July 11, 2013 - submitted by Kirsten and Lisa, Australia

 

Q. Hi there Oracle,

What sort of things do the band eat while they are on tour?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Oh the most delicious food! The band and crew are catered for by Eat to the Beat. The team work tirelessly round the clock to provide varied fresh and tasty menus. The band do tend to stick to the healthier options when they're touring but how anyone can resist some of the amazing desserts is beyond me!

 

Check out the sample menus on this blog which will give you an idea of what food on the road is like when on a Coldplay tour - Eat to the Beat catered for Strictly Come Dancing's tour too.

July 11, 2013 - submitted by Marcelo, Brazil

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

I saw in Wikipedia the 3th track of Don't Panic Single is Bigger Stronger Live. What version is it?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

When Don't Panic was released - in some territories - as a 4th single, Bigger Stronger Live was one of the b sides. It was recorded at Rockefeller Music Hall, Oslo, Norway on 1 December 2000.

There was also the Trouble Norwegian Live EP which featured Trouble, Shiver, Sparks, Yellow and Everything's Not Lost recorded from the same show.

July 12, 2013 - submitted by The Oracle, United Kingdom

 

Q. WHO'D LIKE TO JOIN TEAM ORACLE?

When I answer questions of a personal nature, Coldplay.com readers often get in touch with their own thoughts. So, we have a weekly feature, Team Oracle, whereby each Friday (with the question asker's permission) we open up a question to all of you to answer too. Then, the following Friday, I'll post a selection of the best answers, alongside my own reply.

ANYONE can join in so, if you'd like to, please email your response to the following question, in no more than 250 words, to [email protected] before midnight Thursday 18th July.

 

I'm stuck. I have a job I hate, some of my friends are leeching my positivity, I drink too much... I honestly feel like my life is spiralling down. Have you any advice how to get out of this slump. I'm 29, single and pretty miserable. I want more from my life. Ali.

 

Look forward to seeing your replies.

The Oracle

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Please email your replies to [email protected]

July 12, 2013 - submitted by JD, Germany

 

Q. TEAM ORACLE QUESTION #127

One of my - not anymore - friends still owes me money. It's a super long story involving festival tickets (Coldplay were headlining) - it happened two years ago, we haven't talked since and probably won't ever again and she'll never pay me back. The sum we're talking about is more than 50 and less than 100, (a lot of money for me).

So my question is - is there any way I can get my money back somehow? Not from her directly, but in some sort of creative way. If I remember correctly, James Blunt wrote his song "Billy" because said Billy owed him money and writing/releasing the song "was the only way to get it back". Any clever ideas like that?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I'm not sure if the money you are owed is for the festival tickets or not and whether she attended but if it is, maybe you should just post a cheeky note asking that she buy tickets for you the next time. Look, you're probably right, I doubt you'll get the money back but there is no harm asking for it - after all, it is yours. I don't think it's worth trying to be creative either but maybe send a photo of you & her from the festival or Coldplay headlining and put something like, "remember this?" and a note asking if you can talk. If she says yes, you can make small talk before broaching the subject. But if she said no or didn't reply, soon after, get in touch again and explain you're strapped for cash and would appreciate her paying something towards the cost or ask if she'd give you something of the same value that she no longer wants that you can sell.

A direct approach is probably better. You could even suggest she pays you back in installments but however you ask, do try and ask. Be very calm and friendly in your approach. If there's any confrontation, let it be on her part. I wish you luck as I have been screwed over many times over money. Sometimes there's no point looking back as it will just eat away at you. You just have to draw a line under it and move on.

Over to you.

 

In my opinion it's not worth it after all these years. Ask for the money, but you can perhaps sell things - desserts, do a garage sale or maybe just stuff you have saved and do not use. So you'd be saving money and taking back what you lost.

Greetings from Argentina, Lucia.

 

Maybe write a book involving one of the main characters owing you some cash where he or she keeps loaning off you but never paying you back - kind of a paranormal romance book. Keep it interesting but this money issue is a problem the character has. I don't know if it works then you are winning by far. Marcial.

 

There are many clever ways to get back the money she owes you. But, the best thing you can do is to make up with your friend and forgive her, then it wouldn't be so hard to get back the money she owes you. Nikhil.

 

Well, I dont know your true talents and I don't think Blunt's first inspiration was how to get his money back, but still unpleasant experiences, whatever kind of they may be, often can cause the kiss of a muse. I would probably take a keyword out of it - trustiness, friendship, forgetfulness, e.g.- think about what it means to me and then get creative. The other thing is - you won't be alone with this problem. Did you check out if there's any community to share it? If not get creative in this way, maybe a website or something. Good luck. L.Q.

 

Same happened to me and it's taught me to never wait for money. I now make sure people pay me immediately. If you buy tickets for a gig and they haven't paid before the date of the show, sell them on to someone else! I'm sorry but you'll never see it again. Boonie.

