6 December 2011: Dingwalls, Camden, London, UK
From WikiColdplay
Contents |
Setlist
- Mylo Xyloto
- Hurts Like Heaven
- Yellow
- In My Place
- What If
- Major Minus
- Us Against The World
- God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
- The Scientist
- Up In Flames
- Viva La Vida
- Charlie Brown
- Paradise
- Clocks
- Fix You
- Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall
encore - Christmas Lights
Photos
Photos from this show can be found at Coldplaying.com in the Gallery thread for Dingwalls. http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/1912
Discussion
All post-show discussion for this show at the forum thread http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90499
Multimedia
All downloads for this show (video/audio/interviews) is at the Multimedia forum at http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91139
Fan Reviews
All fan reviews have been submitted to us by the members of Coldplaying.com[1], unless stated otherwise.
Miraculously, we got in! After telling us over and over there was no chance, they queued us up (the lovely and most deserving Denise and her friends at the front) and counted us over and over before deciding to let us in! Was amazing. They messed up MX/HLH so badly at the start that they played it again at the end so it was perfect for broadcast. Oh I couldn't see the keyboard, the stage was low and we were near the back. He walked on three times and each time he couldn't get the MX track to start. Guess it could've been a fault with the trigger on the keyboard. He also messed up VLV (although I don't think it was him, but rather Jonny and Chris was covering for him) and had to stop and start that too. Whatever the trigger for the start of MX is (I'm assuming it's Chris' piano) didn't work. He kept going off and back on again, it didn't work until the third time. Also Jo Whiley messed up her intro, so we got that again too! [thanks Mimixxx]
So happy we all managed to get in and thanks to the BBC winners for not showing up. It was quite surreal with all their roadies and album producers, and Phil as well coming back and forth. When we got in we had to stay on the back, but the place was so tiny they were close anyway. So so happy for my friend, it's the best birthday gift she could have ever asked for. Yes, I really hope someone will record it, I didn't take any video because they would turn out crap and because they were going to show the gig on tv. So what can I say, it was a last minute decision really to go to London for these few days. It was impossible to find cheap flights from Italy for the weekend since today is national holiday, so we didn't even try for the O2 date (I mean, we tried to buy tickets when they went on sale, but didn't manage to, and while waiting for a Dec 10th date, flights kept increasing in price). We tried the competition with coldplay.com, and didn't win, so me and my friend decided to try on the day. She missed last year's Liverpool gig because of the snow, and today it's her birthday, so it would have been such an amazing present for her.
We waited outside Dingwalls from about 11, and we also met another Italian girl there. It was kind of surreal to see all their roadies going back and forth, Fransky, Dan Green and Rik Simpson as well, and then all the VIPs invited to the gig (Jo Whiley, who was the host of the evening, Steve Lamacq, Dermot O'Leary, just to name the first I can remember). We managed to talk to Phil, who is always so nice with us, and also said hi to Debs. The person from BBC in charge of controlling the people with tickets told us there was a really really slim chance for us to get in, but we had been waiting for quite a few hours already, waiting a little bit more was nothing really, even though it was freezing cold. The BBC winners had an 8pm deadline to show up, then they counted us again, we were 25 without tickets, and when 8pm came they let us all in. Of course the place was already packed up so I had quite a few tall people in front of me, the only thing that bothered me is that they didn't even seem to enjoy themselves that much and there was still a lot of place on the front but people were blocking the stairs down..anyway, it was just awesome to be there. Jo Whiley came in to introduce them, and when they came on, as you've read on the previous posts, MX wouldn't start, which was a good thing since they played it and Hurts Like Heaven twice It was the first time for me to hear Up in Flames and I quite enjoyed it, I don't like What If that much (must be one of my least favorites on X&Y) and would have rather heard Daylight, but am really not complaining. I was happy they played Us Against the World, because it really grew on me since this summer, and it was nice to hear Christmas Lights live again.
