#AROBTTH era

[jonnylovers-in-neverland]

Young Jon captured by Tom Sheehan | circa 2002

[agentdatsunford]

Jonny Buckland singing Daylight live 2002-2003

[coldplayfeels]

@thisworldisntrealhoney

THEY NEVER RELEASED THIS MASTERPIECE!!! A TRAGEDY IF YOU ASK ME.

This gem from the ARoBttH era was only played live.

[newscoldplay]

Coldplay performing in Sacramento, CA - May 28, 2003

[wayfaringellie]

Your Love Means Everything Part 2 by Faultine feat. Chris Martin of Coldplay (2002)

And in a chain reaction I dissolve and break and then away I crawl And then away I crawl

[onlypostonce]

Coldplay Album Shoes

I started painting these for a friend about 6 years ago, right around when Ghost Stories came out. Things happened and I never had the heart to finish them.

I was going to paint a wing from Ghost Stories on each tongue and Viva La Vida on the left side of the left shoe (next to A Rush of Blood to the Head), but, it is what it is now.

[coldplaylive]

Happy 15th Anniversary ‘A Rush of Blood to the Head’. [08/26/2002]

[coldplay-kid]

mylondonskies:

Guy Berryman Photo Challenge

Day 2 - Best photo AROBTTH Era

just akjadjaskjsakjdkajdsa*_*

[coldplay-kid]

My adventure of a lifetime 💕

Hey, guys, it is only me Alycia. I thought I would write up my Coldplay Cardiff experience. Please be warned that I am fairly exhausted and it would be impossible to write every little thing that happened. My mind is racing, with so many happy vibes shooting off here, there, and everywhere. I’ve tried to write as much as I could about things that happened to me so I can look back on it. However, it is kind of brief, and I will probably write more about this subject later!

So, ladies and gentlemen, here I write about the happiest days of my life. Though words are insufficient to express my happiness, please find some sort musings below.

Most of you may know this already but my life has been defined by Coldplay. Ever since I can remember they have been by my side, through the good times and the bad. Bigger Stronger is one of the first things I can ever remember listening to, and I even waltzed into nursery during the AROBTTH era with a book of Coldplay things and a Jonny hat. I would scream “DON’T TAKE MY JONNY HAT” if anyone touched it or told me to take it off inside. I’ve loved this band my whole life and they honestly mean everything to me. I fondly remember racing back from Primary School to catch the Viva updates and live interviews and Roadie 42/Matt’s blog posts. For my entire life I have adored this band with my every being, however being lucky enough to do what most hardcore Coldplayers do has not been a smooth ride.

You see, I was born with a pretty complex physical disability. Though I often seem fine, with no visible or obvious signs of being disabled, my legs easily collapse and I can barely walk or climb hills. I have malformed muscle, splitting spinal disks, malformed kneecaps, abnormally short hamstrings, and many more physical ailments. In response to having this condition, I’ve faced many challenges. I have faced them bravely with Coldplay by my side even in my loneliest hours, but nevertheless, it took a lifetime to get where I am today.

It kind-of sucks because had I have been able-bodied, I would have probably had more success persuading my parents to let me see Coldplay at a much younger age. I am not complaining, as I was lucky enough to see them on the MX tour, but to have missed the earlier tours will always be a bit devastating.

A dream of mine, since the Live 2003 DVD was in my small child hands, was to be close enough to the band, to my boys, and to be at the barrier of a gig. Much of my life has been spent feeling envious of those who got to do it, I hope understandably so, and to overcome this I have spent my whole life up to this point in intensive physiotherapy. I may never meet my heroes, but I had to see them up close, and I would not let my disabilities stop me!

A lifetime of hard work, however, has recently paid off MASSIVELY. If you had told child Alycia in the X&Y era that any of this would have happened, she would probably furrow her brows and ignore you, quickly returning to watch Live 2005/How we saw the world, or Austin City Limits, for the tenth time that day.

Armed with a crutch and a friend, I managed to see my favourite people in the whole world up close TWICE. Cardiff has been everything I could have ever have wished for, and gone above and beyond my wildest dreams.

