As previously announced, Coldplay are to be the debut ‘star interview’ when Q Radio launches on Monday June 2nd. In her first flagship QPM show, presenter Samanthi will feature a special interview with Coldplay who this week announced a winter tour, tickets for which go on sale on Friday (May 3oth).

Ric Blaxill, Q Radio programme director, said: “We’re delighted to have a Coldplay interview in the first show which coincides with them being cover stars of the next issue of Q Magazine. We’ll always be looking at how we can make a difference by working with the editorial team to create content to work across all the different Q platforms – on the page, on air and online."

Q Radio is a digital only radio station available nationwide on Freeview, online at www.q4music.com and on DAB digital radio in London.

Coldplay will be musical guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 4th (next Wednesday). The show airs at 12:05am on ABC. You can see the official show listings here here.

It is likely that Coldplay will play Violet Hill in what will be their second live performance, following our announcement that they will performing the new single 'Violet Hill' at the MTV Movie Awards on June 1st. The MTV Movie Awards will air live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California.

More on Coldplay on Jimmy Kimmel here [thanks Selestar]

Coldplay will play a secret gig in Amsterdam next week on June 5th.

Ticket for this gig are not for sale - you can only win tickets for the gig by uploading a self-made video or picture about why you are the biggest Coldplay fan. There are 20x2 tickets away - you can win tickets by submitting your videos here. For the Dutch-speaking fans you can read the Radiostation webpage rules at http://www.bnn.nl/page/coldplay

Coldplay played in 2005 a secret gig in Amsterdam too and it was broadcasted on national television.

For more discussion on the secret Netherlands gig and entry click here [thanks Stefan-C8 & BigFatNoises]

Today, Wednesday May 28th - a new issue of NME comes out to sale with the verdict on Coldplay’s forthcoming fourth album, ‘Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends’.

See scans of the article here [thanks Coldplay92]

Meanwhile New York Entertainment have bashed The Sun's favourable review of the new album, sarcastically claiming that upon hearing its glorious first tones, all the world's terrorists will lay down their arms and take up baking, channeling their anti-Americanism into the most delicious cookies you've ever tasted.

There are also good reviews by Uncut Magazine, Billboard and the Irish Sunday Tribune - don't miss them.

The Hour (CBC show) had an exclusive all access interview with Coldplay at their headquarters, The Bakery, last week. They have posted a preview clip on their website and their YouTube channel. Here is their summary:

Airing on Friday June 6, 2008, at 11:00 pm will be The Hour's all-access, exclusive full-hour TV special with UK rock sensation, Coldplay. In this recently shot footage, George was given unprecedented access, with one-on-one conversations and sharing candid moments with one of the world's biggest bands, as they prepare to release their new record, Viva La Vida.

Watch the preview clip here [thanks Darby & Hotplay007]

Coldplay will embark on their first European tour for three years, it was announced on Wednesday. The European leg of their tour will take place in September and October before the band return to Britain to play 11 arena dates in their homeland. Coldplay will sweep through venues including September 1 (Strasbourg, France), September 7 (Madrid, Spain), September 22 (Prague, Czech Republic), September 24 (Vienna, Austria) and October 2 (Rotterdam, Netherlands).

Coldplay's tour will also feature magic balls. Coldplay will tell you more about those on their website soon!

The dates are as follows:

SEPTEMBER

Mon 01 France, Strasbourg Zenith - on sale Wed 4 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

Tue 02 Germany, Mannheim SAP Arena - on sale Fri 30 May - [ticket link] [discussion]

Thu 04 France, Lyon Tony Garnier Hall - on sale Wed 4 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

Sat 06 Spain, Barcelona Palau St Jordi - on sale Wed 4 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

Sun 07 Spain, Madrid Palacio de Deportes - on sale Wed 11 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

Tue 09 France, Paris The Bercy - on sale Wed 04 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

Fri 12 Germany, Cologne Koln Arena - on sale Fri 30 May - [ticket link] [discussion]

Sun 14 Germany, Hamburg Colorline Arena - on sale Fri 30 May - [ticket link] [discussion]

Mon 15 Germany, Berlin O2 World - on sale Fri 30 May - [ticket link] [discussion]

Thu 18 Sweden, Stockholm Globe Theatre - on sale Mon 02 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

Fri 19 Norway, Oslo Spectrum - on sale Mon 02 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

Mon 22 Czech Republic, Prague 02 Arena - on sale Mon 16 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

Tue 23 Hungary, Budapest Arena - on sale Thu 05 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

