Coldplay

Wow. Last night, Coldplay played at the FNB Stadium here in Johannesburg. It was MIND-BLOWING. I can't imagine a better concert and I'm glad that I was able to experience such an amazing event, with my equally-amazing boyfriend.

But, first things first: The Parlotones. A lot of people don't enjoy their music (mostly because of Khan's unusual voice). But I, on the other hand, think they are extremely talented. And while they are not everyone's cup of tea, they have really great stage presence. It's also apt that they were the opening band as they are home-grown Joburgers. They're just tons of fun, even if you can only listen to one song of theirs at a time. I'm proud that South Africa can show off their talent through bands like them. They're obviously doing something right. And let those who have a globally recognised band cast the first stone.

And now for the main event. I spent the concert jamming, listening, snapping photos, staring at the gorgeous Chris Martin, but also coping down the songs they performed! So here it is, the Coldplay Johannesburg 2011 Setlist:

Hurts Like Heaven (second track from their upcoming album, Mylo Xyloto. Had to copy down the lyrics I could make out and Google!)
Yellow
In My Place
Major Minus (eight track from Mylo Xyloto)
Lost!
The Scientist
Shiver
Violet Hill
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
Paradise (third track and second single from Mylo Xyloto)
The Hardest Part
Till Kingdom Come
Politik
Viva La Vida
Charlie Brown (forth track from MX. Again, copy down lyrics furiously and Google)
Life Is For Living

Encore:
Clocks
Fix You (with intro from Amy Winehouse's Rehab)
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (seventh track and first single from MX)

So, tons of incredible songs. I guess when you see a band as spectacular as Coldplay, they're bound to miss some songs you wanted to hear, like Green Eyes, Warning Sign, Life In Technicolour and Strawberry Swing. But my word, their new songs! I cannot wait for the album! I hadn't heard Hurts Like Heaven or Charlie Brown yet; I really enjoyed Charlie Brown, very catchy. The other new songs I had heard but everyone who went knows that hearing Coldplay do a song is not the same as seeing them perform it.

A special mention for the songs would have to be Paradise. I'm not going to say it's my favourite (it's not possible to pick a single favourite song) but what made it special is that Coldplay decided to record it for their music video. So, technically, I'm in Coldplay's new music video! Plus, they put on elephant masks which was really cool. Chris joked that if we remember anything from the concert, he hopes it's not that part because of the funny costumes. So, naturally, it's what I remember.

It was very visually capturing. There were fireworks, tons of lights, beach balls, oversized balloons and (my personal favourite) paper Ms and Xs floating down from the ceiling. The videos they used on the big screens made it really easy to take amazing photos and allowed the face of sexy Chris Martin to be seen at all times, even though we were drowning in a sea of people.

Something to remember on the visual side of things would be Chris leading the crowd in a Mexican wave of cellphone lights all around the stadium three times. It was beautiful, like little twinkling stars. It added immensely to the magical atmosphere.

But I can only say so much; you had to be there. All-in-all, a special night that I will always remember.