23 July 2012: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada

From WikiColdplay

23 July 2012: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada (Credit: Toronto Sun)

Setlist

Photos

Photos from this show can be found at Coldplaying.com in the Gallery thread for Toronto. http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/1966

Videos

Videos from this show can be found in the first post of the Coldplaying forum live thread for this show at http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90976

Discussion

All post-show discussion for this show at the forum thread http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90976

Fan Reviews

All fan reviews have been submitted to us by the members of Coldplaying.com[1], unless stated otherwise.

23 July 2012: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada (Credit: Examiner)

Just back from the show. My smartphone isn't picking up internet so I can't post pics but I will tell you that it was amazing. No camera issues at all. Chris is wearing some kind of brace on his elbow - left, I think. Great crowd and great venue. Will post pics when I can. Have I ever mentioned that I love this band? [thanks JillyBlue]

We ended up getting upgraded from behind the stage to 3rd row Guy's side!!! Once I have a chance to compose my thoughts I will post more. I never thought this would happen to me!! I think I am still in shock!! I can't wait for tomorrow night! [thanks butterflygirl]

I wonder if I was the "one girl taking photos the entire show" because I definitely did. I am going to both shows. so last night was just me and my DSLR and tonight I ditch the camera and will dance (even more). I was seating on row 33 left, seat 5. Unfortunately, unless you're sitting on the first 10 rows, photos do not look as good, even with a DSLR. I totally agree with you, I kind of hate the fact that some of the people with the best seats don't even know the songs or can't be bothered to dance. If you're coming to a Coldplay concert in your 6 inch heels and expensive dress, you're better off staying at home, leaving space for us crazy fans to dance all night! I took my D90 with a 50mm lens. I was asked at the entrance about it and I told them about the "updated camera policy as per twitter" She looked at my like I was speaking martian, but I made it in. The "floor guards" inside were a pain on the butt though. Every time i tried to make a video, some stupid old hen came to scream at me NO VIDEOS! I kept saying duh, look around woman!!! but anyway. I hope I got some good photos/videos, haven't had a chance to develop them yet as I'm at work. But their previews look much better than the few photos I took with my phone. If you are not close to the stage it may be difficult to get good shots without a zoom, but still, I'm glad I brought my camera with my prime lens. I'm not sure if they will be more vigilant today and perhaps ban DSLRs, considering how annoyed they seemed to be with me. BTW, I saw a few more people with DSLRs last night. [thanks torontogirl]

First Coldplay show in person was AMAZING. I have to admit though, I shouldn't have experienced so many of their live shows over the past year, whether through streaming, listening to bootlegs, etc. Knew what to expect as a result... but nevertheless [thanks randomnames]

Amazing beyond words. Saw them for the 6th time tonight and they never fail to blow me away. [thanks twin4life]

Last night was beyond amazing!! The xylobands were soo beautiful and i'm so glad they played speed of sound [thanks kaarthy]

I had an amazing time last night. For the first time ever I had floor seats for a band I actually cared about and it was amazing. Of course we were in the "second tier" of floor seats but still close to the front of that tier that we were pretty close to the stage (we were right by the sound booth). Sure I would have loved to have been closer but I should just be grateful I wasn't in nose-bleeds like usual. Maybe next time I can get even closer.

I must admit I was a little saddened by the people around us in the "second tier" floor (as well as some of the people you saw heading up to main floor). It's always annoying to think that there are real fans, HUGE fans, who know every lyric to every song stuck in the back of the auditorium while the rich folks and people with connections manage to get to sit right up front. But that's just me being jealous. The people around us were a mix of big fans (one girl took photos the entire show which was fun but I couldn't help but feel she was missing the actual experience) and the people next to us barely moved, danced, or sang (why did you bother coming/sitting so close if you barely want to be there). Of course Im sure people probably thought we weren't die-hard fans since we weren't wearing any home-made shirts or overpriced concert merch (and why is it than the mens shirts are always the uglier ones... you ladies have a much better selection). I can assure you we sang our lungs off to just about every number and loved ever bloody second. And I got to take home some confetti, something I had been hoping to do since my first show back in 2006. So, fingers crossed that next time they're in town I can continue my move closer to the stage and finally be right up with all the action (that and I'll keep trying to win tickets and a backstage pass which would have been SO cool).

