Coldplay

Having been given the privilege of witnessing one of only two UK gigs that Coldplay performed in 2010, with all money raised going to the homeless charity Crisis, it was always going to be a special evening.

Choosing the intimate setting of Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre it was apt that local celebrities Ant & Dec compare the proceedings and from the word go an exuberant crowd got exactly what they gathered here in force to see.

With a huge Crisis banner the stage backdrop, a charity with which the band have a long and fruitful association, it was in keeping with the night’s events the first act were The Choir With No Name, formed of 38 previously and currently homeless men and women of all ages and walks of life harnessing the power of music as their rehabilitation tool.

Positive life affirming songs from an array of various spectrums delighted the audience. Stevie Wonder’s ‘Knocks Me Off My Feet’, Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’ and Primal Scream’s ‘Movin On Up’ rallied the crowd with a celebratory rendition of ‘Fairytale of New York’ beating away the cold dark night outside.

It was then the turn of seasoned rockers Coldplay to make the stage their own. Dressed in a black waistcoat a svelte Chris Martin led the four-piece into the night’s opener ‘Yellow’ clearly eager to make this a night to remember. ‘Lost’ followed with 'God Put A Smile Upon Your Face' in fast succession.

Enthusiastic, meaningful and full of heartfelt friendship Chris Martin reached out to the crowd in his own inimitable style in a performance that must have featured in everyone’s personal gig of the year lists. Peppering his ad lib comments with expletives he was clearly at ease and referred to Ant and Dec in the Royal Box as the judges before continuing the musical assault with ‘Shiver’, ‘In My Place’ and the fist throwing classic ‘Viva La Vida’.

The band stopped only to allow an excited punter to propose to his girlfriend before continuing with ‘The Scientist’ and the night’s closer ‘Christmas Lights’. An hour and a half had flow by and as we all exited back into a snowy Newcastle it was three ‘yeses’ from us including one from an excited now fiancé.

A truly memorable evening was had by all.

Coldplay's set list was:

'Yellow'
Lost!'
'God Put A Smile Upon Your Face'
'Cemeteries of London'
'Trouble'
'Glass of Water'
'Til Kingdom Come'
'Shiver'
'In My Place'
'Lovers In Japan'
'Death And All His Friends'
'Clocks'
'Viva La Vida'
'Fix You'
'Politik'
'The Scientist'
'Christmas Lights'

Ant and Dec introducing Coldplay, with 'Yellow' and 'Lost'.