65%
Voters: 124. This poll is closed

14-07-2009, 09:05 PM	#1
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	## ABSOLUTE RADIO LIVE STORIES - PLEASE VOTE FOR DAVID SHEPPARD IN THE FINAL NOW! ## UPDATE: 30TH SEPTEMBER 2009 Win a festival-themed radio show for Coldplaying! Vote for David Sheppard (coldplaying.com) in Absolute Radio Live Stories FINAL now! http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music/live/stories/final.html Voting for DAVID SHEPPERD (for Coldplaying.com) in the Live Stories FINAL begins on Monday 28th September... Win a festival-themed Absolute Radio broadcast for the forum! Voting will be taking place at http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/livestories The voting will be open from tomorrow (Monday 28th September until Friday 2nd October), and the winner will be announced on Monday 5th October. The winning forum will get to create a festival-themed radio show from Absolute Radio’s live music library. This will then be broadcast on Absolute Radio. There's nothing like being prepared and the whole Coldplaying community will need to be on top form in this final, you may remember that we did our best in the Rock off semis and got pipped by less than half a %! Maybe someone (who still has an account) could post at greendaycommunity.org to canvas for some votes (if they accept and we win we could donate one song from the broadcast line up to Green Day live! ) Anyone up for contacting Debs, Anchorman and RSVP about a shout out on the Coldplay.com page? Please don't all spam them though! Each day share the voting links with all your friends on Facebook, Twitter etc. RT ColdplayingHQ's tweets and Facebook messages would also be a great way to spread the word! Put the voting banners in your signatures, blogs, myspace pages etc - there's a whole host of them at http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music...resources.html - but keep an eye out for some Coldplaying ones if someone can help make them I have asked Julie if she minds making some Coldplaying-specific Live Stories banners and buttons but in the meantime if anyone is able to combine these banners with these with Dave/U2 somewhere in it then please let me know, the more the merrier If anyone else has any ideas on how to get as many votes as possible please let everyone hear about them. Lets get this bloody thing won! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPDATE: 7TH SEPTEMBER 2009 New competition open prior to the Live Stories final. Win £1500!! Don't forget to add http://www.coldplaying.com in your submission or we won't be able to help promote your entry!!! ENTER NOW: http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music...mpetition.html : Quote: Tell us about your favourite live music act and win up to £1500. Our Live Stories competition has been a great success so far, but we want more of your live music experiences. And by telling us who your favourite live act is, and why, you can win up to £1500. Write up to 300 words about your favourite live act, and you’ll be entered into the public voting. At the end of the competition, the top three stories will win cash, with 1st place getting £1,500, 2nd place £1000 and 3rd place £500. And the voting starts as soon as your story is published on the site, so the sooner you enter the competition, the more time you have to get everyone you know to vote for you! On top of this, you can also pledge your allegiance to your favourite music forum, and the forums with the most popular entries will go through to a grand final with the winners of our first four rounds to have the chance to create a virtual festival radio show on Absolute Radio. Entries close on September 25th, 2009. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPDATE: 11TH AUGUST: KITE (DAVE) WILL TAKE THE TICKETS TO SEE U2 AT WEMBLEY AND WILL REPRESENT COLDPLAYING WITH A REVIEW FROM THE 1ST ROUND!) UPDATE: 7TH AUGUST: Congratulations to Chavi Vanna from the Coldplaying.com forum who wins a pair of tickets to see U2 at Wembley. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPDATE: 5TH AUGUST 2009 1ST ROUND VOTING NOW OPEN: COLDPLAYING ENTRANT: CHAVI VANNA (CHAVI) VOTE FOR CHAVI & COLDPLAYING (BLUE BUTTON, 2ND OPTION) NOW! vote >> http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music...es/voting.html I met Carla on the Coldplaying.com forum last summer and we always wanted to go to a gig together, despite the fact she lives in The Netherlands and I live in France. Then a fellow forum member said she had two tickets for Coldplay in four days. On Friday I travelled to Rotterdam after finding out my sister had gone into labour and was about to give birth. In the queue I was 20 people behind Carla, but after swapping seats in the stadium I was in the second row behind Carla. And then after the gig Chris Martin came and signed things for us, including my ‘you make me shiver’ banner – the next night he recognised it from the stage. Full live review at: http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music...avi_vanna.html Voting will stay open until 5pm on Friday 7 August and Geoff will then announce the winner on the Hometime Show. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are all the entries for the competition. Please vote for your favourite. The 4 with the highest number of votes will be our entries to the competition. All the entries can be found below, in the same order they are listed in the poll. Good Luck everyone Easy find guide 1) Malcolm-Edge Part 1 http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...069&postcount2 Part 2 http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...070&postcount3 2) lucyb123 http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...074&postcount4 3) walkryfe http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...076&postcount5 4) TheAngie Part 1 http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...078&postcount6 Part 2 http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...083&postcount7 5) guyluvsliz Part 1 http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...682&postcount8 Part 2 http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...698&postcount9 6) justjess http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...06&postcount10 7) strawberryfields http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...12&postcount11 8) but a dream http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...21&postcount12 9) Zeya http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...29&postcount13 10) Chavi http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...39&postcount14 11) Jizo http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...43&postcount15 12) Late Entry ImLovingGuyBerryman http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...78&postcount24 13) Another Late Entry Cobalt Part 1 http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...84&postcount37 Part 2 http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/sho...90&postcount38 __________________ "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

