Coldplay has made a very successful career out of making simple, melodic and interesting Pop/Rock Music. Although many of their releases are certainly worth hearing, their first live album release Live 2003 was rather disappointing and seemed like a rushed effort to get some money to Coldplay’s cause. Realising that tactical error, Coldplay created this new live album release for 2009, seen as a major improvement on their previous live album and being dedicated purely for their fans per se. Despite it initially being a limited edition release downloadable free from the band’s website, this is now available on major streaming services to listen to. Focusing on the material from their then-recent release, 2008’s Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay did not select a night alone for all their performances recorded for this album. Instead, they split the performances between Sydney, Madrid and Paris respectively during 2008 and 2009. Let’s take a listen to this live album release and we hope that it is an improvement on the previous live album.

Glass Of Water – Live in Sydney, 2009 begins with a roaring crowd cheer and Chris Martin saying hello to the crowd before the band immediately launches into a fantastic-sounding song that comes alive in the live environment. Immediately, this does sound really excellent. Coldplay is in fine form here, and the whole tune sounds upbeat, powerful and magical throughout. Soon into it, it reaches the chorus with crashing drums and a very wonderful sounding tune indeed. The piano and guitars in particular sound very beautiful and catchy here. It seems that Coldplay had lifted their game in a live performance sense by this point, and one can sincerely enjoy this song. It sounds extremely joyous and euphoric throughout. There are some rather interesting keyboard-based sounds here, and this tune is a winner. The breakdown in the second half is magical and pretty, and it really does sound quite good. The crowd noise is very loud as well, which at times is a pleasant interference from the song itself. It finishes with loud cheers and a great piano piece at the end before Chris Martin sings nicely to conclude. Excellent.

42 – Live in Madrid, 2008 sings a memorable and introspective song, with the crowd singing and cheering along very nicely here over a sweet piano part. This is a great and wonderful live performance from the 2008 Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends album, and it sounds pretty, upbeat and magical throughout. The whole band sounds very on top of their music, and Chris Martin’s singing has definitely improved a lot since he began his musical career. The drum-led breakdown sounds a bit like Nine Inch Nails here, and the music is a pleasant and awesome listen. This launches into an excellent guitar solo section that sounds really great. In any case, this is a far better live representation than the earlier live songs by Coldplay. It sounds pleasant and joyful throughout, and the whole band sounds like they are really enjoying playing this music. A really great listen. Towards the end, there is a lone piano part that plays on very nicely over a loud crowd. Chris Martin concludes the song with his good singing, and it all wraps up nicely here with a fantastic roaring vocal harmony. Excellent.

Clocks – Live in Madrid, 2008 is a live rendition of one of the most popular songs by Coldplay. It begins with live clacking drumsticks, the immortal piano riff, the crowd clapping along and Chris Martin talking and singing over the top of it all. Indeed, Chris Martin sings very beautifully and wonderfully throughout, especially considering he is not the greatest singer of all time. This is a great live performance, however, and it sounds magical, uplifting and sweet. The crowd sings along through it all, and this is a very loud, punchy and euphoric listen throughout. The irresistable falsetto by Chris Martin that is here is unmistakably loveable, and he adds a great musical and magical flair to it all. Coldplay are a very important musical group in the 21st century and they can cut it both live and in the studio. There is a strange breakdown briefly in the second half, before the key change enters and this song sounds very amazing. A really wonderful listen from start to finish, and this is certainly worth hearing for fans of Coldplay. The outro is an amazing listen, and it has some audience clapping over excellent guitar parts. Super cool.

Strawberry Swing – Live in Madrid, 2008 launches right into it, with some great guitar work and audience clapping along with the tune. Chris Martin sings very nicely over the top of it all, and it seems that Coldplay has delivered a very good set of live performances on this album. The music and singing by the band are wonderfully done. The mixture of sounds and spirit throughout is really fantastic. This also proves that Chris Martin doesn’t need autotune, either, which is a relief. This quickly launches into a really fantastic groove-based piece that sounds amazing and fantastic and is extremely awesome to hear. The music, performances and crowd enthusiasm are a great match to listen to. Acoustic guitars enter, and this tune is a powerful, moving and exciting listening experience. A really grand and interesting listening experience is here. A very cool tune, and something worth listening to. It ends with a very good guitar figure and the crowd loudly clapping along to finish. Excellent.

