Coldplay make a Big Noise for Mencap

Tuesday 22 December 2009

La Roux joined Coldplay for a Mencap gig at Exeter Castle

British superstars Coldplay headlined Mencap's Big Noise Session this weekend.

The band were joined by chart favourites La Roux in front of just 500 lucky fans for the gig at Exeter Castle on 19 December. Lily Allen was also due to play, but had to cancel her appearance due to a throat infection.

Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin, said: "I don't think there could be a better way to end the decade... We're proud to support Mencap and, for me, it's exciting to play my hometown."

The event was staged inside a marquee transformed into a Christmas winter wonderland. Mencap ambassador and BBC Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley said Big Noise had "all the right ingredients...a beautiful location, Christmas spirit, one of the best bands in the world and special friends all in an intimate setting."

The event followed Mencap's Little Noise Sessions in November, which saw big names including David Gray, Florence + the Machine, Mika, and Editors perform at the Union Chapel in Islington, London.

Photo by India Whiley Morton