19-07-2009, 07:52 PM	#9
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	Part 2: So anyway, after Violet Hill Guy really took a good look at my sign and was smiling and nodding his head! hahah so he took a drink of water from his bottle and then gave me two thumbs up and I was crazy happy! The more me and Zoe freaked out and smiled and yelled he laughed more and ended up saying "Yeah" to us, ahhh in his Scotish accent....AMAZING! Throughout the whole show he loved the crazy attention he got from us in his lil corner What a tease that Mr. Berryman is! hahah Everytime we would yell he would do something else to get us wound up! Whether it was more smiles or laughs or eyebrow action (muhahaha some ppl know what im talking about! ). So after Clocks....In My Place is just the best live....Guy goes over to his ramp and Jonny walks over and they do their guitar thing, rocking out and all and then Chris always comes up behind them and on to the ramp. Well our faces were right where the ramp was! So Chris is about 1 and 2 feet away from us!! AHHH!! So Zoe is flippin' out and we almost touched Chris!! But all of the sudden I notice that Guy and Jonny were looking at my sign again!! WAHHA!! And I see Guy pointing my sign out to Jonny and Jonny is laughing and smiling and nodding his head and Guy looks proud that he had so much attention from my sign and from me!! AHHH and then I start screaming and they laughed and nodded their heads!!! And poor Zoe didn't see any of it cus she was still too mesmerized by Chris's butt bending over in our faces hhahaha! We're crazy! Next, was Yellow!! AAHHH !!! I had never seen Yellow played live in person with the yellow balloons yet!! WHOO! We loved it! One came right up to us and almost hit Guy and his bass haha! I wish I could have popped one...and taken it home! Chris always pops one with the end of his guitar at the end of the song and all the confetti falls out of it!! Glass of Water replaced Speed of Sound from the previous tour, I absolutely LOVE Speed of Sound...but I was happy to hear Glass of Water live too since I've never heard it live and it's a newer song from the EP. They sound great with that song live...i LOVED it! Cemetaries of London....ahhh one of those songs that deserves A LOT more attention than it gets on Viva La Vida....to me it should be a single. It's one of my favorite songs on Viva La Vida and I'm so happy that they play it live....It's a darker kind of song...but it really balances out the concert I think. 42 .....This song is BEYOND AMAZING live....Jonny's guitar solo is one of his best....he just rocks out on it! And the note that Chris sings right b4 it is so long...haha he was singing and he looked at his watch to see how long he can go hahah ...ah cocky. Fix You, of course this song will be played at each and every Coldplay concert forever! Chris running around like a 3 year old all over the stage and I love the end when we all sing it together....reminds me of the music video so much! Strawberry Swing is also another hidden masterpiece from Viva La Vida....the guitars seriously sound so awesome in this song and the clapping they all do. Evedently they are doing the next Coldplay music video on Strawberry Swing....cant wait for that! Now for GPASUYF and Talk the boys move out to B stage, which is right in the middle of the audiance...haha what a suprise for those ppl huh? They are just so nice like that, wanting everyone to have a great time even if your in the back of the stadium....if you cant come to them, then they will come to you. I really love the techno versions of both of these songs...!! I wish they were on LeftRightLeftRightLeft tho... After those 2 songs...Chris stays at the piano on B stage and Guy, Will, and Jonny come back to the stage and get ready for Viva La Vida. Now that they have started playing the Hardest Part just acoustically with the piano, I actually love it more than the original. Now since Chris was like a mile away singing for those in the back...lol we were just hanging out in the pit and we could see Guy and Will getting ready for Viva La Vida, even if it was dark on stage, I could still see what was going on. And uhoh! Not everything was smooth sailing....o no! Yikes- a - do! Something is wrong with Guy's bass. =( cry He picks it up and something is wrong and I see him talking to some of the roadies. But Chris is all the way out there....and after Postcards from Far Away, he starts Viva and starts running up toward the stage.....O no! Guy is pissed....o_O!!! There is lots of back and forth of Guy on and off the stage and lots of lip reading on my part lol haha! Quite some cussing coming from Mr. Berryman and the roadies trying to help him out. He is in the back and I see Hoppie hand him a ciggy and he takes a few puffs and hands it back to him =( ahhh I was sad...I don't want Guy to smoke he was suppose to be trying to stop, but I think he needed it in stressful times! lol O my ....Guy angry + cussing + ciggy in his mouth= badass! haha Meh...I felt bad for him but at the same time I kind of liked seeing pissed off Guy I am crazy... so he finally gets back on stage, they finally get him his different bass so he plays the end of Viva La Vida. And WIll hahah Will is on the drums for Viva of course and he looks over and starts laughing and cracking up at Guy. And Guy finally notices that he is laughing at him and he shoots him a death glance...uhoh! haha It was great to see WIll giving him some crap and how things are sometimes between them. Because they admit that they get mad at each other sometimes. How could you not when your touring all the time as a band and always with each other. Anyway, it was just cool to see that situation even if Guy was pissed. Next is Lost! with Guy on drums first and then he moves back over to his bass. So out of no where here comes Chris to our side of the stage and he puts on this huge Chinese dragon head! hahahhaha lol and is dancing around on our ramp with it on! hahah o only Chris.... It then falls off of him and it lands right at our feet! o_O omg! it was hilarious and amazing! Now the boys moved out to C stage which is WAY out in the lawn.....so we can barely see them for when they go out there! But they sing Green Eyes and I love this song so much. AROBTTH days....sigh Then Will sings Death WIll Never