Wed 24 Austria, Vienna Stadthalle - on sale Fri 30 May - [ticket link] [discussion]

Fri 26 Germany, Munich Olympiahalle - on sale Fri 30 May - [ticket link] [discussion]

Sun 28 Switzerland, Zurich Hallenstadion - on sale Fri 30 May - [ticket link] [discussion]

Mon 29 Italy, Bologna Palamagotti - on sale Wed 04 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

Tue 30 Italy, Milan Datchforum - on sale Wed 04 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

OCTOBER

Thu 02 Netherlands, Rotterdam The Ahoy - on sale Sat 07 Jun - [ticket link] [discussion]

Sat 04 Belgium, Antwerp Sportpalais - on sale Fri 30 May - [ticket link] [discussion]

Coldplay are strongly rumoured to be touring France in September - Coldplaying currently has good information for three French dates. Although no official annoucement has yet been made ticket outlets have alread started listing the dates in Strasbourg, Lyon and Paris. Tickets go on sale on June 3rd at 10am local time.

Different websites have the informations online. They are:

Zenith Europe - Strasbourg on Sept 1st - here

Halle Tony Garnier - Lyon on Sept 4th - here and here

Palais Omnisport Paris Bercy on Sept 9th - here and here

More on this here [thanks Chavi, Coldjo, Svenky and Chris²]

Coldplay have announced full details of a UK tour, set to take place this winter. As the legendary Steve Lamacq is currently announcing on his radio show, Coldplay are playing ten concerts across England and Scotland in December.

The tour kicks off with two nights at Birmingham NIA on December 1, before the group end their trip with a two-night stint at London's O2 Arena, beginning on December 14. The gigs are as follows (and bookmark the following links):

1/12/08 - Birmingham, NIA [discussion]

2/12/08 - Birmingham, NIA [discussion]

5/12/08 - Glasgow, SECC [discussion]

6/12/08 - Glasgow, SECC [discussion]

7/12/08 - Sheffield, Arena [discussion]

10/12/08 - Liverpool, Echo Arena [discussion]

11/12/08 - Manchester, MEN Arena [discussion]

12/12/08 - Manchester, MEN Arena [discussion]

14/12/08 - London, O2 Arena [discussion]

15/12/08 - London, O2 Arena [discussion]

18/12/08 - Belfast, Odyssey Arena [discussion]

Tickets for all dates go on sale at 9.30am on Friday May 30th, from gigsandtours.com / 0871 22 00 260 (English shows) or ticketmaster.co.uk / 0871 230 6230 (Glasgow shows). For the Belfast date tickets go on sale on Friday May 30th at 9.30am from wonderlandpromotions.co.uk and ticketmaster.ie.

A new remix of Coldplay's Violet Hill, courtesy of prettymuchamazing.com, has surfaced online.

Download - Violet Hill [Cryptonites remix]

Meanwhile, prettymuchamazing has also shared their views on Lost and Life In Technicolor. Here's what they had to say:

“Lost” sounds like more typical Coldplay fare, with a strong piano backbone and Chris Martin’s smooth crooning. However, I cannot confirm whether or not this is the acoustic version of the song (that comes with the album pre-order on iTunes) or if it is in fact the actual track. I would imagine it is the acoustic version, based on how light the song is. And if it is indeed the acoustic version, I can’t wait to hear the full-blown epic version. But maybe I am setting expectations too high. That is nothing new to Coldplay.

The version of “Life In Technicolor” I found isn’t the best in quality, but I’m positive you’d all be interested regardless of quality. This specific track is believed to be an introductory or opening track. The piano driven instrumentals are reminiscent of X&Y but also push up a bit towards a U2 sound. I blame Eno for this, naturally.

You can now buy two tracks from Coldplay's new album from the iTunes Store. Both Violet Hill and Viva La Vida are available to purchase individually from your local branch of the store. Here are some links...

UK store: Violet Hill / Viva La Vida

US store: Violet Hill / Viva La Vida

Greek store: Violet Hill / Viva La Vida

(The Greek one gets a mention because they're the highest-placed country from last night's Eurovision which has its own iTunes store. Congrats to Russia, who won.)

If you're looking for Viva La Vida iTunes wallpapers for your computers there are some fantastic designs from Coldplayers around the globe here

There are no leaks (contrary to spammers) of the new album Coldplaying can confirm, however there are several album reviews starting to hit the www. So far there have been online reviews and even the tabloids have been sharing their information.

