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reviews:
Jones Preston
There are rumblings about the ‘Net and
various music publications that perhaps the British rock band Coldplay
is threatening to usurp the likes of U2 and Radiohead from the throne
of "Most Relevant World Famous Sensitive Rock Band."
If Saturday night’s sold-out 90-minute
performance at the Oklahoma City Civic Center’s Thelma E. Gaylord Theatre
is any indication, Coldplay is on the verge (if they’re not already) of
becoming one of only a handful of truly relevant rock bands in existence
today.
Following up a solid opening set by Canadian
troubadour Ron Sexsmith, who jovially bantered with the audience and seemed
genuinely happy to be playing Oklahoma City, Coldplay attacked the stage
with a ferocity reserved for footballers, not musicians.
Front man Chris Martin writhed at his
standup piano like a madman during the percussive opener "Politik,"
while his band mates drummer Will Champion, guitarist Jon Buckland and
bassist Guy Berryman fired like well-oiled pistons.
Pulling mostly from their critically acclaimed
2002 sophomore album "A Rush of Blood to the Head," Coldplay
was in fine form and pulled from 2000’s "Parachutes" and also
sprinkled in a couple brand new songs, "Moses," an up tempo
rocker that strongly recalls late ‘80s U2 and their closer, "Ladder
to the Sun," an achingly sweet ballad featuring Martin’s soaring
vocals laid over a beautiful piano melody.
Radio favorites "Yellow," "Trouble"
and "In My Place" were met with a roar and Martin engaged in
some spontaneous audience participation, taking turns singing bits of
the chorus with the energetic crowd. He played to the front rows and top
balcony seats with equal fervor, frequently urging the crowd on.
Martin also addressed the horrific space
shuttle Columbia tragedy, which occurred earlier that morning. In a poignant
moment, Martin dedicated "Yellow" to the astronauts, giving
the opening verse "look at the stars/see how they shine for you"
an added emotional dimension.
Martin also repeatedly professed his love
for Oklahoma City’s own Flaming Lips, even tacking on the chorus of "Yoshimi
Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1" to his own band’s "The Scientist."
In addition, Martin augmented a verse of "Everything’s Not Lost"
to remind the crowd that if they ever felt down, they should just remember
that they were from the same city as the world’s second greatest band
the first naturally being the one onstage.
It’s not likely that a better place than
the Civic Center Music Hall could’ve been found to house Coldplay’s show
in Oklahoma City; the evening was an inspired pairing of act and venue.
The superb acoustics allowed every note to be heard clearly, with few
technical problems.
Coupled with tight musicianship and a
brilliantly choreographed light show, Coldplay practically dared you to
stay in your seat as they tore through 15 songs, mixing their back catalog
with songs yet to be laid down in the studio. While they may not own the
mantle of world’s greatest rock band just yet, the white-hot quartet is
well on their way. Judging by the crowd’s infectious
enthusiasm, there’s a good chance that if you missed Coldplay’s inaugural
Oklahoma City show, it won’t be long before you’ll have another chance
to see them.
The only disappointing thing about the show is that
they left out Shiver which they have been playing after Politik. The
highlight of the night for me was seeing Wayne Coyne before the show and
exchanging hellos with him. I knew Chris was a big Flaming Lips fan from
the Dallas show, explaining that Yellow was written
for a yellow shirt that Wayne (lead singer for the Lips) wore. Also, they
have collaborated in the past on a few songs and
on the same CD (Faultline). I was really hoping
he would invite Wayne up for a singalong on Yellow, but since he dedicated
it to the astronauts, I knew it probably wouldn't happen. But
the Yoshimi verses were awesome and seemed pretty impulsive. Also, on
Everything's Not Lost he changed the lyrics to "if you ever feel neglected,
if you think that all is lost, just rememeber you
live in the same city as the Flaming Lips, the second greatest band in
the world".
I love Coldplay and I love the Lips... this was a perfect
night for me and my friends.
YupandYep:
The Concert just ended 30 minutes ago... I'm still shaking.
That was so incredible! I can't believe it! Except where I sat I couldn't
see Will... but I got a great seat right in front
of Guy and I could see Chris really well... the lighting was awesome...
I wish I stood up more, since I was in front... But other than what I
regret, I will never regret going to this concert.
It was great!
Oh... Hmm... For the very last song I got to run up to
the stage before the STAFF could keep me in my seat (in my seat)... yea..
So I was only feet from Guy and Chris... And every
now and then i could get a good view of Johnny... Will was behind Guy
and I could see him too, well through his drums... And now Iam
deaf in my right ear from being next to the speakers... Oh well... Today
was the best day I've ever had.
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http://coldplay.artscience.net/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30100
: http://www.coldplaying.com/concertreviews/oklahoma.htm
http://www.geocities.com/u2rockstation/coldplayoklahoma2103
http://www.ronsexsmith.com/photo_62.htm