23 July 2012: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada (Credit: Examiner)

The show itself was, obviously, fantastic. I must admit I didn't think it was quite on par with the last time I saw the boys here in Toronto (the second leg of Viva la Vida tour a couple summers back, not the one just after they released the album). This isn't to say last night wasn't as good, but that show was just magical - perfect set list, perfect energy, just perfect. It was a 10/10. This one was probably a 9/10. Setlist was great, performances were great (despite a few slip ups here and there), the set was great, and the xylobands!? Woo-wee! I knew what they were (but played dumb for the benefit of my best bud who came with) but had no idea how incredible they would look once we got in there and they were all turned on. It was surreal. I took pictures at the start of almost every song, as I am one of those people who wants to enjoy the moment rather than be absorbed in taking photos, but being close to the stage (well relatively) meant I had to grab some. I also shot a little bit of video, especially when the yxolbands were on. I started filming charlie brown and got so caught up in dancing that I forgot I was filming and had to stop haha. whoops!

There aren't many bands who I feel always perform their butts off but then sometimes pull out ALL stops and REALLY give it, but Coldplay is one of them. Sure, I bet they tell EVERY concert they're going to make it the best ever, and that its their FAVOURITE city, but honestly there's something about their shows in Toronto that really do feel magical. In some ways I think that Chris was just *so* excited that it caused the couple flubs and screw-ups here and there when they happened. Every performer has been there, myself included. My only sadness would be if this was the "warm up" show and it's tonights show on tuesday that is the one that ends up getting filmed/used for the "Coldplay film" (whatever it ends up being).

So my only real disappointment (other than not getting to be closer to the stage, or having backstage passes, or even getting to meet the band) is that the group around us kinda stunk. I was hoping to get to make some new friends, some die hard coldplay fans like me, and that we'd get chatting and find out we were all from the same area, or all board members, or something. Instead it was a couple of older people and boring people who didn't say two words to us all night other than "excuse me" when trying to go to the bathroom. 9/10 for sure. Thanks to the fans for making it an amazing night, sorry I didn't get to meet you all myself. And I wont be throwing out my Xyloband just yet. I can't help but hope that if Coldplay film ever sees a theatrical release and I were to bring it along with me it'd light up just one more time. I know its probably false hope but the boys never cease to surprise me so who knows! [thanks adamschoales]

I was at the show last nite and it was friggin amazing!!! OMG I even think it was better than the Viva tour :O LOL..And I had good seats on the viva tour . I think if I had floor seats on this tour it would've made it even more awesome!!! I was talking to this guy while I waited for them and he was being so rude :'( he's like "oh they go in a helicopter and they leave underground..don't wait for them..you're wasting your time" he was sooooo rude!! i told him they don't go in a helicopter stupid loser :'( I saw Milller (I think). he was bald and wearing a black tee and he had a tattoo. I also think I saw Chris' security guard..I'm an idiot cuz I didn't ask him if they were there (I didn't know his name) he was wearing a black t-shirt and he was big lol. [thanks chrismartinlover]

I was there yesterday night! Absolutely amazing! Great experience, I lost my voice today and I think I know why Bought a mylo shirt, kept a xyloband, took lots of pics, and found myself in the panorama. Everything just flowed so well... Besides the openings, it was the greatest concert of my entire life! No lie! [thanks elemein]

This show was absolutely incredible!!! I think it's my new favorite out of all my coldplay concerts. Alina, Katie, and I got upgraded to the second row with the seats closest to the stage/ramp, but during the show we were all against the barrier so we kinda ended up being front row because we couldn't get any closer. The boys were in brilliant form, they really put on a spectacular show. Chris kept making faces at us and we made them back which was fun and entertaining hahah. During X stage I saw Phil on the other side of the ramp and shouted his name and waved and then later in the show he came over to our side to take pictures of Coldplay and he took one of Alina, Katie, and me . Also before the show we told Matt we loved his book and he thanked us And after the show Matt gave Alina the setlist and then later we saw him outside the venue and he apologized that there weren't any more setlists and put a handful of guitar pics in my hand for us. We talked to him some more and took a picture, he's seriously the sweetest/nicest guy ever oh my god. But yes, coldplay f**king killed it. I have some good pictures I'll upload later [thanks In a telescope lens]

Had an AMAZING time last night. Non stop dancing and singing throughout the whole concert. Our seats turned out to be like 20 feet from the stage!!!!! WAS INSANE! Man, I'd say I was dripping with sweat almost more than Chris Martin lol. Xylobands were incredible. Got choked up a couple times, was truly the best night of my life. I've lost my voice as well, and have a hard time chewing lol from all the screaming. Best night ever. Can't wait to see them again. I have a couple pictures I'll upload that my friend took. I didn't take one single picture, I was way too into the show. [thanks xJNB94X]

All I can say is WOW what an amazing experience! I don't even know how to put it in words how much I loved that show. I even got choked up during Yellow. That's the song that started it all for me, and to have them singing it live in front of me, and then to hear the whole audience singing along and to be part of that; just wow. I was a bit worried about my seats (section 118) because we were on the side, but it was a great view. Although I would have loved to have been closer...what's better than being in front on the floor?

