17 December 2011: Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
From WikiColdplay
Contents |
Setlist
- Mylo Xyloto
- Hurts Like Heaven
- Yellow
- In My Place
- Major Minus
- Lost!
- The Scientist
- Violet Hill
- God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
- Up In Flames
- Us Against The World
- Politik
- Viva La Vida
- Charlie Brown
- Paradise
encore - Clocks
- White Christmas
- Fix You
- Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall
Photos
Photos from this show can be found at Coldplaying.com in the Gallery thread for Rotterdam. http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/1890
Videos
Videos from this show can be found in the Coldplaying forum live thread for this show at http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88642&page=34 (page 34 onwards)
Discussion
All post-show discussion for this show at the forum thread http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88642
Fan Reviews
All fan reviews have been submitted to us by the members of Coldplaying.com[1], unless stated otherwise.
Now that was an awesome show! The crowd was a bit lame, didn't really know many lyrics but could be worse. Those bracelets that glowed we're awesome! looked really really nice. And i agree, the setlist should contain more songs, 20 orso would be better! [thanks Jordytjeh]
This was amazing!!! It really really was.. only thing i hated was all the people in front of me with all there phones in the air.. sometimes i couldnt see shit because of all the phones.. but besides that, awesome show!! so much energy!! Loved it! This gonna be non stop listening to Coldplay and watching videos for the rest of the week! [thanks mr. x&y]
This was just another perfect show from the best band in the world. They did a bit of a short setlist without Shiver again, but still it was perfect. The concert started with enormous energy and the guys just seemed generally happy with the entire show. The crowd was NOT lame at all, at least not at the front. Everybody was cheering and singing along with the songs. Cheering so loud that Chris even stopped playing during UATW because nobody could even hear what he was singing. So amazing crowd, band, special effects and even amazing venue. A lot of people dislike AHOY as a concert venue, but i liked it. It sounded great. Just another very special night in the life of the Coldplayers. [thanks Pepsalm]
I could be a bit high'ish at the moment because of that awesome show, but I think that was the best gig I saw them play. Eventhough I missed a LOT of my favs. Yes, perhaps it was a bit short'ish, but time flew past anyways. never saw a crowd screaming, singing and clapping that loudly. Took my mom with me today and she was absolutely amazed. We had seats, but I did not use my chair during the show. Thankfully the people around me didn't mind and stood up as well =D Oh and yeees, I waved to ilovechriss ^_^ During UATW Chris told the crowd that they should encourage the boys as they starting playing on the song. When Will joined everyone yelled and clapped so loud that they had to stop playing because they probably were not able to hear anything anymore They soaked all the energy up and used it for their gig. Did anyone ever see Chris kiss the stagefloor, before they walk off? He did today! Amazing gig! [thanks LoversInJapan]
Just got back from Rotterdam , what an amazing show.. best one I've been to !! The audience whent absolutely wild and the Guys were loving it.. at one point during Us against the world , they had to stop playing because the crowd was so loud, you couldn't hear the music anymore !! + Chris did 'I'm dreaming of a White Christmas' , phenomenal ! The Xylobands are the most beautifull live effect ever by the way. Coldplay , u did it again. [thanks tom043]
Loved the show, it was superb! How they can make you believe you are in one room with them, only to sing for you, awesome! And they were genuine in their thanks to the crowd. I sat second ring, and my mate and I didn't want to spoil the view of the people behind me, so we stayed seated. But I (lap)danced on my chair! They really rocked the place. Politics was great. Of course Charlie Brown, IMP and GPASOYF!!! All of it! Only missed Christmass Lights. But then, it was f..ng perfect, to the ear, to the eye an to my heart!! [thanks Charlie B]
