By Rob Goald
rsgoald@comcast.net


Coldplay
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday, July 19th at 8PM
Tickets to $99.50
(Ticket Agencies sold selected seats for over $1,000)

 Coldplay - Tight and Passionate in 'Viva la Vida Tour' Las Vegas

Coldplay brought their highly anticipated North American tour to a sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada last Saturday night. The band, whose new CD 'Viva La Vida' debuted at Number One in the US last month, opened with “Life in Technicolor” which featured an anthemic riff played not on guitar but on a Persian santur — a hammered dulcimer common to the traditional music of The Middle East. Its ethereal sound could be partially attributed to having the legendary Brian Eno as the producer of their new record. The band then launched into their new hit single “Violet Hill” which featured a bluesy beat that 31 year old lead singer Chris Martin underscored with the plaintive lyric: “If you love me, won’t you let me know?” The band then mixed into the 90 minute plus set, some of their “standards” such as “Clocks” and “In My Place” from their three previous multiplatinum albums.

Photo courtesy of www.myspace.com/coldplay

Coldplay has certainly grown leaps and bounds since I last saw them in the Fall 2002. The quartet has developed into one of the world’s best rock acts on par with the Stones or U2. The band’s lead singer, Chris Martin, now married to the “A” List actress Gwyneth Paltrow, has developed an energetic, athleticism to his stage presence as he bounces around contorting and emoting his trademark falsetto. Johnny Buckland never fails to amaze with his inventive guitar riffs and the solid rhythms of bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion fill out the textured, layered sounds capes of their crescendoing lullabies. Attracting an educated and socially conscious crowd (reps from Oxfam America greet you as you entered the arena) Coldplay failed to attract very many African Americans to this venue.

Photo courtesy of www.myspace.com/coldplay

The band was dressed in their trademark quasi military apparel and Martin made the most of two walkways that extended down the sides of the arena. The staging of this show was meticulously planned and included lasers, and rear-projected video balloons which displayed filmic images of the band performing the same song that they were singing. In addition, a screen, behind the band, displayed the same images that were on the balloons. Before the night was over, the band ran up the aisles to the top of the arena where they performed a couple of songs. "Sometimes you've got to visit the cheap seats," Martin was quoted to have said. Drummer Will Champion sang lead vocals on one of the songs, 'Death Will Never Conquer'. The piece de resistance of their lively staging was a new year’s eve like confetti encore. On stage was a small color television displaying images such as the keyboard of a piano.

Photo courtesy of www.myspace.com/coldplay

Among the many new songs performed from their chart topping new album “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends” (Capitol) the song entitled “42” stood out. It is an elaborate three-part opus, with swirling pianos, strings and beat loops that build to an up-tempo climax and some seriously reflective lyrics: “Those who are dead are not dead/They’re just living in my head”. The sold out crowd was in simpatico with the band and frequently jumped in and sang along at numerous opportunities.

The night’s closing songs included a beautifully rendered “Fix You” with a church organ opening, the wistful Coldplay style “Lovers in Japan” and the plaintive and beautiful coda of “Death and All His Friends” brought the magnificent performance to conclusion. Whatever you do make a special effort to see this band.

SET LIST:

• “Life in Technicolor”
• “Violet Hill”
• “Clocks”
• “In My Place”
• “Viva la Vida”
• “42”
• “Yes”
• “The Scientist”
• “Chinese Sleep Chant”
• “Green Eyes”
• “God Put a Smile Upon Your Face”
• “Square One”
• “Speed of Sound”
• “Trouble”
• “Lost!”
• “Strawberry Swing”
• “Yellow”
• “Death Will Never Conquer”
• “Fix You”
• “Lovers in Japan”
• “Death and All His Friends”