Coldplay – the next U2?
Coldplay announced their return to Chicago this week on July 23rd at the United Center. With the mad marketing rush for the new album Viva La Vida, with the appearance on TV shows and award shows and the very big score of the iTunes commercial, this band is setting itself up and being positioned as the next U2. Remember, the last time iTunes got behind a new album like this it was for U2’s previous release. While some may still consider Coldplay a baby in they eyes of the work U2 has released, a case could certainly said that this band is on its way to super stardom, if not already right outside the city limits of it. Let us know what you think, if you will be seeing the return, and if Chris Martin and company can fill the shoes of U2 and Bono for generations to come…
June 11th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
The first time I heard of the band name Coldplay, I thought it was just another hard rock type act. Yellow changed my mind instantly and I have yet to go back. This band constantly cranks out quality music and performs just as good live. They are not U2 like yet, but certainly could challenge the throne if they keep this up for years to come….
June 11th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Coldplay is well on their way to becoming a major act like U2. Their work keeps evolving and getting better and better.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Since Coldplay entered the music scene it has been one of the most respected musical groups out there. Their veneration can be attributed to their superb lyrics and the quality songs they produce and their massive fame can credited to the fact that their music can be enjoyed by such a broad audience. Both of these reasons could also be applied to U2’s fame. I don’t think Coldplay is at U2’s status quite yet, but they are certainly on their way.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Thats a very interesting comparison. The parallel with the iTunes commercial is particularly so, because both bands appear to have connected with Apple at a time when they were making a “comeback” of sorts after some bloated, overreaching earlier work (I kinda liked X&Y, but still, you have to admit the comparison fits).
You could also make the case that Coldplay are more in the “Achtung Baby” portion of U2’s career, given that you could think of X&Y as a Rattle and Hum-esque trying-way-too-hard album. Achtung Baby is an awful lot to live up to and maybe I’m giving Coldplay much too much credit here, but it certainly seems that Viva La Vida is going to be the best work we’ve heard from them in awhile.
Either way, both bands are big-time mainstream rock acts with quirky, self-important Anglo-Saxon frontmen who churn out hits with regularity. God Bless ‘Em both.
June 12th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I definitely think Coldplay is taking on that rock and world beat persona that U2 has emanated for so many years. Especially with Viva la Vida, as soon as I heard that song I immediately associated it with U2 (Vertigo anyone?).
June 12th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I first started listening to coldplay because of my girl friend, and it only took the clever song “yellow” to intrigue me. I like coldplay a lot and I think they have a good style for all types of listeners. I saw U2 live a couple years ago and thought it was one of the best show I had ever seen until I saw Coldplay live. Their live performance at the Metro a few years ago was one not to be forgotten. I am excited to see a new style of songs on their newest album, and hopefully many more great albums to come.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Blech!!!!!!!!
Coldplay are the most over-rated, whiney-a** act I’ve ever heard! With the exception of Clocks, which is beautiful, everything sounds the same! Bland, bland, bland! I have never and will never understand the appeal. Chris Martin is nothing special and if you give a listen, they aren’t even rock! Please don’t compare them to what they will never aspire to be…
oh….and please don’t call Bono Anglo-Saxon–he is IRISH.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I disagree about the comment of Coldplay as whiney! I love Coldplay and agree that Coldplay is phenomenal live!!! if you like the band, and haven’t seen them live you absolutely must! Also, as far as comparing coldplay to U2 how about the fact that Bono and U2 both use their celebrity to raise awareness about humanitarian causes?? It makes supporting these bands so much more rewarding for me…
June 17th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Coldplay is and always will be one of the greatest rock bands ever!! I think they already leave U2 in the dust and U2 doesn’t even deserve a chance to open up for Coldplay.
June 19th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Coldplay obviously wishes they were U2, they sure try to sound like U2. And not even the good U2 from the yesteryear, they’re copying the crappy U2 from the past 14 years.
Even their singer seems to be a super-egotistical @** like Bono. (The only reason Bono supports so many humanitarian issue, btw, is to stroke his massive ego and be in the spotlight. He’s not a real humanitarian, he’s a freakin’ poseur.)
I really don’t see why people think this bland, mediocre band is so great.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I cannot wait for Coldplay to come to United Center! This is going to be the concert of the summer and I know all my friends are so excited too!! Coldplay has completely surpassed U2, no question.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:24 am
regardless of whether Bono and Chris Martin are sincere or “poseurs” they are still using their celebrity to bring attention to worthy causes, and really, who can argue with that?!
July 16th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I am so upset I really wish I was going to this show. I have been excited for a long time for them to go on tour, and I won’t be there. It is going to be an amazing show… amazing 2 shows actually!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
The Coldplay concert last night was nothing short of amazing. This was my first time seeing them live and although I was a fan before, I now have a greater appreciation for them. Everything from the lights to their performance out in the crowd was brilliant. They played every song I hoped they would and now I can’t wait to see them again! Don’t miss this tour!
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:57 pm
The concert, 7/23/08, was amazing & well worth the expense. Chris Martin, & company, performed so well they inhabited their music. As to the absurdity of Coldplay vs U2; that is too reminiscient of the Beatles vs the Rolling Stones of the 1960’s (I believe I have dated myself). Coldplay is Coldplay they neither need nor should be drawn into some psuedo-competition with U2. They performed in the moment which is what authentic rock n’ roll is about. There was nothing stale or contrived in their set; which was performed with creative spontaniety. Only dollards & dolts worry about comparing artists, before they go back to their jobs at Wendys.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:12 am
The first night of the coldplay show was simply amazing. There wasnt a bad seat in the house. It was a real treat for the fans in the nose bleeds that the group chose to play on mini stages, giving thier fans in all parts of the arena a better show! Again, simply amazing.