I thought the crowd yesterday was amazing. It reminded me of images I have seen of a Beatles concert in the Netherlands, with all those screaming girls. My ears are still ringing. What coldplay does, they do great. Great energy, great sound, great to see. However, I'm really disappointed with the fact that they only played for 85 minutes, same as at the festivals. The set list hasn't really made any significant change since the festivals, apart from Paradise being played instead of Life is for living. They never add songs, they change songs. And what I really don't understand is that they haven't played Christmas Lights. If not now...., when. [thanks dedongel]
Brilliant show, when those glowbands went on the reaction was Woooowww, 2 bad me and my 3 friends didnt get any.. I saw so many people with 1 on each wrist... why?.. Loved the scientist and Us against the world , Chris' brilliant moves! I hope that they will make this tour longer, it was too short, I already knew but I can imagen you'd be dissapointed if you expected at least a 2 hour show. [thanks drawingyourattention]
It was an amazing gig last night! but the sound sucked! it was farrrr too loud, my ears are still ringing! anyone else? anyway we arrived at about 2:30, there were a bunch of people waiting (i;m guessing 75-100), and I knew Tash and a few other people were inside already. I send my BF out for some food, and pretty soon they closed the line behind us. even though it was still rather quiet, but Hey I'm not complaning! the guys behind us ordered pizza, best idea ever! They we're behind me at the pinkpop gig as well. So it rained just a little but luckily we didn't get soaked, but we started freezing our butts off! finally the doors opened, at 18:40 ish. it's only cause I knew we were getting wrist bands, and I waited for the guy to hand them to me, seriously they give you one job. Tash said they'd be stage left, and try to save me a spot, we found them quite easily, and there was plenty of space tnx tash! so I ended up second row, but when the coldplays started i was more frontrow not bad for someone showing up that late!
it was good to see all the friendly faces! the show was absolutely amazing, full of energy, and chris was just lovely, whishing everyone happy holidays etc, and the crowd was amazing too, though you could barely hear them over the extreme noise, seriously tune it down, this is not a festival, and the Mylo Xyloto stuff has a lot of extra sound which really almost overwhelms chris' singing, his mic was so loud the sound broke up and still couldn;t get over the huge wall of sound, esp during paradise! I swear it's only because I knew what the lyrics are, cause I don't think I could tell otherwise, such a shame :( like I said the crowd was full of energy, and we're extremly loud during us against the world, which made them laugh and start over. and the wrist bands! WOW they look so amazing! what a great idea! I enjoyed the new tracks as much as I loved the old ones, it may sound lame but I did. I was really hoping for christmas lights, but they didn't play it, which I really don't understand, you have your own christmas hit, but don't play it :S I guess it some kind of modesty thing, or what ever.. but it didn't ruin the show in any way, it's really cute chris plays white christmas though well I guess that about rounds it up, for I second I thought they'd come back after ETIAW, but nope, roadies were on and that was the end of it. Tash ended up getting Johnny's setlist, and another girl got a handwritten note that said forleiches Kerstfeest which looked more german to me but it means happy christmas, and I guess it's chris' way of pronouncing it the dutch way, but I don't think he used it. I got a setlist from the techbooth we had a quick peek at the backstage entrance where We met Chris last time they were here, but it was actually snowing/ raining and we didn't see any vans waiting so we called it an evening.. but a really good one! [thanks Carlaatje]