11th July 2017

After a fairly long (but worthwhile) journey, myself and two friends (@jonathanbuckland and @blindbankers ) met up and queued for a few hours in the pouring welsh rain. Though the weather conditions for the first gig were not ideal, they were soon forgotten about when we finally went to the stadium. I remember the awe and wonder when I realised I was on the floor (previously I was always in the gods) and Coldplay would be stood right there. Instantly, I was ecstatic, and honestly I still am. We managed to snatch the most perfect position at the C-Stage, and passed the time with party rings and chatting to a very kind steward. The first gig was, as always, phenomenal. The confetti, the xylobands, and the joy akin to electrical charges. We even serenaded Hoppy (Chris’ guitar tech) with Fix You! Though we got hit with beer bottles (some drunk guys were aiming at the stewart, who had told them to not sit on each others shoulders for security reasons) it was still one of the BEST days of my life (joint only with night two).

It got pretty crazy when the band got to where we were stood. I distinctly remember, holding up my sign with crazy joy, and seeing Hoppy and Jonny discussing something. Though I didn’t hear it word by word, I do recall Jonny pulling something out of his trouser pocket after speaking to his technician, and the next thing I knew Hoppy (with a wink and a huge smile) placed a scuffed plectrum into my hand. It was just crazy! I wasn’t the only one to receive a plectrum, with @jonathanbuckland also being lucky.

The C-Stage was filled with laughter (we had awesome signs, especially @blindbankers having a “There’s nothing wrong with jazz” sign backed onto cardboard) and tears of joy. Honestly, it was just incredible, and our group of friends (five in total) was even invited to the A-Stage barrier by Hoppy after the gig to get even more plectrums (sadly there weren’t enough to go around during the C-Stage).

Surely, I couldn’t get any luckier could I? I had waited my whole life to be so close to a band that has meant everything to me since I can remember. I was one of two people be chosen to get an actual Jonny plectrum. I had met up with some of the greatest friends ever.

I was sure it couldn’t get any better, and I couldn’t get any more lucky.

Boy... I was wrong!

12th July 2017

For the second night, it was only myself and @jonathanbuckland . We both had VIP, and after a hearty Pizza Express, we stood in a queue chatting to some really nice Coldplay fans. I even met one of my oldest and dearest fandom friends, @nathanr38 , which was just fantastic.

After a very rough descent into the stadium, we managed to snatch the A-Stage and had the most perfect view. Again, there was a very nice steward opposite us, who even admitted he was a huge Coldplay fan and he wished he could turn around, clap, and cheer! It was very kind of him, but he somehow snagged me Embrace’s drumstick and plectrum, realising how much these gigs meant to me.

Once Coldplay came on stage a series of insane things happened. First of all, and straight away, Jonny smiled at @jonathanbuckland and I, and that was only the start. We appeared soon (during Yellow) on the big screen, screaming and just being ecstatic as hell. Jonny repeatedly smiled towards us throughout the gig, and I melted inside whenever he did. During Charlie Brown, Chris read my sign, smiled at me, and gave me crazy eyes (this was also a fabulous moment I will discuss in a moment). I couldn’t believe, and still struggle to, the interactions I had with my absolute favourite people in the whole wide world! Within moments of Chris noticing me, I was handed a third plectrum, meaning I somehow now have four plectrums from the best days of my life.

So already I had Jonny’s plectrum from (I am certain) the A-Stage, another plectrum from Hoppy, Embrace’s plectrum, and their smashed drumstick. Surely my luck ended there right? If it had, I would be absolutely content with life. All I wanted was to see my heroes live again at any cost.

Nope. I still had four more crazy moments left. During the latter half of the show, I was given a folded up setlist. I didn’t even ask for one, knowing they give them out sparingly. Apparently, there had been some commotion at the runway barrier with so many people ‘bothering’ the roadies with their requests for a setlist. To be chosen to receive one was just... breathtaking, and two days later I am still beaming.

As the show was coming to the end, Coldplay did their usual wave, claps, and thank-yous. Amongst all of the screaming and flashing phones, I mouthed “thank-you” to Will Champion. We locked eyes, and he mouthed “and you too” back to me. He beamed at me and clapped me and I just cannot believe this actually happened. I also thanked a roadie, who said it was “fans like me who make their jobs worthwhile”.

