OK, let’s get it out of the way right off the top. Tonight’s show was *wet*. The rain kinda snuck in, to be honest. Everyone was expecting rain on night one (which only ended up arriving in force right after the show), but we were expecting better weather today.
By the B-stage section, though, it’s absolutely bucketing down. The fellas carry on regardless, but the equipment is throwing full-on diva fits. The B-Stage piano makes its protest known as Chris sits down to play Everglow. Somewhat comically, the piano sound has been replaced with something more akin to a flute. Keyboard tech Andy Henderson gets up and knocks it back into shape and Chris gamely starts again. This time it plays about one note in three. The rain at this point is so heavy it’s bouncing a good inch or two back up as it hits the keyboard. Chris simply laughs and heads back to the A stage, suggesting he plays it on the big piano later.
The B-Stage piano, though, is merely the start of the equipment carnage. The following morning, talk in the crew buses to the airport is of power going down and gear burning up. It’s pretty clear that no department got away unscathed.
But there’s something about nights such as this that brings out the best in everyone. When conditions are as bad as they’re likely to get and the vibe is still strong, It definitely bonds the band and the audience. There’s a real sense of defiance. People have come here to have a good time – to celebrate the music – and absolutely nothing is going to stop that. Plenty of Coldplay songs over the years have addressed being in a bad situation and making the best of it – so it’s in many ways a very Coldplay experience.
So whilst the gear is getting trashed, there’s no dampening of the enthusiasm whatsoever.
As a special treat for keeping the vibe up when through the downpour, there’s another setlist shuffle that sees Violet Hill getting a rare play. There’s also another joyous communal moment on the C-stage as Chris leads the whole place in singing Happy Birthday to Mr Berryman (in Mandarin!).
So all in all, a battle but a victory.
Never a dull moment….
Roadie 42
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