TORONTO - For a band that's not even officially on tour yet, Coldplay sure came across like a well-oiled musical machine last night at Kool Haus.
Perhaps the British pop-rock quartet, led by charismatic singer-pianist-guitarist Chris Martin, were just plain inspired by the enthusiastic audience.
Or maybe just each other, given the frequently exchanged smiles.
The crowd snapped up all the tickets to the highly anticipated "buzz gig" -- the only one of its kind in Canada -- in just one minute.
The scene outside the club was certainly chaotic with scalpers looking for any available tickets, and two large lineups of both ticket-holders and contest winners just a half-hour before show time.
Adding to the excitement inside the venue was the presence of multiple TV cameras as the concert, which ran an hour and 20 minutes, was filmed for a 60-minute concert special which will run on MuchMusic and CITY-TV HD on June 5 at 8 pm.
Could all this heightened awareness have made the band themselves excited?
Early in the show, Martin expressed his pleasure at being back in Canada, which he described as "a wonderful country."
"Thank you so much for giving us the best job in the world," he said.
The group, rounded out by stellar guitarist Jonny Buckland, drummer Will Champion and bassist Guy Berryman, have been in town since Monday on a promotional tour, including public appearances at both MuchMusic and radio station The Edge, which drew hundreds of people.
Coldplay's third studio album, X&Y, doesn't even come out until June 7 and yet the Kool Haus crowd gamely stood still and listened to new songs -- both ones that stood up to their best work (Square One, Low, 'Til Kingdom Come, A Message, Fix You) and ones that should improve with time (the first single, Speed Of Sound, What If).
But the audience screamed and clapped the loudest to such older beloved tunes as Politik, God Put A Smile Upon Your Face, Yellow, The Scientist, Clocks, and In My Place, all from Coldplay's first two albums, 2002's A Rush Of Blood To The Head and 2000's Parachutes, which have collectively sold 18 million worldwide.
Opening with the big-sounding, New Order-ish new rocker, Square One, the evening got off to a euphoric start with the disembodied voice of Martin heard before the tall frontman was actually seen.
It's sometimes a problem when the singer, as passionately and intensely as he plays, often sits down on a piano stool.
Thankfully, Martin's an animated fellow who also got up to play acoustic or electric guitar or simply sing without an instrument and display Stratford-worthy arm gestures.
A slick lighting show also added to the charged atmosphere inside Kool Haus, which is not always the most hospitable of venues.
Particularly cute was when Champion took over on piano and Berryman handled harmonica while Martin and Buckland played acoustic and electric guitar, respectively, during the new song, 'Til Kingdom Come. Coming in a close second was when Martin improvised the line, "You are the best guitar player in the world," to Buckland during the guitarist's showstopper In My Place.
The good news is that the group is rumoured to be playing a July 31 show at the Air Canada Centre with the possibility of a second one being added.
Also in the works is a cross-Canada tour slated to begin next February following the Grammys.
In other words, Coldplay shall return and the love affair with Toronto will continue.
What they played (* denotes songs from the new album X&Y):
Square One*
Politik
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
Speed Of Sound*
Warning Sign
Yellow
Low*
The Scientist
'Til Kingdom Come*
Clocks
What If*
ENCORE:
A Message*
In My Place
Fix You*
