Itchy City guide to London. Food, drink, film, music, stage, events, shopping, offers and competitions within London, Great Britain.

Itchy reporting for duty to give you the 411 on one of the world’s most awaited performances – Coldplay live at the Emirates Stadium, London.

The scene was set: four huge circular screens set against a black backdrop of psychedelic neon graffiti; the stage extended into runways around the audience. Support acts Rita Ora and Robyn got 60,000 fans pumped up for Coldplay, but nothing could prepare Itchy for the spectacle that was to come. Music blasted and the band rocked the stage with ‘Hurts Like Heaven’ complete with an elaborate display of fireworks sending the entire stadium into a tizzy.  Following this was ‘In My Place’ accompanied by bursts of confetti filling the stadium – what a view!

Frontman Chris Martin shone not only in his vocals but personality, as well by being extra energetic, hopping about the stage and thanking the fans constantly. ‘Major Minus’ and ‘Lovers in Japan’ were not only accompanied by more confetti, but an avalanche of ginormous wacky printed balloons bumping through the crowds.

As darkness grew, so did the rain; but that didn’t stop them playing, much to Itchy’s delight. The music boomed with synchronised laser lights, shimmering thanks to the rain drops. The concert took an intimate turn, as the lights dimmed down and a subtle golden hue filled the stage; Chris played the piano to a familiar tune which he dedicated to his lovely wife Gwyneth Paltrow (ladies, jealous much?).  If you guessed ‘Yellow’, you guessed right! The audience chimed in with the lyrics and swayed to the tune.

The much awaited ‘Princess of China’ featuring Rihanna was a hit, even without the pop princess herself being present. (While Chris sang his bit, a seductively-dressed Rihanna’s part was broadcast on the screens. Oh the magic of cinema!) As the rain poured harder, our dear band felt the need to aptly break into the song ‘Singing In The Rain’... so we did. Sing in the rain, that is.

The highlight of the show was undoubtedly when Coldplay performed ‘Charlie Brown’ and ‘Paradise’. The whole audience were given LED flashing bracelets before the show and when the stage lights turned down to reveal an enchanting display of 60,000 flashing lights glowing in the darkness it left Itchy spellbound and trying to hold back the waterworks…paradise indeed.

No Coldplay performance would be complete without the timeless hits ‘Fix You’ and ‘Clocks’, again making one hell of an impact on the audience. Coldplay ended the concert with ‘Every Teardrop is a Waterfall’ and, yup, you guessed it, another whimsical firework display.

So to sum it up - well balanced acoustics, talented vocals and a jaw-dropping spectacle in the rain gives you one special memory, and Itchy was glad to be a part of it.

(P.S Wondering if Chris Martin sounds exactly the same live as he does on his albums? Itchy bets on your lucky knickers that he certainly does! Over and out.)

Nirja Raju


Photography by Kristy Chen.