Fourteen years ago, while living in London I saw Coldplay live in concert. At the time, the band was already very successful, but they weren’t yet the rock and roll behemoth they are today. This was during the “Rush of Blood to the Head Tour.”
Back then Chris Martin wasn’t a household name. He was a serious talent, for sure, but nowhere near the global star, he is today.
I recall attending the concert with a big contingent of friends. American expatriates, British friends, a few Irishmen and one guy from Whales. I remember he was from Whales because he wore a blazer with the Welsh flag embroidered on the inside. So when he’d feel particularly prideful, he’d whoop and open his blazer like a Welsh super hero.
But I digress …
Today I’m an even bigger Coldplay fan. I’ve enjoyed transferring my fandom to my two little girls. When the idea came up at a party to go to the concert, my group of friends went online and purchased our tickets on the spot.
So this summer I went to see Coldplay for the second time. Fourteen years separated my live music experience with Coldplay. Same band members, same dynamic lead singer.
At this show in August, at Giants Stadium, Chris Martin taught me a lesson. The sold out crowd reacted, sang along and generally slipped into a euphoric state of bliss. The concert was phenomenal.
Chris Martin made a bold comment that changed my opinion of him forever. I’m paraphrasing, but the lead-man made a declaration that sounding like this:
“On Wednesday, August 2nd, in New Jersey, we pledge to play our best live performance that we have ever played!”
On the way home I mentioned this to my group of friends. We all agreed that there was something in the way Chris said it, that made you believe him. It occurred to me that this is why they enjoy so much success.
They take nothing for granted. They leave it all on the stage, and they push themselves during every. single. show.
You may dismiss this declaration as a bombastic platitude. I know that he’s not the first front man to say this at a concert, nor will he be the last. But on that night, at Giants Stadium, in front of a sold out crowd, I believed him.
Quite the profound lesson no matter how you apply it. In work or in life.
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