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Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Coldplay, Time Warner Cable Arena, 7/3/2012
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Jul 4, 2012 at 9:50 AM
Coldplay
Time Warner Cable Arena
July 3, 2012
Upon entering Time Warner Cable Arena on July 3, 2012, each person was given a woven bracelet. Concert-goers were informed it was part of the sold-out show and instructions on large video screens within the arena only said to put the colored band on before the event started.
As the lights went down and Coldplay hit the stage to perform two hours of its pop brand of rock, thousands of bracelets lit up, blinked in time with the music and were waved in the air by the arms that wore them.
It's a first in the concert-going world and was nothing short of impressive to see live. Gone are the days of lighters or held up cell phones (unless you're trying to film the band, which it seems everyone tries to do) - this is the next grand step, but one that doesn't come cheaply.
Coldplay is reportedly spending more than $600,000 each night to equip their fans with the devices that were used during a handful of songs in the performance. The red, pink, white, blue, yellow and green lights would stay on or occasionally blink with the drums - there's no way for a fan to turn them on or off.
Emblazoned with the Twitter and Coldplay logos and "#coldplayfilm," the wristbands are a clever piece of marketing, a brilliant piece of technology which incorporates fans into the concert - but is it worth it?
It's a novelty souvenir, but not one you'd ever wear again due to its over-sized strap and inability to light up. As part of the show, however, it sure was fun to watch:
After brief sets by Wolf Gang and Robyn, Chris Martin - there might be three other guys in the band - appeared and made the most of the extended stage as lasers danced above him and confetti flew overhead.
Coldplay performed a brief stripped down set - "Princes of China," "Up in Flames" and "Warning Sign" - at the end of the ramp, and two more songs - "Us Against the World" and "Speed of Sound" - on a small stage at the back of the arena, giving those fans a closer look. "Princes" included a video of Rihanna timed perfectly to sing along with the music.
Musically, the concert was as expected - Coldplay is about as safe as living next to a police station. The band's pop-rock is infused with hints of emotion, strong hook-filled choruses that invite sing-alongs and catchy rhythms that the packed arena including plenty of middle-aged men - and their wristbands - dancing like no one was watching.
Setlist
Mylo Xyloto
Hurts Like Heaven
In My Place
Major Minus
Lovers in Japan
The Scientist
Yellow
Violet Hill
God Put A Smile
Princes of China
Up in Flames
Warning Sign
Don't Let it Break Your Heart
Viva La Vida
Charlie Brown
Paradise
Us Against the World
Speed of Sound
Clocks
Fix You
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall
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