The Hardest Part / Postcards From Far Away – Live in Sydney, 2009 is a medley song. Chris Martin asks the crowd if they are ready to go, and they are. This launches into a great piano ballad version of the original song from the 2005 X&Y album. Chris Martin sings somewhat differently on this live version of the song and is accompanied by backing vocals as well here. It is a nice and different listening experience than you’d expect. This strips the song to its barest in comparison to the album version. In any case, this is definitely worth hearing if you are a Coldplay fan. A tremendous effort throughout. This progresses along nicely, and it has a sweet and lovely musical value to it all. Soon into it, it launches into the second half of the medley with some great piano and keyboards soloing away. Very, very wonderful. A joy to listen to.

Viva La Vida – Live in Paris, 2008 launches right into it with some great keyboard melodies and the vocal harmony that is prominent throughout this song. It does sound really fantastic and launches into this gorgeous, interesting and important musical song to listen to. This is a sweet and lovely joy of a song to listen to, and no doubt that the crowd were in for a real treat that night. The chorus, when it hits, is a truly lovely and inspired listening experience that is quite unforgettable. A really great live interpretation of a song that defined 2008, and which should have been played at the 2008 Olympics. This proves that Coldplay indeed could cut it live as well as in the studio. The crowd is very loud, and Chris Martin encourages the crowd to sing along with the harmony section as the song reaches its climax. A great, great listening experience and this is really something special. The second half has the vocal harmony wrap up the song, and the audience sings this harmony along with Chris Martin. A really great listen, and this song ends with loud clapping and singing to finish. Brilliant.

Death Will Never Conquer – Live in Sydney, 2009 is a short piece at only a minute and a half long. Chris Martin talks to the crowd and does some introductions, launching into a good song with acoustic guitar and a guest singer. This is a little strange, but pleasantly enjoyable nonetheless. It has harmonica and interesting guitar work throughout as well, sounding close to Ed Sheeran in many ways, years before he began his own musical career. A good and short piece of music.

Fix You – Live in Sydney, 2009 begins with a prolonged section of keyboard parts, and sounds moody. Chris Martin sings nicely here, and he articulates this classic tune by Coldplay very well. This sounds very well played and euphoric in general, just sounding extremely good. A very melodic, lovely and sweet tune. Soon enough, Coldplay lets the crowd do some singing of the chorus, just before the guitar and keyboards launch into a good mash-up in the next section. Chris Martin comes across as a nicer Liam Gallagher in his on-stage persona, which is either good or bad, depending on how you feel about it. In any case, the crowd sings the chorus very nicely and the guitar figure launches into action here. This sounds faster and more euphoric than the original album version, quickly launching into a very memorable live performance that sounds superb and wonderful. A really great live rendition of this classic song by Coldplay. Coldplay sound on top here, and this tune is a really lively and powerful listen. Enjoyable and great to hear the crowd enjoying themselves by singing this beautiful song, it ends with a load of crowd cheering and Chris Martin finishing his vocals nicely. Sweet.

Death and All His Friends – Live in Madrid, 2008 is the final song on this live album. It launches into a solo live vocal part by Chris Martin, sung by himself. He sounds great here, and the piano quickly enters this tune, followed by great guitars. This is a nice conclusion to a decent live collection of songs, and it takes the mind elsewhere. Coldplay proves that, on this live release, indeed they could cut it very well live at this point at least. The overdriven guitars are really sensationally good as well. This builds up to a pounding and wonderful song that is nicely layered and textured throughout. A really great album that is a good medley of live Coldplay is something that the listener will understand by this point. The guitars and piano, along with the songcraft, sound extremely lovely and sweet. Chris Martin delivers these songs extremely well, and he proves to be the best vocalist for those who dig the Sensitive New Age Guy sort of thing. This concludes very nicely with Chris Martin saying farewell to the crowd. The album ends with loud, continuous cheering, and is a good way to end this live collection.

This is a very good listening experience for those of you who like the main Coldplay albums but wanted to hear if the band could cut it live as well. Indeed, that they can. Coldplay had lifted their game significantly on this collection of live recordings and proved that they had improved enormously from their first live album release back in 2003. Should you listen to this album? If you are familiar with Coldplay and you want to hear more, the answer is a definite yes. Worth listening to for its pure and unbridled joy.

An excellent collection of live songs by Coldplay.

8/10