Coldplay - Grady Cole Center, Charlotte, NC
January 25, 2003
I had been listening to Coldplay almost nonstop ever since I got A Rush Of Blood To The Head earlier in the month (already had Parachutes and loved it but didn't go all out nutty for Coldplay until I heard AROBTTH at Mo's in Ohio) So when the Charlotte show drew near, and Coldplay not playing anywhere closer until the end of February, I started to consider the 8 1/2 hour drive to Charlotte. All signs pointed to be being able to go: weekend off, plenty of time to get there and back, nothing else going on that weekend...now I just needed a ticket! Fortunately, ticketbastard released tickets sometime after 4pm the day before the show, so that pretty much was the final deciding factor that I would go!
I quickly packed a bag and checked the fluids in the car (which hasn't had an oil change since before going "On Scarlet's Walk"), and tried to get some sleep in preparation for the journey ahead.
I left the house at 6:30am with a bag of clothes, a bag of snacks, and a small case of cds. It was going to be a long trek, but I just pressed on, and only had to stop once for gas near Richmond. I didn't wear down until the stretch from Greensboro to Charlotte, but I knew I was close and I stuck it out, and arrived at the venue at 3pm. That was a good time to arrive, because there were probably only 10-12 people there waiting, and many showed up soon after me! I met a few people from the Coldplay message board, and played rummy with my Scooby Doo playing cards with 2 guys originally from Riverside, CA (Chris and Mark) and a girl named Jamie from Kentucky. Later I met some girls from New Jersey, but going to school in DC...and we found an internet cafe for some much needed COFFEE!!! I felt good that I wasn't the only one that had travelled a long way for this band! (and kinda felt like I was at a Tori Amos concert)
The venue guys came out moved our line, but everyone stayed in order during the shift. I must compliment the venue staff for being friendly and helpful with organizing the line and informing us what time will call would open (6pm) and what time doors would open (7pm). Many times the staff at venues pretend not to know what's going on!
I got my ticket from will call, and they opened the doors at 6:45 (YAY!) We all rushed in, down the stairs and up to the front barricade. YES! I secured a spot on the barricade to the right of Chris Martin! Now the slow wait would sink in, that being the wait before Ron Sexsmith to go onstage! I met a guy from Duke University and chatted for a while, passing the time, and finally Ron and his band went onstage. They were alright...I enjoyed some songs but didn't care for others, but he was a good warm up for Coldplay. The anticipation built to a frenzy during the set change, as we saw the stage transform into the Coldplay setup! The lights dropped and everyone went nuts, knowing we were in for a ride!
The band took the stage, with Chris being the second one out! OH MY GOD here we go... =) Chris sat down at the piano and welcomed us, saying this is their first time in North Carolina, but it won't be their last!
Politik
EXPLOSION OF LIGHTS!!! Wicked flashing white lights happening frantically as Chris writhes in a frantic movement at the piano, opening us up emotionally with the lyrics that speak of allowing ourselves to have strength in ourselves, remaining open with our hearts and souls, confidence to "open up your eyes" and hope to heal our emotional scars......."but give me love over, love over, love over this..."
Shiver
Always a favourite, very high energy song to rock out to, singing of the times we've felt overlooked yet can't help wanting to stick around and make them see you from a different, rather lovely angle ;-) "I sing it loud and clear, I'll always be waiting for you..."
As Tori would say, "maybe we could change her mind..."
Spies
The first or second Coldplay song I ever heard (it was either Spies or Yellow)... Little drops of splashing water, creating ripples, started to appear on the screens behind the band...
Daylight
Not particularly a favourite, but yes...we're "slowly breaking through the daylight" as we become more enlightened in our lives... I enjoyed it but was also looking ahead to:
Warning Sign
My second favourite song from AROBTTH! I knew this was coming, and figured I'd probably melt into the floor when it started (I think the barricade held me up though!) heheh... Deeply personal song to me, a joy to feel it live... "I started looking for excuses...when the truth is I miss you so" "come on in, I've got to tell you what a state I'm in..." Oh, it might have been this song or one soon after when they turned on the four screens behind the band, which showed each of the band members live in black & white, which created a simply beautiful effect of moments frozen in time...
One I Love
B-side from the In My Place single, nice rocker... I am not very familiar with this song since I don't have the single but I liked it...
