Andrews Rock Blog

Things are going to be a bit different the next few weeks with both Jeff and Carly taking holidays, but I’m still around and will make sure to update the blog as regularly as possible.

The band that I feel pretty inspired to write about this week is the one that’s coming to Toronto for two sold out shows at Air Canada Centre Wednesday and Thursday. I’m talking about Coldplay, who are my vote for biggest band of the summer, and until U2 releases their new album later this year, are in line to be band of the year. Chris Martin and company are such a prime example of how to do things right in the new millennium when it comes to creating and marketing their music.

First, there was the actual buzz months in advance that the band were working on a new album. Add in the news that producer Brian Eno was behind the board and you get a whole new level of anticipation. Then there was the iPod commercial featuring the title track to “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends” - excellent exposure via a product that is cool and won’t be perceived as selling out. That was followed up upon the album’s release with the various free shows in the U.K. and New York, tv appearances on the BBC, CTV, and the Today Show, and an appealing band willing to talk to the press. All great moves in guaranteeing maximum exposure and interest.

Of course, all of this wouldn’t have mattered much if Coldplay’s fourth album had been a dud. Luckily for both the band and fans, “Viva La Vida” is arguably the band’s greatest achievement; an intelligent collection of songs that may not seem initially accessible, but are full of memorable hooks that wind up sticking in your brain. For the first time in years, it seems as though there’s a band on the scene who can follow in U2’s footsteps as “the biggest band on the planet”. With so many of our rock icons north of 60 years, and only a few bands from the 90’s carrying any sort of real fan following and relevance(Radiohead and Pearl Jam), trust me when I say we need a band like Coldplay to be as big and as important as possible. Luckily, they’ve got the tunes to get them there.

Let me know your thoughts on Coldplay and then use MARTIN as today’s bonus code.