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Long before the sizzle and scent of fried bacon entered the act, Bacon Shoe was a one-man enterprise: a rapper with a keyboard, a crock of beats and an errant sense of locale.   “The first live show I ever did was at a (restaurant) in Lee’s Summit,” says Lethal D, the sole founder of the rap/farce troupe he calls Bacon Shoe. “I got kicked out because of the lyrics. There were kids eating with their moms and dads, and about five songs in, the owner got all (ticked) off and kicked me out. “I was g

In what may be the largest confetti effect ever at a touring event, Coldplay is shooting hundreds pounds every night during its summer stadium tour – around 440 pounds, depending on the venue. This feat, fulfilling the vision of lead singer Chris Martin, would not be possible without the tech experts at Strictly FX, who invented a whole new way of distributing confetti just for the band, writes Live Design Online.   The new units were specifically designed by Mark Grega, a partner in the company

Dinners, concerts and even some salmon. Now and again, a policeman's lot is not so unhappy.   The PSNI only introduced a register for the receipt of hospitality and gifts last April - years after many other public bodies. Entries for Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde were kept from the start of 2005, in advance of the new policy taking effect.   There were four disclosed cases of Sir Hugh accepting hospitality from the private sector during the year. Three were for concerts at the Odyssey, courtesy

Ben Miles an acclaimed visual producer and video director who has been an integral part of recent live shows. This is an in depth read about Coldplay's visuals on the mini 'Ghost Stories' tour. Despite the tour being a more intimate affair, the band still needed the expertise of Ben Miles to showcase the band's visuals live on stage, most notably in the Dome City Hall, Tokyo and The Royce Hall, Los Angeles. The stunning visuals you may remember at the Royal Albert Hall were also brought to us by

German media company Bertelsmann AG said Wednesday its profit in the first nine months of the year fell by almost half because of income tax expenses and one-time items including a legal settlement over Napster.   The company, which owns a range of media properties including European broadcaster RTL Group SA and publisher Random House, said net profit fell to 243 million euros ($309.9 million) in the nine months through September compared with 475 million euros a year earlier. Bertelsmann did no

Bertelsmann, the media group behind the Da Vinci Code and Pop Idol, could learn this week whether it must undergo a flotation as part of an agreement with a minority shareholder.   A spokesperson for Bertelsmann declined to comment yesterday on reports that the group is preparing to sell its music-publishing arm, which owns the rights to songs by acts such as Coldplay and Christina Aguilera, and could fetch up to $1.7bn (£910m).   GBL's stake has been valued between €3.5bn (£2.4bn) and €5bn. Ber

Bertelsmann, the media group behind the Da Vinci Code and Pop Idol, could learn this week whether it must undergo a flotation as part of an agreement with a minority shareholder.   A spokesperson for Bertelsmann declined to comment yesterday on reports that the group is preparing to sell its music-publishing arm, which owns the rights to songs by acts such as Coldplay and Christina Aguilera, and could fetch up to $1.7bn (£910m).   GBL's stake has been valued between €3.5bn (£2.4bn) and €5bn. Ber

German media group Bertelsmann is considering selling a part of its 50 percent stake in Sony BMG, the music recording company it owns jointly with Sony Corp, a source familiar with the situation said.   "It is basically half now, and half later," the source said on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity.   Any changes to the ownership structure would have to be approved by Sony under the terms of the joint venture, another source familiar with the situation said. Sony Chief Executive Howa

Bertelsmann AG is getting closer to sealing a deal to sell its music publishing business, saying Thursday (Aug. 3) it expects to have a short list of potential suitors by month's end.   Last month, the German media giant narrowed the bidders for its BMG Music Publishing division for its BMG Music Publishing division to 15. By month's end, the company said it plans to have whittled that number down to a mere handful.   In addition to private equity groups, the bidders are expected to include such

Bertelsmann AG, the German media group, said Thursday it sent 15 investors financial information and details about its BMG Music Publishing unit, which it is planning to sell.   BMG Music Publishing has rights to more than 1 million songs and contracts with artists including Christina Aguilera , R. Kelly, Justin Timberlake , Robbie Williams and Coldplay. Last year, it generated some 370 million euros ($465.5 million) in revenue for the company.   A decision on to whom to sell the unit could com

Bertelsmann is making preparations to sell its music companies as Europe's largest media company fights to maintain its private status.   People briefed on the plans said it had mandated investment bankers to prepare disposals of its music publishing catalogues and its stake in Sony BMG, its recorded music joint venture with the Japanese group.   Four people familiar with the company's plans said a sale was under preparation, though still at an early stage. The group is examining the sale of its

Bertelsmann AG plans to retain ownership of Sony BMG after determining it can afford to pay 4.5 billion euros ($5.8 billion) to buy back a stake in the German media conglomerate without selling its half of the world's second biggest music company.   "We have no intention to sell our 50 percent stake, and we're working on our partnership with Sony," Bertelsmann Chief Financial Officer Thomas Rabe said in an interview on Thursday with Reuters.   He added that Bertelsmann remained on the hunt for a

Bertelsmann AG plans to retain ownership of Sony BMG after determining it can afford to pay 4.5 billion euros ($5.8 billion) to buy back a stake in the German media conglomerate without selling its half of the world's second biggest music company.   "We have no intention to sell our 50 percent stake, and we're working on our partnership with Sony," Bertelsmann Chief Financial Officer Thomas Rabe said in an interview on Thursday with Reuters.   He added that Bertelsmann remained on the hunt for a

FRANKFURT/LONDON, July 18 (Reuters) - German media conglomerate Bertelsmann said on Tuesday that a European court ruling that annulled approval of the Sony BMG merger would have no implications for the ongoing auction of its music publishing business.   The company said both strategic and financial bidders would participate in a second round of bidding. Fifteen prospective buyers have been sent information about BMG Music Publishing, which owns the copyrights to songs by Coldplay, Nelly and oth

Some of Glastonbury's longest-standing fans, performers and workers have revealed their festival memories.   Jo Whiley... Best: "Seeing Coldplay headline the main stage for the very first time - unveiling new songs like Fix You for the first time as the lights twinkled like fireflies all around. Then afterwards Chris Martin came and read a bedtime story to my daughter India who was about five at the time - that was a sweet moment.   Melvin Benn... Best: "Musically, there have been so many highli

Gwyneth Paltrow has been branded the Yoko Oko of Coldplay — because she’s trying to convince her husband Chris Martin to leave the band and go solo, writes ShowbizSpy and Betty Confidential online tonight.   The actress apparently feels her hubby will do better on his own. "Gwyneth has outright told Chris that he should consider going solo," a source told Betty Confidential. "She is busy doing all of her projects and she wants him to diversify as well. She doesn’t have a problem with Coldplay, b

Coldplay put tickets to shows in Vancouver and Toronto earlier this year up for online auction through Ticketmaster as an attempt to cut out scalpers, and the British superstars also donated a portion of the premium proceeds to charity.   Now a number of other big names have jumped on the ticket auction bandwagon in conjunction with Ticketmaster, but no charities will be benefiting through ticket sales for upcoming shows by Madonna, Roger Waters or the Red Hot Chili Peppers.   Any mark-up on the

Coldplay put tickets to shows in Vancouver and Toronto earlier this year up for online auction through Ticketmaster as an attempt to cut out scalpers, and the British superstars also donated a portion of the premium proceeds to charity.   Now a number of other big names have jumped on the ticket auction bandwagon in conjunction with Ticketmaster, but no charities will be benefiting through ticket sales for upcoming shows by Madonna, Roger Waters or the Red Hot Chili Peppers.   Any mark-up on the

Brit Awards this year slumped to their worst-ever TV ratings.   Just 4.5million viewers tuned into ITV1's coverage of the annual music bash - less than half the audience from 10 years ago. Then, 11.1million watched as Take That and Oasis picked up gongs - even though Jarvis Cocker's infamous protest against Michael Jackson was cut from the show. A music industry insider said: "This is a hammer blow. Everyone is scratching their heads and asking what went wrong."   Ricky Wilson's Kaiser Chiefs

Chris Martin looks more like a neighbourhood yob in his hooded puffa jacket than a millionaire rock star.   The Coldplay singer was hiding his identity as he raced through the streets of London’s posh Primrose Hill on his bike. But the eco-friendly star was unable to hide his terrible painted nails. Chris was out without actress wife Gwyneth Paltrow — and his wedding ring was missing too.   More on this here [thanks mimixxx & miss snicket]   "Apple, daddy needs to finish this album ok, sto

Coldplay have come a long way since they played Birmingham’s Ronnie Scott’s in 2000, just as their album Parachutes was hitting the headlines.   Now they are commanding three nights at the National Indoor Arena and are on the crest of a wave after the success of their most recent album Viva la Vida. When the concert opened with Strauss, it was as if we were in for a classical spectacular – and in some ways we were. The show was nothing if not a spectacle with Coldplay pulling out all the stops f

Coldplay, Monday night at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Pelham, Alabama. Review rating: Four out of five stars.   Who: Coldplay, four British pop-rockers who've enjoyed great success and endured scathing criticism. Some regard their music as exquisitely accessible; others slam the band as U2 lite.   When and where: 9:15 p.m. Monday at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Pelham. It's been six years since Coldplay performed in the Birmingham area.   Turnout: Ticketholders came close to fi

Near the end of Coldplay's show tonight at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Pelham, blizzards of paper butterflies came hurtling from the sides of the stage, reports al.com blogs. Soon enough, the lower part of the audience was engulfed in the pretty confetti, which provided a joyful, glow-in-the dark accompaniment to "Lovers in Japan."   I'm a sucker for any concert that uses well-designed visuals as an exciting adjunct to the music (Flaming Lips, anyone?) and Coldplay's 9:15 p.m. show gave

Cover: “The revolution according to Coldplay” “The band that everyone likes but doesn’t admit”   Article: “Long live the revolution” “In the eve of their return, Coldplay invited James McMahon to visit their secret headquarters. He found a band insecure about its past, but with a new and dashing musical manifesto (or something). The revolution of Viva la Vida is served hot.”   “Somewhere in the north of London, where Camden ends and Primrose Hill begins, in the middle of a nameless alley, there

Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke is desperate to work with hip-hop superproducer Timbaland. The exclusive comes only weeks after it was revealed Coldplay would be working with him.   The English singer admits he's been impressed by Timbaland's latest production efforts, which include the highly successful Justin Timberlake album Future Sex/Love Sounds and Nelly Furtado's album Loose.   Okereke says, "I've loved everything that he has put out for the last ten years. Production wise, everything el