Emeli Sandé + Coldplay @ Paris Bercy (14/12/11)

Last night Coldplay lighted up Bercy! The December cold didn't discourage fans of the band who did not hesitate to invest Bercy early. When the doors finally opened, the queue stretched easily over 500 or 600m. I must say that the concert was one of the most expected of this end of year. It was sold out since the day the tickets went on sale. Many people didn't manage to get their precious tickets!

Each spectator was given a Xyloband at the entrance, colored Coldplay wristband. I bet those who did not know stayed baffled!

Emeli Sandé

Emelie Sandé, rising singer from the other side of the sea had the difficult task to open for Coldplay. The audience was a little bit shy at first sight then it started to ease, helped by sympathy of Emelie. She even managed to put the crowd sing along on Heaven, her first single in the UK. She has been rather talkative by giving us anecdotes and taking care to introduce each of her musicians and one of her songs written with Alicia Keys, Hope. It was a discovery for me and I must say that I liked her, so I'll wait for her album to be released in January.

During the installation of Coldplay's scene, some miscellaneous music was broadcasted when suddenly there was 99 Problems by Jay-Z. Coldplay fans know that this is the sign of the imminent arrival of the band on stage. And indeed, few minutes later the lights went out, and Back to the Future Theme began.

When Hurts Like Heaven's first notes began, something extraordinary occurred. Xylobands all ignited at the same time and WOW!!! It was magic to turn around and to see the whole Bercy irradiated by small points stirring. I think I'm gonna keep an immortal memory of this moment. The concert thus started in a hard way but it was without counting the chain with Yellow and the famous balloons that made the happiness of the mosh pit throughout the song! A big jubilation seized the public with In My Place, especially since butterflies and colored symbols fell from the sky. It rained butterflies from everywhere, so much that from where I was, I hardly managed to distinguish Chris and Jonny on the central platform! These first three songs set fire in the venue.

By running from the right and to the left, the energy of Chris Martin was the same as during the last passage of Coldplay in Paris Bercy (September 2008). In perfect French he greeted the crowd: "Désolé pour mon français, nous sommes très heureux que vous ayez fait l'effort de venir ici, c'est un plaisir d'être ici avec vous, merci beaucoup" (meaning: "Sorry for my French, we are very happy that you made the effort to come here, it is a pleasure to be here with you, thank you very much").

To focus on the setlist, they interpreted the songs of Mylo Xyloto they played since the summer festivals. We can regret that they did not play one or two other titles of this album among UFO, Don't Let It Break Your Heart, Up With The Birds and Princess of China. Let's hope they will include these song to their stadium tour next year. The majority of their set thus consisted in titles or should I say hits, from their previous albums just like Viva La Vida or Clocks. From a point of view more personal, I was delighted to see Shiver appearing on the setlist because I did not expect it! In England they had not played it. Their show is well done and prepared but it's pleasant to see that they still allow themselves some changes in the setlist according to where they are playing.

In the middle of the gig Chris, Guy, Jonny and Will came on the central platform to interpret two acoustics titles: Up in Flames and Us Against The World where Will (the drummer) also sings. All Bercy was captivated by this little platform in the middle of the mosh pit, everbody had eyes riveted on the 4 musicians.

The general atmosphere was explosive throughout the concert, people in the seats spent the whole gig standing. The public sang as well on the former songs as on the new pieces. Special mention to Viva La Vida and Paradise whom Bercy sang at unison. They knew how to be powerful on God Put A Smile Upon Your Face and Politik with an electrified guitar sound, quite as how to provide emotions on The Scientist and the beginning of Fix You.

The wristbands lighted up again on Charlie Brown and Every Teardrop is A Waterfall and it was as impressive to see as it was at the beginning of the concert!

Visually the show was worth seeing with amazing stage effects (lights and lasers, in particular during Clocks), round screens of different sizes were suspended at the roof of the venue and of course the wristbands and butterflies. 

As you can suspect it, I had an excellent evening with Coldplay! So excellent that it went too fast! By playing around 1h30 they left with us on our hunger, we would have loved to have 15min more. They assured a high-level performance by remaining themselves, that is to say a generous band with its crowd in energy and in feelings.

The band made a liveblog in direct from the concert thus you can find magnificent photos on their website. You can also go on my Youtube chanel to see some of my videos. Here is the setlist:

Mylo Xyloto
Hurts Like Heaven
Yellow
In My Place
Major Minus
Lost!
Shiver
Violet Hill
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
The Scientist
Up in Flames
Us Against the World
Politik
Viva La Vida
Charlie Brown
Paradise

Rappel:
Clocks
Fix You
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

After the concert I've been lucky enough to see Chris Martin at the Artists doors. He was in a car with his wife Gwyneth Paltrow, nothing forced him to come and see his fans. He could have continue his road but he chose to go out despite the cold and his tiredness, to give himself to a small photography and autographs session. He is a profoundly kind and generous person, I don't know if others musicians would have done the same.

Charlie Brown: