:surprised: Wow, an answer from Mr. Roadie himself!

Steve should pick up Matt's book. Probably a little out of date since it's VLV era, but still a great read.

August 21, 2013 - submitted by Chandra, Nepal

 

Q. I am an 18 years old boy from Nepal. I am coming to the UK for my higher studies in couple of weeks. I know it is always a daunting experience travelling to a foreign country. But I am very much nervous as much as I'm excited. However, the reason I'm nervous is somewhat awkward. But I know that I got nothing to be ashamed of in front of you, dear Oracle. Actually, my height is only 5'4" and this is causing me a great inconvenience and troubling me about the fact that will I be a laughing stock in the University I will be studying?? Please, give me some courage, dear Oracle.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Please don't worry, Chandra. There is a saying, "Good things come in small packages". I think 5'4 is a great height and if anyone says otherwise (though, I don't know why they would), just laugh it off. Personally, I'd ignore them as it's so utterly ridiculous, it doesn't deserve your time. It would be their problem not yours.

Remember, people get bored if they see it's having no effect so they'll soon stop - if indeed they start.

If you think it's something that will hold you back, maybe you should bring it up first - could be an ice-breaker.

It's strange how we look at people who aren't what's considered average but really, it's what makes you different & I see that as something special. You've nothing to be ashamed of at all - unlike anyone that brings you any grief.

Stand tall with your 5'4 and be proud.

August 21, 2013 - submitted by Chrissy, New Zealand

 

Q. Hi! I don't really have a question, but rather just a msg for you!

I went to Coldplay's concert in Auckland and I uploaded some photos! Feel free to use them if you wanted photos taken from concert-rockers point of view haha.

 

Your concert was like, perfectly amazing! Thank you! :) x

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

As you can imagine, there are millions of photos taken over the course of a Coldplay tour and while it's not possible to peruse them all, we do encourage fans to upload their pictures to our website. Please do add yours to the Auckland show.

August 21, 2013 - submitted by Elliott L, United Kingdom

 

Q. Dear O' Mighty Oracle :)

 

After the success of the vinyl releases for Record Store Day, will there be any releases for the new event Cassette Store Day on 7th September? It would be great to have some Coldplay material on cassette :)

Thanks

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Ahh cassettes. My second Coldplay demo was on cassette. Do people have cassette players these days? I have one but it was bought to record on rather than play. As for my ghetto blaster, it is so old that I don't think the double cassette players work anymore.

I digress... though it would be great to have Coldplay material on tape, there are no plans to be involved.

For a list of releases due on Cassette Store Day, click here.

August 21, 2013 - submitted by Helen, Australia

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

 

I'm curious to know whether the band listens to their own music in their spare time? Do they actually have their albums on their iPods and play them when they are, for example, driving or relaxing at home? I imagine it would be a bit strange because they wrote, recorded and performed those songs countless times and they know them inside out.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

They listen back to songs during the writing and recording process but no, they don't listen to their own albums for pleasure. I doubt directors & actors watch their own films often or authors read their finished books.

I do know of one musical artist that played their own CD as guests walked in to their hotel suite for drinks and canapes after a show. It felt very weird.

August 21, 2013 - submitted by Helen, Australia[/color][/b]

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

 

I'm curious to know whether the band listens to their own music in their spare time? Do they actually have their albums on their iPods and play them when they are, for example, driving or relaxing at home? I imagine it would be a bit strange because they wrote, recorded and performed those songs countless times and they know them inside out.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

They listen back to songs during the writing and recording process but no, they don't listen to their own albums for pleasure. I doubt directors & actors watch their own films often or authors read their finished books.

I do know of one musical artist that played their own CD as guests walked in to their hotel suite for drinks and canapes after a show. It felt very weird.

 

Jay-Z probably.;)

 

 

 

 

 

August 21, 2013 - submitted by Elliott L, United Kingdom[/color][/b]

 

Q. Dear O' Mighty Oracle :)

 

After the success of the vinyl releases for Record Store Day, will there be any releases for the new event Cassette Store Day on 7th September? It would be great to have some Coldplay material on cassette :)

Thanks

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Ahh cassettes. My second Coldplay demo was on cassette. Do people have cassette players these days? I have one but it was bought to record on rather than play. As for my ghetto blaster, it is so old that I don't think the double cassette players work anymore.