We got there just before the show started as we really wanted to see Marina and the Diamonds. While we were waiting for the show to start I was watching up in the 300s because I had read the stories of people being upgraded. Sure enough, I spot a guy in black shirt and shorts, he kept popping up in each section, looking around, then he got in about 307 and he started talking to this couple. Then I saw them get up and follow him, and a while later they appeared down below me in the second row. Lucky buggers! I have to admit that while I was happy for them, I was a bit jealous. I was wondering if they were as big a fan as me, and that yes, my seats weren't in the nose bleed section, but I would LOVE to be moved to the floor. Why not me? Selfish I know.

Also, I had bought two seats in the same row, but not together and was worried how I was going to work that out as I was taking my 14 year old daughter and wanted us to sit together. But everyone was pretty cool about moving down one seat. Except this one guy who was a bit of a jerk about it. But he seemed to be a jerk in general. He kept drinking all night and getting louder and more obnoxious. He was so LOUD during Up in Flames that I almost told him to shut up. But all those things aside it was a fantastic evening. I screamed with excitement the first time we all lit up. So cool. I sang, I danced, I cried. I just couldn't stop thinking "wow, that is actually Coldplay live and in person down there singing for me" (and thousands others) That was so worth every penny getting from Halifax to TO for one night. Can't wait to do it again, only wish I could have afforded both nights.

I haven't even looked at my pictures yet but if I have any decent ones I'll post them. My daughter took some videos too so we'll see how they turn out. * I forgot to mention about the xyloband. After the show we went to the floor to collect some confetti, and on the way back up we found two xylobands on the floor. I brought them home figuring I could give them away on the xyloband thread. When I got home my youngest daughter really wanted one, so I let her have one, and as soon as she put it on it turned on! It was so weird! I had her put on the other ones, but they didn't turn on. The lights stayed on for about 8 hours before the batteries died. [thanks mamgirl]

Media Reviews

23 July 2012: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada (Credit: Examiner)

Toronto Sun: Colour me impressed. British pop-rockers Coldplay touched down for the first show of two night stand at the Air Canada Centre on Monday night and treated a sold-out crowd to an intense yet artful music extravangaza. The wow factor included twinkling, glow-in-the-dark multi-coloured wristbands worn by audience members, multi-coloured confetti - that blasted out several times during the second song and set highlight, In My Place, and multi-coloured balloons that dropped down during the fourth song, Lovers In Japan.

It was like one gigantic street art project with a lot of financial backing emphasized by Coldplay’s own enormous stage decorated by glow-in-the-dark, multi-coloured neon graffiti and a long catwalk that looked like a landing strip with a red ‘X’ at the end - a location where the group ventured early and often. After treating hundreds of contest winners to an hour-long live televised show in the MuchMusic parking lot last September in the lead up to the October release of their fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto - the weakest album in their discography in my opinion - Coldplay returned with their A game in a live setting. Singer-pianist Chris Martin, a charming, lively Mexican jumping bean as usual on stage, made a bold pronouncement at the beginning of the show: “The four of us have decided to make this the best concert of our lives.”

And while it didn’t quite hit that mark it certainly had its moments. Among the standouts, the crowd singing along to The Scientist - “We’ve got the best fans in the world and everybody knows it,” said Martin and the dedication of Yellow, which started soft before it went into high gear with guitarist’s Jonny Buckland’s well known hook, to the victims of the movie screening massacre last week. “This song goes out to everybody in Colorado,” said Martin.

Also good was the muscular drumming of Will Champion during God Put a Smile Upon Your Face, with Martin, Buckland and bassist Guy Berryman all standing in line in front of his kit in a sign of respect, and Viva La Vida. Another crowd pleaser was when the group emerged on a small stage in the back left corner of the audience to sing Us Against the World and Speed Of Sound, with Martin screwing up the beginning of the latter song and starting over again. Oh sorry, I f---ed that up. I was looking at someone. Please don’t put us on YouTube,” Martin joked. When the foursome returned to the main stage for two more highlights - the piano-driven Clocks and Fix You - with Martin performing some Olympics worthy jumps on the catwalk as the latter song geared up in its second half - the only thing left to perform was Mylo Xyloto’s first single, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, which closed the show after a fast-paced hour and 45 minutes.

