Go For The Opener: Coldplay at Alpine Valley

Welcome to Go For the Opener, in which we at Decider plead that if you’re getting ready to see a big concert, be sure to get there early and pay attention to the opening acts. 

The big show: Coldplay, Alpine Valley Music Theatre, Sat., July 25, 7 p.m..
The openers: Elbow and Kitty, Daisy, And Lewis
Why you should listen: Manchester's Elbow is a pretty logical addition to a Coldplay concert—if you like Chris Martin’s vocal style and radio-friendly melancholy, Guy Garvey and the gang shouldn't be too hard to digest. But in contrast to Coldplay's U2-esque yearnings, Elbow slithers through its layered pop with a much more spooky and insular vibe. (There's a dark, mischievous sense of humor lurking somewhere in there, too.) And hey, Elbow's 2008 album The Seldom Seen Kid edged out Radiohead’s In Rainbows for the Mercury Music Prize. Plus, they just sound like the type of band that Coldplay would listen to, perhaps while taking a few notes on nuance and songcraft.

The real surprise on the bill, though, is the band of Kitty, Daisy, And Lewis, three young siblings from London. Their mom, Ingrid Weiss, was the drummer for post-punk icons The Raincoats, but the three make vintage roots music that’s unlike most country, folk, and blues records that have come out in the last few years. Their self-titled record includes elements of rockabilly, swing, jump blues, and Hawaiian music. It'll puzzle folks who just want to get on with the moping and grandiose light show, but it’s extremely fun.