There seems to have been a constant stream of mega-bands over the past 50 years -the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, U2, Metallica… the list goes on. But it seems the list is getting shorter, and the real question is, where have they all gone? There are so few bands today that can fill stadiums, make platinum albums one after the other, and still stay at the top of the charts after 10 years. From reggae bands like Bob Marley and the Wailers to pop rock bands like the Police and Nirvana, it is becoming increasingly difficult for musicians to live up to the standards of the past. It seems that the life of music has become drastically shorter.

That’s why it is exceedingly rare to find newly developed bands that can do exactly what mega-bands of the past have done. Although Coldplay are a relatively new band, only releasing their EP Safety in 1998, the band has continued to create hit albums and sell out stadiums for more than 10 years. Their raw talent which needs no auto-tune, but only their instruments to make quality music, shines through in their interactive live performances. The concerts which are known to be even better than their recorded music itself are a sure sign of something exceptional in the music industry. The band has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and racked up more than 40 major music awards ranging from 7 Grammies, 8 MTV Awards, and 3 World Music Awards. Amongst these awards are World’s Best Act, Best Act In The World, and even their Grammy, Song of the year, 2007 Viva La Vida which placed number 1 on both US and UK charts for their first time.

Many South African fans were ecstatic at the news that Coldplay would be coming to South Africa for the first time, and will be performing in Cape Town on Wednesday, the 5th of October and in Johannesburg on Friday, the 8th of October. Long lines outside Computicket at 6 in the morning were the norm, even though ticket offices only opened much later, and as expected within hours all tickets were gone.

There is much anticipation as to what anthem sing-alongs the band will choose to perform, from the classics The Scientist and Fix You; too their new music such as Viva La Vida and recently released song, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall. Either way it should be a spectacular concert that is not to be missed.

Photo by: thetalkingmirror.com