Review: Coldplay wows fans in Singapore with a technicolour dream
When Coldplay performed for the first time 17 years ago, none of them – and us – could have anticipated how big they would become.
Their popularity was evident in the response that the British rock band received for their third concert here. Completely overwhelming, the reception for the group united not just fans in Singapore, but also those from the Southeast Asian region such as Indonesia and the Philippines.
Lead vocalist Chris Martin is well aware of this “Coldplay effect” in the region, and gave shoutout to people from these countries to thank them for coming to the concert on Friday night (31 March).
In front of 60,000 fans at the National Stadium, Martin belted out the vocals of the hit song “Magic” from Coldplay’s sixth album Ghost Stories (2014), before slowing into “Everglow” from their latest and seventh studio album A Head Full of Dreams.
And then, he took time to address the crowd.
“Thank you for having us back for the third time in Singapore. We also want to say thanks to those who have come from Australia and Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, wherever you come from. Bali. I don’t know where you come from but we’re just happy you’re here,” Martin said while taking a break sitting and wiping off his perspiration in front his piano at the island stage.
A worthwhile wait for the fans
Coldplay’s last concert in Singapore was eight years ago, but this is the first time the band has ever held a two-day concert here, packing 21 songs in 90 minutes.
The setlist for the first day of their third concert here mainly comprised of songs from their latest album, peppered with crowd pleasers from previous ones such as “Yellow”, “The Scientist” and “Fix You”, which saw everybody singing along and impressing Martin himself.
It was clear the lead vocalist was enjoying the crowd’s response, and Martin repeated the chorus for “Fix You” to listen to everybody sing again.
Coldplay’s concert was a surprisingly fantastic aural experience, considering the venue’s track record of disappointing audiences with poor audio quality in previous gigs such as Madonna and Jay Chou.
This time, while the music echoed through the big venue, the vocals were generally clear, the drums were solid and the guitar riffs crisp.
Not only did the band deliver in terms of sound, but in their signature show theatrics and energy were equally top-notch.
With Martin endlessly running up and down the aisle to make sure he could get as close to the audience as possible, the audience were thrilled with vibrant laser beams, fireworks and colourful confetti.
Together with the giant balls thrown about, the venue was transformed into a technicoloured carnival experience.
LED wristbands were also provided, which lit up automatically in unison, creating a sea of red and purple in front of the stage that ebbed and flowed according to the energy of the show – or as Martin called it, “Asian vibes”.
Whatever that meant to him, it definitely felt positive and the energy was evidently pulsating throughout the venue, with almost everybody up on their feet swaying their hands above their heads.
It was a concert that even non-die-hard fans would enjoy.
Unlike many bands, Coldplay has been able to bring people from all walks of life together, be it a whole family, lovers, friends or colleagues. It’s hard to point out how the band can do this. But for now, I guess we could call it magic.
Setlist:
A Head Full of Dreams
Yellow
Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall
The Scientist
Birds
Paradise
Always In My Head
Magic
Everglow
Clocks
Charlie Brown
Hymn for the Weekend
Fix You
Cover of David Bowie’s Heroes
Viva La Vida
Adventure of a Lifetime
Till Kingdom Come
Amazing Day
Something Just Like This
A Sky Full of Stars
Up & Up
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