For 70 minutes (no encore) one of the biggest bands in the world played one of the biggest venues for an intense and epic show. Coldplay treated New York City to a free concert last night in promotion for their latest Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. Dressed as characters that just stepped out of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, Chris Martin and Co, played their first show in North America in more than two years. The last time they did a free stunt like this was back in 2005 at the Beacon Theater in promotion for X&Y. I was also at the Beacon concert and was blown away, however, the band felt it was the worst performance they had ever put on. Martin had even mentioned that intimate show at last nights much larger and wilder experience by saying "we hope you get your monies worth tonight, because the last time we did something like this, if you were at that performance we are sorry, hope tonight makes up for it." Combining their classics's and latest songs off their #1 selling Brian Eno produced record, Coldplay made it up to themselves and delivered a taste of what is to come of this band with this tour. Coldplay have always been known for their live concerts, they are second-to-none and this being the fourth time I have seen them they only get bigger and better. If you think the new songs sound great on disc, just wait till you hear them live, like most Brian Eno produced bands (U2, The Killers), they are songs that are ment to be played live and create an huge swell of sound to encompass the audiences emotions and attention. The highlight of the night was certainly when the band jumped into the crowd and ran across MSG to play an acoustic set of "Yellow," and "Death Will Never Conquer," that featured drummer Will Champion on lead vocals. Last night was historic for both the fans and the band and will certainly be something all involved will truly treasure.
Coldplay Setlist 6/23/08 Madison Square Garden
Life in Technicolor
Violet Hill
Clocks
In My Place
Viva La Vida
Chinese Sleep Chant
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
42
Square One
Trouble
Lost!
Strawberry Swing
Yellow
Death Will Never Conquer
Fix You
Lovers in Japan