The lights went down and a countdown began on the massive widescreen video monitor behind Coldplay's set. Chris Martin's silhouette appeared walking along side the monitor towards a microphone. "Square One" pulsated while the roar of the capacity crowd at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin matched the intensity building on stage. In perhaps the band's biggest concert of the summer, Coldplay gave all the evidence they needed to prove their worthiness of all the accolades they've received thus far in their young career."Some bands are talented. Some bands are handsome. We're neither," joked singer Chris Martin to the audience. Modesty is still alive in a band that's inarguably one of the major acts of today's music scene. They are musicians with a purpose and the sounds they create together make them quite the unique band. Their latest album X&Y has propelled the band into new creative realms, both refreshing and exciting. Could they become the next U2 since they are often compared to the Irish rockers? Well, for starters, the multi-media show the band presented on stage was just one step down from U2's famously extravagant Zoo TV tour of 1992. So many other similarites could be drawn between the two bands. Chris Martin's frontman persona to make a statement, like his "Make Trade Fair" logo on the side of his piano, shared characteristics with Bono's global spokesman stage presence. Even the other individual members of Coldplay could be linked to their musical counterparts in U2. Jon Buckland's understated guitar work knew when to tone down and when to take the lead. Bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion make for a deadly rhythm duo. All four pieces were completely interlocked with one another, but, at the same time, demonstarted how loose they can flow together.
The show was filled with its share of cathartic moments; the jazzy feel of "Everything's Not Lost," the romantic somberness of "The Scientist," and the choir flavor of "In My Place." But not to take themselves too seriously, Coldplay had fun. A prop malfunction during "Yellow," just the third song of the night, brought out the laughs from the band and the crowd as bright, yellow balloons meant for the end of the show fell from the pavilion's rafters. Martin gave the audience the job of popping the balloons so they could carry on with the show.
While "The Scientist" faded into silence the band and stage crew went into action to transform the set. The acoustic guitars emerged, and the band treated the audience to a set stripped down from their electronic powered show. In a salute to the late Johnny Cash, Coldplay performed "Til Kingdom Come," a song written by the band for Cash to record before his death. For this set, the band's versatility came more so into the spotlight as Will Champion traded his drums to sing and perform behind the keyboard. Berryman put down his bass to add small harmonica parts as Martin and Buckland strummed their acoustic guitars. Even more fitting was following the song with Cash's own "Ring Of Fire," which received a huge applause from the audience.
Coldplay could do no wrong throughout the cool night. "Thanks for giving us the best job in the history of the world," said Martin to the audience. Coldplay succeeded on so many levels and still managed to show promise for even more greatness. The piano driven "Clocks" packed more of a punch as Champion stampeded behind the drums. "Speed Of Sound" was the perfect under the stars song, weaving space and color with sonic sophistication. Coldplay's accomplishment was evident after the final note of "Fix You" floated out into the night air. Coldplay turned the Alpine Valley Music Theatre into their own field of dreams. With just the right songs performed by just the right musicians, the people came in great numbers from different towns and different cities. Coldplay provided the soundtrack for an extraordinary night and were rewarded with one of their best triumphs yet.All Photos By: Chris Castaneda
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