Review
Coldplay launch UK stadium tour in style

Buy photos » The graffiti was a constant theme used throughout the show. (S)

COLDPLAY re-wrote the history books to produce one of the greatest spectacles this historic city has seen by kick-starting their eagerly anticipated summer tour in emphatic style, writes Steve Carpenter.

The hottest band on the planet right now have deservedly earned a reputation down the years as being the kings of live entertainment.

And on a warm, sunny Tuesday evening inside the Ricoh Arena, Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion produced one of the greatest live music shows in Coventry's proud history.

The colourful outfits, the graffiti, the glitter and of course the glowing wrist bands were all part of wonderfully crafted show which began Hurts Like Heaven off their latest album, Mylo Xyloto.

And from then on the 42,000 capacity audience were simply in awe of this magical gig that seemed to just get better and better with every track.

The timeless classics which gave Coldplay their iconic sound were not penned to become stadium anthems, but In My Place and Yellow now seem to defy that theory.

And a special mention of 'coming up to the Ricoh' was cleverly slipped in by lead singer Martin who certainly knows how to connect with his audience.

In fact the whole band looked to be enjoying themselves too and it was no surprise to see Martin describe the Coventry crowd as "incredible" on Twitter shortly after going off stage, adding that it was one of their favourite performances ever.

Back to the action and it is not often you get to glance around a full to capacity Ricoh and see ecstatic fans on their feet giving a rapturous applause for so long.

There was even a nice gesture by the band for those sitting towards the back during the traditional encore.

The band sneaked onto a small setting located at the opposite end of the main stage and somehow, among all of the drama, managed to create this magical acoustic setting before returning to the front.

The band's fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto, has charted at number one in over 30 countries and popular tracks including Every Tear Drop is a Waterfall and Charlie Brown produced unforgettable, explosive scenes which left fans

simply speechless at the final whistle.

The history records show that The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and more recently Oasis have all graced Coventry with their presence.

But after a performance like that, Coldplay and their growing support have adopted a whole new meaning to the phrase Sent to Coventry.

*R&B sensation Rita Ora warmed up the crowd ahead of Coldplay's introduction just hours after judging on the popular talent TV show X Factor.

The 21-year-old singer was in London auditioning to become a fourth judge on the series.

And she is thought to have impressed the show's bosses who chartered her a private plane so she could make it to the Ricoh Arena in time.

Rita performed her number one chart hits Hot Right Now and RIP before Coldplay took to the stage at 9.15pm.

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