Roadie: My Life on the Road with Coldplay

by Matt McGinn

He's been part of the Coldplay family since day one, we love him.' COLDPLAY 'A funny, honest, absorbing account from an unseen member of the World's biggest band.' SIMON PEGG Longtime Coldplay roadie Matt has taken almost every step with the band over a decade of world tours and 40 million (and counting) record sales. In this, his first book, he reveals what life is like behind the scenes at the pinnacle of rock 'n' roll touring. As Coldplay move from club gigs to arenas and stadiums worldwide, Matt goes with them; faking it as a band member on US chat shows, flirting with Kylie, saving a life on a French motorway and even pitching in with the odd guitar riff in the studio. Roadie provides the definitive glimpse of backstage life. Tales of hurricanes and heatwaves, helicopter chases and private jets, plectrum hunters and projectiles all come together as Matt explains in his unique way - and regardless of the mountain (and gear) to move - that the show must always, always go on.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Biography

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2010

Reviews

[G.L. Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're interested in life on the road or if you're a fan of Coldplay (or both), you'll probably enjoy this book. Aside from being informative and filled with (mostly) sweet little anecdotes about the band and crew, it's very well written. The narrative echoes the ups and downs of roadie life: sometimes it's a kick, sometimes it's boring as anything. That's the life, though. The book is peppered with enough jargon and tech talk to satisfy someone looking for those types of details. For anyone unfamiliar with what it takes to put on and be a member of a massive tour... this is a good one to read. You might be impressed! Plus, you will probably come away from it with either Yellow or Viva la Vida stuck in your brain for days, so be forewarned.

[pedant cu ochii cei verzui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why are there so few ratings?? This was a really good presentation of what happens behind the scenes, wholesome details about the band, all of it painted with a good dose of British humor. That biography will be a fucking smash.

[Emilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hilarious, you really get a perspective of what's like to work with coldplay/ as a roadie.

[Dennis Willingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't expect sex, drugs and rock and roll, it's a good explination of what the modern, professional roadie does for a band.

[Sarz Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant, insightful glance into the backstage world of one of the best and biggest bands of all time. The author's voice is friendly and humorous as he draws you into the roadie life. The author has an incredible ability to appeal to all different categories of readers without boring anyone with excessive details. Eg. the more technical elements for musicians and other roadies alike, the band's background for the history buffs, and the glitz and glamour of the music scene for the Coldplay fan including 'Sunday roast's at Bono's!'

This book also divulges some really interesting information about not only Coldplay and its members and supporting crew, but also about the Music Industry as a whole including rotating stages, band interactions, and the immense workload behind getting a tour on the road.

I found that being a Coldplay fan and being musically trained helped me enjoy this text more, so if you are a Coldplay fan and play a/some instruments, then I am pretty sure you will love this book.

[Paul M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quickly finished my first Christmas book. I’m an over-the-top Coldplay fan and thought I’d thoroughly love swimming through this non fiction work. I will admit to finding a handful of nuggets interspersed in the 222 pages but they seemed outweighed by mentions of drinking benders. What I will say is one works their arse off in this job, leaves their family for many months of the year and deals with a lot of stressful situations. Fair disclosure…I read most of the book while in a tough battle with Covid so perhaps my pounding head put me too far into the author’s benders.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating insight to the backstage and off-road life of a band, coincidently my favourite band. The writing style is both conversational and quite humorous, and at times had me laughing - not at things that went wrong but the metaphors and similes that Matt used to illustrate his story. I mean, can you imagine telling anyone that your local pub is called the "Dog & Twat"? LOL I highly recommend this for anyone to read, although the language might be a little strong for some.

[Victor Valore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, nice told story! Fast paced, packed with details and very authentic. From my own work as local crew, I can coincide closely with 25% of the material presented and if the rest of the book is just as precise, it gives a close look deep insight the boiler room of modern day rock-n-roll circus. Highly recommended.

[Yuliya Fowler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t get any juice about the band or the rock’n’roll and I am a huge Coldplay fan. There are all in all more mentions of fellow roadies than of the band itself. Found it hard to read being a non-Brit.
If you are looking for more insight into what Coldplay or “Oldlay” are really like maybe wait for their full biography

[S.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into life on the road with Coldplay from the beginning to Viva La Vida era. No secrets revealed but didn't really expect any. Really enjoyable for fans of Coldplay or music fans in general who want to know what it's like behind the scenes.

[Parijat Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, funny account of a roadie experiencing (and being a part of) Coldplay's globe-spanning jouney. Wanted something light and easy to restart my reading habit, and I'm a huge fan of the band, so win-win!

[Rebecca Whelan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was alright. I like Coldplay’s music and I like going to shows (albeit never one of theirs) so thought this would be a good read. I did enjoy it, it just wasn’t one of the best books I’ve ever read

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great voice, tons of stories from the road!

[VivalaKubaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a Coldplay fan and want to learn something new about their tour, you can read this and you should be happy, but it won't add much to your life.

[Joel Betts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective of life on the road in music. Doesn't have as much interaction with members of Coldplay as you might expect.

[Capricious Trout · Rating 1 out of 5]

Advertised as a book about Coldplay but it felt like they were hardly there. Very boring, monotonous and at the same time chaotic and unengaging. A lot of jokes that didnt land with me and TONS of references to bands I dont care about. Not for me.

[Iain Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand that Matt McGinn is still employed by Chris Martin and co, so he isn't going to do the dirt on his employers, not that Coldplay are that sort of band. Covers the roadie role from small beginnings to stadium tours but it falls between two stools as it isn't a bio of the band, nor does it describe the intricacies of roadie work, but it's more like an outsider's view on the meteoric rise of Coldplay.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great biography about one roadies life on the road with Coldplay.

This book is about Matt and his life traveling with Coldpaly and in the studio. This book goes through his daily life and how he cam to be in (in his words) “The best job in the world”.

This book is perfect for all Coldplay fans or music fans.

[Alfaquarto · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mało ambitna książka, często nudna i mało porywająca. Firmowana nazwą grupy Coldplay, choć autor nawet nie stara się dać czytelnikowi satysfakcji z możliwości bliższego poznania nie tylko swojej pracy i udziału w działalności zespołu, ale także poznania zakulisowych tajemnic i ciekawostek dotyczących samych muzyków.

[Najla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested to know about life on the road with Coldplay, what goes on before, during and after the concert and how they make music and record it and i read it all on this book. It was really entertaining.

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't beat the perspective of a roadie/tech for Coldplay from when they got their start basically, but Matt McGinn can also tell one hell of a story. He's fun (and funny), and he knows his stuff, and his book was a pleasure to read.

[Andrew Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a life long lover of music and always fancied being a roadie/muso, I enjoyed this book. It provides an incite to the life on the road working for a successful rock band, with the associated highs and lows. Great read even for non-roadie/muso types.

[Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book! Such a fun and insightful read.

[Louisa Mcginn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is awesome, and I'm not just saying that because my brother wrote it

[Jacqueline]

I have to read this!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read giving an insight behind the scenes.