 

I think you should try and make a joke out of it. Find an invoice (online maybe) and send it to her but change the wording so it's all silly and fun. Put photos in it and memories and tell her you hate falling out over something like money and you want to put it behind you but preferably with some money back!

I hope you get it but I'm sorry, I doubt you will. Dave.

 

Money lending and friendships do not mix! I don't know how old your friend is but if you really think you'll never be friends again, go round to her house when her parents are in and ask for it on the doorstop really loudly! Hopefully she'll be shamed into paying you back. Not much of a friend really so you're better off without her sponging off you. Olivia.

 

Thanks to all those who replied to this week’s question. Remember, Team Oracle is open to anyone so if you fancy replying, click to read this week's, and send us your answer.

July 15, 2013 - submitted by Danny, United Kingdom

 

Q. Dear Oracle, have you ever requested the band to play a song for you, be it in rehearsals or soundchecks or even a studio? Would Chris sing you Green Eyes if you asked him nicely being the nice man he is? :)

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Ha! Yes, I have - once. My birthday a couple of years ago I asked for Politik even though I wasn't going to be at the show.

Chris asked the band's P.A to call me so I could hear it. I was told not to answer my phone but when I listened to it back it was terrible audio quality. Thankfully Roadie #42 came to my rescue and sent me an amazing version by MP3. It's my favourite recording of the band live ever.

Previous to asking, Chris has dedicated that song to me many times as he knows it's my favourite.

I've had a few dedications over the years at soundchecks and shows but the very first time was Don't Panic back in 1999 at a tiny venue. He said it was for me and my new haircut and hastily added that there was nothing wrong with my hair & that's not why he was singing Don't Panic.

July 15, 2013 - submitted by Franco, Argentina

 

Q. Hello Oracle! How are you?

 

I found this video from a live concert from the Parachutes era playing A Rush Of Blood To The Head.

As you can see, the lyrics are different comparing with the album version, so, the question is: How many AROBTTH songs were composed and played during the Parachutes era?

 

Thanks for seeing all our questions and for answering them!!

Greetings from Franco :)

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

In 2000 and 2001, Coldplay toured the live circuit almost continuously to promote Parachutes. It was from October that they started to introduce new songs that were being written on the road for their second album - In My Place being one of them.

Some of those songs didn't make it such as Animals. In April 2001, A Rush Of Blood to the Head and God Put A Smile Upon Your Face were introduced followed by Murder and Idiot which again, didn't make the final album.

July 15, 2013 - submitted by Danny, United Kingdom[/color][/b]

 

Q. Dear Oracle, have you ever requested the band to play a song for you, be it in rehearsals or soundchecks or even a studio? Would Chris sing you Green Eyes if you asked him nicely being the nice man he is? :)

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Ha! Yes, I have - once. My birthday a couple of years ago I asked for Politik even though I wasn't going to be at the show.

Chris asked the band's P.A to call me so I could hear it. I was told not to answer my phone but when I listened to it back it was terrible audio quality. Thankfully Roadie #42 came to my rescue and sent me an amazing version by MP3. It's my favourite recording of the band live ever.

Previous to asking, Chris has dedicated that song to me many times as he knows it's my favourite.

I've had a few dedications over the years at soundchecks and shows but the very first time was Don't Panic back in 1999 at a tiny venue. He said it was for me and my new haircut and hastily added that there was nothing wrong with my hair & that's not why he was singing Don't Panic.

Aaaawwwwwww this is so cute they're so nice :cheesy::dazzled::dazzled:

Aaaawwwwwww this is so cute they're so nice :cheesy::dazzled::dazzled:

 

 

Indeed they are. :heart:

I want Politik for my birthday too. :dunce2:

Does this version of AROBTTH exist in more or less decent quality?

 

Do you mean Politik? I think Debs posted the song R42 sent her a few years ago and I might still have that somewhere.

Politik: http://kiwi6.com/file/930k7y2tha

July 16, 2013 - submitted by Andy, United Kingdom

 

Q. Hi Oracle, I was just reminiscing about seeing my favourite band ever, playing my favourite venue ever- Coldplay at the Royal Court Theatre (Crisis gig). Have you seen your favourite artists at the venue you favour most?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Funnily enough I was at that gig and when I was there I told the band that the last time I'd been there was also my first time there to see a band that shaped my life - Frankie Goes to Hollywood in 1984.

I'm very lucky to have seen Coldplay in some of my favourite venues (some that no longer exist): Manchester Roadhouse, Borderline, Camden Falcon...

One of my favourite venues around the world is Amsterdam's Paradiso but sadly I didn't see anyone I particularly like there. I won't say who because the band love him! Ha ha!

There have been stand out gigs in amazing venues over the years and some have luckily matched with my favourite artists:

Tori Amos at Free Trade Hall, Ryan Adams at London Palladium, World Party at Royal Albert Hall but sadly some venues don't do my favourites justice - that's especially true for Prince. I like the smaller intimate venues so the nearest for him have been aftershows such as Bagleys & Indigo in London but they're not on my preferred venue list.

