Look at the stars

There was clearly a huge Bolton contingent in the sell-out crowd with trains to and from the venue full to capacity.

Inspired by singer Chris Martin, they played hits from their multi-award winning debut album Parachutes, alongside what surely must be a string of future chart toppers from the follow up release A Rush of Blood to the Head.

And the foursome proved they have much more than raw talent. Led by Martin they are clearly intelligent and formidable musicians.

There was no need for gimmicks, as they proved they had the armoury to deliver, opening predictably with the raunchy Politik and following it with the excellent Shiver.

It was a spectacular start, aided by some amazing back-lighting effects.

Guitars, drums and a piano were enough to let Coldplay shine and show the sheer brilliance of their music and song lyrics.

The crowd threw their arms into the air to tracks like God Put a Smile on Your Face and virtually sang the hit Yellow alone. The much-anticipated new single The Scientist was also stupendous. Many tracks from the two albums were given a whirl including the magnificent Trouble, saving recent hit In My Place for the encore.

Martin thanked the crowd for coming along and even made sure those at back did not miss a second of the action, by announcing the large screens above the stage were being switched on.

His voice sounded as pitch perfect on stage as it does on CD, but that did not stop him spinning the microphone at the side of his piano round to give the audience a chance to help him out.

Coldplay have come a long way since they pressed just 500 copies of a four track CD, which got them a gig at the In The City music festival in Manchester in 1998.

Humble Martin even admitted they are still getting used to playing such large arenas.

This is somthing Coldplay will clearly have to get accustomed to.