You could ask me how this show was, or you could ask: Gwyneth Paltrow, Blythe Danner, Kate Bosworth, Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld, Tom Brady, even Gisele Bundchen. You’ll probably get the same answer: awesome.
We hit up the Garden for our first encounter with Chris Martin and company. The end stage set in place, a black veil was hanging in front of the stage while “Life in Technicolor” started playing. Swiftly moving to “Violet Hill”, the night was in full swing and the orbs were glowing – large globes hanging from the rafters projecting the band and crowd.
Moving through their set of 19 songs including: “Fix You”, “Clocks”, “In My Place”, and of course “Yellow”. Having never listened to Viva La Vida I was treated to 8 of the 10 tracks.
Chris Martin was an enthusiastic front man, jumping around the stage and encouraging all of us to sing along. When he screwed up during “Death and All His Friends”, he called himself on it and the arena joined him for a laugh.
Two key points: after 9 songs the band moved to a small stage branching from the main area. Standing on a disco-like dance floor, they played interesting renditions of “Chinese Sleep Chant” and “God Put A Smile On Your Face”. Before the encore the boys ran through the floor seats to the lower deck section in front of the handicap accessible area and played “The Scientist” and “Death Will Never Conquer” acoustic, the latter sung by drummer Will Champion. This was a fun night, and I was sad to see it end.
Santogold, second opener, would have fit better with M.I.A. or Brazillian Girls not Coldplay. Local band, and contest winners, The Luxury sounded like Keane with a few guitars and solid vocals, a better fit.
