10 Reasons Coldplay Should Be More Respected Than They Are

8. They Put In 100% Live

If you've seen pictures of Coldplay live in the last couple of years, chances are you've seen a crowd flashing neon lighters at the band in unison. Those aren't lighters: they're Xylobands. They're controlled by radio-waves, and operated by the tens of thousand by a man backstage. It's rumoured that they barely break even on a night's work: that might not be true, but they've not put ticket prices up since 2008. It's the scene-stealer of the show for sure, but it's by no means the only thing there to see. Chris Martin is boundlessly energetic on-stage, ring-leading the boys, apologising profusely for poor weather, and trying to whip up as much of a frenzy as possible. The band even relocate mid-show to a smaller stage in the middle to perform acoustically, and to get closer to those fans who weren't lucky enough to get a place at the front. That's why they've headlined Glastonbury three times. Coldplay try and make every live show a spectacle, whether it's your first gig or the last one you'll ever attend. They're often labelled bad musicians, but you certainly can't fault them for their enthusiasm and effort for what they do.