Though the band can often prove to be quite divisive, I’ve always been pretty Coldplay neutral. I’ve rarely found reasons to get excited about them, but nor have I ever quite understood the hate they garner from some corners. Yet even their most steadfast detractors will concede the point that they put on a great live show. Vibrant, colourful, collaborative, life-affirming. One of the grandest spectacles in live music, though not without the occasional quiet, personal moments to boot. With that in mind, I felt the most excited I’ve ever been about Coldplay, when I did a double take at the news that the band would be playing in Hull. It’s always a thrill when one of the biggest live acts in the world practically plays on your doorstep, in what is likely one of the more intimate settings they’ve played in recent years. What sealed the deal for me though was the announcement that a sizeable chunk of tickets would be reserved for local fans, and that a share of proceeds from the shows would go to support Music Venue Trust. Seeing a high profile band championing forgotten communities and grassroots music like that was something I felt the need to celebrate, and so I was one of the lucky few locals gathered for this special occasion. Continue reading →