Coldplay were in town this Tuesday and Wednesday playing a couple of excellent shows at the United Center. The fans at the sold-out Tuesday show were treated to an extra surprise- Coldplay were filming the show for the video to their new song “Lost!”. Now they all can tell their grand-children someday that they were in a video on TRL. (That show will definitely still be on then, trust us)

It got us to thinking, what are the coolest random things that can happen at a concert to make it more memorable? Sorry Coldplay, the video thing was cool, but it doesn’t make the cut.

#5. A Surprise Special Guest - We’re not talking about the avalanche of guests that Dave Matthews often features. This is for the more off-the-cuff partnerships like John Mayer joining Buddy Guy on stage at legends. Or even Jay-Z performing “Big Pimpin” with Phish in Brooklyn. Those are the kind of moments that create one-of-a-kind musical creations.

#4. Equipment Malfunction - If Janet Jackson accidentally exposes herself to millions of people at the Super Bowl that’s one thing, but anytime something goes wrong onstage you get the chance to see whether you’re favorite band is cool under pressure. Wouldn’t it be hilarious to see something like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CukuwxkMk5A at a real show?

#3. Someone Gets Arrested Onstage - Nothing says Rock ‘n Roll like trouble with the law, and sometimes a rock star can be so hard to get that onstage is the only place the cops can get him. It would be pretty cool to see a guy get taken off the stage in handcuffs, and you know the band would play an extra-long set to hold off the cops Blues Brothers-style. Bonus points if the arrest doesn’t involve Jim Morrison exposing himself onstage.

#2. The Show Becomes A Live Album - Whether you’re seeing the Who in Leeds, Cheap Trick in Japan, or Johnny Cash in prison, if your show gets recorded and sold to millions of people, you know it was a special performance.

#1. It’s The Last Performance Ever - Sometimes a band will announce ahead of time that a show will be their last, but its more exciting to see a band self-destruct and storm offstage like the Sex Pistols did at their last show. Or the end could be more tragic like Stevie Ray Vaughan’s death in a helicopter crash as he left Alpine Valley immediately after a concert. Either way, a band’s unexpected last show is guaranteed to attain legendary status.

July, already? Summer tends to fly by real quick here in Chicago, especially when our baseball teams are winning, and when there are plenty of music acts coming thru town. The first week of July hits town with a bang, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers team up with Steve Winwood to tackle the United Center. If you’ve never seen Petty, you need to do it now whether you are a fan or just on the fence with him. Constantly bringing a great energy and show to every performance, we recall 2003 when Tom and the Heartbreakers tore through 5 nights at The Vic Theatre in Chicago as something we will never forget. Best Petty song? We have our favorites, but let us know what yours are right here.

Fast forward two days to our annual shin-dig in Grant Park at Taste of Chicago. The show is free to all who come and this year’s lineup is solid with Gomez, Old 97’s, and Alejandro Escovedo for yearly tradition. Plus, the city is launching fireworks off later that night at 9:30pm on the lakefront so make sure to stick around! Past years shows have included John Mayer, Matthew Sweet, Wilco, Counting Crows, Buddy Guy, The Replacements, and many more. Let us know what your favorites were and who we should be putting on the bill in 2009!

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…

The first week of June kicks off with a bang for music fans and XRT fans in particular. Some lucky few may say there’s no reason to see Death Cab for Cutie since they got to see them at XRT’s Live from Studio X event at Martyrs a few weeks back, but for the other 10,000 who did not get in, they will pack the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park this Tuesday night to see a full set from the band underneath the stars with the city skyline as the backdrop. Quite possible one of the best music settings in the country (We dare you to tell us some others that are better), cross your fingers and hope the rain stays away long enough to enjoy the night.

Later this week, two major XRT superstars (Dave Matthews Band and REM) come to town on the same night. While the younger crowd will most likely choose the DMB show at Toyota Park as their spot of choice, the triple bill at the United Center is not too shabby when put all together – R.E.M., Modest Mouse, and The National. We highly suggest getting to both shows early to see the openers – Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings with DMB, and The National and Modest Mouse before REM.

Others shows in town include The Kooks at The Vic, and don’t forget to do what every Chicagoan should do at some point in their lives and spend some time in Grant Park for the Chicago Blues Festival. Being the Home of the Blues – not going to see and experience what this city is known for in the music world would be a shame.