People listen to music for countless reasons. I listen to music to feel happy – uplifted even. My favourite songs allow me, for a few minutes, to feel buoyant, free and capable of achieving the impossible.
Coldplay played the Rogers Center in Toronto on July 30, and it was indeed euphoric. The band, led by the charismatic Chris Martin, was in fine form, playing one hit after the other with joy, finesse and high energy. The music literally burst into the room, filling 50,000 people with song, dance and bountiful happiness.
The band opened with Violet Hill and played a few other songs, including the title track, from their latest album, Viva La Vida. They didn’t neglect my faves, like Lost, Talk, The Hardest Part and The Scientist. When they played Yellow, hundreds of large yellow balloons fell from the ceiling contributing to the lightness (in mood only, Coldplay’s artists are heavy on the talent) of the performance. Another song gave away to thousands of confetti butterflies descending upon the screaming fans.
I’m short, and though we were on the floor, I couldn’t see much and was relying largely on the massive screens to enjoy. However, that all changed when the band left the stage and reappeared suddenly on a small stage just feet from us. Performing a stone’s throw from me, I got to appreciate their talents from up close. They closed this intimate set with a tribute to Michael Jackson. My favourite moment of the night was this, listening to thousands of people singing along to Billie Jean, celebrating music and mourning one of its young heroes together. Check out my video. Click on the image to watch – it’s pretty amazing.
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| From Coldplay tribute to MJ |