2 June 2012: Emirates Stadium, London, England

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2 June 2012: Emirates Stadium, London, England (credit: EmileeGeorgiaa)

Contents

Setlist

  1. Mylo Xyloto
  2. Hurts Like Heaven
  3. In My Place
  4. Major Minus
  5. Lovers In Japan
  6. The Scientist
  7. Yellow
  8. Violet Hill
  9. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
  10. Princess Of China
  11. Up In Flames
  12. Warning Sign
  13. Don't Let It Break Your Heart
  14. Viva La Vida
  15. Charlie Brown
  16. Paradise
  17. Us Against The World
  18. Speed Of Sound
  19. Clocks
  20. Singing In The Rain / Fix You
  21. Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall

Photos

Photos from this show can be found at Coldplaying.com in the Gallery thread for the Emirates Stadium. http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/1903

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=90353

Discussion

All post-show discussion for this show at the forum thread http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90353

Fan Reviews

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

Just home... My 17th or so time seeing the band stretching back to 2003, the second time hearing Warning Sign EVER (and WHAT a version!!). Lovers in Japan, Violet Hill (my goodness they have turned that song into something almost career-defining) and even the songs I'm not so keen on (like Up in Flames, Don't Let It Break Your Heart, Paradise) they nailed so hard it's absolutely impossible not to be swept along... The shortest set I think I've ever seen them play (and I often complain when they do that), but every moment was so very special you cannot say a bad word. Simply perfection. I promised I would never see them live again if they ever dropped Politik, and that is stiil their best song for me, but in a set so well-executed, with pyrotechnics like you couldn't believe...I am still in shock and awe. The intro to Yellow, and then playing the whole song afterwards as well...so stunning there are no words. I feel humbled tonight. After their somewhat lacklustre showing in London in December I lost faith. Tonight they gave me everything I could have dreamed of, and much, much more - they've completely broken my expectations. The Best Gig I've Ever Been To (Probably). Sorry can't sat much more than that - I am in shock at what this band have become. Unbelievable. Oh, and Princess of China...dear god. I would pay the entrance fee to hear that alone (I would pay twice the entrance fee to hear Warning Sign though). I think with these recent gigs Coldplay have cemented their place as the best touring band in the World. Unbelievable. I have to say I was incredibly impressed with the stadium - better than Wembley in my opinion, much as it pains me to say anything good about Arsenal, but it's true. The whole organisation was very, very poor though. There was no queue management at our entrance, no barriers, and when the gates opened late a group of idiots from the end of the snaking queue (who'd just got there) cut across and were almost the first in line - and everyone else from the end panicked and followed them. I'm sure the ones who'd queued all day got in quickly as they were right at the front, but the rest of us were completely screwed over. We were going for GA seats so it was no problem for us, but we were really upset for the people who wanted to stand close - so unfair.

When we spoke to the stewards inside about it the chief steward didn't even know that there hadn't been barriers (?!) They were very apologetic but that wouldn't be much consolation for someone who'd lost their front-row place. The stewards and staff were mostly exceptionally friendly, but everything seemed to go wrong - even buying a drink was like being in the middle of a Keystone Cops film. Everything was basically set up the same way it would be for a football match, which it obviously wasn't! I am so glad to have incredible club level seats for Monday. The view will be even better from there as it's slightly higher but just as close as we were last night. And you have your own toilets and bars as well as a reserved seat. One enduring memory of the night is all those poor people who have never seen such a tall man dancing so wildly Being in an aisle seat there were quite a few collisions - apologies to anyone who sports Tonsu-shaped bruises this morning. Oh, and Speed of Sound Never my favourite, but WHAT a version [thanks Tonsu]

