Coldplay Live 2012

''Live 2012'' is the collective name for the official documentation of the Mylo Xyloto Tour, performed, recorded and released by British alternative rock band Coldplay. The project consists of a worldwide theatrical and home media film release, Coldplay's third live album, after '' Live 2003'' and '' LeftRightLeftRightLeft'', and a 183-page e-book depicting the tour.

The film and album were recorded over many dates over their 2011 festival dates and the Mylo Xyloto Tour, which began in December 2011 and concluded in September 2012. The film premiered on 13 November 2012 at select cinemas around the world. The DVD, Blu-ray and live album release occurred on 19 November 2012.

Release and promotion

The film was first announced by Phil Harvey in April 2012. It was first announced under the title "ColdplayFilm". The name was also inscribed on the Xylobands used on the Mylo Xyloto Tour between April and September 2012. The bracelets were conceptualized and created for use in ''Live 2012'' and used in all future world tours that the band has gone on to complete, changing slightly in variation and material. The film/album was first officially announced on 25 September 2012. On the same day, two websites promoting ''Live 2012'' launched. One promoting the theatrical release of the film, and one promoting the project in general. A two-minute trailer accompanied the announcement, released online and shown in theaters attached to other films as well. In addition, an exclusive preview of "Us Against the World" was shown on the Live 2012 website, as well as another select track off the film of user's choice. A 183-page e-book documenting the tour was also announced.

''Live 2012'' was first released as an exclusive, one-night-only theatrical release, shown in cinemas across 57 countries around the world. The film opened at 7:00pm at respective time zones (7:30pm at some screenings), on 13 November 2012. The film was shown twice on the night, closing before midnight. A partnership deal between Parlophone and Studio 3 saw the screening of ''Live 2012'' on US premium cable television as well. The film aired exclusively on 14 November 2012 on Epix, the night after the theatrical release and a week before its commercial release in the United States.

Critical reception

''Live 2012'' was met with widespread acclaim from music critics. ''Herald Sun'' Cameron Adams commented that "this is the exact show Coldplay are in the midst of charming our country with — wristbands, hits, banter, yoga moves and all. He also commended the track listing, as "Their biggest hits ('Paradise', ' Viva la Vida', ' Fix You') sit nicely with their more subversive ones (' Violet Hill', ' Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall')". Sarah Milton of ''The Upcoming'' stated that "This release of their previous and current work defines their unstoppable prowess by taking tracks to a personal level with their fans. This is a skill not many achieve live, but with this album, Coldplay succeeds. It deserves immense recognition, and we can rest assured that he bandwill keep raising the bar of stadium rock shows".

Jim Pusey from Contactmusic praised the film for its visual effects and cinematography. He compared it to '' Live 2003'', noticing "a band that's now less awkward and self-conscious". He also gave a positive note to the documentary itself, with the most interesting parts being the "behind the scenes interludes that punctuate the performances. Each band member has an opportunity to reveal not only their enthusiasm for playing live around the globe, but also their perspective on the different elements that have made up the tour ..This peek behind the curtain is beneficial as it makes the gig footage from hreedifferent stops on the tour (including their most recent Glastonbury headline set) more engaging". In a piece for ''HeyUGuys!'', Kenji Lloyd wrote that the film "goes above and beyond any ordinary concert film, which is just what you'd expect from a band that isn't any ordinary band. They go the further mile, always looking to take things further, do things better, make the extra effort".

Drew Taylor of '' IndieWire'' claimed that "the documentary should be longer", but "even a cursory understanding of what it’s like to watch Coldplay live is better than nothing at all. Wristbands not included". In a less enthusiastic review, James Atherton from '' Drowned in Sound'' mentioned that Coldplay are "really nice", but "their output is often too sanitised to make the jump from good to great", with the first track on ''Live 2012'' seemingly reinforcing the sentiment. He also said that "For such a successful outfit, it’s intriguing to hear that this tour has been the first time the band has felt ready to play stadiums", referencing a quote given by guitarist Jonny Buckland in an interview within the film.

Adam Silverstein wrote a defensive review on ''Digital Spy'', saying that the film/album was pulled off well amidst mixed reputation, writing "One (thankfully first-class) collab with a popstar and an appearance on ''The X Factor'' later, however, and they almost fucked their rep... Chris Martin bawling backing vocals to the Little Mix girls would have been uglier than Javier Bardem toothless in ''Skyfall'', yet that's all it would have taken". Silverstein felt the film reveals the "ridiculous effort that goes in to each and every concert", and "skillfully showcases just how incredible an adventure it is to observe a world-beating band at the top of their game. And those still to be converted to the Coldplay cause even after watching this? Well, they can f**k off, then".

Italian magazine ''Panorama'' has ranked ''Live 2012'' as one of the best international releases of the year. In 2013, Coldplay were nominated in the Foreign Classic Pop Rock Album of the Year category at the Hungarian Music Awards for the audio release part of the project. Months later, the film release was among the Best Music Film nominees for the 56th Grammy Awards.

Track listing

All songs written by Coldplay's songwriting members Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin. Except tracks originally released on ''Mylo Xyloto'', written by Coldplay and Brian Eno.

Sample credits
*"Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" incorporates elements of "Ritmo De La Noche" written by Alex Christensen, Harry Castioni, Bela Lagonda and Jeff Wycombe, which incorporates elements of " I Go to Rio" written by Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson.
*"Princess of China" features a sample from " Takk..." written by Jón Þór Birgisson, Orri Páll Dýrason, Georg Hólm and Kjartan Sveinsson, performed by Sigur Rós.
*"Up with the Birds" features a sample from " Driven by You" by Brian May. It also includes a lyrical sample from "Anthem" by Leonard Cohen.

Personnel

;Coldplay
* Guy Berryman – bass guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
* Jonny Buckland – lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
* Will Champion – drums, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboard, electronic drums
* Chris Martin – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, rhythm guitar on "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face" and "Don't Let It Break Your Heart"

;Additional musicians
* Rihanna – vocals (on "Princess of China")

;Technical
* Rik Simpson – mixing
* Olga Fitzroy – additional mixing
* Christian Green – additional mixing assistant
* Bob Ludwig – mastering
* Jon Hopkins – additional film music

;Visual crew
* Paul Dugdale – director
* Jim Parsons – producer
* Dave Holmes, Phil Harvey, Juke Jakobek, Stefan Demetriou, Arlene Moon – executive producers
* Brett Turnball, James Tonkin – directors of photography
* Simon Bryant, Tim Thopsett, Tom Watson – editors
* Janet Fraser Crook – director (Glastonbury footage)
* Alison Howe – producer (Glastonbury footage)
* Ben Chadis, Mark Cooper – executive producers (Glastonbury footage)

;Art
* Tappin Gofton – artwork designer and director
* Paris, Misty Buckley, Reggie Matheson – front cover
* Matt Miller, Benjamin Etridge, Eric Schleicher, Xavi Menas, Wendy Marvel, Sarah Lee, Nick Pickles, Phil Harvey – photos

;Live crew
* Paul Narmandale – design
* Phil Harvey – director
* Dave Holmes – manager
* Misty Buckley – stage and prop design
* Paris, Gwen Liby, Misty Buckley, Reggie Matheson, Lynden Mallinson – painting

Charts

Weekly charts

Monthly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications and sales

Release history

Notes

References

External links

*
*
*

{{Authority control

2010s British films
2010s English-language films
2012 films
2012 live albums
2012 video albums
Capitol Records live albums
Capitol Records video albums
Coldplay live albums
Coldplay video albums
Concert films
English-language documentary films
Parlophone live albums
Parlophone video albums