Coldplay wsg Fiona Apple- The Palace- February 22nd, 2005

After a sold out show at DTE Energy Music Theatre back in late August, the guys in Coldplay were out to sell out the Palace in the colder months. Well, they came awfully close. The U2-esque band gave the near capacity crowd of 16,000 hits filled; 90 minute set that thrilled the mostly affluent suburban crowd.

In comparison to the large video screen above the band, the stage setup looked very sparse and minmualist. As the group came out, lead singer Chris Martin (that’s Mr. Paltrow to the newcomers) launched into numerous big songs early on. During the group’s first hit “Yellow”, the group had about a dozen large yellow balloons fall down on the main floor portion of the crowd; before the balloons were brought on the stage, only for Martin to start busting them all up. “Yellow” was followed by the leadoff hit from the “X&Y” album, “Speed Of Sound”, which had Martin furiously playing to the crowd.

Chris Martin seemed to show a laid back and non-pretentious stage presence; while the rest of the band was so stiff and rigid, no one else stood out. The singer joked about his hair getting too long; and getting his hair cut in Birmingham, where the band stayed earlier. This reviewer hopes Martin likes 150 dollar haircuts; because that’s what ya get in Birmingham.

The group went acoustic; and showed some love for Johnny Cash. The group launched into two Cash songs; including “Ring of Fire”, which the crowd clapped along like they were at a Tennessee hoedown. After those; the group stayed acoustic and played the 2000 hit “Trouble”, which comes off as one of the most somber, yet intriguing, songs the band has.

Other song highlights were the other somber, but stellar track “The Scientist”, and one of the newer singles “Talk”. The crowd went nuts for the big tunes; such as the megahit “Clocks”, in which the show felt like you were in a big U2 (there’s another U2 reference for this band) moment during one of their concerts, but realizing it wasn’t the legendary Irish band.

With the strong hits filled set; the crowd walked away very happy; and even had this reviewer in approval of the show.

While Coldplay pulled off a good set; the WORST set of the year (so far) was given before Coldplay; during Fiona Apple’s puzzling 45 minute set. Apple proved she was crazy 8 years ago with her rants and childish behavior, and it seemed like only the verbal tirades were missing during her set. During songs like “Shadowboxer”, and “Criminal”, Apple was frequently off-key, and jumping around on stage like a four year old girl, who hasn't gotten her way. The crowd was receptive to Apple; but her actions proved that she is a long way from sane.