Just got home (huge tube problems argh) - was an utterly fantastic gig. Loved it. Listening to Warning Sign with the rain coming down and the lights was beautiful. Most of my pics are not very good (blurry), but will try and find a few of the better ones to post. Some kids appeared after the gig had finished (a lot of people had left but I was still stuck in the stadium ) Apple and Moses were with them to have a look around the stage, then Gwyneth came on. Apple was very cute waving to the people who were still there! Moses didn't look impressed lol.
’ve been thinking of how to go about writing a review of yesterdays Coldplay gig...truth is I have no way of describing what I experienced. It sounds cheesy, but it’s really difficult to put it in words! I’m watching videos now of the show...fantastic. Today I am shattered – sore feet, legs, shoulders and no voice...lol...being 36 doesn’t help with that either! This was my first gig in 15 years! Between then and now I’ve had three children so there hasn’t been much of a chance. I actually only managed to get a ticket I could afford on Weds via eBay. What to write first...the most awful journey home that took over 3 hours instead of 1, the pouring rain, freezing (and then briefly burning!) while waiting outside, the very rude ppl who tried to push in front of me, the very friendly (but somewhat unorganised) staff at Emirates, the smiley people I made friends with, the support (didn’t mind Rita Ora, could live without hearing Robyn again)...or to get straight to Coldplay! I got to Emirates sometime between 11 and 12 to find about 25ish ppl at my entrance. I had a standing ticket, but was still undecided about standing or getting a seat (opted to stand in the end). The wait till the doors opened wasn’t too bad, the run to the front of the stage was kind of funny...I ended up on Guy’s side a few rows back as that was closest to where I came in and after about 5 mins there was no chance of moving and it was a good spot ... I think Coldplay started around 8.45...maybe a little bit late as it had started to rain a bit before, and they were wiping the instruments down with towels. The rain wasn’t too bad at first but pouring done by the end. It was still light, but it made no difference (to me anyway) and by the end it was really dark so the xylobands and fireworks looked amazing. To be honest once CP were on I couldn’t tell you what they sang when or how hard it was raining, it felt like they were on stage for about 10 mins - it went by so fast! I couldn’t actually believe that Coldplay were right there in front of me...and with all the confetti, balloons, lights, lasers, fireworks, etc it was a little bit dream like! It was all fantastic, the energy coming off the boys and esp. Chris dancing around like a maniac! Guy was in front of me most of the time looking very handsome ... I loved it all...Chris asking everyone to sing along, jumping with the crowd in time to Charlie Brown with all the xylobands glowing around me, singing along to Fix you was magical – Chris was just listening to us all singing at the end with his hand on his heart. Yellow was beautiful - I phoned my daughter at this point and just held the phone up for her to hear ...Warning Sign was unbelievable – with the rain pouring down and the boys all lit up. I’m not a huge fan of Paradise, but it sounded so good live with everyone joining in. The Viva la Vida chant with Chris shouting ‘louder, louder, louder’... I adored Lovers in Japan which is one of my favourite CP songs (even though I was getting whacked on the head with ppl trying to reach the balloons!)...the confetti cannons were going mad at this point! Every song was wonderful; the whole thing was so much fun - from Chris singing a few lines from ‘singing in the rain’ to the boys having to start Speed of Sound over because Chris messed up. If you’ve still got a gig to come you are soooo lucky. Enjoy every minute. I’d love to do it all over again...except the journey home [thanks kestrel]

More Fan Reviews can be found at 2 June 2012: Emirates Stadium, London, England (Fan Reviews)


Media Reviews

Coldplay Wow Fans Ahead Of Summertime Ball 2012 At Huge London UK Tour Gig

Coldplay overcame heavy rain to perform for "the best fans in the world" as their UK tour continued in London last night (2nd June). The band delighted the sold-out crowd with a career-spanning set at the second of three gigs at the Emirates Stadium. Taking to the stage a week ahead of their appearance at Capital FM's Summertime Ball, Coldplay kicked off their performance with 'Hurts Like Heaven'. The song was one of a number of tracks played from their latest album 'Mylo Xyloto' and was accompanied by the band's now infamous flashing wristbands, given to every audience member on arrival at the stadium. Frontman Chris Martin could barely contain his excitement as he leapt around the stage, which featured three long runways extending into the audience.