Got back earlier, the show was absolutely amazing! We got there and ended up in the rain for a while, saw a New York Pizza arrive at the other Ahoy building which made me hungry We got inside quickly once door's opened and we went straight to the Merch Stand and I got a Tour Book and a Shirt I managed to pick up 6 wristbands throughout the whole evening, but that's not because I kept asking for them - everytime I went to get food or drink from the Unox area they kept giving them to me! My neighbour had 2 and I wore 4 for the whole night, got lots of confused stares haha! Emeli Sande was alright but her voice was getting annoying so it was a relief when the Professor Green joined her, that song and the last were the 2 best ones she did. Then it was another long wait, which wasn't pleasant where we sat (Gb, right in the top corner). Back to the Future theme came on, and then the party started The whole concert was absolutely amazing! My Highlights were for sure GPASUYF, HLH, Viva, Charlie Brown, Politik, Paradise, Fix You and ETIAW but all in all everything was a highlight. Once Paradise finished, me and my neighbour legged it and ran down to the first ring and watched the encore from there! It was amazing! We left satisfied and headed for the stage door where the security briefly let me in, but then crew were turning up with equipment and I left :/ I loved last night so much! Can't wait to see the videos I filmed when I get them from my neighbour! [thanks jackparker]
We were there as well (first ring row 12 ), was our 2nd Coldplay concert (1st was Hannover 2008/9?). The Xylobands were cool, really added to the overall experience ha! (now to see how we can activate them ourselves). The crowd was amazing.. hope i added some, i known almost all lyrics and didn't hesitate to sing it all out loud .. At one time Chis sayed .. : It would be great if you could give a good cheer when any of the guys come up and play .. as we all need some appreciation sometimes. Then after singing the first piece of Us against the world, Will starts to sing and the crowd went wild .. SO wild that you could see Will smiling and stopping couse he couldn't hear himself OR Chris .. it was funny. Did anyone hear the F bomb diring Violet hill? AND.. i thought it would be absolulely USELESS for me to film whole songs, bcause there is already lots of footage available (complete live shows, Glastonbury, Madrid etc) .. i liked watching and enjoying this live and not behind a (phone) screen! [thanks mennowz]
The show was brilliant. It was my third time, but this one was so great. Ahoy is a great place, the crowd was fantastic. I was about two meters away from the X-stage. I can't describe the feelings I had during MX, with those glowing wristbands. Absolutely amazing, the boys were doing so well and they were so excited. Chris said some really lovely words to us Dutch people, and the setlist was great! Chris played White Christmas just before Fix You, lovely! [thanks sjors93]
The concert was seriously amazing. Loved the crowd and the balance between the new and old songs. Me and my friends were the guys that ordered the pizza. We saw so many people with junk food, and we thought: The only way we can get junk food as well, is to order it, which turned out in a funny situation. After us, someone else also ordered a pizza, but without showing up, which resulted in a confused pizza deliverer. I think the wristband are absolutely amazing; trying to collect them all now. I am even more exited now for their next visit, although I doubt it can be any better than this. [thanks BV1993]
So, time for my review of an amazing night in Rotterdam. We arrived pretty early, around 3.30 pm at Ahoy. After scoring some food at the local AH (what a HUGE shopping mall btw) we lined up in the queue. It was about this long by the time we arrived. [2] The wait took forever and it was freezing cold because of the wind. Also the (heavy) rain was a bummer. But even the tough conditions the atmosphere was good. I saw a scooter guy arrive because someone ordered a pizza. What a hero. The doors opened almost on time, around 6.40 pm. We ran in to the arena and got a front row spot at the 'B-stage'. Not long after that Emeli Sande started and she did a great job opening. Definitely had worser support acts. Coldplay came on around 9.15. The moment Mylo Xyloto started all of our Glowbands were turned on and it was an amazing sight. The sound during Hurts Like Heaven was poor from were we stood. But the visuals, light and of course seeing the band again made up for that. I was happily surprised that the balloons were back during Yellow. They really belong to that song and not Lost!. During In My Place I was taking pictures of the confetti when suddenly, for my feeling out of nowhere, Jonny and later Chris were at 'our' stage. We went crazy. It was great.