Do you want to know what else happened to me? Well, I’m going to tell you anyway, because it is another thing I cannot stop freaking out about. So earlier, if you have stuck with this giant textpost, I mentioned that Charlie Brown was a key moment I am to return to later on. Well, you see, Roadie 42 was around when Chris smiled at me. He snapped this photo:

Which can be found on their Twitter and their Instagram (Photo credit: @coldplay crew legend Roadie 42/Matt Miller). Now, I had no idea of this until I saw my groupchat blowing up asking for us to fill them in. I finished the gig with a bundle of supportive and lovely messages. When I was termed “their Aly” by several fellow Coldplay superfans, I just felt so amazed, and even an update account said “congratulations” to me. I am just still freaking out. THEY CHOSE A PICTURE OF ME TO REPRESENT THE WHOLE GG! THEY COULD HAVE CHOSEN SO MANY OTHER PHOTOS! Honestly, I just can’t believe my luck. I was called the “luckiest girl in the world”, and though that is quite true (I certainly feel like the luckiest girl in the world), I think I am also the happiest girl in the world right now.

Sitting back at home, I don’t think life can get any better. I think, or at least I hope, that I impressed them because I was stood at the barrier on a crutch having the absolute time of my life. It must be known that this is only the start. I proved to myself and to my family that I can be barrier even with a collapsing musculoskeletal system. I am immensely grateful for all that happened, but I have really fought to be where I am now. Honestly, I have had the best week of my life. I am so thankful for all of the lovely people I met, an amazing crew and band who made all my dreams come true. 3/4 Coldplay interactions, a ton of random gifts, and featuring on their Instagram and twitter pages? What did I ever do to deserve this!?

PHOTOGRAPHS

I hope you all enjoy my small gallery, most photo credit to @jonathanbuckland:

NIGHT ONE --

NIGHT TWO --

My Coldplay stuff (not including merch/VIP package but I can post that later if anyone wants to see it):

Embrace’s plectrum and the second Coldplay embellished guitar plectrum that was given to me on the 12th June 2017 (second gig).

Two plectrums. The top one was given to me indirectly by Jonny Buckland, and placed into my hand by Hoppy. The second was given to me after the gig at the A-Stage barrier by Hoppy again. Both were given on the 11th June 2017 (first gig).

This was the drumstick used by Embrace at the second gig.

This is my set list given to me by a roadie during the second gig.

Excuse the grammar and stuff. I am still so hyper and everything I am absolutely freaking out!! Though I do wish I was going to Paris, I am so lucky for all that has happened to me and I will definitely try to follow them around the continent next time they tour. Thank-you Coldplay. Words don’t do justice what you mean to me, and what the last few days have meant. I will do whatever it takes to be back at a Coldplay concert, and I am immensely proud to be a lifelong fan.

💛💙💜💚❤️ Thank-you Coldplay, thank-you for everything. 💛💙💜💚❤️

[flockofbirbs]

Get to know the Coldplayer tag

I was tagged by @flamingplay , @blueberry-beanie and @aheadfullofdreams2204 to do this little Q&A, sorry for the late reply... I was at a festival and didn´t use tumblr for a while 🙈 Q1. Do you have favourite Coldplay album/era? If so what and why? It´s Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends! I do have months where I listen to other albums more, but in the end whenever I play this one, it just re-inforces my love for it. The songs are diverse, the lyrics are poetical, the flow of one song to another, the outfits during that era... all of it together harmonizes in an amazing way! I never counted it, but I have a feeling that most of my favourite songs are from this album

Q2. Favourite Coldplay song for when you’re sad: Tough question... I think the scientist? When I´m sad I normally do the mistake in grabbing AROBTTH or X&Y... which makes me even more sad 😝 but sometimes you just have to let it all out

Q3: Favourite Coldplay song for when you’re happy: Viva La Vida. But generally when I´m in a good mood, I listen to MX and Ahfod

Q4: X Marks the Spot, A Whisper, Princess of China, Fun: yay or nay? yay! nay when I first got mx it was a yay... but it quickly switched to a nay yay! (I always try to sing Tove Lo´s part, I´m sorry for my neighbors lololol) 

