Coldplay turns Eden Park into 'Paradise'

Review: There’s a reason thousands of people left Eden Park saying they just put a big tick on their bucket lists, as Coldplay put on an ‘adventure of a lifetime’ at their first Auckland show last night.

A haka and waiata sparked a roar from the crowd before a video played, explaining how this show strives to remain environmentally friendly. Then the moment that kiwis have been waiting 8 years for.  3..2..1 confetti. Coldplay took to the stage and 57,000 people started dancing in a party of lights and colours, that frontman Chris Martin called a “big family reunion”. 

They took off with their song ‘Higher Power’ before erupting into ‘Adventure of a Lifetime’ and ‘Paradise’. If there was a dry eye left in the house before, there wasn’t anymore, as Chris Martin sat down to play the piano ballad of ‘The Scientist’

“It’s refreshing for a group of Brits to be at Eden Park without having their arses kicked by the All Blacks” Martin said to a passionate Kiwi Crowd as big rainbow balls bounced around New Zealand’s national stadium. 

Martin took a moment to read the audiences well decorated signs, before landing on one that read “please help us never give up, and play Up&Up”. The two lucky fans were then brought up on stage for a moment they won’t ever forget as the song was gently played on a piano.

Consistently asking if everyone was doing okay from the “rich seats” to the “poor seats” as Martin calls them, I cant remember a time I’ve been in a crowd so diverse but so full of love. Everyone was there for the same reason. To be mesmerised by a stadium of lit up wristbands, sing along tunes and enough fireworks and confetti to make it feel like New Years. 

Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour transcends the boundaries of live music and they deserve all the kudos global media is giving them. For 2 hours it felt like everyone was one giant family, which was exactly the bands goal.

“I’ve been given a lot of shit for kissing the ground when I landed here, but why wouldn’t you, this place is so beautiful”. I for one think Coldplay is beautiful, their whole message of be peace and love for peace and love is what creates such a special atmosphere.

They finished their show with ‘Sparks’ and ‘Fix You’ which had people hugging and crying their neighbours, before the night came to an end with their new track ‘Feelslikeimfallinginlove’. 

Fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, that’s it. People began flooding out of Eden Park, still in awe, still with huge smiles on their faces. 

Coldplay will play two more shows at Eden Park on Friday and Saturday, before continuing their tour.