Musings

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new band in the Top Three Bands That Are Amazing To See Live club...and they just shunted Foo Fighters out of the coveted #2 spot (sorry, David).

Coldplay. Was. AMAZING. Clearly, they have learned much from the masters of soaring arena rock, U2. But much to their credit, the show was quintessentially Coldplay. Fortunately for my fingers, this review from boston.com sums it up pretty much the way I would. So enjoy:

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2008/08/05/fire_over_ice_coldplay_bounces_belts_out_hits/

The review you won't get from boston.com, however, is the review of our insanely good, "so lavish I may never be able to see a concert like a normal person ever again" luxury box seats. Oh. My. GOD.

First of all. The box, called The Boardroom, was unlike any box seats I've ever seen before, with the possible exception of the 600 Club at Fenway Park. It was like walking into a hip and trendy bar, complete with a hostess who greeted you and showed you the menu. Yes, menu. There was a FREE buffet of spectacularly yummy food: I had BBQ chicken, whipped sweet potatoes and Caprese salad while the Esposo had steak and a pizza freshly-made to order just for him. The bar (a sleek, shiny full bar with a plate full of fancy cheese and crackers...pffft, who needs beer-nuts?) was cash but the food, as much as you could eat, was all included.

The Boadroom itself was equipped with cocktail tables and cushy arm chairs for watching the show. "Just sit wherever you'd like," the hostess said. So we did.

I cannot BELIEVE we didn't think to take our camera, but Esposo took a few shots with his old reliable cell phone...

This is the view from our seats:



This is me in the aforementioned cushy arm chair:



And this is Esposo at the aforementioned cocktail table (see the bar behind him?):



During the two opening acts, waiters walked around clearing dishes and empty glasses (made of REAL glass, people. No plastic pint glasses for us!). One of them leaned in and said to us, "I just want to let you know we'll be serving dessert at 8:30).

Dessert? DESSERT???

Oh yes. Dessert. Cakes, freshly-baked cookies and muffins, fruit, whipped cream and...

Cheesecake. Wicked good cheesecake. "Close your eyes it's so good" cheesecake.

These are the remnants of my cheesecake (I kind of, um, inhaled it):



Suffice to say, we would have had a great time even if the concert was terrible. But seeing as it was take-your-breath-away amazing, I think I can honestly say I am GLAD we didn't go to San Francisco after all. And that is saying something.

Oh. A few things the boston.com review didn't mention...

1. The Luxury, the local band that opened the show, said two ballsy things. First, they plugged a benefit show they are doing next weekend at the Hard Rock Café. Second, when they wrapped up their set, the lead singer said (with no small amount of irony I am sure): "Thanks very much! Stick around for Coldplay!" Heee.

2. Mid-song during the opening number, Chris Martin said almost more to himself than to the insanely screaming crowd: "Oh, this is going to be a good night."

3. During "Lovers in Japan," a blizzard of shiny confetti rained down on the crowd. As we were leaving, we saw up close what it had been: foil butterfly-shaped confetti. Esposo picked up an intact purple one and it is now gracing my cork-board at work.

4. On a more personal note: when the driving piano of "Politick" began pounding out for the band's first encore song, I felt a dizzy, breathless sensation that only one other band has ever made me feel before (two guesses who those lads might be).

***

Ok, I think I've bored you all with my fan-girl babble long enough. But dear God. Last night was even more proof that this August is going to totally RULE.

Rock on,
~ WM