Coldplay: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
24,836,175
Published 2020-03-16
Watch Coldplay play "Cry Cry Cry", "Viva La Vida", "Broken", "1999" (Prince cover) and "Champion Of The World" at the Tiny Desk.
Did you know you can watch new Tiny Desk concerts on npr.org ONE WEEK before they go up on YouTube? Click here: www.npr.org/tinydesk
Follow NPR Music:
Twitter: twitter.com/nprmusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nprmusic
March 12, 2020 | Robin Hilton -- Shortly into Coldplay's soundcheck, singer Chris Martin cut off the opening song, "Cry Cry Cry," right in the middle. His band had brought along a nine-piece choir, and he asked them to take "Cry Cry Cry" one more time. When one of the singers asked if there was a problem, Martin replied, "No, I'm just in f****** heaven right now!"
That feeling was obvious throughout the performance. Watching Martin at the keys, with the For Love Choir behind him and Coldplay guitarist Jonny Buckland at his side, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was the happiest day of his life. Laughing, bouncing to the music and playing off the crowd, Martin and company gave one of the most jubilant, uplifting and memorable performances we've ever had at the Tiny Desk.
Watching their gospel-infused take on "Viva La Vida," it was hard not to beam with joy; hearing their stirring cover of Prince's "1999" brought on a mass urge to leap up and dance. The entire set was a perfectly executed showcase of the band's creative spirit and love of community through music.
"Viva La Vida" was the only older track Coldplay performed, in addition to the surprise Prince cover. (The band had just performed at a Prince tribute show in January.) The other three songs — "Cry Cry Cry," "Broken" and "Champion of the World" — are all from the band's stellar new album, Everyday Life, which was recorded with some of the singers on hand for the Tiny Desk. Martin joked that, "In a very real way, they've Photoshopped our songs to be much better than they actually are." Whether or not that's true, for at least this one sunny afternoon at the NPR Music offices, the choir — and Coldplay's inspired reworking of its own music — felt transcendent.
SET LIST
"Cry Cry Cry"
"Viva La Vida"
"Broken"
"1999" (Prince cover)
"Champion Of The World"
MUSICIANS
Chris Martin: vocals, keys; Jonny Buckland: guitar; Denise Green: vocals; Shaneka Hamilton: vocals; Dorian Holley: vocals; Stephen Mackey: vocals; Lamarcus Eldridge: vocals; Lawrence Young: vocals; Surrenity Xyz: vocals; Tiffany Smith: vocals; Mabvuto Carpenter: vocals
CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern; Creative director: Bob Boilen; Audio engineers: Josh Rogosin, James Willetts; Editor: Maia Stern; Videographers: Maia Stern, Morgan Noelle Smith, CJ Riculan, Jack Corbett, Melany Rochester; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Production Assistant: Shanti Hands; Executive producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Emily Bogle/NPR
All Comments (21)
-
WIN A TRIP TO SEE A TINY DESK CONCERT! Enter here for your chance to win by supporting the content you love: bit.ly/tiny-desk-giveaway (enter before 3/28/24 at 11:59pm PT!) No purchase or donation required for entry. Void where otherwise restricted or prohibited by law. Must be 18 years or older and a resident of the 50 us states, D.C. or Canada (excluding Quebec) to enter. Entry deadline is March 28, 2024 at 11:59:59pm pt. Odds depend on the number of entries received. ARV of total prize: $2,300. Max. 10,000 entries per person. Official rules, including an alternative free method of entry, can be found at propeller.la/support/1936/official-rules.
-
Whoever put an ad in the middle of viva la vida deserves to be fired...
-
Chris looks like a healthier Dr. House
-
Chris' huge genuine smile/excitement when they cheer for Viva la Vida is so sweet. dude has played countless gigantic arenas but he still gets excited by a small room.
-
Why does everyone sound better on tiny desk? No auto tune, no editing, just their lovely raw voices and instruments. how it should be
-
Remember when you could have this many people in a room? Seems like a lifetime ago
-
It's like NPR has been saving this for when the world needed it the most
-
Wow this choir sounds heavenly. They are outstanding
-
5:41 when a room full of talented humans are harmonizing like this, it always brings a tear to my eye. Music is such a beautiful thing.
-
Whoever mixes sound for all these Tiny Desks deserves a Grammy.
-
Everyone looked so happy singing viva la vida together. I miss people.
-
The enjoyment that Chris gets just from getting to perform with others is the most palpable vibe ever ✨
-
-
The female singer in the center - her smile is so contagious.
-
Chris Martin and the choir looking like they are having the time of lives. It's this intimate genuineness that makes these Tiny Desk performances so special... and this one especially so. Thanks NPR ♡
-
Back up singers so beautiful, smiley & soulful voices 👍 😁
-
If you do anything in your life see Coldplay live it’s like tear jerking
-
Chris Martin is obviously having sooo much fun. It's a treat to watch.
-
Chris Martin is just a lovely person. The choir behind him is inspired and inspiring. This is what music is all about.
-
Who's here after watching the Lewis Capaldi concert? He makes the sound at 4:21 :)
