And they were all ......... well lots and lots of colours actually

Friday 6th July Thanks to an inspired birthday present for M we had tickets today to see Coldplay at the Wells Fargo (yes that name again) Centre Philadelphia where they were playing two nights on their Mylo Xyloto World Tour. Warm up acts were the British band Wolfgang and the Swedish singer Robyn who both got the audience going but by 9pm the stadium was full of 16000 hopeful fans. We were expecting great music and lots of big rock showmanship from Chris Martin but, as well as that, we were completely wowed by the special effects which rivalled those of Take That in Wembly last year (not sure Coldplay would be happy with that comparison - clearly the music is no comparison). Just before the band entered the stage the arena went completely dark and then was lit simultaneously by 16000 shimmering coloured lights as everyone's wrist band, which we had been given on entry, lit up automatically controlled by a remote radio signal - ohhhhh the wonders of modern technology but it is hard to capture the spectacle and excitement it generated. The whole crowd was on their feet for the full two hours - personal favourites were Mylo Xyloto, Us against the world (played from a small stage high in the corner of the stadium), Fix You and Yellow (of course) - full set list recorded here (http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/coldplay/2012/wells-fargo-center-philadelphia-pa-4bdf5f4e.html). Favourite effects - well much harder - but the coloured lights probably came out on top. Chris Martin is a truely talented singer song writer and performer and the rest of the band give their fair dues too. I am wondering if we grafitti the piano, have it spin on wheels and appear through the floor as needed it might inspire some more practice from little people? A fantastic fantastic concert.