I digress... though it would be great to have Coldplay material on tape, there are no plans to be involved.

For a list of releases due on Cassette Store Day, click here.

 

Actually lots of people still own and use tape decks. Indie bands have taken to releasing cassettes, with many Just recording and labeling over other bands' tapes.

do know of one musical artist that played their own CD as guests walked in to their hotel suite for drinks and canapes after a show. It felt very weird.

:surprised: Cmon Oracle! Who was it ?

I say that it was Bono

I wouldn't put it past either Bono or Jay-Z.

Kanye West.

August 22, 2013 - submitted by Harry, United Kingdom

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

 

I don't expect to be the only person to ask you about exam results (GCSEs are released on Thursday) but I'd still like some help. I don't know if I'll still be motivated to work as hard as I need to after I have my results, so my question is how can I make sure that I am still motivated?

 

Thanks very much and good luck to anyone else who is getting results,

Harry

 

P.S The thought of Atlas is taking my mind off of results day :)

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

The day is here, Harry. This question was a little bit like putting the cart before the horse. It's a "what if?" scenario.

If your grades are good that could motivate you to keep on working hard to get where you want.

If your grades aren't as good as you hope, use that to motivate you to work harder.

I can't really help specifically as I have no idea what goal you are trying to achieve but I believe an education is very important.

If you're struggling to get enthused about studying, try to imagine yourself in the future without all the things you wanted for yourself. School is such an important yet short part of your life, give it all you can and do the best you are able then you can go forward with knowledge and maybe a qualification or two. It may be the key to your success so don't give up.

I haven't necessarily needed the qualifications I have for employment but it has certainly appeased me to have those - to fall back on if nothing else. I did return to study later in life (home learning as well as part-time night school) and you're never too old to learn. I'd like to think we learn our entire life so I'd say try to keep at it.

Here's a message to everyone getting results today:

Please don't worry if you didn't gain the grades you wanted or needed; there is still a big bright future awaiting!

August 22, 2013 - submitted by Jamie, United Kingdom

 

Q. Dear, The Oracle :)

 

Following on from yesterday's question about whether Coldplay listen to their own music, how do they feel when they are perhaps travelling and a Coldplay song comes over the airwaves on the radio?

 

Does it feel weird?

 

Thanks :)

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Not as weird as walking into a club and the DJ deliberately playing a remix of a Coldplay song... True story, it happened in Colombia. It was rather uncomfortable.

August 22, 2013 - submitted by Rose, Turkey

 

Q. Hello Oracle!

I want to ask you something which I was curious about since the concert. Who is this fabulous Roadie? We loved him too much in Prague show and he got a hell of an applause every time he went on stage check :) Also, did the band had a chance to visit the John Lennon Wall while they were in Prague? It is like a living artwork of MX cover :) Lots of love from Turkey!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

His name is Ali. He was the RF technician on the MX tour which is why he has receivers clipped all over him. His job is to look after all the radio gear.

 

The band didn't have time for sightseeing on the European leg of the tour. The wall looks pretty impressive.

Finally! :lol:

August 22, 2013 - submitted by Jamie, United Kingdom[/color][/b]

 

Q. Dear, The Oracle :)

 

Following on from yesterday's question about whether Coldplay listen to their own music, how do they feel when they are perhaps travelling and a Coldplay song comes over the airwaves on the radio?

 

Does it feel weird?

 

Thanks :)

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Not as weird as walking into a club and the DJ deliberately playing a remix of a Coldplay song... True story, it happened in Colombia. It was rather uncomfortable.

 

It would be. A DJ friend of mine used to put a song of mine on When I walked in to his place and I always felt a little awkward too. It's probably way worse for a big band with a risk of recognition!

August 23, 2013 - submitted by Millie, United Kingdom

 

Q. Hello Oracle.

I recently have noticed that many fans have met the band outside the recording studio known as the bakery. For me, this would be a dream but I was wondering whether there was an address for this? I was planning on writing a letter to the band and I didn't know what address to use! Thank You.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

We don't and have never publicized the studio address and so I'm afraid I wouldn't give it out. I'm sorry but we also don't have the resources to accept physical mail which is why we have a contact form for fan email though it's best to let you know that the band don't read or reply personally. As I am sure you can imagine, we receive so many.