Before Major Minus spoke some Dutch to us and held he's usual speech. Although I'm not a big fan of the song the crowd went really crazy on this one. Also amazing: Violet Hill. Man, I fell in love all over again with that song. On GPASUYF I kept jumping and screaming until I was totally out of breath. How awesome was that. Short after that Chris appeared on the B stage to do Up In Flames and it was absolutely magical to see him 1 meter away from you. Was very happy they play Us Against The World again instead of Till Kingdom Come. The 'fuck up' was very funny. We all screamed so loud Chris and Will started laughing the moment Will jumped in the song. he best part of the show was definitely the Politik-Viva La Vida-Charlie Brown part. Three of my favorite live songs and what a great performance. Chris didn't sound very good on Viva, but in my opinion he never really does. It was awesome that he came so close to us again and the moment the glow bands went on again for Charlie Brown was breathtaking. Charlie Brown was my highlight of the evening btw. What an energy during that song! The encore was as expected with Clocks, Fix You and ETIAW. Also Chris did White Christmas again, which disappointed me because I'd hoped for Christmas Lights. Afterwards I was mind blown. Again. And this was my third time seeing them live. It was amazing. Again. I was very pleased that I could buy the tour program that I so desperately wanted. It's really beautiful. Today my voice is gone because of all the singing and screaming, my legs hurts but I'm still in a kind of graffiti heaven. So happy I was there and can't wait to seeing them again in september. Pff, so far away.. [thanks R23]
It was great, the crowd was amazing. I was one of the first 10 so I got to test the glowbands^^ Had a brilliant time with Tash and Stefan and some other people. Although I really would've LOVED to see the soundcheck so much, but it doesn't matter much cause we had a great time and indeed saw Chris and Will and it's really great to see them just being casual, doing their thing before the concert. I think maybe they didn't play christmas lights because they didn't soundcheck and maybe they would've practiced it then otherwise. I did find it a bit short, but it was great anyway, I just hope the setlist is longer in the summer tour. But the glowbands were great, and the confetti aswell (although nothing beats the butterflies ) and I brought quite a lot of confetti home with me, and UATW was utterly brilliant, I love it when the crowd manages to surprise the band, even if it's used to a lot ^^ [thanks 2GreenEyes]
Yesterday was so amazing! Me, my sister and another girl were the first at the venue (around 09:00 AM). So we were 3/12 The security wanted 10 people, but he didn't let my sister and me in. Some of the 10 people said that we were first in the queue (thanks guys), so we could go inside too. It was so cool to help the crew with the glowbands! I was a little bit disapointed when the soundcheck was cancelled, BUT we saw Chris& Will ^^ And we could stand front row! The concert was really great! Emeli Sande (support act) was pretty good, her voice is beautiful. Coldplay was amazing! The show was a bit short, but i had the time of my life. The confetti was fun haha. I took lots of it after the concert. This was the best concert i ever went too. But i don't think i'll be able to speak tomorrow, haha. [thanks seralovescoldplay]
My complete opinion. It was my very first time to see Coldplay live. I was so excited! I arrived at Ahoy at 1:00 P.M It was so cold, so cold. I have waited with lot of other Coldplayers till 6:30 P.M. When the doors opened we ran to the stage. I was right in front of the stage at the right side (the side where Guy was standing ) When they began to play with MX... Oh my god. That feeling was awesome. I was the happiest guy on this planet. I have enjoyed their concert so much. I love this band even more after last night. I'm so sure I'll be listening to Coldplay for the rest of my life. Can't wait till the 6th of September to see them again. Chris, Johnny, Guy & Will... You are legends! [thanks eFrK]
Media Reviews (in Dutch)
ROTTERDAM – Na Pinkpop keerde de populaire Britse rockband Coldplay zaterdag nog eenmaal terug naar Nederland. In het voor de band relatief kleine Ahoy in Rotterdam, werden alle registers opengetrokken. De laatste keer dat Coldplay Nederland aandoet, is de band de hoofdact van de eerste dag Pinkpop in Landgraaf. Tijdens dat optreden worden al een handvol liedjes van het dan nog te verschijnen album Mylo Xyloto gespeeld. Inmiddels ligt dat album in de winkels en hebben de fans kunnen wennen aan het splinternieuwe materiaal. Op Pinkpop zag het publiek eigenlijk nog een oude show, van een tour die twee jaar eerder was gestart. Het concert in Ahoy is de eerste volledig nieuwe show met werk van Mylo Xyloto. De verwachtingen zijn derhalve hooggespannen. Wanneer de wachtmuziek stopt, dooft het zaallicht uit en lichten de speciale armbandjes van de fans op. Deze Mylo Xyloto-bandjes bevatten gekleurde LED-verlichting, die tijdens bepaalde nummers begint te knipperen. Het zorgt al onmiddellijk voor een kleurrijke opening. Ook de aankleding van het podium ziet er bont uit, met het graffitiachtige artwork van Mylo Xyloto metershoog achter de bandleden van Coldplay.