Conquer and I love this part! They cover Neil Diamond's "I'm A Believer" haha and at the end Chris hold's the microphone to Will and he asks him "Are you in Love?" and Will sings "oooooooooo" then to Guy "Are you in Love" "ooooooo" and to Jonny too! It was so cute! So they were done out in the lawn and then came the Viva La Vida Remix during a short intermission. Now Politik! I always love this song live.....and the bridge between the first part of the song and the second part of the song always makes me tear up....i know cliche! uhh but it does considering I think its one of the best songs ever written. The words, the chords, everything. And it being one of the first songs that got me into Coldplay. I'm never let down by this song. Its so beautiful. Lovers in Japan time!!AHH! So much happened during this song I don't know where to begin! First off Chris got in the zone and here he comes...Running by our ramp! O god...i know something is going to happen. He runs by and leans his head over ours and I swear I thought he was falling into the crowd and going to crowd surf! I think it was the angle we were at but scooped down and his face was only about 6 in. from our faces!! AHH!!! And so as he scooped down my sign was there too....the "USA <3 COLDPLAY" side and Chris looked at it and then looked at me and said "WWHHOAA!!" really loud and fast and then lunged backwards quickly and we thought he was going to fall! And it all happened so fast! According to Zoe I yelled, "Yeah Chrissy!" and she yelled "It's Chris! Its Chris!" over and over again haha when he did that. It was all insane, also all the butterflies were falling down at that time too! So just imagine all the chaos! sigh Now I knew the show was coming to some what of a close with Death and All of His Friends.... and I love the song but I know it means the end of show is coming =( Then they came out with their Grammy jackets which i love!! aww they were so cute and I realized being so close to Guy that the jackets were actually silky! He had his pink one on <3 and Chris had the blue one and of course Jonny wearing the green one and Will wearing the purple one....just like always. So Chris is at the piano and is talking to us about the new free live album they are handing out, LeftRightLeftRightLeft. Which is so nice of them to be handing out a free live album at their shows.....esp. since Chris had to talk to EMI in person to allow them to do this. They could be making millions of dollars off of this but instead they are giving it away for free. They just are not in it for the money, which I have always known, but that's my lil spill about lrlrl....haha Anyway, so Chris is talking at the piano and this guy right behind me yells, "I love you Chris!" but he is half way joking bc his girlfriend is with him. And looks at him and says, "O so you love me, man?" in the way he does. All smiling and joking and Chris looks at me too since I'm standing right there! So ahh! I scream that I love Chris too! It's just something you just say at concerts, its like the only thing you can say to express what your feeling all the sudden with the music and everything. And so Guy was looking at me then I realized and I felt bad for telling Chris that, when really I love Guy the most out of Coldplay haha so i yell that "I love Guy more tho! I love you!" and that got a big laugh and more smilies out of Guy that made us swooon!!!omg And then they sang the Scientist, the beautiful Scientist. That we were perfectly normal for once....no screaming or fangirl antics....just singing the Scientist bc how can you not fall in love with that song. Guy looked at me again, and the girls beside us said, "Aww He has looked at you the whole time, He keeps smiling at you! Its SO CUTE!" Which made me super dizzy and want to pass out..swoon!!! Now the last song, Life in Technicolor ii - which ended the night perfectly! Its one of those songs that gets everyone in a good mood and leaving the concert with great memories.And they all bowed at the end we all went crazy for them for one last time! And Guy was the first to come over to us and I held the sign up for him again, the "Berry-Girl & Apparat-chick" side and he clapped and nodded his head and smiled! And we both started screaming and that got him to laugh more....silly boy! And he said "thank you" he looked so happy which of course makes Lizzy happy! Chris then came over and he saw the "USA <3 COLDPLAY" side again and he looked at me and put his hand on his heart and said "OHH Thank you!" he was so nice and made a big deal out of it even tho it wasn't! Jonny saw my sign last! He laughed and clapped too! And Jonny has a gorgeous smile too, they all do really! Sadly I never made eye contact with Will, mostly since he is the drummer so he is in the back and doing his thing and not up and moving around like the rest of them are! But still it was great! So after the show we made off with loads of butterflies, Zoe got Chris's setlist and I got Guy's water bottle!!! haha And the girls behind us were so jealous haha! We saw our buddie Todd, at the end again and we were all talking so fast and freaking out about how WONDERFUL the show was! He was in the pit with us too but he was closer to center stage, where we had been right up next to Guy. He said he thought we had a better spot since Guy saw us the entire time and Chris came over to our side a lot too! We got in line to get our copy of LeftRightLeftRightLeft, and the lady opened the last box when I came through! So I'm so happy they didn't run out like I heard they did at a few shows before. So that was the whole experience, I have never been exited in my whole life. Even though 19,000 people were in that stadium, it felt like the most personal concert ever, like they were playing just for us! The whole show is about 2 hours but it goes by SO quick, but it is worth everything bc you are just having SO much fun! Words cannot describe how absolutely fantastic that whole show, before, during and after was for me! Our voices were so hoarse for a few days lol! But it was worth absolutely EVERYTHING! I always knew Chris, Guy, Will and Jonny were 4 AMAZING guys, and they truly are, being so close to them and seeing how kind and great they were to us in the front....they were just mindblowing! I could go on forever about how good they treated us and what a show they put on. Good Coldplay karma definately came to us that night, and we the luckiest girls there that night getting all of Guy's attention and Chris's looks! haeheh! It wasn't even a concert to me, it felt more like this soulful, passionate experience.And I cannot WAIT TO SEE THEM AGAIN!!! THANK YOU COLDPLAY FOREVER! <3 __________________ "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

