Recorded last July at Sydney’s Horden Pavilion and enclosed free with their new live DVD, this shorter version of the same gig showcases a band as impassioned, beguiling and human-sized as ever, despite the monumental international success of second album A Rush Of Blood To The Head and their resulting move into the stadium league. It’s also irrefutable evidence that Coldplay’s sound – those chiming pianos, the panoramic expanses of icily perfect atmosphere, the insistent, breathlessly rushing drums and bass, Chris Martin’s zealous yelp-and-coo – was positively made to be heard live.
In particular, Jonny Buckland’s sky-scraping, comet-shower guitars, half Sigur Ros, half Unforgettable Fire-era U2, are coarser, wilder, more shamelessly brilliant in what is evidently their natural habitat, and his finest moments provide Live 2003’s highlights. Sadly, this listener’s faves – a searing ‘Don’t Panic’, a lump-in-your-throat ‘Trouble’ – are inexplicably consigned to DVD only, but newie ‘Moses’ and B-side ‘One I Love’ are ardent, fiery things, and very-oldie ‘See You Soon’ sees Chris’ pristine falsetto and Buckland’s skin-pimpling arcs of noise singing in perfect unison. Not least, ‘Clocks’ – all wintry gales and driving rhythms – surges as magnificently as a rocket.
There’s something precious about a band who have made the switch to stadium gigs and celebrity status and Hollywood-actress girlfriends without losing even a grain of what made them special. Mind you, it’s still early days; and it was a genius idea to take this timely photograph.