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A Head full of Dreams, a Heart full of Happiness.

If you know me at all, there have been a very limited amount of times during my young life where I've been left completely speechless. I can almost always come up with a comment, opinion, or at least verbalize some sort of response in most situations. Be it sarcastic, humorous, or semi-intelligent, I'm hardly ever left without words. However, on Saturday night, the only response I could muster when Coldplay took the stage, was a stream of (happy) tears and a smile stretched a mile wide.

It's seems dramatic, pathetic to some, to admit that I was brought to tears due to a musical performance. But at the same time, it's completely reasonable. Music has this incredible ability to bring you to certain places, memories, and people. It shapes your not only your day, but your life, and ultimately who you are as a person. For me, Coldplay has been a band that will always resonate with me, because during some of the darkest, or happiest, or most memorable times, it has always been a Coldplay song in the background.

A few years ago I heard how magical the Coldplay concerts were. Full of lights, color, confetti, and happiness, and I'm kicking myself for not attending the first concert after I heard that. I've waited a long time for them to be back in North America, and I finally made it to one of these legendary performances. Now the only problem is I'm deeply considering selling every personal possession, quitting my job, and following them on tour...

On Saturday night, Chicago's sky opened up, and down from the heavens came somewhat of a mini-monsoon. The sky was black, the rain was heavy and hard, and the forecast didn't look promising. By 7:00pm, the opening acts were all cancelled...and we waited (patiently) out the rain, and thankfully so did Coldplay. By 9:00, they stormed the stage, our wristbands began to glow  and change colors to the beat, and I looked over at Clayton, tears already falling as I mouthed to him, "I've never been this happy".

I wish I could put into words the energy this band gives off. The fireworks, the lights, the colors- it's good for the soul, the heart, the ears, and the world. The way Chris Martin moves around the stage, jumping, laying down, running, whatever he's doing...you can tell he's excited to be exactly where he is. You can see the magic in the way they move, and the fact that they really believe in who they are and what they're doing. The crowd feeds off the energy, and every time the wristbands begin to dance with color, the crowd does too. I think the only way I know how to describe the experience is by saying it simply radiates happiness and positivity.

Maybe it's the lyrics, or they rhythm, or the fact that Coldplay is just incredibly talented, but it brings every emotion to the surface. From the call to peace throughout the world, and the importance of love as they sang Everglow, to fun and mischievous antics in Adventure of a Lifetime, it took me from a steady weeping to a ecstasy-like fuelled happiness. It was incredible, and dare I say it, life-changing.

An hour an 25 minutes into the set, the rain started in again. Coldplay insisted on performing one more song. As the song went on the rain fell harder, which somehow made the entire thing more magical. Dancing in the rain to Coldplay, soaking wet, wearing (and simultaneously ruining) my brand new Birkenstocks, the only thing left to do was sing a the top of my lungs and embrace the circumstances to close out the most emotional concert I've ever been to.

Although the concert ended far too soon (I get it, safety reasons), I still will never be able to say enough about the experience. Coldplay left me speechless, emotional, and SO full of love and joy. Even the 2.5 mile walk home in the rain couldn't dampen my spirits.

If you don't know a single song by Coldplay (do you live under a rock?), or you think they're just OK (re-evaluate your life!!), you need to go to one of their concerts for the experience and the spiritual awakening, and the flood of love and happiness that you will leave with.

Coldplay, you are amazing. Keep spreading the love, kindness, and good vibes all over the world.


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