Originally posted by LikeASong:If Coldplay did outstanding performances (not only stage-wise) they shouldn't be afraid of the 360 stravaganzza. I'm aware that the 360 Tour will never (or in a nearby future) be topped in terms of attendance and gross, but it wasn't another Zoo TV artistically and performance wise. Sure the hardcore fans like us love it due to the setlist gems they've dropped and other things, but to the general audience it was just a mastodontic world tour featuring a spider stage and a laser jacket (I've heard that same opinion from a lot of people so I really know what I'm talking about). Coldplay are at the top of their popularity right now, and they have the chance to do something (artistically) bigger than 360. Just my 0'02$.
From a technical and logistical standpoint, the 360 Tour was far more than another ZooTV tour. Because of the stage setup, 360 was able to utilize more of the stadium than ever possible. Even though The Claw was massive, if you think about how much space it takes up on the field, you would be surprised to discover that it actually leaves far more space on the field than the stadium stage setups of other bands, meaning there are far more GA tickets available than ever before. Additionally, they restructured the price brackets which essentially made tickets for 360 the cheapest it has ever been to see U2 live in recent history. As a result, they performed to far more people than any other band in any other tour.
However, I actually feel that Coldplay's tour can't really go much bigger from an artistic standpoint. The only way I think they can expand is by expanding their audience (switch to stadiums) and expand their setlist (24 songs instead of 20). The visual aspects of the tour seem over-produced, mainly their obsession with lasers and flashing strobes. I love the Xylobands. I love the confetti. But the light show pushes beyond excessive at times. If the visual technicians can exercise a bit of restraint and learn to use the subtle effects to enhance the music as opposed to using huge visuals, the tour can become a masterpiece. It will never be bigger than 360 and I think it would be a mistake for Coldplay to attempt to replicate or surpass 360 while on tour, but it can certainly become a masterpiece.