Within the framework of their four presentations at the National Stadium, a record for the local billboard, Coldplay spoke with BioBioChile regarding the plans they project in the country and their first impressions following their return.
Last Tuesday, Coldplay reopened the billboard of mega events in the National Stadium with the first of four shows in the ñuñoíno colossus. A record for the local industry and a milestone in the pandemic era: following almost three years without shows of this caliber, the venue reopened its doors to live music in the anteroom of the end of limited capacity.
“We are happy to play live following such a long time. We finished our last tour in 2017, a long time ago. And perhaps if it hadn’t been for the pandemic, we would have resumed earlier. But we are happy to finally have concerts once more ”, he reflects from the bowels of the National Stadium Guy Berrymanbassist of the British band in dialogue with BioBioChile.
“The process to prepare for a tour is the same as before. We spent many weeks practicing and deciding the show, which is hard work, but no more than it has been before, “he says regarding the “Music of the Spheres Tour”tour that this year, in Costa Rica, marked the return of Coldplay to the stage under the concept of a show ecological and sustainable, almost entirely powered by solar panels, sustainable batteries and renewable energy.
For Will Champion, drummer of the quartet, it was not just another tour. “Not being able to tour and do as much in the pandemic gave us more time to think regarding ways to make the next tour as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible,” he tells BioBioChile.
“I think the way we approached it was to look at every decision we’ve made since we started, rethink everything from how to move equipment to things like bracelets, the drinks that are sold, and see if there was a better way to do the tour. We had a lot of help from other people, from counselors who know what they are talking regarding.”
The funds raised, in fact, are destined to a series of organizations dedicated to the care and preservation of the environment. “We discovered that there were thousands of small decisions that we can make that add up to something that is significantly more sustainable, and that has less impact on the environment,” concludes the founder of the group.
Coldplay in Chile: “It was something new for us”
After exhausting all the available tickets for their four shows at the National Stadium, the expectation for the four local dates is not low.
“We are lucky to have amazing fans here. South Americans tend to be very passionate people. Here, there is a very strong musical culture. I think probably one of the attributes of our music is melody, so I think we like to create melodious songs that people sing along to,” says Berryman.
“Something we have learned from South Americans is that they like to sing with us at concerts.which is the best part of the show: when everyone sings, when it is not a band with an audience, but when we all sing together”, he commented.
On their visits to each country, the group usually tributes famous local compositions. During his time in the Dominican Republic, for exampleperformed live “Pink bachata” by Juan Luis Guerra and the 4:40. And when they passed through Mexico, it was inevitable for them not to remember John Gabriel.
Do you prepare any surprise of this type for the remaining shows in Chile? “I wish I had the answer to that, because often Chris (Martin) comes in at the last minute and tells us: ‘Hey, let’s do this song’and we have to learn it in 20 minutes”, says Champion between laughs.
“So we’ll probably find out in a bit… I hope if we have anything, we’ll know regarding it soon; sometimes it can be a surprise for us. I’m not aware of anything right now, but I’m sure there will be something,” said the drummer.
(Q): What was the favorite moment of your first concert in Chile?
(Will Champion): when we play Live life It’s always so much fun, because we usually play it center stage, surrounded by the audience, and the reaction is always great. Fans always enjoy singing that one, that’s probably the highlight for me. There are many moments. I think that and also at the beginning of “Clocks”. Something good happens with lighting, something special. Each concert is special and in each one there is something different to enjoy. Viva la Vida was the “high point”.
Guy Berryman: I think there are many moments, but I didn’t like it very much when it started to snow. That was something new for us (laughs). I love the feeling of walking on stage and starting to play “Higher Power”, because it’s just as fascinating for us to watch the audience as it is for them to watch us. I never get tired of walking on stage. The beginning of the concert is always special.
(Q): Besides the work related to the four shows, what are your plans for these days in Chile?
(WC): We only have one day off, so my plan is to play some tennis. We like tennis. And finding a good restaurant, that’s what’s important to me: finding a good place to have dinner. And I also like wine and I know that Chile has fantastic wines. That is the limit of my tourist activities, a good restaurant (laughs).
(GB): I like to explore the city I visit. Usually in each city there is a part with vintage shops, cafes or bookstores. I like to find those areas and buy things.
