Concert • Coldplay
and Fiona Apple played to a sold out
show in Anaheim Feb. 6. Matthew Wilkinson/Online
Forty-Niner
Lasers,
lights, music rip through Coldplay’s
show
By Matthew Wilkinson
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
“I don’t care if it’s a Monday” Coldplay frontman Chris
Martin told the sold out crowd before jumping into a 90-minute set, on the first
night of two sold-out shows at the Arrowhead Pond, in Anaheim. The Brit-rock
quartet is on the second leg of their
Twisted Logic Tour and show no sign of slowing down. From the first seconds
of “Square One” the first track off 2005’s “X&Y,” to
the closing notes of “Fix You,” Martin had no problem filling every
square inch of the arena with his eerie falsetto.
“
X&Y,” the bands’ third full-length release, has not done well
compared to its predecessors. Although it was just certified triple platinum,
the album has taken harsh criticisms claiming it is less innovative than 2000’s “Parachutes” and
2002’s “A Rush of Blood to the Head.” The band’s 17-song
set was drawn largely from their most recent release.
The large liquid crystal display screen that covered the span of the stage
counted down huge alarm clock numbers as Martin emerged from a small opening
to kick off fan favorite “Square One.”
For the next 16 songs Martin ran, jumped, kicked, crouched and sang his heart
out. For a large tour, the set-up was very plain. Aside from the small areas
the band members took up, the enormous stage was left bare.
Martin’s piano was placed center stage, but he spent very little time
at it. He spanned the whole stage getting in audience member’s faces
and trying to get them to sing along. He was accompanied by one of the most
amazing light and laser shows I have ever seen. Every song had its own light
show and the lights got brighter as the songs got stronger. The high point
of the night came during the performance of 2003’s Record of the Year “Clocks.” Colored
lasers shot in every direction across the arena.
The set was a well chosen parade of the past three albums. Besides playing
all the radio hits, the band played “How You See
The World No. 2,” which they recorded for a benefit CD last year. Their
set also included recent single, “Speed of Sound,” the movie “Garden
State’s” theme song “Don’t Panic,” and a tribute
song Martin wrote for the late Johnny Cash called “Til Kingdom Come.” This
was followed by a cover of “Ring of Fire,” and “Fix You” which
debuted in an episode of “The OC” late last season. The show also
had some light stage effects.
During the radio hit, “Yellow,” several large yellow balloons fell
on the crowd. When popped, they shot yellow streamers and confetti everywhere.
During “Speed of Sound,” the LCD screen lit up with flying saucers
and the projectors shot saucers across the roof of the arena.
Fiona Apple opened the night. You might remember the 28- year-old New York-bred
singer/songwriter from her 1996 hit album “Tidal.” Nine years and
two albums later her angst is still very evident in her deep and very powerful
voice. Wearing a big brown robe (which was reminiscent of a Jedi cloak in “Star
Wars” Apple flailed her limbs around the stage as she took us through
her 9-song set of old hits and new songs. She was a good match up with Coldplay,
her voice being about as strong as Chris Martin’s. The crowd seemed to
enjoy her set, often cheering and screaming, she gave the crowd a big smile
and told us to have fun before she ran off stage.
In the end, the bare stage and simple lighting effects served a purpose. Coldplay
doesn’t need a lavish set, exotic dancers or fireworks to entertain.
Coldplay fans are there for one reason: the music. Chris Martin has one of
the most versatile and strongest voices I have ever heard, when you close your
eyes it’s just like you’re listening to the CD. No reverb or digital
editing there, just a talented band with a strong voice that demands respect.
They’ve got mine.
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