Don't Panic
I knew this was part of the setlist but I wasn't expecting it when it started... This song will probably always remind me of driving around Potsdam, NY when I went to school up there, because Parachutes was ALWAYS in my car stereo. "...There's nothing here to run from, 'cause everybody here's got somebody to lean on"
Everything's Not Lost
Perhaps the most beautiful song of the night...certianly this song became a favourite of mine based upon this performance... "So if you ever feel neglected, and if you think all is lost, I'll be counting up my demons, yeah, Hoping everything's not lost." truly healing for someone who does feel neglected at times (whether I actually am or not)... a song that helped me to realize that everything really is not lost, even though things might not turn out the way I so badly want them to, there is still lots to be happy about! Chris encouraged everyone to sing along at the end, saying this song is about the joys of being alive, the joys of girls and boys and everything! So we had a nice sing-a-long with 2900 people singing:
Sing out oh oh oh yeah
Oh oh yeah
Oh oh yeah
Everything's not lost
Come on yeah
Oh oh yeah
Come on yeah
Everything's not lost
Oh oh yeah
Oh oh yeah
Oh oh yeah
Everything's not lost
Come on yeah
Oh oh yeah
Come on yeah
Come on yeah
Oh oh yeah
Come on yeah
Everything's not lost
Sing out yeah
Oh oh yeah
Come on yeah
Everyting's not lost
Come on yeah
Oh oh yeah
Sing out yeah
Everything's not lost
Chris thanked us for coming out and giving them our Saturday night, and commented that the venue makes them feel like they are playing at the High School dance! (the Grady Cole is basically a glorified basketball gym) He said they would play a new song before the principal comes in...
Moses
The new song that Chris wrote about his g/f Gweneth Paltrow, very good song! Hopefully this one appears on the next album, whenever that may be.
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
"Where do we go, nobody knows"
"when you work out where to draw the line
Your guess is as good as mine"
Yellow
Feel good sing along song, made better by the excitement the band puts into playing it, how happy Chris seems up on stage! :) Must admit near the end of Yellow I was trying to brace myself for what I knew was coming up next:
The Scientist
The song that just left me stunned and holding back tears the first time I heard it...the song that had been playing the most in my stereo during the month of January...it still affects me dramatically every time I hear it, taking me back, wanting to go back and pull the puzzles apart...you know who you are...tell me your secrets, ask me your questions, tell me you love me, come back and haunt me...
Nobody said it was easy
Oh it's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
NO ONE EVER SAID IT WOULD BE THIS HARD
Encore:
Applause, release, processing of what just happened...the band came back in a couple minutes...
Clocks
Mo's favourite song from AROBTTH, and it's not hard to understand why. They couldn't have picked a better song to follow The Scientist with, and I was glad they kept these two in the same order at the show as on the cd... Indeed, "tides that I tried to swim against have brought me down upon my knees" This tune is now a favourite of mine as well!
In My Place
YES! After the emotional, cathartic, healing energy of the show, this song at the end of the night was very energized...I feel like a lot was released during the singing of this one (this was another sing a long, with Chris's energy up beyond 11) "I was lost...I was scared, tired and underprepared...and how long must you wait for it? This just says it all:
Sing it please, please, please,
Come back and sing to me,
To me, me.
Come on and sing it out, now, now.
Come on and sing it out
To me, me
Come back and sing.
In my place, in my place,
Were lines that I couldn't change,
I was lost, oh yeah.
Oh yeah.
Trouble
ooh! Gorgeous song, one of their best...also sad to know the show was almost over, but very much loving this tune... making things right... and to all those who have ever been caught in a spiderweb with me, I say:
"Here I am in my little bubble
Singing, I never meant to cause you trouble
I never meant to do you wrong
And I, well if I ever caused you trouble
Oh no, I never meant to do you harm"
The audience was very entranced with the song and most people didn't start singing on cue when Chris pushed the mic towards the audience for the "They spun a web for me" part. Chris said something like "oh c'mon, you've been so good with singing so far, let's not fuck it up now...this is the last bit of singing we're going to do together in North Carolina for some time..." and they played the part again, with everyone singing along this time! I thought the show was over, but was hoping hoping hoping for another song... Trouble ended and Chris said they could do one more song for us if we'd like!!! Everyone went nuts, and they played this new tune:
Ladder To The Sun
Can't remember the words, but I was just happy to hear another song to prolong the show a little while longer...will have to get a recording of this one when it surfaces!
Well, that brought the show to a close...I left the venue in awe, feeling healed and inspired (and signed up at the Make Trade Fair booth on the way out)
In a daze from the show, I headed over to my car and set off to drive as much as I could that night before having to stop and sleep. With the lack of sleep I had already, I got very tired, but somehow, and with a TALL cup of coffee, managed to drive up to Virginia, where I got a room for the night. Advice for everyone: don't EVER stay at the Days Inn in Bracey, VA. IT SUCKS ASS! The pillows are like bricks and the towels are dirty, ect... I finally managed to fall asleep and actually get comfy after a while (shows you how exhausted I was)... slept for 6 hours and drove the rest of the way back home to PA... I ended up sleeping through most of the Super Bowl (saw the beginning and end) since I was so tired and had to go into work early the next morning...
I'd like to wrap this up by encouraging EVERYONE to go see Coldplay whenever you have the chance. It will be an experience you will not soon forget! For me, it was a very big step in the healing process of life... :)
I'll be doing my best,
I'll see you soon...