19-07-2009, 07:53 PM	#11
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	7) strawberryfields The Webster Dictionary defines euphoria as "a feeling of happiness, confidence, or well-being, sometimes exaggerated in pathological states as mania". Euphoria can be different for everyone. To some, euphoria is winning your final soccer match and making it to the national championships. Euphoria is getting your prized painting entered into a gallery contest; watching a loved one get married. Euphoria is falling in love or going to Paris. Euphoria is making your first TV appearance. Euphoria is having the time of your life at a concert put on by a band you love. I arrived at the Shoreline Amphitheatre at 6:16 PM, but the euphoria kicked in way before that. I decided to entertain myself during the opening acts by playing "I Spy" with the roadies- and I was able to discover 8 of them. At exactly 9 PM, after sitting through boiling hot sun and mosquitos for three hours, my heart began to flutter. I heard the opening notes of Strauss's "The Blue Danube", and I knew that four incredible people would be on the stage in front of me in just minutes, playing the chords and notes of "Life In Technicolor". From there, time moved way too quickly. After the incredible opening song ended with a bang and revealed a split second moment of silence, Chris Martin started up again, belting out the lyrics to "Violet Hill" and sounding like he was thoroughly enjoying himself. After "Violet Hill" came "Clocks", a classic that was set to fancy laser shows and bright red lights. The crowd knew every word, and things were seeming more spectacular by the minute. Euphoria was at it's highest (or so I thought) when Will Champion started banging on the drums for "In My Place". Chris, who seemed just about as euphoric as I was at this point, decided to show off his signature moves on the catwalk, and stumbled halfway into the crowd while doing so. I wasn't sure whether I should have laughed at his silly somersaults and backwards rolls, or screamed at the fact that he was so damn close to me. But before I could make up my mind, he collapsed in a heap on the stage (while simultaneously singing the opening words of "Glass of Water"). And then came "Yellow"! The band put on what seemed like an entire separate show for just that one song, complete with gigantic yellow balloons, singing lessons for the crowd, and multiple showers of yellow confetti. "42"'s magical repeating lyrics had an audience who had never heard the song before chanting along, and "Cemeteries of London" brought humor to the show when Chris decided to play around with the lyrics for the enjoyment of the audience. And then, finally, came one of the most cliche but beautiful moments of the show-- "Fix You". Chris started out on his own, until Jonny, Guy, and Will eventually joined in. As the song came to it's climax, Chris paused and let the crowd fill in the gaps he left in the lyrics. Even the people behind me, who had been sitting down for the whole concert, stood up and joined in. After "Fix You" was "Strawberry Swing", which was upbeat, beautiful, and felt perfect with the warm Californian air. "Strawberry Swing" was about halfway through, when I felt someone bump me and turned around to see that the security guards next to me were carefully stringing caution tape all along the aisle. My mind automatically jumped to the conclusion that someone had passed out or fainted nearby, until I put two and two together when I saw Hoppy, a roadie, run past me with a mic stand. It was just as "Strawberry Swing" was ending when I realized that Coldplay would be running up the aisle inches away from me on their way to play their intimate B-Stage set. And this is when the euphoria became mania. Every light on the stage went off, and I had just seconds to position myself next to the caution tape alongside me before Jonny, Will, and Guy came bounding past me. Even though they were there and gone in a split second, time seemed to be in slow-motion as I reached out and gave Jonny Buckland a hi-five, and as I reached out and did the same to Will Champion. And then, 3 slow seconds later came Chris Martin, bounding past me, microphone in hand. Time was still moving wonderfully slowly as I reached out for a third time and grabbed Chris's upper arm. And then it was over. When I looked up, the band was playing a beautiful, techno-esque remix of "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", with Chris pounding away at the piano. After the song finished, Guy, Will, and Jonny disappeared from the stage, but Chris remained to play us "The Hardest Part". Quiet transitioned to loud and stirring when "Viva la Vida" started. Chris grabbed the microphone, hopped off the B-Stage, and ran right through the crowd (and right past me) to join the other three members of the band down on the regular stage, singing "I used to rule the world!" as happy fans reached out to touch him. "Viva la Vida" was rousing and exciting, and everyone sang as loudly as they could when we were directed to "oooh-ooh-oooh". After the last "oohs" faded away, Coldplay played one more song down on the regular stage ("Lost!"), before heading up to give their fans on the lawn a special treat. "Green Eyes" was chillingly beautiful, and afterward Chris handed the microphone to Will, and let him belt out the lyrics to "Death Will Never Conquer". Perhaps one of the best moments of the night was when Chris announced that they'd be playing a song that was better than anything they could ever write. I don't think anyone was really expecting a Michael Jackson song to be covered at a Coldplay concert, but the crowd was happily surprised when "Billie Jean" started up, and most people began dancing and singing as a tribute to the King of Pop. As soon as the spotlights on the lawn went off, the audience went crazy. Everyone was trying to locate Coldplay, and some people thought the show was over and began to trail out. After a good seven minutes, the band reappeared down on the regular stage, flashing strobe lights, banging drums, and milking "Politik" for all it was worth. And then came the moment that everyone who knew anything about Coldplay and their 2008/2009 Viva la Vida tour was waiting for. "Lovers in Japan" started up, and within minutes the entire amphitheatre was covered in little paper butterflies. And they just kept coming. The confetti rained down, Chris ran around waving a Japanese parasol, and every member of the audience had their hands to the sky, trying their hardest to catch hundreds of little phosphorescent strips of paper. As abruptly as "Lovers in Japan" started it finished, but the butterflies