Opening were two of the UK’s more promising female newcomers. First up was Scottish-raised, British based singer-songwriter Emeli Sande whose powerful voice was on full display as she sang material from her debut, Our Version of Events. Sande was followed by the kookier if still talented Marina and the Diamonds from Wales, with the singer’s outfit of silver tinsel top, pink furry shoes, and a sash that read Miss Shellfish Beach, helping to represent her off the wall pop sound, along with her little stuffed animal - a pink dog named Marilyn. [2]

National Post: Believe it or not there was a time when liking Colplay was considered cool. But those days, like the majority of Chris Martin’s curly ‘fro and ability to come across as believably humble, went away as soon as the naturally diminutive Greek and Latin First Class honours grad decided to make declarative sentences his communicatus operandi – and, in turn, take his label’s financial fortune on his back. The Chris Martin – and make no mistake, despite drummer Will Champion’s predilection for soccer-chanting choruses, as Martin goes, so goes Coldplay — that tumbles and looks bemused into the camera these days is neither cool nor humble, what Martin peddles in is earnestness (and how!). Luckily for him, earnestness sells, especially in a world where so little can truly be described as genuinely earnest – just ask Aaron Sorkin.

Likewise, Martin comes across as friendly and genuine in a way that makes hating him both easy and readily available (See: “You know how I know you’re gay?” from The 40 Year Old Virgin), and all of this works for everyone, until it simply runs out of steam. Which, if yesterday’s show is any indication, it might just be. As Martin pointed out during yesterday’s sold out performance at the Air Canada Centre (the first of a two-night stand), this is “something like the 50th” performance the group has had in Toronto, and, despite a smorgasbord of shiny new toys — literally, the band gave every member of the audience a bracelet which lit up in sync to several of the numbers — the band themselves appeared to be tired of playing the same songs in a believably sincere manner.

By my count (and I’ve seen Coldplay seven times now), Martin tumbled about half as much as earlier in the same tour, while the rest of the band seemed to hardly muster the energy to reach the emotional peaks of songs such as Viva La Vida or even Fix You, during which bassist Guy Berryman looked utterly bored. As a band whose songs live or die by the heart they put into them live, most of last night’s effort seemed reserved and, dare I say, contrived.

Perhaps earlier in their career, Coldplay’s impressive stagecraft and visual acumen could traverse these lulls but they too came up short. While viscerally impressive, the lighted bracelets trick is just an extension of Arcade Fire’s lighted balls, the combination of confetti and balloons sprayed during In My Place was lacking, even by Flaming Lips D.I.Y. standards, and their stage show simply didn’t live up to the muster of the big pop acts (Katy Perry, for example) which employ bigger and better visual distraction. In theory, if one of these fails the other should prop it up, but yesterday’s performance was lackluster on both fronts, making for an enjoyable but ultimately forgettable show.

Luckily for the band, they were surrounded by a sold-out crowd. “We’ve got the best fans in the world and everybody knows it,” Martin declared following a sing-a-long to 2004 standout single The Scientist. And he may be right because, for that night at least, they saved his earnest ass. [3]

23 July 2012: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada (Credit: Examiner)

The Star: Ah, why struggle against it? I’ve been so desperate to find something original to say about Coldplay’s Monday-night gig at the Air Canada Centre that I’ve resorted, since getting home nearly three hours ago, to thumbing through a dictionary of literary quotations set on “love” in search of what professional journalists such as I call a “lede.”

This is the best I could come up with. I’ve absolutely no business invoking Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound in relation to the work of Chris Martin — absolutely no business at all, and may the deluge of justifiable hate-Tweets thusly accumulate in kind — but I still believe the following verse applies to what Martin et al. are up to on their current Mylo Xyloto tour:

All love is sweet,

Given or returned. Common as light is

Love,

And its familiar voice wearies not ever.

They who inspire it are most fortunate,

As I am now; but those who feel it most

Are happier still.

Coldplay at the ACC on Monday night was an ultraviolet-lit, confetti-spewing arena-rock love machine. If you didn’t feel like loving it and being believably loved in return going in, there were enough high- and low-tech distractions — sawing lasers, bounding beach balls, inflatable glowing objects scattered hither and thither in the stands and thousands of dollars’ worth of blinking LED bracelets handed out to patrons on their way into the venue — operating in service of one grand, mutual exchange of love that you had to allow yourself to succumb to the larger process or risk feeling less than human.

