Under 1 Roof, O2 Arena - review

They broke cover with this music and comedy spectacular for Kids Company, which works with vulnerable children in London. The band have quietly supported the charity for years and donated £1 million in 2009 alone.

"Sixteen thousand people have gathered here because of the kindness of a man like Chris Martin," said charity founder Camila Batmanghelidjh. The concert, which 500 Kids Company youngsters attended, will raise hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Soulful newcomer Emeli Sandé was received like an established artist while Tinie Tempah, a recent O2 headliner, was back with a confident performance including an incendiary Pass Out.

Steve Coogan, as Alan Partridge, described it as "an evening of rock and roll - and Coldplay," one of several jokes at their expense. Needless to say - to borrow a Partridge expression - they had the last laugh by making arena rock look easy.

The wristbands given to everyone in the audience suddenly began flashing in unison during the punchy opener Hurts Like Heaven and Martin was showered in confetti for In My Place.

The band decamped to the end of the ramp for the delicate Up In Flames and Martin remained at the piano for an unlikely duet of White Christmas with Rob Brydon.

Viva La Vida and Fix You were huge tunes befitting the biggest band in the world, although Martin's curious dancing resembled a man negotiating an invisible assault course.

Christmas Lights was interrupted by Partridge demanding something more upbeat -"which is difficult for Chris," he added. Their duet of Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy was a bizarre one-off.

Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, an explosion of light and pulsating rhythms, wrapped up this Christmas party, which raised loads of money for charity without resorting to celebrity posturing.

Under 1 Roof