still rained down during "Death And All His Friends". Even though at this point the stage went dark and roadies started to appear, packing up all the instruments, the crowd was relentless and stayed seated. Soon a chant for Coldplay could be heard, and everyone who wasn't chanting was on their feet screaming. And, in no time, Chris appeared at his piano, saying a few words to the crowd and mentioning the live CD that could be picked up at the exit. Two more songs were played for the encore; "The Scientist", which had people swaying back and forth, eyes closed, and "Life in Technicolor ii", the sequel to the song that opened the show. Chris, Will, Guy, and Jonny put every part of their hearts into making "Life in Technicolor ii" as epic as they could. I watched Coldplay bow as they finished the song, and, filled with a feeling way beyond euphoria, I tried to think of a better way for such a magical night to end. And, quite simply, I couldn't. __________________ "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

19-07-2009, 07:54 PM	#12
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	8) but a dream March 14 2009, Acer Arena, Sydney, Australia This was my fourth time watching Coldplay live in 2009 but only the second concert I managed to get pit tickets to, so I was determined to snag a front row position for myself. Armed with my ‘Jonny Is My Guitar Hero’ banner, which I had previously unveiled in Perth (eliciting laughs from Chris and Jonny), I took the earliest train to the Sydney Olympic Park where Acer Arena was situated. I was the third in line, and managed to pass the hours by chatting with the friendly people in the queue. Most were amazed to find out I flew in from Singapore to Australia to watch Coldplay and were tickled pink by my banner. When the doors into the venue were opened, my newfound friends and I were lucky enough to grab a standing spot at the barrier just left of centre. The camera man at the left side of the stage saw me with my banner and walked up to me. ‘Hey it's you again! I remember that banner!’ ‘Haha, yes, I was front row at Perth as well! I remember you too!’ I laughed. It was an amazing show, the energy emanating from the band onstage matched only by the overwhelming enthusiasm of the Sydney crowd. I was jumping non-stop and singing along to every song, and every time Chris came up to the front of the stage just two arms’ lengths away from us, we shrieked uncontrollably and tried to reach out to touch him. After Death And All His Friends, when the band started walking around the stage clapping and bowing, I knew they will be leaving the stage shortly for an encore. I whipped out my banner and held it high to catch Jonny’s attention. As he came to the front, a flicker of recognition crossed his face as he saw it. He looked me in the eye and smiled widely. Time stood still as he dug around in his pants pocket to find his guitar pick, bent down and threw it to me. He threw it a little short, though, as it ended up in the security area between the stage and the barrier. In an instant, everyone in the front row started screaming and asking the security guard in front to pick it up. A veritable tangle of extended arms was jostling for that one guitar pick Jonny had intended for me to have. Fortunately, the guard passed it to one of the people who spent time with me waiting in queue, who immediately turned to me, placed the guitar pick in my palm and grasped my hand close. ‘You deserve it, love.’ They were simple gestures from Jonny and my fellow concertgoer, but I was nearly choking back tears at that moment. March 23 2009, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore Still hyped up from the five Australian concerts I just attended, I could not contain my excitement when Coldplay popped by my own country for a one-night-only show. With my trusty ‘Jonny Is My Guitar Hero’ banner again, I waited around the stadium to see if I can catch a glimpse of the boys as they arrived. One of the concert organisers was extremely irritated to see me, and said to the security guard, ‘Can you please get that fan away? I don’t want her to be around when the band arrives.’ I was extremely angry because he had no right to do so, but I held my tongue. The guard told me to move behind a barrier about 5 metres away from the entrance and I obliged because I did not want to get into a fight, and besides it was still close enough to catch the attention of the band. A while later, a lot of people started to move out of the stadium, being guided out by the concert organisers. The band is coming, I whispered to myself, and I got myself ready. Soon enough, a van pulled up, and out stepped Chris, Will, Guy and Jonny. I didn’t shout out to them but waved to them quietly from the barrier, while holding up my banner as well. Will and Guy nodded at me, and Jonny gave me a wave and a smile, and the three of them ducked into the stadium. Chris, however, started walking up to me with a smile spreading across his face. Much to my surprise, he gave me a small hug and said ‘Nice to see you again!’ I was in shock, but I managed to regain my composure quickly. We had a short conversation, and Chris asked me ‘So do you have tickets for tonight?’ I told him I did, but he still offered me a few tickets for my friends. I was stunned and couldn’t thank him enough before he had to leave for soundcheck. By this time, the concert organiser who previously snubbed me and the stadium staff were gawking. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled, embarrassed at the stares, but my mind was racing at a million miles a minute as I was still in utter disbelief at what just happened. A couple of Coldplay roadies walked by and one of them smiled knowingly at me. 'I remember that banner!' Still in a dazed state, I could only giggle like a silly fool. When I went to collect my tickets at the box office, I told the attendant that I was on the guest list. ‘Are you with the promoters?’ She looked around the counter for the tickets. ‘Umm, well no. I’m with the band.’ She took a good hard look at me, a girl in jeans, a band t-shirt and a cap. Shaking her head, she asked me for my name, and I gave her my last name. She scanned through the band’s guest list and smirked, ‘I’m sorry I can’t find you on here.’ I craned my neck to look at the list and pointed out my first name near the bottom of the list, one of the two guests with tickets from Chris. Without saying anything more, she searched for the envelope with my tickets and passed it to me. My friends were ecstatic. The seats were along the catwalk with an unobstructed view of the B-stage. One of them told me she could see the blue of Chris’ eyes as he performed The Hardest Part on the piano. It was an all-seated concert, but I stood up the very moment I got the opportunity. My own ticket was for a seat third row centre on the floor. Chris caught sight of me in the middle of Lost! and he pointed at me and winked. I grinned back at him as I waved my hands wildly in the air. Thank you, Chris. Thank you, Coldplay. Thank you, everyone who made it possible. __________________ "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

