Coldplay at Wembley

A rare experience for me. Being taken to a gig by someone else. My mate James called me out of the blue early in the year to ask if I wanted to see Coldplay. Of course I said yes.

It was also nice to see James after a long time. He had decided to drive down and indeed drive to Wembley, having pre-booked parking. So he came to my place, we had a late lunch and set off round the North Circular to Wembley. It was one of those awkward days to dress for. Will it rain or be sunny? We were more prepared for rain. Within an hour of getting in bright sunshine in our eyes was the problem.

We could have got a place to stand nearish the front on the pitch, but instead chose to sit at the far end from the stage, but dead centre. So we were a long way away from the action, but at least we had a good head on view of it. And a comfy seat.

First support came from a young Canadian singer songwriter called Alessia Carr. Unfortunately almost everything I hate. Pretentious girl with flat if powerful voice thinking she is writing with enormous profundity, letting loose long introductions to her songs which are of course just trite.

Second support came from Leanna Le Havas. She has everything Alessa lacked - cool, charming with a voice of great subtlety.

 So then we just settled down to await the main act. Some photographers got on stage to photograph the crowd.

 And finally we get Coldplay. Now say what you like about them, they put on a great show. You know  the tickets are expensive. but you also know they will pull out all the stops to entertain. You get their terrific back catalogue added to with their latest album. Money's worth.

In an attempt to give everyone a good view the whole band came to the edge of the walkway in front of the stage.

As the sun went down, the illuminated wristbands we were all given came into view. The audience literally glittered. Don't know how much of our ticket price went on wristbands, but it was worth it.

James getting into the whole affair, wrist duly glowing. Just a little bit sci-fi

Great lights, lasers, pyrotechnics and everything, but just about my favourite was the backing film to Adventure of a Lifetime, one of the best tracks off the new album, with its multicoloured Simian dancers. Plus the balloons.

The band then came off to return up at our end of the stadium for some quieter numbers.

It was a brilliant evening. Chris Martin is a great front man, and I particularly liked the way he thanked the crowd not only for coming but also "for taking all the stick you get as Coldplay fans." Of course he recognises how unfashionable they are in critical circles, but  then its a well-known fact that bands get worse the more people like them. And people like them enough to sell out 4 nights running at Wembley stadium. Indeed I went to a meeting next day and two other people at the meeting had been to the same gig. They are crying all the way to the bank.

Only dampener in the evening was getting out the car park. Easy driving in, but we must have spent an hour stationery trying to escape. Stewarding seemed pretty non-existent on the way out. So a very late night home. But well worth everything.