Kings of Leon sauntered on stage, with a swagger and a confidence that I have never seen in them the few times I’ve seen them on stage. This truly marked the reign of the new Kings. Cruising into ‘Crawl’, the Entertainment Centre in Sydney’s CBD lit up and the crowd exploded. It was a new crowd too – younger, with many, many, many more ladies in the crowd and they were all genuinely excited, which is totally refreshing.
How do you follow up a heavy bass driven tune like “Crawl”? You throw in a classic from the back catalogue. ‘ Taper Jean Girl’ got the mosh heaving up and down and the crowd on its feet, which really wasn’t too hard - the crowd was out of their seats all night! The Kings pushed through the tracks efficiently and the 90 minutes seemed to just disappear, leaving myself and CB wanting more. Sadly for CB, they didn’t play his favourite tune ‘Soft’ which left him a little devastated but the encore was worth the wait, with the band we were treating us to ‘Charmer’, ‘Knocked Up’ and 'Manhattan'.
The Kings were a new band last night, with a whole new attitude. They played their best bits of their best songs to the best crowd. The boys treated us to a greatest hits collection and its something they should be proud of. In fact, if I wasn’t so poor I’d go running back to see them tonight. From the class of 2003, which featured The Strokes & Franz Ferdinand, these guys were the first to sell out stadiums and headline Glastonbury. Based upon last night’s performance, its easy to see why.
VB
Pic Source: Triple M
The last time they graced our shores with their fearless presence there was animal suits, fake blood and a man-sized plastic bubble. It has taken us five years to recover, but at long last The Flaming Lips are returning to Australia. There is no easy way to describe a live show from Oklahoma’s psych-rock Gods, whose lead-singer Wayne Coyne mesmerises his audiences with a performance akin to an acid-fuelled, dancing Jesus. Their visceral live performances even led Q Music to declare The Flaming Lips one of their ‘50 Bands To See Before You Die’. Since their last trip to our shores the band have released 2006’s resplendent At War With The Mystics and THE stoner movie of 2008, Christmas On Mars – a film which not only stared the band and their friends but which was written and directed entirely by Coyne. With a new album scheduled for release in June these Flaming Lips shows are simply not to be missed: Tue 28th Jul – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Wed 29th Jul – Festival Hall, Melbourne Tickets on sale Thursday April 2nd at 9am. Source: Inthemix.com.au
Sound Relief at the historical SCG will be remembered for the rain, the good times and the return but most of all it will be tattooed as a proud day in Australian history as a day where the Australian spirit again shone so brightly. This review will focus on the music but Sound Relief was a day, which honoured and remembered the victims & heroes of the Victorian Bushfires and Queensland Floods. If you still haven’t donated please donate just a little, Fires & Floods.
VB & CB!
In the past few weeks, a lot has been made of Chris Martin. U2's Bono called him a 'cretin' on BBC Radio, which has raised the long lasting question of where Coldplay stands in the list of "world's biggest band". As Coldplay's fearless leader, Martin has been charged with proving why this group of friends, originally from London, deserve the titles of greatness that have been placed upon them since their early days. I am here to tell you that he manages this feat with charm, confidence and the full support of each member of the band.
At the Acer Arena (formerly the Superdome) at Sydney's Olympic Park, Coldplay reinvigorated my love for not just one or two songs, but their entire catalogue. This was partially done by changing the formula of classics (a more up tempo version of Yellow, and a minimalist, electro version of God Put A Smile On Your Face are two great examples), but mostly from the energy that the band continues to bring to every track. This also shows how Coldplay continue to remain relevant and that’s through adaptation. Of course this could have turned sour - changing a good thing could shock the loyal fans into demons - but thankfully the boys know their audience well enough to push and pull just enough.
Decked out in very cool, Napoleonic military inspired outfits, Coldplay played a set that jumped through all 4 of their albums, as well as dipping into their latest EP, Prospekt's March. The focus was definitely upon Viva la Vida, but there was never a question that the songs that made the band huge - Yellow, The Scientist, Clocks, Fix You - were going to get a play.
The show was choreographed perfectly to bring the crowd to higher and higher still levels of euphoria. Apart from the main stage, there were two runways into the crowd which were used on numerous occasions during the performance (including a beautiful spot lit piano solo by Chris Martin.) During Yellow, confetti filled balloons poured into the crowd, and later still during the show fluorescent coloured, butterfly shaped paper fluttered through the air. However the show stopper was definitely when the crowd walked off the stage, and into the crowd to a mini-stage, previously unnoticed amongst the seats. Between songs played here (including a cover of The Monkees' 'I'm a Believer'), Chris Martin regaled the crowd with a witty, charming, and modest story, which he ended by expressing his gratitude for being considered in the same league as other world conquering bands, all of which must have been designed to remind fans and critics alike of just how big this band has become.
If you can't gather this by now, I loved Coldplay's concert. This was my third such experience, and every one has provided a different experience, but also has given me a new lease on my love for this band and the wonderful music they have consistently made. If you get a chance next time they are in a town near you, do not hesitate in buying a ticket.
Set list below:
Life In Technicolor
Violet Hill
Clocks
In My Place
Yellow / You're The Voice (John Farnham cover)
Glass Of Water
Cemeteries Of London
42
Fix You
Strawberry Swing
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)
Talk (techno version)
The Hardest Part (Chris piano, Will)
Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)
Viva La VidaLost!Green Eyes (acoustic)
I'm A Believer (The Monkees' Cover - acoustic)
Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)
Viva La Vida (remix interlude)
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Politik
Lovers In Japan
Death And All His Friends
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The Scientist
Life in Technicolor ii
The Escapist (outro)
CB
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