Ahead of debut album track 'Yellow' and as the rain began to fall, the singer paid a rare public tribute to his wife, Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow. "I'm going to sing this for my beautiful wife Gwyneth, hopefully you can sing it for someone you love to," he said, sitting at his piano. The song was one of a number of the band's older tracks that was refreshed for the gig, either with an acoustic touch and a more minimal rendition. Coldplay unleashed a series of special effects during their performance, including huge balloons and lasers which shone out across the audience. But it was the crowd's wristbands that lit up again during new songs 'Charlie Brown' and 'Paradise', creating a sea of multi-coloured lights, that were the clear fan favourites. The band concluded their performance with 'Clocks', 'Fix You' and recent 'Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall'. Coldplay perform at the Emirates Stadium again on Monday (4th June) and play Capital's Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium on 9th June. [1]

Guardian: Minutes before stage time, Jay-Z's 99 Problems booms over the PA system, stirring the bedrizzled punters on the covered pitch, its titanic strut perfect for these vast environs. Such bold thrills are notably absent from Coldplay's quiver – just how are their more muted charms going to command the attention of a damp 60,000-strong stadium audience? The production values are lavish: five vast iris-shaped video screens, plus an armoury of rockets and roman candles, confetti cannons, beach balls painted like the globe and audience wristbands that blink multi-coloured lights to the music, transforming them into human lighting rigs. The effect is not unlike a Flaming Lips show, albeit with their psychedelic lunacy firmly dampened down.

These pyrotechnics are not enough to distract from the show's longueurs, those moments when Coldplay try to rock. Turning up the guitars on the likes of Major Minus, they're beholden to their clearest influence, U2, the Edge's instantly recognisable chime haunting most songs, while the cod-Celtic arena-rock of Princess of China – with Rihanna guesting via pre-recorded video – betrays the hollow bluster of Simple Minds. Their rock gestures just don't convince, not even when Chris Martin hurls his guitar skyward at the end of God Put a Smile on Your Face. He's clearly more Manilow than Marilyn Manson, thanking us for waving our "beautiful arms", for giving him this "wonderful job", gushing showbiz gratitude that is probably genuine, but doesn't entirely feel like it.

Tonight's show works best when Coldplay lean upon their soppier, soft-rock instincts, Martin singing with a sincerity that transcends the sentimentalism of his songs. His delivery redeems Viva la Vida's woolly positivity, as he throws himself into it with unabashed abandon, rendering its euphoric stomp giddily infectious as it fills the stadium. The group's finer ballads – Yellow, Fix You – also triumph here, Martin's expert lachrymose melodies and vaguely emotive lyrics enough to spark grand cathartic singalongs, enough to sweep even cynics up in the communal moment. As the soft-rock confections reach their crescendos, with the confetti cannons and fireworks at full blast, Emirates Stadium feels like the set of some twee, manipulative, "magical" mobile-phone ad – but then subtlety counts for little in venues like this. Still, it's not the spectacle that wins the crowd over tonight, but the songs with which they connect so easily, conjuring unlikely moments of intimacy on a crowded football field. [2]

Independent: “Jump, jump with us,” Chris Martin demands before “Charlie Brown”, Coldplay’s Big Country-style stomp, and his adoring fans promptly obey, leaping in a sea of brightly lit, radio-controlled wristbands. There are numerous, very vocal Coldplay haters, but this slick indie quartet really do try awfully hard to please. Martin even apologises for “all the crap [travel, food prices etc] you have to go through to go to a concert these days”. They are indubitably a polished, formulaic, stadium-friendly machine, but Coldplay do endeavour to mix it up – at one point they even play a couple of acoustic numbers, “Us Against the World” and “Speed of Sound”, on a tiny stage at the back of the stadium, claiming “we can’t play the Emirates without playing both ends”. It’s not as spontaneous as their touching tribute, “(You’ve Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party)”, to Beastie Boy Adam Yauch in Montreal in May (singularly the most surprising thing Coldplay have done in years), but this tight unit strive staggeringly hard to entertain, with considerable success, at this vast venue on a drizzly night.

