Coldplay heats up Philly

PATRICIA J. SHEEHAN SPOIITS EDITOR PJs723@CABRINI.EDU

The black and white digital clock background lights up the· once pitch-black Wachovia Center while the tuning of a piano and guitars fill the sold-out stadium with a bold sound. The silhouettes of bass player Guy Berryman; lead guitar player Jonny Buckland and drummer Will Champion memorize fans while the first chords of "Square One" are played. Lead singer Chris Martin, leaps out from his own silhouette onto the stage as the rest of the band pumps the song into its glory.

Richard Ashcroft, formally of The Verve, opened the show with a few familiar songs while fans of all ages scurried for their seats. Ashcroft neglected to state his own name because he felt that no one really cared who he was. He also advised the audience to forget about spending money on his album but to instead donate it to a charity. The first unmistakable string chords of "Bittersweet Symphony" evoked an electric energy from the crowd that never died during the entire show and hundreds joined in singing the familiar lyrics.

Coldplay fans were ready for the emotional rock the band is known for soon after Ashcroft's exit. The band followed up "Square One" with an array-of Coldplay favorites like "Politik," "Yellow" and "The Scientist." There was a tribute to Johnny Cash, when the band covered the late legend's hit, "Ring Of Fire," but nothing compares to the exhilarating performance of "Clocks" where Martin tangoed across the stage mor~ than ever. In between bashing the classic tune on his black piano while lights illuminated the stadium and the thrilled audience danced and sang along.

Coldplay left the stage with the crowd wanting more and many thought this was the end to a fantastic experience. The crowd screamed and cheered for an encore despite the fact that Martin had stated that he had lost his voice earlier that day. However, with as much energy as before Champion, Berryman, Buckland and Martin ran onto the white-lit stage and started with "Swallowed In The Sea." The final song of the evening, "Fix You," embraced the crowd as one voice as Martin leaped off the stage and ran to the back of the stadium, pulling fans from their spots

PATPJCIASHEEHAN/SUBHITTEOPHOTO

Coldplay's second album "A Rush of Blood to the Head" and their last album "X&Y;' which spurred their latest tour. along with him until there was a string of gowds surrounding him as he finished the final lyrics. The htlnd took their bows while thanking fans for "the brilliant flyers" someone had handed out which read: "U.S.A. Loves Coldplay." Finally Martin sat on the right edge of the stage and took off his white sneakers