Arguably the best reviews have come from fans lucky enough to be invited to the limited number of EMI listening parties around the world - including at headquarters of EMI Spain and EMI Canada, where there was hardcore security, no cellphones, metal detectors before even entering the room. Here are some links you might like to check out:

Uncut Magazine [thanks David Watts]

Entertainment Weekly [thanks footyfan10]

The Sun [thanks the_escapist]

Fan review from Toronto listening party [thanks everybodystilllovesandrew]

More links to come as more reviews appear.

More dates for Coldplay UK Viva La Vida Tour leg have been revealed today.

The tour includes gigs at the SECC in Glasgow on December 5 and 6. Tickets go on sale soon...

Source: Sunday Mail

Chris Martin and actress wife Gwyneth Paltrow may attract all the media attention over their children Apple and Moses, but he's not the only member of the band who's a proud dad.

Drummer Will Champion and his wife Marianne welcomed twins Juno and Rex into the world on May 7, a little sister and brother to two-year-old Ava-Mae.

Meanwhile, a source close to Coldplay told Insider the British band hoped to tour Australia soon for the upcoming release of their fourth album, Viva La Vida.

More on this story here

Star-struck children shone as they sang a special thankyou to Coldplay.

Pupils at St David's recorded their version of the group's hit song Yellow. They wanted to thank the band for its £3,000 gift of a new piano after floods ravaged the Moreton-in-Marsh church school on July 20. The band came to the rescue when they heard all the children's musical instruments had been wrecked.

Twinkling in bright yellow star headdresses and waving mini stars, they sang their hearts out in their touching thankyou. Twenty-two grateful youngsters - headteacher Bob Forster's choir - gave their new red oak Kemble piano pride of place. Bursting with gratitude, they couldn't wait to sing the words to hit song Yellow. Senior teaching as sistant Christina Windridge said: "It's cool to say Coldplay bought your school piano."

Read the full article here [thanks mimixxx]

Virgin Radio will welcome Coldplay into the studio on 9th June, three days before the album release. They will be answering your questions on, well anything, so get thinking about what you want to ask them.

Details on how to send in a question for Coldplay (or an individual band member) directly are here. [Thanks Ben Jones @ Virgin Radio]

You can listen to the Virgin Radio station webstream via the Coldplaying toolbar - which you can download here prior to the Virgin interiew. To manually add the Virgin Radio station please add http://85.159.184.42:80 to your stations. If you have any problems with the toolbar please log them here as soon as possible.

The Zutons think Coldplay will stop their new album reaching number one. The band, from Liverpool, England, release their third album, 'You Can Do Anything', just days before Chris Martin's band release Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends in June.

The Zutons' frontman Dave McCabe says the release is likely to stop his band topping the charts - but insists he doesn't mind. He said: "It means our album can't be number one or number two - there'll be something else out - but it doesn't really bother me. It's not like we hate them or we're similar. People should know to buy us anyway!"

Coldplay have announced they will play free concerts to support their album's release, but Dave says they won't be doing anything similar. He added: "We're not doing anything free, we're not Coldplay, we are not big enough to do a Radiohead or a Coldplay. We'd only do a free gig for a charity we supported."

Reviews of Coldplay's new album are starting to find their way on to the www. The latest is The Sun's (UK). Here's what they had to say:

An album by some band I had never heard of landed on my desk yesterday. I think epic is the word. The full title — Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends — should have been a clue. The boys have developed and evolved their songwriting with each of their albums — from Parachutes, released in 2000, to A Rush of Blood To The Head two years later, then X&Y and now this.

They haven’t gone off the rails with drugs and booze, churning out rubbish, like many a band before them. This latest album — much of which was recorded in churches in Spain and and Latin America — is full of religious references. It’s as heavy-going as the Bible but as ultimately as rewarding if that’s your bag.

As with many on this complex CD, it’s like two or more tracks in one. So are — as the titles suggest — Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love, Yes/Chinese Sleep Chant and Death And All His Friends/The Escapist.

Read the full review here [thanks the_escapist]

Entertainment Weekly has printed an article on Coldplay and the new album with a new song slant on some of the songs - from the band's perspective. It outlines Cemetarties Of London, 42 and Lovers In Japan. Here are the excerpts:

"Cemeteries of London"

Recorded in a Barcelona church, the album's echoey second track set Viva's somber tone and features the bandmates chanting in unison. "When I imagine the song in my head, I see London in 1850," says bassist Guy Berryman, 30. "A hell of a lot of rain and men in top hats." Adds Martin, "Or when they were drowning witches in the Thames."

"42"

"It's a nod to U2's '40' and the Smashing Pumpkins' '1979'," cracks Martin, explaining this winding, three act opus. "I don't think you can try to be the best band in the world without having a song that's a number."