July 16, 2013 - submitted by Tayfun, United Kingdom

 

Q. Dear Oracle I am an aspiring music writer, and I am currently writing material, something is bugging me though, does anybody gonna give a shit about my music. I have the feeling no matter how good it is with so many great musicians in the internet it's hard to stand any chance?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

With an attitude like that, you will get nowhere! C'mon man, where's your fight?

Seriously, yes, it is tough out there but the very first reason you should ever make music is for yourself. Therefore if you give a sh*t about it, that's a very good start.

Work hard and stop worrying about the competition. If you want to stand out, just be better than the rest. Write every day and don't give up. Imagine if Neil Young or Bob Dylan or Janis Joplin or Robert Plant or Ray Davies or Thom Yorke or Chris Martin et al. had given up at the first hurdle.

 

If a chance is all you think you have then make sure it's a talented chance and be the best you can.

I'll be watching out for your name...

July 16, 2013 - submitted by Travis, United States of America

 

Q. When Chris is writing songs in between albums/on tour, how does he resist the urge from sharing them with fans? I'm sure there are obvious reasons, but I think that having an amazing song that had to wait for an album would be like winning the lottery and not being able to tell anybody about it!

 

Travis

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Yesterday I answered a question that mentions the new songs played at the tail end of the Parachutes tour.

Historically it's happened quite a few times since such as Wedding Bells, Spanish Rain / Don Quixote... They also previewed tracks from AROBTTH and MX at live shows before the albums were available.

July 17, 2013 - submitted by Georgie, United Kingdom

 

Q. I recently wondered about the twitter account @hypnofeed. Is this account run by Coldplay (perhaps Anchorman?) or is this a fan account?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

It's an official account that just focuses on the hypnofeeds.

July 17, 2013 - submitted by Arthur, Paraguay

 

Q. Hello

Is R#42 still alive? And also, what happened with all the Xylobands?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

He's very much alive and in fine fettle.

The unused and returned / recycled Xylobands are in storage.

July 17, 2013 - submitted by Alice, Greece

 

Q. Why can't I buy all of the comic books together anymore, instead of buying each one separately ?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

You can. This link will take you to our shop where you can buy the bundle of 6.

^ maybe the rest of the questions she receives are even worse and I bet there are loads of questions she can't answer (questions about LP6 or their personal lives).

edit: ^This. Exactly.

 

She's got like 3000 questions to pick from. I'm guessing that if we see such uninteresting questions, it's either because she doesn't see everything that's asked, or because what's asked just doesn't get much better than that.

Wait, the Oracle is a she?

 

:nod:

Debs Wild indeed

July 18, 2013 - submitted by Erick, Mexico

 

Q. Hello wise Oracle.

Is there any official bootleg or any way to buy or get a recording from a show of the Twisted Logic Tour? Thanks!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

An official bootleg would be a contradiction, Erick. A bootleg is - by definition - an unauthorized, unofficial recording. There isn't an official recording (audio or video) of the Twisted Logic tour, though there are clips online such as YouTube.

July 18, 2013 - submitted by Christina, United States of America

 

Q. Dearest Oracle,

I have been trying to find a specific version of Yellow that I heard. It was acoustic and slower than the original and Chris sings with a lower voice. The live 2012 is the closest I have gotten but it isn't the whole song. Is there a version of the whole song like that? It's my absolute favorite.

Thanks,

Christina

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

There are acoustic versions of the song but they won't be identical to the version you seek. Live 2012 has the slower intro and then built into the climax.

There's an acoustic version on the God Put A Smile Upon Your Face EP but the most well-known one out there was from Jo Whiley's Lunchtime Social (Radio 1) that was available on a promo CD called Acoustic.

There is a whole version of the song, the one from the Every Mother Counts album.

July 19, 2013 - submitted by The Oracle, United Kingdom

 

Q. WHO'D LIKE TO JOIN TEAM ORACLE?

When I answer questions of a personal nature, Coldplay.com readers often get in touch with their own thoughts. So, we have a weekly feature, Team Oracle, whereby each Friday (with the question asker's permission) we open up a question to all of you to answer too. Then, the following Friday, I'll post a selection of the best answers, alongside my own reply.

ANYONE can join in so, if you'd like to, please email your response to the following question, in no more than 250 words, to [email protected] before midnight Thursday 25th July.

 

I feel lonely, I don't know what to do with my life. I have all the things that one person needs to be happy. I had a bad experience with my exboyfriend and then, I started to feel depressive. I don't believe in anybody, all I feel is negative and I am trying to overcome my problem every day, but I think that no one will ever love me and also that I will never love as I did. I want to change now, everybody says to me the same, and all I want is real help. Maite, Spain.

 

Look forward to seeing your replies.

The Oracle

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Please email your replies to [email protected]