The former UCL students enter to the Back to the Future theme, and, at various points of this robust, expensively mounted event, cannons release multi-coloured balloons, confetti and giant inflatables butterflies and raindrops into the audience. It’s very pretty, if a tad excessive. As for the actual tunes? Well, it’s nothing to scare the horses and they’re lyrically flimsy, but in “Fix You”, “Yellow” and “The Scientist” – their earlier, earnest heartache songs – they have some of the most exquisite pop anthems anyone’s produced in the past decade. Each one of these tracks is a highlight tonight, but the pleasingly spare and simple “Fix You” is wonderful. Most of the set comprises of material from their latest album, Mylo Xyloto, a bloated, underwhelming affair that has sold by the bucketload from Argentina to Switzerland. However, a lot of the record’s tracks gain a new life and feel more potent live, particularly the opening two numbers, “Mylo Xyloto” and the vigorous and very Eighties-sounding “Hurts Like Heaven”.

It helps also that in Jonny Buckland they have an adroit guitarist and in Will Champion an imposing drummer. And then there’s Martin himself, a wafer-thin streak of infectious energy, forever flapping his arms and wind-milling around the stage like a jubilant striker – a tribute to Thierry Henry? He’s such a formidable frontman you can even forgive his transatlantic twang and his annoying habit of asking “Is anybody out there?” Yes, a great many and they don’t seem terribly hateful. [3]

London Evening Standard: Revelling in dayglo and melody, Coldplay light up north London in a spectacle of sight and sound that proves the pinnacle of one of London's most remarkable long weekends. Beige no longer, Coldplay’s stadium stint in north London this weekend proved to be the most colourful live spectacle I have ever witnessed. While it was pure red, white and blue for the Queen down on the Mall, up here umpteen thousand wristbands flashed red, white, blue, green and pink in a bewildering sight that dazzled far beyond expectations. Everybody’s bands started flashing during the whizz-bang opener, Hurts Like Heaven, during which they were outshone by so many fireworks that the stadium was awash with smoke. Then they stayed off for just long enough to be forgotten about, until the sun went down, Charlie Brown and its line about “glowing in the dark” came on, and the space exploded into light in perfect time to the music.

It was a sight that will not be forgotten by those who saw it, an audience that included stadium-filler-in-waiting Adele, for a very long time. An expensive gimmick, perhaps, but it united the masses in a manner that has become Coldplay’s trademark. When the fans weren’t bellowing the “woah-oh-oh”s of Viva La Vida as one, they were howling approval for the band’s return, one by one with the addition of honorary harmonica player Simon Pegg, to a small stage at the back for the first encore. The song was Us Against the World, but there was no conflict here. “I can see you at the back,” Chris Martin assured us. “The more you give the more we give.” There was no divide between crowd and band, no stars versus plebs – if anything Coldplay seem to look up to their audience. Musically they have brightened up too. Having moved beyond the need to match U2’s gravitas that drags down any young band lucky enough to start filling arenas, they now revel in Martin’s dayglo gift for melody.

Rihanna appeared brandishing dangerous fingernails on the five big screens during the glorious synthpop of Princess of China. Those amazing wristbands sparked up again when they played the supremely catchy Paradise. Even quiet guitarist Jonny Buckland had a dance down the ego ramp during his solo on a pounding God Put a Smile upon Your Face. The stadium staples were ticked off – confetti blasts during In my Place, giant bouncing balloons everywhere for Lovers in Japan, yet more fireworks for the hyperactive finale, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall. For sight and sound, it was surely the pinnacle of one of London’s most spectacular long weekends. [4]

