davidb

I heard the Keep Wearing Purple tune last night on the radio again and decided I should probably download the album and have a listen. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but Vol-la Intruder is a cocophony of joy and amusement! Very good indeed and I can heartily recommend it. I'm sure a live gig would be a barn-stormer.

I saw the Golden Silvers on Jools Holland last night. Hadn't heard anything about them before but really enjoyed it. Downloaded the album and have been listening to it at work all day. Difficult to pigeon hole which is probably the best way to be. Well worth a listen.....oh yes indeed!

I hadn't been to the O2 behemoth before and was perhaps a little sceptical. Having read Noel Gallagher's comments about the venue and him saying that Oasis would never play there I genuinely did fear that the night wouldn't be as good as many of the other Coldplay shows at less overtly corporate venues I've been to in the past. Bath Pavillion anyone??

My fears were not calmed by finding that the only food available was a chicken and pesto pannini with kettle chips on the side. Two of them dropping in at nearly 15 quid. Whatever happened to the customary pre-gig dirty burger? Anyway, I digress.

We entered the arena and once again, my fears for the night were brought to the fore as I saw all the seats on the floor in front of the stage which destroys any sense of great crowd interaction. Wandering round outside there were also far too many suits milling about, endlessly checking their blackberrys to check if they still had jobs to go to on Wednesday. Presumably though their quick scooter ride across from Canary Wharf was rather more pleasant than the tube.

Coldplay kicked off with vim and vigour but once again it appeared that the lack of standing in the bottom of the huge 02 bowl hindered the generation of the cracking atmosphere that this show deserved. Too many people too were sat down for my liking!! What's the matter with you??

Anyway, things warmed up with a tumultuous chorus of Fix You which was moved from the customary spot in the encore and this helped to develop the evening into a good old fashioned barn stormer.

Concious of the huge distance away people were at the back, midway through the set Will, Guy, Johnny and Chris made their way to a mic stand towards the back of the arena and were joined by Simon Pegg on harmonica for an acoustic set and an amusing festive doff of the cap.

Much to my amusement, thinking the gig was over, many of the suits headed, blackberries on the go to their scooters and managed to miss a huge encore, crowned with the new Life in Technicolour 2.

I remain unconvinced about the O2. If they'd have opened up the floor I reckon things would have gone with a bit more of a bang but it was still a great night nonetheless. Bring on the Wembley Stadium gigs over the summer!!!