19-07-2009, 07:55 PM	#14
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	10) Chavi October 3rd and 4th, 2008, Rotterdam and Antwerp. This is how a friendship is born thanks to Coldplaying.com ! This was really a last minute trip... I met this amazing friend, Carla, on the Coldplay forum Coldplaying.com last summer, and we always wanted to go to a concert together. We knew it would not be easy. She lives in The Netherlands, and I live in France. But we would do anything to make it happen. It was already late September, and the possibility for me to find tickets to the show she was attending in Rotterdam was inexistant. But she still posted a request on the forum asking if anyone had spare tickets for Rotterdam or Antwerp. Then on Tuesday, Sept, 30th, another member from Coldplaying.com, Frysk Famke, posted a link to that Extra video in which Chris Martin said the line "maybe I can help". Here, this is what we call Coldplay Karma! Frysk Famke said she had two tickets for Antwerp and that she would be more than happy to let us have them. Things went so fast. The show was in 4 days... What was I supposed to do ? As soon as Carla found out, she texted me, said she could also have a spare ticket for Rotterdam and we discussed about it. It was really hard to decide. I'm a student at university, would I be able to afford it, would it be okay to miss classes for a Coldplay concert ? Long hesitation, I couldn't think properly... but two hours later, my train tickets were booked ! It was so unexpected, the next thing I knew is that on Friday morning (Oct. 3rd) I was on my way to Holland. Friday, October 3rd.. early in the morning, I got a phone call from my sister's fiancé. She was in labor, and about to give birth. I was crying my eyes out and it was only the beginning of what was going to be one hell of a weekend ! 3:36pm I’m in Rotterdam ! Gotta find the subway to go the concert venue.. People are SO nice and helpful. Thanks to two very nice men I managed to get there safely. I can see Carla waving at me from far away. So we met for the first time and I felt like very close already ! I’m waiting in the line a little behind her, about 20 people between us. Later, I got a call from my sister who wanted to tell me to enjoy as much as possible and that she understood that I had to go and couldn’t be there with her ! Btw, it’s a girl (I know it’s not really Coldplay related but it made my day even better, so it’s important for me that this part’s included in the story !) I almost cried.. Still waiting, I met that group of women, they were crazy but in a nice way. I talked a lot to one of them and told her about the previous concerts I attended, and she recognized herself being the same way with her favorite band, I think it was Metalica. She nicely told me and kept repeating that she would definitely let me take her spot if she ended up being in front of me. HOW NICE ! Thanks Sally. 6:35pm they finally opened the doors. No security to stop me, no one checked my bag so I ran and tried to find Carla calling my name. At first, that lady between us wouldn’t let me go with her. But later, she understood that we had to be together and let me go in front of her. So I was second row, just behind Carla ! I cant remember the time, but then Albert Hammond Jr came on stage. Oh it was still pretty good after seeing them 4 times supporting for Coldplay already! But I couldn’t wait to see Coldplay for the 5th time in 33 days ! And then COLDPLAY were on ! Always as intense as the first time you see them. You’re excited, scared, happy, thrilled, worried but overall overwhelmed with joy ! And it’s even better because you share the same feeling with 10 000 people at the same time ! Highlights of the show : -Life in Technicolor : the crowd go nuts ! and you’re full of energy, even after a long trip by train, or very long hours of waiting outside the venue ! -Clocks : awesome live, I’m sure you’ll all agree ! -Speed of sound : The cameraman wants to film my banner ‘Nothing matters except life and the music Coldplay make’ and put it on the screens at each side of venue ! THANKS A LOT FOR DOING THAT ! -Chinese Sleep Chant : I can't get over this song, especially live ! -B-stage part, always nice! And it’s the right to time to just lean on the fences or someone and just breathe, because you know you’re gonna need ALL your energy for Viva which is coming next ! -Guy and Jonny having a laugh on the main stage while Chris is doing his thing on the B-stage. It's always nice to see the non rockstar side of a band. -Viva la vida and Lost! How can they not be highlights !?! -Politik : time to give everything you have left ! it really really is one of the best thing live ! -Lovers in Japan : OF COURSE ! the butterflies are simply fantastic. Even if you don't like Coldplay, I swear you'd still walked out thinking "damn that was pretty amazing, wasn'it?" -Yellow : all four of them laughing at something, they always crack up ! it’s priceless to see ! -The cameraman coming right to us and giving his setlist to Carla. Carla’s brother in law getting Will’s drumstick. AND Matt giving me Jonny’s setlist. Again, AMAZING CONCERT ! The band’s always GREAT and really into it even though they’re extremely exhausted ! They’re giving us so much when on stage. You have to love them for that ! After the show, we (Carla, Lauren, another member from Coldplaying and myself) went to the backstage entrance and waited a LONG TIME ! People were coming in and out and a lot wondered what the heck we were waiting for... Most of them were really nice and answered when we said Good evening and everything. And then, Pete from Oxfam showed up. I HAD TO say something, so I came up with a casual ‘Hey thanks for the blogs, they’re great!’ .. smooth, right ? He was soooo surprised and wondered if we were really talking to him. Carla said his name and he felt even more embarrassed ! That was cute. He really is a nice guy and kind enough to take some of his time (it was pretty late) to stop and chat with us. Take a photo as well ! So, we talked about a lot of things and we said we would see him the day after in Antwerp. Afterwards, we met Reno Bo (Albert Hammond Jr’s bass player), and he was very kind too. We took a picture, we talked and later he came back to see us to give us some setlists and the sheet of their schedule, and he signed them ! It was lovely ! I was really really impressed by how people had been SO amazing to us all day long ! It was that security guard’s turn to be helpful and kind. He kept looking at me through the window. I thought he wanted us to leave but he was smiling. And then he came out and told us Chris was still there ! I cant believe he just told us OMG ! and gave us updates about when Chris was supposed to leave and everything ! AND AND AND, IT HAPPENED !!!! CHRIS MARTIN was coming right to us ! OMG OMG OMG ! I cant described how it feels, really cant ! it’s just so impressive, you’ve been dreaming about that day for sooo long and you imagined that scene in all the different scenarios possible BUT you never think it’d be that perfect ! Chris seemed so shy, I mean after all these successful years and all the great things that happened to him, he’s still amazed when he sees three desperate girls waiting in the rain after a concert for him to just sign something. I bet it’s like part of his everyday life but still, he’s not used to it ! He was so sweet and kind, and he just took his time and was in no rush even though people were waiting for him to get inside that car. It didn’t last long but more than I would’ve ever expected ! and then after we took a pic and talked a bit, we told him we would see him in Antwerp to which he replied : ‘okay see you tomorrow!’. And then when he was inside the car, as we were waving at him to say bye and just knocked a few times on the tinted windows as a reply to our waving ! Was it like the best night ever ? HELL YEAH DEFINITELY !!! what could make it even better ? maybe, if he’d recognized us the next day… oh wait, HE DID! October 4th : Didnt get much sleep.. but it’ll be alright ! it’s gonna be the 6th time I see Coldplay live in 34 days for the Viva la vida Tour ! we’re on a OMG-we-met-Chris-Martin-last-night high, and nothing can bring us down ! We’re leaving for Antwerp early in the morning, because WE NEED our front row spots again ! Carla and I are the 4th and 5th person to be at the venue. The doors are wide open, the roadies are setting up the stage, we can see it from outside.. So we’re sitting here against the glass windows making new banners for the band and Reno Bo. Fryske Famke joins us and gives us our tickets. We have a pizza for lunch which was a very nice idea I must say as it probably was the only real meal we had for two days. They open the door at 6:35pm, the security is being ANNOYING but eventually we get through, and so we run ! We struggled through security who was telling us to slow down but GOT OUR FRONT ROW RESERVED SPOTS ! Highlights : - Reno Bo from Albert Hammond Jr's band saw us from the stage and laughed. We got two setlists of the band which were directly given to us by a roadie ! SWEET ! and also one of the guitar picks Reno threw in our direction ! -LIFE IN TECHNICOLOR : I keep repeating myself in each review, but the beginning is always AMAZING! That’s when the fun starts and you cant get tired of it ! Never ever ! -Violet hill : Chris said HEY TO US ! He saw and recognized the ‘you make me shiver’ banner he signed me the night before in Rotterdam ! -In my place : the yeahs were pretty awesome ! so much energy and that’s when the guys gather. AWESOME ! and the drums always kick ass in that song ! -Just before Cemeteries of London : ‘We hope you have a great time, Please sing with us, THANKS TO PEOPLE WHO’VE BEEN TO OTHER SHOWS BEFORE THIS ONE!’ WAIT, is he talking about us and pointing in OUR direction at the same time ? OH YEAH HE IS ! -Chinese sleep chant : I love it ! I love it ! I love it ! oh and I love it ! -Fix you : Tears almost streamed down my face ! -Viva la vida and Lost! Such a great combination ! it rocks live ! -Politik !! I was dead tired after that one ! it was so great and powerful ! -Lovers in Japan, again the tears.. I enjoyed as much as I could because it was the last show I was supposed to see in a while ! -Chris waving back at us when he goes off stage before the last encore ! -GLASS OF WATER ! The song rocks live, I cant wait to hear the studio version. It really is something to discover a song for the first time when it’s played live. You just enjoy and you cannot not fall for it ! I thought it’d be more a slow song, but I was gladly surprised ! -They took their time to say bye to Europe.. that was nice and emotional. And that was it ! -Got a setlist from the other cameraman who came to us, although he was far and could’ve given it to someone closer .. THANK YOU! We knew, or had the feeling that the band left already but we still went to the back entrance. But no German vans this time.. bummer! We met the famous ping pong table, after sneaking in backstage when we saw a door open ! we went upstairs, went into the lounge bar, but no Coldplay.. so we left. And we went back home.. that was the end .. of this tour leg I mean ! Now, I saw them ten times live, and will see them again soon... I don't think I would be such a great fan if it wasn't for Coldplaying, and the good friends I met there. Seeing Coldplay live is a way of life ! __________________ "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

19-07-2009, 07:56 PM	#15
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	11) Jizo Feb 28th 2009, Perth, Australia I sit here, behind a glowing computer screen in a dark room, wondering if there is one word that could encapsulate my experience. One word that could start off the divulgence of my amazement and awe of the worlds biggest band. After 20 minutes I have found no words, and that is simply because, there are no words that could possibly describe it. I look to my left and I see a ticket perched next to a lamp. It reads "COLDPLAY - Sat 28 Feb 2009 7:10pm. Gold - Standing Front". Funny how those 42 or so characters printed on that ticket changed my life... It was the second time seeing Coldplay in so many days. The previous night they had their opening concert of the Australian leg of their Viva La Vida world tour. The Burswood Dome in Perth, Western Australia isn't the most ideal of locations for concerts. The acoustics are terrible, the seating is crap, and the location is a nightmare. This plagues nearly every band who enters through the doors. Yet on this evening, all of that was insignificant. All of that was a million miles away in peoples minds. My excitement today was ten fold over the previous day. I was sitting up in the sky the night before. Today, I was on the floor. First in line with a good friend waiting to sprint our way to the barrier as soon as the doors opened. It was a long hot day, in searing 35ºC heat