We waited for them after the gig and got to meet Chris, Jonny and Will. Chris said it was one of their worst gigs ever because they made a lot of mistakes. Also I finally have one of the yellow picks used by Guy, thanks to the lovely Hoppy (round of applauses for him for keeping working even using crutches). It's been a nice few days in London, and full of coldplay related hints, so it was bound to be a successfull trip. It was lovely to meet Cris, I'm so happy she got in as well considering how far she's coming from, nice to see Mich again, I didn't even know what time you arrived to queue up, and also Graham whom I had met in 2009. Here's a few pics, sorry but they came out kind of crap, lights were not really helpful, and I had to stand on my toes because of the tall people in front of me. [thanks iriden]
I'm sooooo happy they let us in!!!! Seeing them in such a tiny venue was like a dream coming true also I had the chance to meet a lot of lovely members from the board I'll only have 2 more internet minutes in my hotel, so gotta go and promise to write soon. [thanks Cris_Santos]
Had a lovely night with my friends even though the experience was kind of tarnished by rude people around us and the fact that we couldn't see anything. Once you go front row you can never go back Anyway - so grateful we got in, still can't believe it. The boys were all smiley and in a good mood and they performed so well Chris did a lot of crazy eyes at people in the front! [thanks AnnaElisabeth]
Media Reviews
- Coldplay return to Dingwalls for Radio 2 gig (Digital Spy)
Thirteen-and-a-half years after first taking to the stage in Camden's Dingwalls, Coldplay have played an intimate gig in the venue for just a few hundred fans. Having used the May 1998 performance to fund the recording of their debut album, the group performed the special concert as part of BBC Radio 2's In Concert series. It will be broadcast on December 15, with footage being shown via the Red Button and online the same night. Coldplay's performance - hosted by Jo Wiley - will be broadcast on Radio 2 from 8pm on Thursday, December 15. Red Button footage will be available to watch for one week from 10pm. [2]
"I have more cousins than this," quipped Chris Martin as Coldplay returned to the scene of one of their earliest gigs to play for just 400 people.
- Coldplay turn back the clock (Belfast Telegraph)
One of the world's biggest bands played against a backdrop of graffiti at Camden's Dingwalls, a venue no bigger than a small village hall. The chart-topping stars played the venue in May 1998, just days after their first low-key, self-financed EP was released with just 500 copies made. This time round a stream of adoring fans queued for hours outside in a bid to see Chris Martin sing and dance around the stage as though he was stepping on hot coals. The audience were treated to songs such as Fix You and Viva la vida as well as some new tracks from their latest album, Mylo Xyloto. The gig, presented by Jo Whiley, was part of Radio 2 In Concert, and fans can listen to it on December 15 at 8pm. Jo Whiley described the venue as "intimate slash dingy" and said it was "steeped in folklore". The band finished their set with a rendition of their old track Christmas Lights. [3]
- Caught Live: Coldplay @ Dingwalls (The Sun)
COLDPLAY last night returned to the tiny London venue they played 13 years ago as an unsigned band raising cash for studio sessions. Flyers for their 1998 Dingwalls gig billed them as The Coldplay, tickets cost a paltry £4 and only a handful of people showed up. By contrast, more than 60,000 fans applied for free entry to the band's Radio 2 show at the 500-capacity club last night. And they proved that size – and, in this case, concert revenue – doesn't matter to them as they embarked on an exhilarating set. Frontman Chris could have solved the UK drought crisis alone if he'd bottled the sweat he shed throughout the gig. "We're supposed to be a professional band for f***'s sake," he said after several false starts before opening tune Hurts Like Heaven. He explained it was a struggle for them to "acclimatise" to playing such a tiny place, telling the crowd: "I've got more cousins than this where I come from."
Tracks from their album Mylo Xyloto pack an even bigger punch live, especially recent single Paradise. But the biggest cheers went to stadium anthems Yellow, In My Place, Viva La Vida and Fix You. The gig will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Thursday, December 15, from 8pm to 10pm and will be on TV via the red button for a week at 10pm that night. [4]
- Coldplay at intimate London gig: 'We're not used to playing without lasers' (NME)
Coldplay played an intimate gig at Camden Dingwalls last night (December 6) for a specially-recorded BBC broadcast. The band, who recently announced a series of UK stadium shows for 2012, first played the 500-capacity venue in May, 1998, days after their debut 'Safety' EP, was released, and hadn't played there since. In something of a shaky start, the 'Mylo Xyloto' four-piece made mistakes during opener 'Hurts Like Heaven', prompting laughter from Martin. "This is worse than 14 years ago," he said. "We fucked that up as well. Come on, we're a professional band for fuck's sake." Elsewhere in the set he joked: "This is like playing for our family. It's so fucking small. I've got more cousins than this. We're used to lasers and posh stuff, and now we've got nothing but our instruments and our handsome bass player."
