COLDPLAY: A Head Full of Dreams Manila Tour

COLDPLAY: A Head Full of Dreams Tour Manila, April 4, 2017 (photo by Mark Evans)

In 2016, Coldplay announced the Asian leg of their successful “A Head Full of Dreams Tour” and everyone felt the excitement to watch the band perform especially in the Philippines. It has all started when the band’s page released an official teaser highlighting  the countries to be part of their Asian tour. 

Philippines was featured when Coldplay released a GIF teaser on the countries to be part of their Asian Leg Tour

Official AHFOD Tour Manila Poster sponsored by Globe and MMI Live

I started to be a fan of Coldplay 6 years ago, when they released their 5^th album “Mylo Xyloto”. The first song I heard from the album is “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” and became an instant favorite. I never heard a song so full of life and positivity. It became my habit to listen to Coldplay with their uplifting songs whenever I feel down, and promised to myself that I will watch them live if given a chance. Then this moment arrived.

The Manila leg is not just your typical concert (especially if you’re a Coldplay fan) because there are lots of challenges and test of perseverance just to secure a ticket. I remember the time when I almost gave up because the struggle is real: from Globe Pre-sale (which only lasted for a minute), CITI Cardholders Pre-Sale (which lasted for a day) and the General Public sale, where I secured my Bronze ticket (after queuing for almost 8 hours).

Gearing up for the concert. (Disclaimer: I leave the monopod in the office after knowing that this is not allowed inside the concert venue)

2pm queue with some Team Bronze members. Most of them queued since 6am!  

3 hours before the start of entry to concert venue. This was also the time when the band started their sound check.

Looks like a big rally but its a riot of colors and dreams with Coldplay!

5pm scenario. 

The fans contained their excitement for 6 months (from the ticket purchase) and the time has come for us to experience Coldplay’s first concert in the Philippines: They just proved why their live shows are a massive attraction around the world.

I never expected to watch the concert alone. Most of my friends are either in the GenAd and Gold Section. That’s the time I decided to join chat groups of Coldplay Philippines and there I met the Team Bronze: headed by Paul Liwag. This concert is an event that makes total strangers feel like family. 

Dont forget to bring both the concert ticket and E-plus card; and check the concert guide to enjoy the entire night.

#TeamBronze

Team Gold, Silver, Bronze and GenAd united for Coldplay (Photo Courtesy of Philippine Star)

#TeamBronze (Photo Courtesy of Paul Liwag)

Luckily, we were on the front part of the Bronze section. There’s a different feeling once you entered the concert venue. There’s this excitement once they give you the “Love” pin and Xyloband.

The stage is not that small as I imagined. This is the view from the Bronze section.

The iconic LOVE pin.

The popular Xyloband which made the entire show colorful and made us glow in the dark.

View from above few hours before the concert. (Photo Courtesy of Mark Evans)

People started to pour in at around 6pm. 

Their front-act is “Jess Kent”, is an Australian hot chic who performed for almost 30 minutes. Although I'm not familiar with her songs, it gave a good head start for the show.  At the beginning of the act, they performed a random opera music (O Mio Babbino Caro) with their usual opening video. This time, two Filipina girls introduced the band and the rest is history. The moment when our Xylobands lighted, we were all excited and in awe.

Coldplay is known for their bright and colourful musical ride with a perfect mixture of fireworks display, clear vocals and music, confetti, laser beams, huge balloons and kaleidoscope visuals. When Chris Martin performed their opening song, “A Head Full of Dreams”, the crowd started to gone wild. Following that, our xylobands turned “Yellow” and we all know what the next song is. The best part is when they played “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” which is my favorite, and I never felt so positive at the time. Everyone in the concert grounds unite, sang along and jumped with Chris while screaming with all our hearts. 

The famous AHFOD album logo with Charlie Chaplin voice-over. (Photo Courtesy of Coldplay Philippines FB group)

A crowd of lights as seen from above (Photo Courtesy of Mark Evans)

Coldplay performing "Adventure of a Lifetime" with huge colorful balloons in the crowd. (Photo Courtesy of Mark Evans)

Chris Martin performing "Yellow" (Photo Courtesy of Marv Evans)

A night of colors and confettis! (Photo Courtesy of Patrick Macapondag)

"Everglow" (Photo Courtesy of Roda Buton)

Chris Martin holding the "Love" flag with the Philippine flag in the background. (Photo Courtesy of Roda Buton)

Most of the songs played were from their last three albums: “Mylo Xyloto”, “Ghost Stories” and “A Head Full of Dreams” primarily. They also managed to make the crowd sing-in-unison with their crowd-favorite anthems like Fix You, The Scientist and the catchy “Viva La Vida”. Everyone was united with their love for the best band in the world. There’s a sense of unity and camaraderie and makes you one with the crowd, making the concert experience more memorable. Chris Martin even regarded that their Manila leg is their best AHFOD Tour so far, and everyone started screaming out of appreciation.

This is not the updated setlist: they performed "Ink" as requested by Ken (the Coldplay fan diagnosed with cancer visited by CM),  "Green Eyes" was not performed, and "Something Just Like This" was added on the list.

They transferred to C-Stage which was located on the Platinum section, and performed acoustics of “Don’t Panic” (which was sang by Will Champion). One of the highlights of the show is when Chris Martin performed “Ink”, which was requested by Ken. He is a Coldplay fan diagnosed with cancer, and was visited by Chris in the hospital. He also managed to compose a song for Pinoy fans, entitled “Manila Song” before returning to main stage and debuted their collaboration with Chainsmokers’ “Something Just Like This”, hurtling towards the finish line with “A Sky Full of Stars” and finished the show with “Up & Up”. I can’t believe that the 2-hour show ran too fast, while everyone is consumed with the colourful and positive ambiance through-out.

With vibrant, colorful fireworks in the background. (Photo Courtesy of Coldplay Philippines FB Group)

With my friends Earl and Ija, who were also on the Bronze Section. (Photo Courtesy of Karleen Ija Carrera)

Two thumbs up for the best concert ever. (Photo Courtesy of Karleen Ija Carrera)

Every moment of it was memorable. Coldplay managed to unite the crowd and made you feel like you’re one big family. It is worth the wait and despite the pricey tickets, every cent counts. Coldplay’s show is not just one of your typical concerts: it is definitely an Adventure of a Lifetime. It is an unforgettable experience I will never forget. Definitely, I'll be waiting for their comeback as promised by CM. J

(It almost took me 2 weeks before I finished this blogpost due to tight and busy schedule. I would like to thank Coldplay Philippines FB Group: whenever I wanted to reminisce this event, I just keep browsing the group page; to #TeamBronze headed by Paul Liwag: for still keeping in touch and helped me recall some concert details needed to finish this blogpost; Ms. Roda Button and Mr. Mark Evans: for allowing me to include their photos in this blogpost and to all Filipino Coldplay fans for sharing the Love even a month after the concert. See you all on the next Asian Leg!)

LOVE. #R43