CONCERT REVIEW: Coldplay Lights Up Gillette Stadium

FOXBOROUGH, MA — At times it felt like a performance by two Coldplays, and that not a bad thing. If anything, it was a reminder that the band has been relevant for some time.

The group, who was at Gillette Stadium as part of their “A Head Full of Dreams” tour, certainly didn’t disappoint the sold-out crowd during a two-hour set that saw the old and new from the group.

Following an opening with classical opera from Miriam Gauci and an excerpt of Charlie Chaplin’s speech from “The Great Dictator,” lead singer Chris Martin wasted no time getting use out of the runway from the stage to midfield as “A Head Full of Dreams” played to kick off the main set, following up with “Yellow,” “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall,” and “The Scientist.”

Some of the early songs also bought fireworks and confetti, providing an element which is very much common with massive stadium performances but perhaps not as much with a band like Coldplay. Songs like “The Scientist” and “Birds” were more low-key and typical of the band’s past, with less light and more focus on the tracks.

If it was slow and the lights were off, chances are the song were no older than 2008's Viva La Vida. If there was a light show and fireworks, balloons, and confetti were everywhere, it was more often than not no younger than 2010's Mylo Xyloto.

The changes in tempo didn’t seem to affect the band or the crowd. There were few moments to pause, just song after song. Even songs like “Paradise” started as subtle as the previous songs but soon broke into a dance remix with Martin striding up and down the runway. It wasn’t until after the eighth song, “Princess of China,” that there was a breather.

Most interesting was the fact that the audience was as much as part of the show as the onstage performers. As fans entered the stadium, they were given a bracelet to put on. At various times during the set, the bracelets turned 50,000 fans into Martin's personal fireflies as they lit up in sync with the music, turning Yellow for the song named after the color, green and blue for “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, and red for “A Head Full of Dreams.” Perhaps that is what stadium performance have evolved into. Taylor Swift had a similar element at her show in Foxborough last year, and as it did then, it provided a great visual for those watching.

To the credit of the band, there was little chit-chat, with Coldplay performing like they were on a mission to play as many songs as possible from their 15+ year catalog of music. It wasn’t until roughly the 45-minute mark that the band stopped to talk to the crowd and sympathize with the challenge that is traveling to Gillette Stadium.

“Nine months ago I came here to see Ed Sheeran here so I understand the chaos of getting here. You deserve a dollar prize for being here,” Martin told the crowd.

More humor ensued before the band played “Everglow” in memory of those killed in recent tragedies around the globe. The song was accompanied by a video quote from the late Muhammed Ali.
Another somber tribute took place a few songs later when the band covered the late David Bowie’s “Heroes.” The energy went back up with “Viva La Vida” and “Adventure of a Lifetime.”

Called a reminder of their roots, Coldplay performed three songs on a small stage in the back of the crowd.

The brief acoustic session included “Green Eyes, Ride on, and God Put a Smile on Your Face. For those who have followed the band since their first hits in 2000, it was a brief trip back to a time where they were playing the Paradise Club on Commonwealth Avenue, rather than a football stadium on Route 1.

“Amazing Day,” “Sky Full of Stars,” and “Up and Up” ended the show.

If there was any criticism it would be in that of “Princess of China” and “Hymn for the Weekend.” The former, a collaboration with Rihanna and the later, recorded with Beyonce, seemed somewhat awkward as Martin stopped signing to make was for a recorded vocal track.

Foxes and Alessia Cara opened for Coldplay. Foxes’ 30-minute set was a fine sampler for those not familiar with the British pop star. As expected, the crowd was mainly into “Clarity,” the result of her collaboration with Zedd.

Cara opened with a video of her appearances on American talk shows and compliments from Taylor Swift as if that video was a reminder that someone important and talented was on stage and the audience should appreciate that. Aside from Cara going through the typical pop cliches that included believing in yourself and always getting over heartbreak, the Canadian singer’s performance was well received by the stadium crowd.

The performance was Coldplay's first at Gillette Stadium and the second for Martin, who made a guest appearance at last year’s Ed Sheeran concert.

Images courtesy of Gillette Stadium/David Silverman