The gig saw the band play a career-spanning set, including early material such as 'Yellow' and 'The Scientist', along with more recent singles 'Paradise' and 'Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall'. Presented by Jo Whiley, the show was held part of the Radio 2 In Concert series and will be broadcast on December 15 at 8pm. It can also be seen on the BBC Red Button interactive service. [5]
- Coldplay Live At Dingwalls (Huffington Post)
'Coldplay, live at Dingwalls' is the most unlikely combination of words but it's exactly what took place this week in Camden. Coldplay have history with Dingwalls, for it was in this dingy little club where they kick-started their career back in the late 90's in front of just 40 people. Today they top the charts, sell out stadiums and shag Hollywood royalty. They've come a long way. And, oddly, I have a tiny walk-on part in their history. Back in 2000, I was working at the BBC, producing a music show, Inside Tracks, fronted by the Irish comic Sean Hughes. On my desk one morning landed the new single from an unknown band called Coldplay. The song was called Yellow and it was a no-brainer future hit. I booked them on the spot to appear on the following week's show. It would be one of their first ever TV appearances and the launch pad to a slot on Later... Yeah, no worries lads, I assume the cheque's in the post.
A fresh-faced Coldplay arrived and did their thing - and pretty damn good they were too. But back then it was still difficult to predict just how far they would go. For me, pop music is and always will be wrapped up in image and in that department Coldplay just seemed too sensible, too middle-class, too educated and way too well-behaved. I like my rock stars to do their jobs properly and that means overdoses, smashed hotel rooms and all night orgies. Coldplay probably have a Hoover backstage and fizzy mineral water and vitamins in their rider. But lifestyle choices shouldn't detract from the music and Chris Martin sure as heck knows his way around a melody so, over a decade after first meeting them, I'm well up for seeing them live and close up. Dingwalls has a capacity of just 400 and was one of the lucky few to be invited there as part of Radio 2 In Concert (the gig will be broadcast on the 15th December at 8pm.)
I find it quite surreal - there I am waiting for my pint at the bar when the hypnotic tones of that first single Yellow strike up. "Look at the stars... " sings Chris Martin and I turn towards the stage and see Dermot O Leary standing a few yards away from me. See, that guy really is a star. Charm in a bottle right there. Star quality is that intangible thing and Dermot's got IT. But have Coldplay? They look so damn healthy is all I'm thinking right now. I bet they have a massage therapist backstage too. And a vegetarian chef. And quite possibly some candles. Motley Cru they are not. But again: the music, the music, the MUSIC. And Coldplay, to give them their due, do have the music. Their songs do seem to make people happy and as I stand there listening, I too feel happy. Fix You is an anthemic triumph. It makes me feel warm and cosy. Mind you, I could just be drunk. In fact, that's more than likely as I've been taking advantage of a free bar tonight. A few pints in I start to think I'm really getting a handle on this gig - it's really good, really really good. Maybe I could love Coldplay after all. Or am I just drunk? Yeah, I could just be drunk.
And there I think is the rub - seeing Coldplay is like going on a date with a girl you like and get on with but who you find just a little bit boring. You fancy them a little bit, but not a lot. Drinking loads really helps get things going, makes you feel passionate, fills the gaps, and gives meaning and substance where there was none. But really, when the crunch comes, you find you're on a false trip of hope that will end with a headache and regret. Maybe that's a little bit unfair. Ah, it's so frustrating but I can't help but feel that Coldplay could have been so much more than what they are. They're a little like the England football team...they show immense promise, they sometimes show unbelievable class and real panache....but they're ultimately disappointing. When they triumph, with a nugget from the top drawer - Fix You, Viva La Vida and The Scientist - then I find them admirable but somehow still not quite loveable. Sure they have talent, but sadly for me, no edge. After the gig I feel like going backstage, shaking their hands and saying, "Well done lads" but I don't feel like hugging and kissing them and saying, 'God damn I fucking love you!'. Yeah, Dermot, you got away lightly. [6]
