Album Reviews
Movies
Concert Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Contact Us

Coldplay came out of nowhere in 2000 to become an unexpected overnight success in the states. Their debut disc, Parachutes topped many critics' year-end lists, and their hit single “Yellow” has still garnered major airplay midway through this year. Even though such success is nothing new for Coldplay, who swept up the U.K. with their charm, conquering the U.S. was a bit more of a challenge. Earlier this year, the group hit Chicago on their debut American tour, and had to change the venue due to rapid ticket sales. First booked in the venerable Metro, the group was quickly transferred to the Rivera Theatre. However, it was such fast movement in every city, mixed with grueling media and meet-and-greet schedules that sent Coldplay back to England after that show, wrapping up their spring tour early due to band member illnesses.

But for the summer tour, the group is renewed and ready to get on path once again and take the nation by storm. Their sold-out show at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, the biggest venue outside of the arena circuit, was proof of their rekindled flame for performing. Although the group isn’t electric with stage presence, they are commanding with their musical prowess and ability to let their superb instrumentation do the talking. Never flashy, and never trendy, Coldplay, like fellow Europeans Oasis and Travis, know how to communicate with the crowd and deliver a hearty dose of inviting, mostly acoustic, rock and roll.

Highlights of their set included the calm and soothing “Don’t Panic,” featuring the ethereal keyboard background, also making it an album favorite. The group built up the momentum on the chilling “Shiver,” while the haunting opening of “High Speed” was marvelously accented by Chris Martin’s floating vocals. The hopeful “Everything’s Not Lost” encouraged fans to press on in the daily struggles of life, proclaiming that there is still lots of life to live no matter how bad things get. Thankfully, Coldplay didn’t build the set solely around their mammoth hit “Yellow.” Instead of exploding in a frenzy at the opening chord of the track, the audience didn’t treat it as particularly special, staying equally attentive during that tune as they were for most of the evening. However, it was clear that the venue was too big to host some of Coldplay’s quieter numbers. When they played the acoustic “Sparks” and the piano laden “Trouble,” the words got lost in the shuffle thanks to some audience banter. 

Coldplay didn’t let it faze them and instead were thankful for such a big crowd. It just bothers me that this intimate and contemplative band may get too big for their own good and wind up playing the gigantic Allstate Arena or Tweeter Center next time through town.