Na het titelnummer van Mylo Xyloto en een van diens beste songs, Hurts Like Heaven, volgen onmiddellijk twee van Coldplays mooiste liedjes; Yellow en In My Place. Ze dateren uit een ander tijdperk, toen zanger Chris Martin, gitarist Jon Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman en drummer Will Champion nog in kleinere zalen speelden. Toch werken deze klassiekers net zo goed in het sportstadion als het recentere werk van Coldplay. Ook oudjes The Scientist en God Put A Smile Upon My Face zitten in de eerste helft van de show, waarmee Coldplay meteen zijn kruit lijkt te verschieten. Maar de echte hits moeten dan nog van stal worden gehaald. Eerst volgt er een intermezzo waarbij de nieuwe nummers Up In Flames en Us Against The World in een kleinere setting worden gespeeld. Zonder alle excessieve Brian Eno-opsmuk blijken deze liedjes nog beter dan de versies op het laatste album. Het felle Politik loopt over in het grootse Viva La Vida, inclusief laserverlichting. De reguliere show eindigt met de recente singles Charlie Brown en Paradise, waarna de succesnummers Clocks, Fix You en Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall het concert naar zijn grootse finale begeleiden. Als bonustrack wordt het publiek nog getrakteerd op een uitvoering van Bing Crosby’s kerstklassieker White Christmas. Ahoy ziet Coldplay in topvorm. Chris Martin is duidelijk goed gemutst en laat in de weinige woorden die hij spreekt blijken zich te amuseren. Champion toont zich een onuitputbare slagwerker. Wanneer hij door Chris Martin wordt geïntroduceerd in Us Against The World, juicht het publiek zo hard dat beide muzikanten in lachen uitbarsten. Het plezier druipt er zichtbaar van af. Ondanks de grootse productie weet Coldplay de spontaniteit te behouden. Iets waar een band als U2 meer moeite mee heeft tijdens diens concerten. Coldplay stelt zijn fans geenszins teleur, al is het zonde dat liedjes als Trouble en Talk het moeten afleggen tegen het matige Paradise. [3]
COLDPLAY STELT NIEMAND TELEUR - Sinds Coldplay de loterij won op Pinkpop afgelopen jaar is er op de bankrekening van Chris Martin en consorten na weinig veranderd. Mylo Xyloto lag toen nog niet in in de winkel, maar in Landgraaf werden daar nota bene al zes nummers van gespeeld. Toch is er een wereld van verschil met die show waarvoor de verwachtingen torenhoog gespannen waren. Coldplay is dan ook een band van contradicties. Voor een band die je eigenlijk wil haten, hebben ze te veel goede nummers geschreven, voor een zanger die zich probeert te profileren als oenige muzieknerd weten te veel mensen dat hij dikke maatjes is met Jay-Z en voor een concert dat misschien exemplarisch is voor een maatschappij die tekent voor middelmatigheid, is de show vanavond te veel een anderhalf uur durende viering van bijzondere pop. Hoewel een groot deel van het publiek er in Landgraaf ook bij was, weerhoudt het de band niet om ook vanavond te openen met de themesong van Back To The Future en Hurts Like Heaven. Er zijn dan ook een aantal trucjes toegevoegd die het toch weer de moeite waard maken. Elke bezoeker heeft vanavond een polsbandje gekregen, dat tijdens bepaalde momenten van de show oplicht, met een geweldig uitzicht in Ahoy als resultaat.
