i was in st. paul, mn for a short time last year. it was just july but coldplay’s viva la vida concert ad has been teasing people at the xcel energy center, which is not far from the office. i know from the very start i can’t possibly watch the show as it will be on later part of last year, november 14. i will be back in the philippines by september, so missing it by more than 2 months, i’m not really hoping. as i consolation, i told myself i’ve seen their twister logic (x&y) tour in hong kong back in 2005.
more than four months after the concert i missed in st. paul, i found myself in auckland city, waiting for the show of my most favorite alt band! just how unbelievable. i have not a slightest clue that missing the concert then is only delaying it, plus changing the venue. i bought the ticket while i was still in hastings. helen, my friend from hastings, loved to join so much, but work obligations and the date didn’t match her plans..and since i’m going to be there by myself, i bought an allocated seat (boo!!).
with nothing to do earlier part of the day during their concert, i was in the city center early. i still have to find vector arena, and i couldn’t forgive myself if i ended up running late and missing the opening. ticket says it’ll start a bit past 7, i was there outside the arena at 6. yes, i am excited. i collected my ticket after showing my reservation code and identification. the official concert merchandise has just started to open, i can’t help but buy a $50-concert-shirt, which i guess is worth it specially the feeling it gives me when i wear it! haha
and then i was inside the arena. i’m surprised it started right on time, but with opening acts. not 1, but 2 opening act that occupied most of the time until the clock ticks passed 9. that was 2 hours sitting inside this gigantic enclosed stadium waiting patiently for the big show. and then it started..silhouettes of four musicians started to outline the stage, and not long after, life in technicolor, filled the entire hall. afterwards, another song, violet hill, from their newest album, and then old hits clocks and in my place. the song, yellow, was performed with big yellow balloons bouncing in the crowd (just like from twisted logic tour). i could not perfectly remember all the songs they played in the right other, 
but it was really a good mixed from their old popular hits, and songs from the viva la vida or death and all his friends. of course, viva la vida, 42, yes, fix you (i made a call to helen, as per her request!), strawberry swing, lost!, cemeteries of london and even old songs like god put a smile upon your face, and the hardest part. they even sang a couple of songs i don’t know! then, the band walked up the stage, closer to the back and upper seat where they performed 2 or 3 songs including green eyes, a cover song from the monkees, then i saw her face (i’m a believer), and not so common, the band’s main drummer, will champion, sang a song (death will never conquer) with chris martin playing harmonica! it was really nice of them to be trying to get upclose to every part of their audience…and then there was a short break.
the pause was dramatically interrupted by the loud yet pleasing beats of politik. i enjoyed lovers in japan, complete with butterfly confetti effects, and the band said their goodbyes and thanks, and after death and all his friends, they bowed down, and left he stage.
at that time, i was hoping the crowd will ask for more, and then everyone hummed in “oohh-o-ohh..” in tune for that in in viva la vida…and few moments later, christ martin was back. i was really hoping they sing the scientist., and a bit surprised when he sang exactly the song! playing in piano solo, it was very calming, and then the other band came back, the crowd cheering ever more, and then continuing to songs, life in technicolor ii, and then the escapist.
overall, the concert was amazing. it was so powerful and overwhelming to be just sitting, watching, and hearing the band playing their songs i only hear as mp3s before. they did put on a very good show, and if you think about it, the band is playing the same show 161 times all around the world for more than a year (that’s a wiki).., still keeping the show topnotch, and having seen only one of that is a great opportunity.
i posted some pictures i took in my multiply, and facebook, (but they were really not excellent) and most reaction is that i am lucky to see the concert. yes, i think i am indeed lucky, to be in the right city at the right time!
now, even a few days after the concert has passed, their music is still ringing in my ear..like an infectious melody playing again and again. 