My bracelet didn’t work, for the record, but why should a single, doubting, maybe-karmic wardrobe malfunction detract from the overall, undeniable spiritual elevation of some 20,000 other doting fans? From up-jackin’ openers “Hurts Like Heaven” and “In My Place” through such knowingly “whoa-ooh-ooah”-ing, throng-acknowledged soccer-pitch keepers as “Yellow,” “God Put a Smile Upon Your Face” and “Paradise” to surrender-or-die encore must-haves as “Clocks,” “Fix You” and “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” — and that damned “Fix You” knocks me to my knees as swiftly and as capably as any power ballad I’ve encountered during my 37 years on this planet — the British quartet worked as hard as it could to make you feel like this was, as front man Martin put it early in the evening, “the best concert we’ve ever played in our lives.”

Every single tune was delivered full at full, everybody-in throttle, as Martin bounded up and down the neon-lit proscenium like the world’s most tireless summer-camp facilitator. Every available space in the script or opportunity for an impromptu hometown slant in the lyric sheet was given over to letting Toronto know how much Coldplay appreciated — and loved — its Toronto fans for being a part of this monstrous explosion of fannish love for Coldplay and the appreciative love-in-return that Coldplay felt for its Toronto fans.

It was an ebullient, on-your-feet, eruptive kinda night out from start to finish, and that’s a tough bill of goods to sell believably on a city-by-city basis when your touring itinerary is set out in front of you for well in excess of a single calendar year. I’ve no idea how these four likeable blokes translate the Everyman-ish OK-ness of what they do together into proper tent-revival mania every time they come to town, but they do it very well. And that’s perfectly . . . OK. [4]

The Globe and Mail: “We want Coldplay!” someone shouted during a break in Marina and the Diamonds’ lacklustre opening set – to a smattering of applause – at the first of Coldplay’s two Toronto shows at the Air Canada Centre Monday night.

It’s easy to see why. It’s not just because the tinsel-clad Marina emptily twirled her way through a starchy set in front of a crowd that filled up exactly when she left. It’s also because Coldplay has managed to quietly become one of the defining bands of the aughts, an achievement even more impressive because it happened on the strength of just a handful of tracks. Odds are, most of the generation it predominantly defines has likely never heard an entire Coldplay record; their popularity far outstrips the perception of their talent.

The band’s greatest gift is their effortless wide appeal, but they’re also impossible to develop strong feelings about – and they’re well aware. Their latest album is an excellent expression of this; frontman Chris Martin gets away with propagating a contrived thesis that Mylo Xyloto is a complex concept inspired by World War II and old-school graffiti despite it sounding, largely, like any other Coldplay record.

But when Coldplay got onstage, it wasn’t even fair. Their stage show’s preparatory smoke puffs got more whoops than the two openers combined (despite Emeli Sandé’s lovely voice). When, in an exuberant burst of confetti the band rattled off five straight classics, Martin had the crowd eating out of his hand.

This is the evolution of Coldplay: They’ve amassed a deep enough repertoire of hits that they can start shows in a way that would be premature for a lesser band. So when Martin says at the show’s start, “We talked earlier and decided this would be the best concert we’d play in our lives,” you want to believe him, you really do. “But isn’t this Coldplay,” your mind nags, “the world’s blandest best band?”

Indeed, Coldplay has spent so long being perfectly vanilla, serving up flawlessly anesthetized anthems, that when Martin muffed a cue on Speed of Sound and joked, “Don’t put this on YouTube,” it’s hard to shake the thought it might have been put-on imperfection. But you want to believe him, you really do.

And really, all the things that make Coldplay so ambivalence-inciting make them superior live, where it’s near impossible to sound airless and edgeless. Recorded, Coldplay’s synths swoop under Martin’s slurry drawl just so, and the best songs are anthems for anthems’ sake; live, Martin is dynamic, and the audience swells with every crooned “ohh,” and rides the parabola of every lingering “ahh.” Drums crashed and guitars wailed on typically understated tracks; the show only lulled during Martin’s slower, overlong balladry. It works because it sounds like Coldplay set free; it’s what a great live show sounds like.

Of course, this brand of soaring arena rock was U2’s shtick first; this has long been Coldplay’s unfair, inescapable bane. But that can’t change the fact the sold-out crowd pumped their fists through Violet Hill as if it was Cypress Hill on stage. Or that, despite the encore’s inevitability, the crowd spontaneously burst into the melody of Viva La Vida to lure the band out. Or that after the show, strangers took to the “Play Me I’m Yours” piano outside on York Street and sang The Scientist. Or that on the organ’s dying strains on Fix You, the stadium became a cathedral and everyone stretched their hands skyward, shouting the hymn’s every word.

