Monday, June 8, 2009
The Spin Coldplay at The Sommet Center 6/6/09
Posted by The Spin on Mon, Jun 8, 2009 at 9:05 AM
See the slideshows for more photos: Coldplay; Snow Patrol & Howling Bells.
Realizing that attending Saturday night's Coldplay show--their first in Nashville in six years--was a no-lose situation, as we were guaranteed an entertaining spectacle of sound and vision, we decided we owed it to ourselves to witness the phenomenon of the band's success firsthand, and made it down to the Sommet Center on time. There, we got caught up in the cattle-herd of teenagers outfitted in Viva La Vida fatigues, popped-collar frat boys and their girlfriends, Jon Bon Jovi look-a-likes who color-code their two-tone dye jobs with their pre-ripped jeans and slobbering drunk cougars. As a result, we missed the first half of Howling Bells, whose brief, shoegazey set droned more than howled.
Even from our plush ninth-row floor seats it was hard to see the Australian foursome burning holes in their shoes and taking cues from the 4AD discography due to the "moody" lighting that obscured them. Which is just as well considering that what they do is pretty antithetical to the whole arena rock thing.
Direct support act Snow Patrol were an utter waste of time. Between the contrived stadium choruses and a singer whose favorite move was reaching up to the sky to make sure we got a long look at his white belt and even whiter midriff, they blandly satisfied all the requisite criteria of the adult-alternative idiom. A shout-out to Grimey's record shop--where an in-store by the band earlier in the day had resulted in Beatlesque pandemonium--was enough for us to forgive their mediocrity and endure a set that would make Coldplay's seem fiercely original by comparison.
The arena, which appeared to be at capacity, was brimming with excitement in anticipation of the night's headliners, and you didn't have to be a fan to share in the palpable enthusiasm that comes with knowing you're about to see one of the biggest bands in the world. The crowd's deafening reaction as the band took stage with the one-two opening punch of Viva La Vida's "Life in Technicolor" and "Violet Hill" only grew louder with the trifecta of "Clocks," "In My Place" and "Yellow" (with the last chorus dedicated to Faith and Tim) that immediately followed--a string of hits that we were surprised to see played so early in proceedings. The fact that they could blow such a load in the first quarter of the set was a testament to their sheer prowess as both hit-makers and arena-rockers. Combine this the band's unsullied musical execution, frontman Chris Martin's disgustingly boyish charisma and the multitude of lasers, video imagery, dragon costumes, bursting ballo0ns and confetti cannons, and you have exactly what we came to see--a hit-laden multi-media extravaganza of epic proportions.
Mercifully, Martin & Co. spared us twelve of the thirteen tracks from 2005's critically maligned X&Y, opting only to play the overwrought anthem "Fix You," which was second only to the band's ultimate pussy-wetter "The Scientist" in eliciting the fever-pitch sing-along of the night. Along the way there was the epic fan favorite "Politick," nearly all of Viva La Vida and a smoke-break inducing solo piano set by Martin. While Martin's arrhythmic airplane imitations and cringetacular Bono-aping were a little much to handle at times, we found that our hands were up in the air, our heads were bobbing and our mouths were open more than we'd care to admit.
Comments (19)
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at least now when you bash coldplay, and people say, "too easy," or, "go to a show first," you can link them to this. so get back to the bashing.
and let me blind you with the suck real quick:
http://www.nashvillescene.com/slideshow/view/15539049/13
http://www.nashvillescene.com/slideshow/view/15539049/16
One correction: Coldplay played at Starwood (or whatever it was named) on Sept 18, 2005. I should know as I was there in the steamy summer heat (and apparently with the same crowd that was at the Sommet on Saturday.) It was in support of X&Y so maybe that is why you blocked it out.
Dear Two-Word Review,
Why? Did Coldplay sell too many records and reach too many people that you don't relate to? Has their massive following and success made them uncool, or have you always had a distaste for the band?
I'm not really a huge fan myself. Never seen the band live or owned a coldplay record. . . but can't find do much too be critical about the band other than their fans. . .and Chris Martin's odd stage presence.
TWR:
Coldplay isn't my thing, but my girlfriend got us great seats (Sec.3 Row 10). Except for the obnoxious industry exec's offspring standing on their chairs in front of me, the show itself was exceptional. Coldplay utilized every inch of Sommet to their advantage. The performance was solid, as was their musicianship. It was a clinic in staduim performing. Don't knock it till you try it.
Liked Parachutes & A Rush Of Blood... Haven't heard anything since, 'cept the odd single or two which I was unimpressed by.
Other than jealousy (or else a surplus of bile for everything), I can't see why anyone would hate them. Every band has their share of shitty fans. Just thank your lucky stars it wasn't Nickelback in town, just good ol' inoffensive Coldplay.
"Mercifully, Martin & Co. spared us twelve of the thirteen tracks from 2005's critically maligned X&Y, opting only to play the overwrought anthem "Fix You,""
that's cool... except that they played 3 songs from it. they were different versions, but they still played "Talk" and "The Hardest Part".
Looks "The Spin" just got taken to the woodshed by Anon. Maybe X&Y wasn't that bad of an album afterall.
Actually, "Talk" wasn't played, it as pre-recorded remix that was an interlude--so it doesn't count. You've got us on "The Hardest Part," which was played during the Chris Martin solo piano set that we slept through. So we guess it's eleven out of thirteen. A staggering difference.
what was really disappointing was listening to the live album they were handing out for free, and hearing the same concert I had just sat through, with the exception of Chris Martin adding the obligatory "Nashville this or that" into the lyrics. I saw them in '02 at San Diego State U Ampitheatre before "Rush of Blood" was verifiable hit. That was a great concert, they seemed truly eager to win the audience. At this point I wonder if they wouldn't rather just be an all studio band, but have to tour to stay atop the hit list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3Ods8hzMNs
that looks like them playing talk at the end of that to me... not a prerecording. a remix, yes, but they were still playing it. just like the remix of god put a smile upon your face.
i mean, it's not a big deal, just pointing it out.
Internet Users:
The personal pronoun "your" and the contraction "you're" are not interchangeable.
Nashville Cream,
Thank you for the glowing review of our performance. Please be advised that we will be BACK in Nashville on Friday, October 2nd to headline a show at The Ryman. We'll be sure to wear longer shirts this time around.
Thanks,
Snow Patrol
howling bells are a talented bunch. you should be less judgemental man and just enjoy what bands like this are creating. on any level. even if its not 'your thing' at least have the capability and musical/creative understanding to not be an uneducated wanker.at least they give it a go. and they rock well.
I'm sorry but i've got to point this out again.
The Spin just got shredded by Anon with the youtube clip.
And in regards to the staggering difference in the number of songs played off of X&Y, I'm sorry that you slept through the Chris' piano set. Maybe you should cut back your hours at American Apparel ?
Get some rest Spin !
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