Q5: Best Album Art? The last 3 albums were all great, mx, gs and ahfod all have so many details in it! Since I love to draw and I tried to re-draw some of their album art in my coldplay-fanart, I discovered so many little hidden insiders, personal things added by the band and lyrics... The members were involved in each of them (everybody in mx and ahfod, mainly chris in gs) and I really love their collaboration with the artists on the covers

Q6: Have you ever seen Coldplay live, if not - would you like to? I did! 5 times 😊 I saw them in Munich during the mylo xyloto tour and in Zürich, Berlin, Munich and Warsaw during the ahfod tour Hopefully I can see them again in a couple of years!

Q7: If you could make Coldplay perform one song live, what would you choose? I really, reeeeallly want them to play Moving To Mars! My first choice, Strawberry Swing, became reality during the Zürich concert,,, and I´d love them to add Amazing Day back to the setlist (and get rid of asfos or sjlt instead), since it was such a beautiful song to be played life! During that performance, everybody put their phones away and Chris made the whole stadium wave to the “oooh part”... I got chills 😩

Q8: What would your reaction be to meeting the boys in the street? Haha, I´d most probably smile from ear to ear, shake like a chihuahua and stutter a “have a great day”, and then regret for the rest of my life that I didn´t take a pic with them to make sure it wasn´t just a dream 😅

Q9: The Chainsmokers, Big Sean, Rhianna: yay or nay? a wobbly yay  i don´t know yet nay In my opinion the collabs are oriented for the radio audience... simple lyrics, catchy tune, but it lacks some depth to them. Even yesterday the guy from the radio station that I listen to compared the synth-melody from somthing just like this to a sportscar engine 🐸☕

Q9: Jonny goes Jazz or The Nappies? the nappies!

Q10: Carpool Karaoke or Three Boring Songs? I love the Carpool karaoke clip but there is something about the three boring songs that makes me laugh out loud everytime I watch it :’) Q11: What song are you most hyped for on Kaleidoscope? Have you preordered the EP?

I love All I Can Think About Is You since I heard the live version from Tokyo! Can´t wait to be able to listen to it on my phone without opening youtube haha! 

Q12: Do you consider yourself an ‘Oldplayer’? naah, I started listening to them during the mx era... but I love their old songs, and whenever they drop something that is not in the asfos/sjlt/hftw direction but instead they go in the clocks/aictais/moving to mars direction I get even more  hyped!

Q13: In your opinion, 4 or 5 members of Coldplay? i - I mean they even list Phil right after up&up in the credits at each concert. He even.. he oficially IS a bandmember

Q14: Live 2012 or Live 2014? Live 2014

Q14: Bring back the curls? I miss them!!!! but I feel like Chris is getting too old to pull of the vival-la-vida-curls without looking like he´s trying to be hip and cool like today´s youth  now is the time for a look like at the rolling stones cover ;))) thanks a lot for tagging me!! I´d love to know what you´d write @amazingday, @viva-la-death @coldplayt and @originalcoldplayer 😃

[jonnylovers-in-neverland]

Coldplay - In My Place (Live on Later… with Jools Holland, 2002)

[agentdatsunford]

Jonny in Coldplay's 2003 Tour Diary Documentary ♡

[coldplayfeels]

This time I was tagged by three lovely ladies @whereiwantedtogo @flamingplay and @petitpoptarts Thank you so much, girls; this Get To Know The Coldplayer Q&A was so fun!

Get to know the Coldplayer tag What better way to help our wonderful family get to know each other than a tag? Feel free to leave questions you don’t want to or don’t feel comfortable answering. Tag your favourite Coldplay blogs or followers you want to get to know better

Q1. Do you have favourite Coldplay album/era? If so what and why?

My absolute favourtie Coldplay album is, without a doubt, A Rush of Blood to the Head (though Shiver was the song that hooked me in.) I don’t think I can explain it, I just love everything about that album. I can listen to AROBTTH from start to finish without getting bored. If I had to choose one era, I think I would choose AHFOD because the boys seem so happy and I was more involved in the fandom.

