CHICAGO, Ill. (Coldplay 'US Fans' Website) - Earlier this year,
Coldplay frontman Chris
Martin revealed he was lyrically dry and that the band's highly anticipated second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head could possibly be their last. Alas, the band put those words to rest when it took the stage at the Vic Theatre in
Chicago on Friday (Aug. 2) for the start of its intimate run of club shows.
While the band is known for its melodically beautiful hits like "Yellow" and "Trouble," Coldplay went beyond its signature sound during its 80-minute televised performance for MTV2's monthly $2 Bill concert series by energetically introducing a harder edge.
Decked in all black, the buzz-cut Martin was a musical madman behind his piano when opening the show with "Politik." White, pulsating strobe lights projected the intensity behind Coldplay's newer songs. Drummer Will Champion was a force to be reckoned with, too. Martin was on the frontline, but Champion followed closely behind with his powerful, animated presentation, particularly on the rhythmic passion of "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face." Coldplay was back, and it wanted everyone to notice.
"It was a choice between this and Cribs," joked Martin prior to jumping into the disco-like haze of "Daylight." The 1,000-plus mixed crowd of local scenesters, college kids, and fellow loyalists couldn't have been more delighted to see Coldplay, raw and wide-open. They relished as Martin gyrated, in a lazy, Tori Amos kind of way on "Trouble" and swooned over A Rush of Blood to the Head's first single "In My Place." Martin's constant switching between his baby grand and an acoustic allowed him to be the focus, for he was just a touch away from a Jesus Christ Pose.
The band was in a brilliant mood. It did a brief, funky version of Nelly's "Hot in Herre" while the show was reconnected to MTV headquarters in New York. Martin even teased the audience by introducing guitarist Jon Buckland as Eddie Van Halen, bassist Guy Berryman as U2's Adam Clayton, and Champion as Phil Collins. He then laughed, "My name is Elton John." As business resumed, Martin invited a crazy fan on stage to introduce the glossy cool "Shiver."
"The Scientist" had to be played twice for television purposes, and "Spies" was an audience request. Those watching at home had to have been equally impressed. "This has been more of an evening with your grandparents," quipped Martin. "I hope you got your two dollars worth."
That and then some. Coldplay treated the crowd with several more songs before calling it a night. "Don't Panic" and a shimmery rendition of "Everything's Not Lost" were definite crowd pleasers, but Coldplay's savvy take on Echo and the Bunnymen's "Lips Like Sugar" was absolutely amazing. Martin was vocally akin to Bunnyman crooner Ian McCulloch, and A Rush of a Blood to the Head flashes elements of post-punk. Luckily, Coldplay rediscovered its musical vibrancy after the success of Parachutes. It was an extraordinary effort, and the evening was as well.
Coldplay heads to Boston's 'Paradise club' Tuesday (August 6) for the second night of its brief U.S. club tour to preview its next album, A Rush Of Blood To The Head.
The tour, which was scheduled to kick off Friday night (August 2) at the Vic Theatre in Chicago, will find the band in small venues in eight cities overall, culminating on August 20 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.
If all goes well, Coldplay's latest U.S. trek will be far more successful than the first time the band came to play in the States. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin recalls the tour in support of its then-little-known debut album, the 2000 release, Parachutes.