August 23, 2013 - submitted by Chris, United Kingdom

 

Q. What songs does Chris Martin plays when he was a teenager? How did he learn those songs because that time, there's no internet? Thanks!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Some people are lucky enough to play by ear. Not literally of course but it means you can work it out by just listening. My Gran couldn't read music but that's how she played the piano - brilliantly too.

Before the Internet there was (and still is) sheet music so if Chris could read music - which he can't - he could have just used those.

I haven't a list of songs he played but he loved U2, The Beatles, Bob Dylan and many more...

August 23, 2013 - submitted by Ethan, United States of America

 

Q. Dearest Oracle,

Could you please tell me more about the song You Only Live Twice. I stumbled upon it and I don't know much about it!

Warm regards,

Ethan

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

There's not a lot to tell except that it's a Bond theme cover from the film You Only Live Twice. It was written by John Barry - the band have been longstanding fans of his work - and performed by Nancy Sinatra.

Coldplay covered it as early as 1998 and weirdly that was around the same time Robbie Williams used the string parts for the base of his hit, Millennium.

August 23, 2013 - submitted by The Oracle, United Kingdom

 

Q. WHO'D LIKE TO JOIN TEAM ORACLE?

*Please note, due to holidays etc., this is a repeat of last week's question to help Emily*

 

As you may know, we have a weekly feature, Team Oracle, whereby each Friday (with the question asker's permission) we open questions of a personal nature to all of you to answer too. Then, the following Friday, I 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 29th August.

 

Basically I'm really worried about my 14 years old sister. Her new friends aren't respectable people, they're all older than her, they drink, smoke, take drugs, have sex. I'm scared because she's REALLY an easily influenced person, plus I found out few months ago that she smokes and her boyfriends tried to have sex with her. I'm only 17 but I'm her big sister, it's my duty to protect her but I really don't know how anymore. I tried to talk to my parents and they had a conversation with her, so now they think it's over and they still trust her but they're wrong. So Oracle, please help me because I don't know what to do. I care about, I don't want something bad happens to her.

Thanks for reading, love from France

Emily.

 

Look forward to seeing your replies.

The Oracle.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Please email your replies to [email protected]

August 27, 2013 - submitted by Pipa, Belgium

 

Q. I heard that they sometimes go home between two concerts, but do they also go to the UK for one or two days when they are touring in America?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

The band travel home in between European concerts but it's far too far to commute to work when they're touring the U.S. That said, they do tend to set their base in New York and travel back there when it makes sense to.

August 27, 2013 - submitted by Nathan, United Kingdom

 

Q. Hi there,

 

I was just wondering when you will next be playing in London. I saw the 6th December, but wasn't sure if that was an old gig?

 

Please let me know,

 

All the best,

 

Nathan

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Coldplay played Dingwalls in London on 6 December 2011 so yes it was an old gig.

All you need to do to check dates is look at our live section. This is where you'd find a current touring schedule - if we had one - and also the interactive map showing where we have previously played.

August 27, 2013 - submitted by Oryx, Canada

 

Q. Hey Oracle! I was watching a documentary the other day on Coldplay. The part about how they started was pretty inspiring (well, the whole thing was). My question is what kept the band going and motivated all those years before their big break?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

The band's career took off very quickly. There were no "all those years" before their big break - more like a few months! They were doing what most new bands do; writing, recording and playing live. They'd got themselves a demo and had sent it out to key industry people but their break came after appearing live at In The City music convention in Manchester.

Our archived timeline shows the band's relatively short history prior to their record deal.

August 28, 2013 - submitted by Natalie, United Kingdom

 

Q. Hi! I was wondering why Chris often mentions the song Bitter Sweet Symphony by the Verve. In one interview he said that was his favorite song. And in another video, he told a DJ to play it. It's kinda weird to me, because that song is kind of a rip-off from Viva la Vida.

Thanks!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Chris is a fan of The Verve and that really is a song he loves. Bitter Sweet Symphony was released the year before Coldplay formed and ten years before Viva la Vida was written though. Maybe it's the strings that make you hear a similarity. The Verve actually sampled from The Andrew Oldham Orchestra's version of The Last Time by The Rolling Stones.

August 28, 2013 - submitted by Sriram, Singapore

 

Q. Am I allowed to name the album that I am making Random Acts..?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Ha ha ha, I see what you're doing, Sriram. Nice try. Yes, you can if you want to...