Monday’s performance – not their best, but deeply entertaining nonetheless – showed that being a Coldplay fan is less about the facts and more about belief. And that night, the crowd let itself believe, it really did – because even an atheist would be hard-pressed to say that a church is not a beautiful place to be, once in a while. [5]

Lithium Magazine: This evening was my first live Coldplay experience. Over the past dozen years, every time the opportunity to see Coldplay has presented itself in Toronto, I have been either unable to procure tickets before they quickly sell out, or have been unable to attend their shows for scheduling reasons.

While I do enjoy all of Coldplay's albums, I have never been what I'd call a dedicated fan. I have always felt like Coldplay was a band that got really lucky early on and have somehow magically managed to maintain a significant global audience through keen marketing and albums with radio friendly songs.

I now understand their mass appeal. After finally seeing them live on their first night of back to back Toronto performances, I now get it. Coldplay is a quintessential feel-good live band.

As the graffiti-adorned black lighted stage was slowly lit and the four members of Coldplay took the stage, all waving at their audience, I immediately began to smile. And as the final notes of set closer 'Every Teardrop is a Waterfall' reached it apex, with customized Coldplay radio-controlled light-up wristbands on every patron in the venue all waving them in unison, I was STILL smiling.

There is something to be said for a band that can convey a genuine connection with their audience on a night-by-night basis. This has to be one of the main reasons Coldplay fans keep coming back to see them perform live. Chris Martin and company have tapped into a clever combination of musical resonance combined with a stage bravado that is pure magic to see live.

To start, Coldplay blasted their way through 'Mylo Xyloto', the title track from their latest album, with a level of passion and commitment that few touring bands on the planet can even match. Only one song into their set and the bar was already set quite high. They followed with 'Hurts Like Heaven,' which saw both Chris Martin and guitarist Jonny Buckland finishing up the song at the end of a lengthy runway that forged its way to what would normally be the centre ice position of a hockey game, at the heart of the Air Canada Centre. There was a spray of confetti throughout the venue, from cannons positioned around the perimeter of the entire stage that fired coloured 'M' and 'X' shapes from the album cover artwork, along with paper shaped hearts. It was there at the centre ice point that Chris Martin fell to his knees and then allowed himself to fall backwards until his head and shoulders were resting on the ground as well, coughing up a billow of confetti that was now sitting two inches thick on top of the runway. Still singing, Martin brought the song to a close as Buckland extended his hand to help Martin back to his feet. Then it was onto 'In My Place,' which was performed with Martin playing guitar, singing at the top of his lungs, and bouncing off to the side to dance along with Buckland for a few seconds at a time before rushing back to his mic at centre stage to sing. A series of large balloons appeared as the song ended and wound up being bounced throughout the crowd, which then sequeued into 'Major Minus,' bringing Chris Martin to both sides of the main stage to sing at the top of his lungs towards the left and right patrons.

Early into the evening, as Martin greeted the Toronto crowd, he said the band was talking before the show and had decided that this evening’s performance was going to be the best show on the tour. I'm sure it's something that gets said EVERY night at a Coldplay show. But what was amazing was that it FELT like the band actually believed the statement, and it made the show that much more electrified for everyone in attendance.

The performance was broken into several key moments. Midway through the set, the band took their place at center ice and performed three more acoustic songs, giving patrons on the floor and halfway back a much better vantage point to watch them play. Here they played 'Princess of China,' 'Up in Flames' and 'Warning Sign,' with Martin on a smaller version of his main stage piano (still painted with neon graffiti however) and drummer Will Champion on a small dual bongo set up.

The band left the stage after 70 minutes, saying goodnight to the crowd only to pop up one by one in Section 121 of the lower bowl towards the back of the venue. Martin said he wanted make sure that the patrons further from the stage got a show as well, and as he started to perform an acoustic version of 'Us Against the World,' Will Champion stepped up to a small piano and then was followed by both Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman. Here they performed two songs, lit by a single bright spotlight smack dab in the middle of their fans. After duffing 'Speed Of Sound' with Martin jokingly asking people to not post their first attempt on YouTube, the band delivered what I considered to be the high point of the evening - playing a great song that was made SO much better by seeing the band play it live, scrunched together in a wee space half way up lower bowl of the venue amidst a ring of enthusiastic fans.

The band came back out for a three-song encore that started with 'Clocks' delivered to perfection on the main stage with Martin at the piano, rocking himself on the stool throughout the song while he sang at full volume.

