A concert I will never forget; Coldplay played an incredible set to a 60,000 strong crowd at the Emirates Stadium, leaving little to dispute as to why they have had such success over the past 12 years.
Entering the stadium, the colourful stage alongside the graffiti art backdrop of their lyrics gave the distinct impression of being invited into their playground. This feeling was only further compounded during the set, with simple yet effective staging of fireworks, huge confetti guns and the whole audience being equipped with radio controlled wristbands which lit up at “appropriate moments”, providing an electric atmosphere.
The band gave an energetic performance from the very start and proved to be a tight knit group who clearly loved to perform, and even several downpours of rain didn’t dampen any spirits.
Opening with ‘Hurts Like Heaven’, they followed with a cleverly thought out programme combining a variety of their past and present hits, barely leaving a moment when the whole stadium wasn’t singing along. Particular highlights included ‘Charlie Brown’, ‘Fix You’ and ‘Clocks’.
Although we came to see Coldplay as a group, it was hard to deny that Chris Martin stole the show. Proving to be a true and versatile musician, whether playing on his iconic brightly painted piano or running around the stage, he was a real front man and on several occasions left his fellow bandmates in the shadows.
On reflection it seemed apt that on leaving the stadium our ears were left ringing with the sounds of “para, para, paradise”.