Everybody loves Chris Martin and his band of merrymakers, yes? YES.
Even though one of the world’s favourite bands now only plays to sold out tours and mammoth size venues, there was once a time the band were fresh-faced up-comers, who were eager to impress and pack in small festival venues. Here are some throwback festival performances that will make all you spirited Coldplay fanatics feel warm and fuzzy inside.
1. Don’t Panic – Glastonbury, UK, 2000
“I don’t know if any of you heard of us, but we’re called Coldplay. It’s great you came to see us now, before we’ve gone Bon Jovi massive”Β is a little joke Christ Martin cracked, before setting into one of Coldplay’s most identifiable tunes, Don’t Panic at GlastoΒ 2000.Β Little did he and his band know, that just a few years later Bon Jovi would be an unidentifiable speck in front of Coldplay’s surging popularity.
2.Β Coldplay at EurockΓ©enes Festival, Belfort, France, 2000
This one is for all you ‘Old Coldplay Is The Best Coldplay’Β crusaders.
A spirited, young and freshly shaved Chris Martin’s mastery of vocals can be witnessed here, while Guy, Will and John back him up perfectly. This 44 minute set (from their debut album Parachutes) at an obscure festival in France, played host to one of Coldplay’s most honest performances, with the band’s playful and delightful nature shining through…making you understand that their personality has never been a put on. The best part : When Martin speaks (quite adorably) toΒ the audience in wonky French, and then ends the set with a superb Nancy Sinatra cover.
3.Β Coldplay at The Big Day Out Festival, Adelaide, Australia, 2001
By 2001 Coldplay was not only touring Europe but also playing to large audiences all over Australia. The now defunct Big Day Out Festival Coldplay performance was quite amazing. Especially when Chris busted out his harmonica, mid-set.
4. Coldplay live at Roskilde Festival, Denmark, 2009
Performing some of their most underrated tracks like Strawberry Swing, Coldplay took Denmark by storm, during their performance at Roskilde Festival in 2009. The perfect ending to the night was at the end of Viva La Vida, when a visibly exhausted yet euphoric Martin let the crowd finish off the song for him, while he lay on stage.
5.Β Coldplay – In My Place, Glastonbury, UK, 2011
Returning to Glastonbury after 11 years, as a headliner on the main stage, Coldplay finally had their ‘Best Bon Jovi moment’. While most people will remember thisΒ setΒ by the band’s performances of Fix You and Viva La Vida, The Sherp found a special place in his heart for their magical performance of their firstΒ major hit, In My Place. Oh to be amidst that crowd sing-a-long and falling confetti!
P.S. – Do check out the rest of their performances from Glastonbury 2011. The whole set is quite exceptional!
6. Coldplay – Shiver, T In The Park, Scotland, 2011
We can all attest to the fact that the intro toΒ ShiverΒ is quite exquisite, with the right amount of melody and strumming to change the energy of an arena from low to palpable. Here’s another gorgeous version of Shiver, which sounds particularly brilliant even though the band started on the wrong note.
7. Coldplay – Fix You,Β T In The Park, Scotland, 2011
Fix You is Coldplay’s organ-infused heartbreakingly beautiful tune, and it’s been paid homage time and again by various cover artists over the years. However, nothing can beat Coldplay’s T in The Park version, that started out asΒ Why Does It Always Rain On me but slowly melted into the haunting lyrics of Β ‘Lights will guide you home…’ ending with the crowd singing the whole song back to band. Gives you tingles, every single time.
8. Paradise – Coldplay, Rock In Rio, Rio de Janerio, 2011
2011 seemed to be a major ‘festival comeback’ year for the band, as the four of them travelled all the way to South America to perform at Rock In Rio. We’re quite blown away by their set, featuring the band’s most catchy single Paradise.
9. Β Coldplay – The Scientist, Pinkpop, Netherlands 2011
Modern piano-rock at its best, The Scientist does not need any introduction. Neither does this absolutely gorgeous performance by the band at the Pinkpop, 2011.