If Coldplay is indeed a band that 'just got lucky' to start out, they have turned that luck into something pure and genuine over the years. This current live performance was truly top tier, something I dare say is an experience guaranteed to 'Put A Smile Upon Your Face'.[6]

blogTo: Coldplay really lit up the Air Canada Centre on Monday night. And likely Tuesday as well, if they followed suit in the second of back-to-back shows in Toronto.

Upon entry, attendees were given a Twitter-branded LED wristband that, when triggered, lit up the entire ACC like a sparkling, multicoloured Christmas tree. Perhaps it was a gimmicky stadium trick, which Coldplay didn't really need to do, but this was a big money show, after all. They commanded the audience from the get go with their well-penned songs and rousing choruses. And then there's frontman Chris Martin, who pranced around the stage like a kid in a bouncy castle, enjoying every moment. He won the crowd early on, singing "Where do we go nobody knows? Play a concert tonight in Ontario," altering the lyrics from God Put a Smile Upon Your Face.Martin also made good use of the catwalk that jutted out into the centre of the stadium, giving more fans a closer look.At one stage, the entire band took a spot at the edge of the catwalk and played a few songs from this spot.

An amazing burst of energy hit the crowd at the start of In My Place, about the third song in, as confetti cannons shot bursts of colourful shapes that mimicked the Mylo Xyloto album that Coldplay are touring.Most bands break out this sort of fanfare at the encore. But not Coldplay. They busted out of the gates running, with a handful of hits, including Yellow from their debut album Parachutes, which started out all quiet and introspective, but achieved massive singalong status in no time.The stage lit up too, with fluorescent Spirograph-like shapes behind a grafitti-styled backdrop.Bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion kept the rhythm section tight throughout the set.Guitarist Jonny Buckland occasionally rocked out with Martin and you could tell they were enjoying the show as much as the audience. After playing 16 songs, Coldplay disappeared from the stage, leaving the crowd alone with their light-up bracelets, cheering for more.Martin quickly reappeared in the middle of the audience near the cheaper seats and thanked the crowd, saying "It doesn't feel like a Monday night, it feels like fucking Christmas, so thank you so much." The band joined him one by one to sing Us Against the World.Martin then screws up the beginning of Speed of Sound and asks the crowd not to put it on YouTube. Oops. My favourite Coldplay song, Fix You followed, with the band back on stage. And I must say, it was awesome to witness in a stadium setting for the first time, with Martin jumping for joy on the catwalk and fans singing along en massse. Quite the magic moment.

Coldplay ended the hour-and-45-minute show with Mylo Xyloto's first single, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, with fans all waving their light-up wristbands in unison.[7]

