It had to happen. Sooner or later, it all had to explode into the sky, overflowing into the world that surrounds it and soaking it with love and melody and tears. Coldplay had to get big. Watching a band I have followed since the Brothers and Sisters EP over a year ago, a sense of bitterness spread over me that actually reduced me to tears. Watching the crowd erupt into applause for well over a minute following "Yellow" (released that week) made me feel a sadness never felt before by myself; the sort you read about when the Manics are interviewed but never quite belived. This reviewer now knows how 'old-skool' Manic Street Preachers fans must have felt when we floded on their band. Coldplay have hit the mainstream.

Even before the band stormed on just after 5pm, in King Tut's Wah Wah tent, the sense of anticipation made the air crackle. This was going to be an event, the last chance to see Coldplay in such intimate surroundings, and the tent was absolutely rammed with people, most of whom had heard nothing but 'Yellow'. The set they played was identical (if shorter) to last month's Scala gig in London where I last saw them - opening song 'Spies' still gets me, 'Trouble' was heartbreaking, and of course 'Everything's Not Lost' closed it. Coldplay know exactly where they're going, before they're first album has even been released, but this reviewer couldn't help but feel upset when the band left to rapturous applause. Here they come then.

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