On Sunday night, I was lucky enough to see “superband”, Coldplay, perform live at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Now, I’m going to throw this right out there. Even when uber-popular music blogs like Stereogum feature bands like Coldplay, there always seems to be a massive backlash from the “Hipster Runoff” type kids. The ones who don’t think it’s cool to like a mainstream band like Coldplay. To any of you reading this who might be feeling the same way…
Wake Up.
Coldplay performing live was one of the most amazing gigs I’ve been to. Sure, it may not have the intimacy factor that a gig with Bon Iver might have, but Coldplay know how to bring the raw entertainment factor like no other band. The sheer spectacle of seeing their stage set up, the stadium fist pumping stage sprinting… man, it’s hard to beat.
Coldplay performing “Yellow” live at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. The videos included in this blog entry weren’t taken by yours truly, as he didn’t take a camera with him… so thanks to whoever took the two clips embedded here. Watch out for Chris popping one of the yellow balloons with this guitar.
The band themselves were in fine spirits, and really had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hand. Much as I wrote back when featuring their live set from the Brixton Academy, Coldplay instill this sense of playfulness to their live shows that somehow manages to deconstruct that image of them being this untouchable stadium band.
In fact, in one of the (many) highlights of the night, the band marched off stage and climbed high into the audience, to a small rafter set up that barely had space for all four of them to stand comfortably. From here they performed the Will Champion led, “Death Will Never Conquer”, and “I’m A Believer”. As Chris Martin said:
“What we’re doing here is breaking down that… that suspension of disbelief that happens with the band being so far away. We want you to see that we’re here too… spots and wrinkles and all. Deep down, beyond all of this, this is what we are a heart: a pub band”
It was a great statement from a band who obviously realises exactly what they’ve become; a band so huge, so massive that they’ve almost become a myth. While that was always inevitable, they’ve retained their roots in a manner that other bands would be hard pressed to do.
Coldplay performing “Fix It”, live at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Thanks again to the taper. Chris changed up the lyrics to “”When you’re high up above or down below, when you’re sitting miles away from the band at a Coldplay show” as a nod to those of us who had to sit miles from the band. After that, it felt like they were sitting right in front of you.
Unfortunately I didn’t manage to take a camera, so I don’t have any shots of the night, and I didn’t take any notes, so I can’t give a song by song review. It wasn’t that type of gig. It was a gig where you simply had to sit back and marvel at the splendour of the night. That said, here’s a set list of their show, for those who are interested:
Coldplay, live at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 8 March 2009 Setlist
Life In Technicolor
Violet Hill
Clocks
In My Place
Yellow / You’re The Voice (John Farnham cover)
Glass Of Water
Cemeteries Of London
42
Fix You
Strawberry Swing
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)
Talk (techno version)
The Hardest Part (Chris piano, Will)
Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)
Viva La Vida
Lost!
Green Eyes (acoustic)
I’m A Believer (acoustic)
Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic – Will vocals)
Viva La Vida (remix interlude)
——
Politik
Lovers In Japan
Death And All His Friends
——-
The Scientist
Life in Technicolor ii
The Escapist (outro)
All I can say, after that night?
Freaking Awesome. Thanks, Coldplay boys, for giving us a night to remember.
9 replies on “Coldplay, live at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre”
Oh my God Burgo!! I took a break from the studies to check out your new posts, and my heart is bursting. Yellow AND Fix You?? Too much for this girl.
Again, thanks for the sharing. I’m so glad you were able to experience that Coldplay grandeur. :)
Hey Rachel,
Thanks for stopping by! Coincidental time to take a break from your studies to check for new posts, I just realised today that it had been nearly a month since my last post :P
‘Fix You’ was easily their greatest song until Viva La Vida where they made more gems than ever before. They may have stolen from other bands but they stole well. ‘Lost’ is my favourite their. Love to see those two songs live. You lucky man. Did you go see My Morning Jacket?
Hey Mike,
Thanks for leaving a comment… how’s the hunger strike going?
And yeah, I did go to see My Morning Jacket, when they opened for Neil Young… Jim James was incendiary! You can see a (short) write up here: Neil Young & My Morning Jacket, live at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Hungry:) 2 radio stations have broadcast it and a 3rd will do on Saturday. Of course KZN hasn’t:) A paper may carry somethin on Sunday.
I watched a Neil Young dvd a fortnight ago. Was in mixed mine’s but nice to see he played the best songs from there at the gig you went to. Haven’t quite made up my mind on My Morning Jacket but they are classy. ‘It Beats for You’ is a good song.
Nice one man… you should consider getting on twitter and broadcasting it through there.
Ha, timing. Twitter is today’s job. I do something everyday. As i’m on a 30kbps connection, http://www.youtube.com/playsouthafricaloud took 2 days to set up. Enjoy it.
Back to Twitter, it helps more if others send it out!
i was at the same concert as you, and oh my god. i still cant put words to how amazing it was. they didnt need expensive costumes or cool effects, it was just them on stage, and that was all they needed. i never wanted the night to end, ever.
Hey Jess,
Thanks for stopping by (and bringing the comments back on topic :P)
Glad you felt the same way about the night. Are you based in Brissie then?