Twitter Updates

23 July 2012: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada

@YestoColdplay: Looking forward to lots of #coldplayfilm activity tomorrow from TO! Living the show through everyone there.
@emelisande: Good morning Toronto, first night opening up for Coldplay tonight!!
@oxfamontour: Doors are open & volunteers are raring to chat GROW to Toronto Coldplay fans. This carrot looks a bit shady to me tho? http://twitpic.com/ab0imn
@alishaburke: It's a beautiful night in Toronto to go see my favorite band of a time @coldplay!
@Gray2424: At the ACC in Toronto seeing Coldplay' Best night of my Life'
@kevingrout: Finally delivering on my Christmas present to my wife. At the @coldplay concert in Toronto for the #mxtour.
@oxfamontour: Ah, wondrous Toronto @coldplay fans giving @Oxfam some love! #lovefoodhateinjustice http://twitpic.com/ab15br
@WhitbyHabFan: We're ready for you @Coldplay! Are you ready for Toronto?? #coldplayfilm pic.twitter.com/Ma3sVYgr
@yling: Waiting for coldplay to come on. Can't wait! #toronto #coldplayfilm
@zakamazing: Toronto Coldplay and beer perfect mix best #birthday ever
@golagirl72: #Coldplay in Toronto and cider! Equals great night!
@KirstyNardone: "I can feel it in my heart! The bass! I can feel it in my heart!!" - Mom via #Coldplay in #toronto
@thelaurelwreath: Wristbands on for #ColdplayFilm here in TORONTO!!! SO EXCITING. My 4th #Coldplay concert!
@MariaBono: Got my xyloband!! Can't wait for it to light up! #Coldplay #Toronto http://pic.twitter.com/craY0dTF
@exitmusic13: At #Coldplay in Toronto!!! http://pic.twitter.com/kgfBVcNd
@jacbellmore: So excited for @coldplay to start their toronto show. I think this is my 5th time seeing them!!!
@racheljgriffin: Happy to be back at my old stomping grounds in #Toronto to see @Coldplay. They hit the stage any minute!
@clnwfr: Brb...seeing @coldplay live in toronto! #lifemade
@cornell777: Coldplay in Toronto just about to start. Full house--electric atmosphere.
@Hyland: @coldplay just lit up @LIVEatACC! #beautiful #coldplayTO http://pic.twitter.com/PwBy43p0 #Toronto
@ryan__dillon: Holy crap. I'm at the Coldplay concert in Toronto and they opened with the "Back To The Future" theme song. My mind.
@tabijejesse: Look who came on stage! TIME FOR MY LITTLE GIRL SCREAMS TO COMMENCE. YEEE. #COLDPLAY #TORONTO http://yfrog.com/nyc9xpvj
@emilykok: Coldplay in Toronto! pic.twitter.com/jbe8nN5H
@robnelson4: @coldplay Get Chris to play one of the pianos around #Toronto! This show is amazing!! pic.twitter.com/HB05WNYk
@emilykok: Look at the stars... #Coldplay #Toronto http://pic.twitter.com/tl9ghY3z
@oxfamontour: And the audience were all... Yellow... #Coldplay #Toronto http://twitpic.com/ab295d
@yarimangelique: Chris Martin from @coldplay just dedicated the song #yellow to the people in #Colorado #awesome show tonight #Toronto
@petitmanion: "It doesn't feel like a Monday, it feels like effing Christmas" - Chris Martin #Coldplay #ColdplayFilm
@phidon: #Coldplay mid audience. #toronto http://pic.twitter.com/tgtiM6zh
@scallysinopoli: Tears streaming down your face.... #coldplay #toronto http://instagr.am/p/NcqlWNGdKH/
@Jesse17171: #coldplayfilm Amazing concert in Toronto tonight one of the best I've ever seen http://pic.twitter.com/sRozkZzZ
@HearnTaylor: @coldplay To be apart of something this big is truly amazing! #coldplayfilm http://pic.twitter.com/SSRgau13
@matissesimone: #ColdplayFilm @coldplay are incredible! Best show ever!!! In Awe!!!
@kironcmukherjee: Power up! The bands make you a part of the show. #brilliant #coldplayfilm #toronto #mxtour @coldplay http://instagr.am/p/Ncr32WJmy0/
@AaronRinas: #coldplay #toronto #confetti http://instagr.am/p/Ncs2VNiQ3D/
@AaronRinas: #coldplay decided to play a few rows in front of us. We didn't mind. #toronto http://instagr.am/p/NctCb0iQ3M/
@Ama_Hysi: My mom wouldn't tell me where we were going. She drives me to Toronto and brings me to the ACC. Surprised with an amazing @coldplay concert.
@christiecw Hiii Coldplay! 3rd time seeing Coldplay, gets better every time! Thanks for the best Christmas gift http://pic.twitter.com/oA8J4UYP
@kimmnesbit: Thankyou @coldplay for a PHENOMENAL concert tonight in Toronto!! http://pic.twitter.com/Fx9dMO83
@vjdmii: So effing sick and awesome! Coldplay are the best @coldplay @coldplayfilm Toronto peeps are the best fans in the world pic.twitter.com/w88YE2e2
@elizabethmpace: Best concert ever. #coldplay #toronto http://instagr.am/p/NcxDKhImF0/
@kalamari005: Totally lived up to my expectations. Playing '99 problems' and throwing up the roc was just an added bonus. #Coldplay pic.twitter.com/UW4vAHGq
@victoria_stead: Most epic night! #coldplay
@Laurjew: @coldplay was incredible! Never been in a room with so many happy people. #love #happiness #toronto pic.twitter.com/13ljqNr1
@MJGambi: @coldplay concert in Toronto was amazing. Only wish they would have played longer. #Coldplay
@carinaaaaa: Thanks for an amazing night @Coldplay! Come back to Toronto soon. http://instagr.am/p/Nc5je4L0ml/
@scallysinopoli: Can I just go back to that concert and live in that moment for a couple years. @coldplay #toronto #myloxylototour
@inspireNergizer:Loved the Coldplay concert in Toronto! Got front row floor seats! The LED lights made the show incredible!!
@tyler_durant: @coldplay Toronto show was BEYOND spectacular. You guys are amazing live!!
@coldplay: Onstage. Toronto. W http://pic.twitter.com/4haLikld

23 July 2012: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada

From WikiColdplay

Contents

Setlist

Photos

Videos

Discussion

Fan Reviews

Media Reviews

Twitter Updates

Views

Personal tools

wikiColdplay navigation

coldplaying.com

Search

Toolbox

Google ads