Om de sfeer er nog beter in te krijgen, vliegt er tijdens het tweede nummer Yellow al een rits gekleurde ballen door de zaal en staat Ahoy tijdens In My Place massaal tussen de rondvliegende papieren vlinders te dansen, al kenden we die natuurlijk al van de vorige tour. Maar dan? Als alle registers al opengetrokken zijn en de entertainment puur van de liedjes moet komen? Dan komt het alsnog goed natuurlijk, aangezien Coldplay genoeg hits heeft om hier tot diep in de nacht te spelen. Lost!, The Scientist, Violet Hill en God Put A Smile Upon Your Face worden stuk voor stuk met luid gejuich onthaald. Als Martin uitwijkt naar een ander deel van het podium om met drummer Will Champion een intieme versie van Us Against The World te spelen en vraagt of zijn bandmaatje wat liefde van de zaal mag ontvangen, is het enthousiasme zo groot dat de twee het nummer moeten afbreken om Ahoy af te laten koelen. Als het lied overgaat in Politik is de zaal (voor de zoveelste keer vanavond) te klein voor het enthousiasme. Maar tijdens Viva La Vida komt het grootste manco van het optreden vanavond naar boven: de zang van Chris Martin. Die was vooralsnog, op een paar mindere noten na, dik in orde, maar bereikt nu een absoluut dieptepunt. Martin haalt meer noten niet dan wel, maakt zijn regels zelden af en besluit uiteindelijk maar dat het publiek de song af mag maken. Toch is dat een kleine smet op een avond die verder geen enkele teleurgestelde bezoeker zal opleveren. Van de intens genietende fans vooraan, tot vader en zoon die helemaal achteraan op elk liedje meespringen; men heeft het naar zijn zin. En als je het als band voor elkaar kunt krijgen om bezoekers in Ahoy het gevoel te geven dat het een unieke kans is om Coldplay in zo’n ‘kleine’ setting te zien, doe je vooral iets heel erg goed. Je zou ze er bijna die belachelijke albumtitel van doen vergeven. [4]
Waarom het vuurwerk altijd tot op het laatst bewaren? Je kunt een optreden ook beginnen alsof het de toegift betreft en je zojuist tienduizend man publiek in een volle zaal in extase hebt gebracht.
Dat is in elk geval de opvatting die het Britse Coldplay tijdens hun korte Europese tournee de ronde doet. Het publiek meteen overrompelen met al het visuele spektakel dat voorradig is en dan maar kijken hoe lang je de euforie vast kunt houden. Na de instrumentale opener Mylo Xyloto gingen lichtten in Hurts Like Heaven alle ledlampjes van de duizenden uitgedeelde armbandjes op in de kleuren blauw, groen, rood roze en wit. Dat gaf meteen al een fijn feestelijk gevoel. Alsof de band geen tijd wilde verspillen, stoof het door naar Yellow waarmee ze in 2000 doorbraken. En hup daar kwamen grote balonnen naar beneden. De feestelijke sfeer werd meteen daarop zo mogelijk nog overtroffen toen in In My Place de confetti-kanonnen in de zaal werden aangezet. En zo was Coldplay een kwartiertje bezig, en leek al het kruit verschoten, want hoe houd je dit vast, was al snel de vraag. Daar hadden ze verrassend weinig moeite mee. Want anders dan eerder dit jaar tijdens Pinkpop straalde zanger Chris Martin nu wel een grote betrokkenheid uit en, belangrijker, er zat heel veel vaart in. Iets meer dan een uur had Coldplay nodig om vijftien liedjes te spelen, er werd geen tijd verlummeld, en Martin stoof regelmatig over de catwalk de zaal in, uitbundig dansend en zwaaiend.
Zo energiek heeft de band nooit geklonken, ook niet op hun platen. Hoeveel kritiek je ook kunt hebben op het gebrek aan zeggingskracht van veel van hun liedjes, of de kleurloosheid van de drie muzikanten om Martin heen: er is geen band die de afgelopen tien jaar de popmuziek met zoveel evergreens heeft verrijkt als Coldplay. En wat lieten ze zich lekker meebrullen in de Ahoy: 'Nobody said it was easy' uit The Scientist en 'Open up your eyes' in Politik zijn tekst-regels die los van de (vage) context van de liedjes voor iedereen betekenis hebben, en dat liet het publiek graag weten. Als na een krap uur Chris Martin aan de piano Politik doet volgen door de uit duizenden herkenbare akkoorden van Viva La Vida, en de lichtjes weer gaan branden en de finale begint, is er niemand die zich niet overgeeft aan het in koor meebrullen. Mindere nummers heeft Coldplay ook, maar ingebed tussen instant meezingers vielen Major Minus of Violet Hill niet uit de toon. En wanneer Martin in de toegift tijdens Clocks, hun bekendste hit, wat twijfelend White Christmas inzet, volgt het publiek hem onmiddelijk en is het warme kerstgevoel dat de beste liedjes van Coldplay kenmerkt extra op zijn plaats. [5]