Q2. Favourite Coldplay song for when you’re sad:

Fix You. I like the message of the song and it doesn’t hurt listening to Chris crooning about him trying to fix me. Also Prospekt’s March / Poppyfields; if you’re sad better to let it all out at once, right? I prefer songs that’ll make me cry than happy songs when I’m sad. If we’re talking about sad songs, then I also have to include What If.

Q3: Favourite Coldplay song for when you’re happy:

Don’t really have one? Maybe Strawberry Swing just because it is such a pretty song.

Q4: X Marks the Spot, A Whisper, Princess of China, Fun: yay or nay?

Yay, depends on my mood but mostly yay, nay, yay (I don’t get why people don’t like it)

Q5: Best Album Art?

The one and only Ghost Stories. It’s been my homescreen and desktop background ever since it was released.

Q6: Have you ever seen Coldplay live, if not - would you like to?

I haven’t had the pleasure but even if I had seen them live, I’d like to see them live as much as possible. So, I’M DYING TO SEE THEM LIVE!

Q7: If you could make Coldplay perform one song live, what would you choose?

I am Your Baby’s Daddy, just kidding. I’d like to hear one of their newest ones so I would choose All I Can Think About Is You. Wedding Bells is a strong contestant just because I’m salty they never released a studio version.

Q8: What would your reaction be to meeting the boys in the street?

I don’t know, maybe I would freeze on the spot or start trembling uncontrollably.

Q9: The Chainsmokers, Big Sean, Rhianna: yay or nay?

Nay to either, especially The Chainsmokers.

Q9: Jonny goes Jazz or The Nappies?

TOUGH ONE! Both are hillarious but The Nappies, I need a comeback. Great songwriting.

Q10: Carpool Karaoke or Three Boring Songs?

Carpool Karaoke, I even made a post to talk about how good it is.

Q11: What song are you most hyped for on Kaleidoscope? Have you preordered the EP?

Oops, way overdue but I was the most hyped over All I Can Think About Is You. I never preorder this kind of stuff but ~maybe~ I’ll buy the CD if it’s available where I live.

Q12: Do you consider yourself an ‘Oldplayer’?

I... don’t really know what this means...

Q13: In your opinion, 4 or 5 members of Coldplay?

5, you cannot leave Phil out.

Q14: Live 2012 or Live 2014?

I own both of them but I think I only saw Live 2012 so I’m gonna pick that one.

Q14: Bring back the curls?

Of course!

I’ve been gone so long I don’t know who’s been tagged and who hasn’t but if you find this entertaining go ahead and do it!

[newscoldplay]

New/old HQ pic from A Rush of Blood to the Head era - August 4, 2002

[inmyheadfullofdreams]

Get to know the Coldplayer tag

What better way to help our wonderful family get to know each other than a tag?

Feel free to leave questions you don’t want to or don’t feel comfortable answering. Tag your favourite Coldplay blogs or followers you want to get to know better!

@slothfool, thank you for tagging me! :)

Q1. Do you have a favourite Coldplay album/era? If so what and why? Can’t decide... I’ve grown up with AROBTTH and X&Y, it makes me remember my childhood and because of this time I’m a coldplayer now. But I love Viva La Vida (well and every other album!) the same way... Of course the AHFOD era is one of my favourites, because I could finally see the boys live!!! 😍

Q2. Favourite Coldplay song for when you’re sad: Trouble, We Never Change, Gravity, O, sometimes Magic.

Q3: Favourite Coldplay song for when you’re happy: Viva La Vida, Strawberry Swing, Birds,... generally the whole AHFOD album.

Q4: X Marks the Spot, A Whisper, Princess of China, Fun: yay or nay? All of them: yay! I just don’t know how to feel about Fun. It’s okay but I don’t listen to it often. So for the other three songs the ‘yay’ is a little louder!

Q5: Best Album Art? Ghost Stories of course and AHFOD.

Q6: Have you ever seen Coldplay live, if not - would you like to? YEEEEES! 2016 in Hamburg and a month ago in Munich! AND I’M SO EXCITED FOR PARIS IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AFHSDAWKDJAW!!!!! 😍😍😍

Q7: If you could make Coldplay perform one song live, what would you choose? Speed Of Sound! I would looooveee to hear that live! And Strawberry Swing, Shiver (although I could hear that song last year already) and maybe Warning Sign.

