COLDPLAY - COLDPLAY PLAY TO 150 AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

British rockers COLDPLAY took a break from playing arenas to perform to just 150 Australian fans at Sydney's landmark OPERA HOUSE yesterday (16JUL03).

The YELLOW band took to the floor of THE STUDIO ROOM for the hour-long semi-acoustic gig, which was taped for Australian cable channel MUSICMAX.

Singer CHRIS MARTIN - who is engaged to Hollywood star GWYNETH PALTROW - joked that the small gig was like being demoted "to the basement".

A fan says, "It was incredibly intimate - the band seemed really happy to be there.

"There were a lot of lamps and the background was a black cloth with fairy lights all through it - it looked like stars.

"It felt like it was a really cosy little gig - it's such a privilege to see a band like with so few people in a really special environment. It was such a unique thing."