Phil Spector may have created the “Wall of Sound” but Coldplay has perfected it. Their September 28th performance at the Phillips Arena in downtown Atlanta, GA was a sonic experience in sight and sound. For close to two hours, the audience raised their hands, danced, and sang along with Chris Martin and the boys from Coldplay. It was a great evening and a great comeback for a band that had not played Atlanta for nearly two years. The fans welcomed the foursome with open arms and open hearts grateful for the wonderful set and the few surprises that were left along the way.

Square One

There was much anticipation in the arena as the time came for the band to take the stage. The house lights were on until a certain blonde actress had emerged from the backstage area and was able to take her seat directly in front on the sound board. Then the music began to fade in as the lights were turned down. The band kicked off with the song “Square One,” the first track off of Coldplay’s latest album X&Y. The video screen behind the band was lit like a clock counting down to the number one and then counting back again. Visually, the show was breathtaking. Soft blues against warm reds were the colors of choice for the evening. That is until the third song, “Yellow,” was played. The stage was bathed in bright light as yellow beach balls filled with glitter fell from the catwalks onto eager fans. “Toys!” Martin exclaimed to a cheering audience. In all the concerts that I have been to I have never heard the audience sing as passionately or as loudly as they did that night. Admittedly, I was one of them. The hits kept coming with “Speed of Sound” and “God Put a Smile on Your Face.” Then Martin began banging out the opening notes to “Trouble,” a hauntingly beautiful track off 1999’s Parachutes.

Sing it like Ruben Studdard

This particular concert was full of grace for the city of Atlanta and it was also full of humor. Martin continuously heaped praise and thanks onto the city and her people. The band expressed their gratitude to Atlanta by thanking the audience for helping them become famous. As for the humor, the show briefly stopped when Martin flubbed the first few lines from the song “The Scientist.” “If this was American Idol,” he said, “I would be voted off and wouldn’t be able to perform next week.” The audience went wild. The video on the screen rewound and the band restarted. It was a great recovery. From that point on, Coldplay owned their audience.

In the middle of the show, the boys came together at the front of the stage to play a small acoustic set. “Kingdom Come,” a tribute to Johnny Cash, was followed up with a cover of the Cash classic, “Ring of Fire.” It was a fitting memorial closed out with the classic “Don’t Panic.” “Clocks” and “Talk,” another track off of X&Y, closed out the set. With that, Martin and crew retired backstage with a promise to return with a big surprise. All that the crowd could do was wait. 2 years ago, Coldplay surprised the audience with special guest Elton John. Would John, who is in Atlanta this weekend supporting his Peachtree Road tour, return for a second appearance? Nope. This time Michael Stipe, lead singer for REM, took the stage with Martin for the first song of the encore. REM’s “Nightswimming” was beautifully covered by Martin on the piano. Stipe, singing his lyrics from a stand on stage, sounded incredible and was genuinely overwhelmed by the reception he received from the audience. The remaining members of Coldplay joined Martin on the stage for the final two numbers.

It was obvious that Coldplay loves Atlanta and that the feeling is mutual. “In My Place” had the whole arena stomping and singing along at the top of their lungs. It was an awesome sight to behold. Yet the show was far from over. With a lone light bulb hanging from the stage, “Fix You,” their newest single, was performed as the finale. Coldplay closed their set in a dizzying display of lights and sounds that built to an astonishing crescendo. With that, the four men took their time leaving the stage mugging for the camera, taking their bows, and waving to the audience. For some, the concert ended too soon. While exiting the arena, the songs were still being echoed from the audience members as they filed out of the arena and into the streets of downtown Atlanta. A good time was had by all.

Coldplay: September 28, 2005 Set List
Square One
Politik
Yellow
Speed of Sound
God Put A Smile On Your Face
Trouble
Everything’s Not Lost
White Shadows
The Scientist
Kingdom Come
Ring of Fire
Don’t Panic
Clocks
Talk
NightSwimming feat. Michael Stipe from R.E.M.
In My Place
Fix You

A very special Thanks to Michael for the set list. It was great seeing you last night man!