Q8: What would your reaction be to meeting the boys in the street? Crying, laughing, being the happiest person on the whole planet, telling them how I love them and taking a picture with them... and when I’m at home I’d print that pic and put it on every wall in our house 😂

Q9: The Chainsmokers, Big Sean, Rihanna: yay or nay? yay, yay, yay!

Q9: Jonny goes Jazz or The Nappies? The Nappies.

Q10: Carpool Karaoke or Three Boring Songs? Three Boring Songs. Even if I love Chris’ batman shirt! 😂

Q11: What song are you most hyped for on Kaleidoscope? Have you preordered the EP? No I didn’t preorder it. I love All I Can Think About Is You and I’m excited for Aliens.

Q12: Do you consider yourself an ‘Oldplayer’? No, not really. I love everything what they do. I mostly hear their older albums but that doesn’t mean I don’t love the current stuff. They could do whatever they want - it’s always the beeest thiiiing in the wooorld!

Q13: In your opinion, 4 or 5 members of Coldplay? How could there just be 4??? EVERYONE knows there are 5 members and EVERYONE loves all of them!!! :) (At least that’s what I hope!)

Q14: Live 2012 or Live 2014? 2012... all the colours and of course for the first time: the xylobands! 😍

Q14: Bring back the curls? Weeeell, I think it’s totally okay how it is, but...  YES.

If you see this you can consider yourself tagged. I’m gonna tag @written-in-graffiti, @a-sky-full-of-birds and @rushofcoldplay. Have fun! :)

[lfcb-fearless]

Thank you so much for tagging me @whereiwantedtogo !! This is really cool :D

Get to know the Coldplayer tag

What better way to help our wonderful family get to know each other than a tag? Feel free to leave questions you don’t want to or don’t feel comfortable answering. Tag your favourite Coldplay blogs or followers you want to get to know better

Q1. Do you have favourite Coldplay album/era? If so what and why? I reckon my fav album is A Rush of Blood to the Head. I really enjoy almost every song on that album and I think everything about AROBTTH is a masterpiece. However, I would have loved going to a Viva era concert. 

Q2. Favourite Coldplay song for when you’re sad: I actually have a sad Coldplay playlist lol, so anything on that playlist, for instance, Gravity or Fix You. 

Q3: Favourite Coldplay song for when you’re happy: CHARLIE BROWN forever and ever!!!!!

Q4: X Marks the Spot, A Whisper, Princess of China, Fun: yay or nay?         Man, I really don’t listen to A Whisper even though it is from AROBTTH, so...

Q5: Best Album Art?                                                                                             I love A Head Full of Dreams!! So precious.

Q6: Have you ever seen Coldplay live, if not - would you like to? YES. It was definitely the best day of my entire existence. April 16th, 2016, btw. I went to the Mexico concert.

 Q7: If you could make Coldplay perform one song live, what would you choose? Strawberry Swing or In My Place... 

Q8: What would your reaction be to meeting the boys in the street? I think I would panic, I don’t know if I’d be able to reach them or something.

Q9: The Chainsmokers, Big Sean, Rhianna: yay or nay? I like all of their collabs. 

Q9: Jonny goes Jazz or The Nappies? The Nappies, obvs. 

Q10: Carpool Karaoke or Three Boring Songs? Lol, I love Three Boring Songs. *btw, Guy looks beautiful on that video*

Q11: What song are you most hyped for on Kaleidoscope? Have you preordered the EP? Haven’t preordered it, but A L I E N S seems like a cool song. 

Q12: Do you consider yourself an ‘Oldplayer’? Not really, I love every single album and I really don’t mind if someone prefers AHFOD over Parachutes or the other way around. 

Q13: In your opinion, 4 or 5 members of Coldplay? Phill is just as important as any other member, so 5!

Q14: Live 2012 or Live 2014? Live 2012. There are more songs than on Live 2014 and I love the documentary as well. 

Q14: Bring back the curls? Please, Lord. 

THANK SOOOO MUCH! This was really fuuuun! I would like to tag @slothfool @amazingday @scousercarragher- :D Enjoy it, too!