with no shade, and hardly any people. As the old saying goes, no pain, no gain. I ducked off for a while and left my friend to hold the fort. The fact she did so without a batter of an eyelid showed me how lucky I was to be a part of this band and have friendships with their fans. I met her through the Coldplaying website originally, a true testament to how band forums can play such a brilliant role in making gigs even better. By the time 5pm rolled around we entered the doors. Though entered may be too soft a word. Piled in with no regards for peoples safety is a more accurate description. The next 20 seconds were a blur. My feet propelled me as fast as they could towards the front. In enough time as it turns out. I was slap, bang on the barrier. Just in front of the main microphone. Perfection. The pre-acts were clearly there for one reason. To be so bad that Coldplay looked even better when they eventually came on stage. It was a lengthy 4 hour wait, but the time flew by as quickly as the atmosphere built around me. Once U2 passed on the sound system, Jay-Z had his spot, the Blue Danube came on, and I knew it was time. The lights went out. The crowd roared. Coldplay, were here. The moment Life in Technicolor started playing I was so nervous, it felt like I was reaching in for my first kiss. As soon as the boys came out though I realised this would be a lot better than my first kiss! Once Life in Technicolor ended the curtain dropped and my ear drums exploaded from the uproar behind me. Chris Martin pursed his lips to the microphone and the tender ressonance of Violet Hill bounced around the arena. Jonny Buckland's guitar crashed in with a mighty force, Guy Berryman's bass sunk in to everyones skin, and Will Champion's drumming seemed to hold the whole song together somehow. After the crowd classics In My Place and Clocks, and a few new tracks, came the first real highlight of the evening. Yellow. Being right there in front of the band as they played this true British classic made me realise what a brilliant band they are. Such a beautiful song, yet such an anthem as well. Yellow balloons made their way to the pit, and the energery was electric. The feeling after the song ended was one of pure jubilation. A few more tracks then came one of my favourites, Strawberry Swing. It wasn't the perfect execution of the song itself that made me have a heart attack, it is what happened at the end. Chris Martin took the pick he was holding, the one that had just plucked the strings of his hand painted guitar, and threw it towards me from the stage. It fell just short of me, which as you can imagine, did not leave me feeling so fantastic. A kind word to the security guard near me and within seconds I was holding Chris Martin's pick in my hand. The moment was surreal. I was holding something that had moments before been sitting in Chris Martin's sweaty palms. I quickly pocketed the pick so I could continue enjoying the concert. Yet the rest of my night my hand drifted down every so often for a quick pat, just to make sure it was still there. The band did a short set on the B stage, which included a techno remix of God Put a Smile Upon Your Face and Talk. It showed how Coldplay are able to keep up with emerging and popular music trends, yet keep their roots firmly in place also. The scene flipped 360º after this, and an acoustic rendition of The Hardest Part was played by Chris on piano. Soft, elegant, and charming, it made the hairs on my neck stand up on end and my eyes well up as the lyrics seemed to tug on every heart string I had. However there was no time to reflect. The energy rose once more when the band cranked up Lost! from their Viva La Vida album, and then launched in to the title track. This was a moment like no other. Hitting number one all over the world, everybody knew the lyrics, and everybody was ready to chant the chorus. My feet jumped off the ground by themselves, it was an experience like no other. When the crowd started singing the "woooaaaahs" the roof lifted off its supports for a good 3 seconds at least, it was that intense. It wasn't like a typical sing a long. This was something different altogether. Thinking about it now still sends shivers down my spine. The band moved up in to the crowds to do a short spell of acoustics songs, the show seemed so much more intimate now, and suddenly the fans up in the sky had the same feeling us down the front did. After an interlude they came back down to play the epic Politick, Death and All His Friends and sandwhiched inbetween those was my favourite Coldplay song of all time, Lovers in Japan. As the song got in to the swing of things, confetti butterfly reigned down, glowing under the stage lights. A party atmosphere was definitely flowing through the crowd. The boys took a short break then burst back on stage for the encore. The Scientist was an instant, mellow crowd pleaser, and then the band jumped up, donned new brightly coloured jackets, and belted out their latest single Life in Technicolor ii, a great high to leave the show on. The band were gone as quick as they came. As the multi coloured set faded away to black and the roadies came on to pack up, it seemed the engergy had been flicked off with a switch. I had blinked and the concert was over. Any feeling of sadness was instantly erased with pure ecstasy. I collected some butterflies, and headed out of the venue with my friend. She is a smart thinker, and detoured via the front of house in the middle of the arena. A perfect way to end a perfect evening was picking up a setlist for herself and I. We walked out as if we had been to heaven and back in 2 hours. My concert experience didn't include meeting the band, or having something truly extraordinary happen. But in all honesty, I didn't set out to try because there was no need. The sweet taste left in my mouth was from the music, the band, the feeling, the way I couldn't shut up for days and weeks afterwards. The fact that I got Chris Martins pick and a setlist was a bonus I would never have imagined. Being right there front row, was something I would never have dreamed of. And the lasting effect it had on my life, well, thats something I take with me in every second of my life. Some people may say it is stupid that a concert can change a persons life. But when music that is so powerful and personal is played mere metres in front of you, somehow it always remains at that distance, from the instance you leave the concert. From the moment you take a breath of fresh air. From the moment you walk to your car, and start echoing the Viva chant with the hundreds of other fans around you. __________________ "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