Twitter Updates

2 June 2012: Emirates Stadium, London, England
  • ‏@kreukel Soundcheck @ Emirates #Coldplay
  • ‏@acrossunvrs Chris's disembodied voice is flying over Highbury...just heard Charlie Brown from McDonald's.
  • ‏@acrossunvrs Soundcheck! And by that I mean prerecorded Charlie Brown
  • @katestwirl I do hope that this rain will stop before #Coldplay tonight - maybe I ought to go but some wellies!!
  • ‏@Goldierocks Coldplay sound checking again. They were at it ALL yesterday too. How many checks do you need? #arsenalstadium
  • @MissSarahLeo Why is Coldplay on again? Are they doing a lunch time show? Because if they're on now, tonight AND Monday, it might be a bit much... #loud
  • @acrossunvrs FRONT ROW #thatshitcray @ Emirates Stadium
  • @acrossunvrs Michie and Anna went to the other side, but this is us!
  • @coldplay Here's @RitaOra doing a fine job of warming up the Emirates earlier. More pics at http://cldp.ly/cpemblog #coldplayblog -
  • @acrossunvrs Robyn is making my heart explode, and not because of love, because the bass is too high
  • @nattatouillez Got 15 minutes to go. It feels surreal!! Robyn was actually surprisingly good. Props to her for doing ETIAW #Coldplayfilm
  • @tigidunsfold At the emirates standing on the pitch waiting for Coldplay
  • @BebeBlack Can the Coldplay fans either sing in time or pipe the fuck down. I'm trying to watch Kenan & Kel. #Emirates
  • @iluvalan At Emirates stadium for @coldplay. Chris is singing to Gwyneth #sobs #awww
  • @DWA93 @Coldplay I can hear you from my window and I hate all of your songs except Yellow, cos it makes me feel sorry for myself
  • @johnmcgee79 coldplay on stage, top show#pissingdownandsoaked
  • @fayejayjay whilst my coldplay wrist band is flashing again, i'm blasting coldplay and watching the concert videos. IT'S LIKE I'M THERE AGAIN!!!!!
  • @laurensmith1003 Has just got in arms reach of Chris Martin...@coldplay. Pretty damn cool
  • @AccidentalLDNr Just wondering which of my neighbours was playing a whole lot of super-loud #Coldplay tonight. That would be Coldplay. Live. Down the road.
  • @Raelilly03 can hear coldplay singing yellow from my room, kinda weird.
  • @vincemaple Your life cannot be complete until you have seen 60,000 flashing wrists! Absolutely awesome night #Coldplay @Coldplay at Ashburton Grove
  • @sirsteveyoung Standing tonight, still no wristbands, marginally less staff incompetence & much more rain. Coldplay played a blinder tho :-)
  • @florencedora Outstanding performance from @coldplay. Really beautiful. Am now completely soaked though #damp
  • @DoronSalomon Rain. Beer. Coldplay. Amazing.
  • @aliyeeeee My golly gosh coldplay were absolvely god blimey fantastico! So amazing! Best ever! #completelyblownaway
  • @harrietstall @coldplay best gig I've ever been too!! I even cried and I never cry lol thank u!!
  • @hannahdtrainer Coldplay truly awesome. Amazing band, fantastic show. Been a fan since Parachutes. Many memories, many brilliant tunes

https://p.twimg.com/AuanCSBCMAAqOxB.jpg

  • ‏@LdnMich Coldplay fantastic,marred only by pouring rain,silly girls grabbing my hair for Will's drumstick&an encounter w/ a v.rude member of CP staff

The Oracle on 2 June 2012: Emirates Stadium, London, England

May 31, 2012 - submitted by Sarah, United Kingdom
Q. Hello O Mighty Oracle, I'm going to the Emirates concert on the 2nd, but was wondering if Anchorman will be taking panoramas of all three London shows or just the one on the 1st?
Very excited!
The Oracle replies:
It's not Anchorman who takes the photos. He posts them but it's Roadie #42 who snaps them.
A panoramic shot will be taken before every show starts so there will be 3 of each of the Emirates.

April 26, 2012 - submitted by Louise, United Kingdom
Q. What time will the boys be on stage for the Arsenal gig on 02 Jun. Also have tickets for the England game at Wembley, but don't want to miss any of your set ;)
The Oracle replies:
Probably around 9pm. If you get a tube from Wembley at 7.15 ish, you should get to the Emirates Stadium (It's not an Arsenal gig! None of the band support that team) just after 8, if not sooner.

Anchorman's Live Photo Blog

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