"Lovers in Japan"

"No one associates romance with Japan," says Martin of the song that most resembles the familiar wistful Coldplay style. "Everyone thinks Japan is just about Hitachi and neon signs, but every time we're there, we see these amazing sunrises. It's very sexy."

More on this article here [thanks to footyfan10 for typing the article for Coldplaying.com]

Video preview - the secret of songwriting and 'Violet Hill' revealed!

Triple M (Melbourne, AU) have posted the second part of the preview of their interview with Coldplay here. In a world exclusive, Chris Martin reveals the band's secret to writing a timeless Coldplay tune. You'll be shocked!

Triple M will also have a 'MMMassive Coldplay Special' on Monday June 6, where they will be premiering the band's full interview on the radio with a whole lot of extra Coldplay goodies online.

Discuss the second part of the interview here onwards [thanks CP678]

Pre-order the new Coldplay CD ‘Viva La Vida’ through Amazon.ca and enter to win a VIP trip to see the band in Toronto.

If you have already pre-ordered you have received a special PIN (personal identification number) and a URL to this contest. Simply enter your PIN here and cross your fingers! The concert is on Oct. 30 in Toronto!

Prize Details:

Prize 1: 1 grand prize will include VIP trip and 2 tickets to Oct. 30 show in Toronto, one night hotel accommodation, $500 spending money, round trip flight from major CDN airport, car service, entire Coldplay CD library. Other Prize Details: 25 second place winners will receive each a signed CD and tour t-shirt (sizes cannot be specified).

Closing Date: 17 July 2008 Midnight EST

Draw Date: 18 July 2008

Coldplay’s Guy Berryman has again collaborated with A-ha’s Magne F on his new album “A Dot Of Black In The Blue Of Your Bliss”, which was available as a free download from his MySpace on 22 January. The album was released in the UK on 19 May.

A very special limited edition of the album was available via the internet. Magne hand painted 300 unique covers which together made up one large piece of artwork. Each cover was sent out to the 300 fans who pre-ordered the album, together with a 10″ picture disc, CD-Rom (featuring the album tracks plus enhanced section showing clips of Magne painting the covers) and a large poster of the 300 piece picture.

You can listen to some of the tracks on Magne’s MySpace page and order the album here.

Tracklisting:

1. A Dot Of Black In The Blue Of Your Bliss

2. Come Back

3. The Longest Night

4. Time & Place

5. Running Out Of Reasons

6. Forgotten Not Forgiven

7. More Than Good Enough

8. Too Far Too Fast

9. Watch This Space

Grey's Anatomy is an Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning American primetime television medical drama - and a new Coldplay song was featured on it. ABC announced the song as 'Death To All His Friends' but it is in fact the new album track 'Lovers In Japan'. No official announcement was made that this song would be used.

"Lovers In Japan" Lyrics (aka Greys Anatomy Song)

..we got carry our way over on the rooftops lets get married

All of a sudden we just hurry

So come over just be patient and don't worry

So come over just be patient and don't worry

So come over just be patient and don't worry

So come over just be patient and don't worry

So come over just be patient and don't worry

And don't worry...

(mumblings...)

(Politik style piano bashing)

(more mumblings...)

Any help on the lyrics is appreciated... here [thanks Jpw48 & locust7]

Discussion on the song (and listen for yourself)... here and here [thanks mjbk24 & winigwl]

HMV are giving you another chance to win tickets to see Coldplay at Brixton Academy 16th June.

To enter the competition just fill out your details on the form here.

Meanwhile, the new album is already No.1 on Amazon - after only pre-order sales, three weeks before the album is due to be released. Also after the itunes commercial on American Idol last night Viva La Vida (pre-order) has climbed back from #6th spot to #2 spot, and the song Viva La Vida has come back into the list and stands at #2 as well on the US iTunes store. More on this story here [thanks omrimayo]

He's a successful pop star now but Coldplay's Chris Martin hasn't always had things his own way. Fourteen years ago the then unknown found himself second best... in the Yamaha Rock and Pop awards.

He was beaten to the gong by Rosabella Gregory, a graduate of the Royal College of Music. Rosabella said: "We didn't know each other well but you could tell Chris was really miffed at not winning."

She is set to release her debut album this summer - and will compete against Chris's upcoming fourth. Maybe revenge is a dish best served Coldplay?

More on this here [thanks mimixxx]

Tickets for Coldplay's Summer Sonic appearance (and of course the rest of the festival) will be on sale tomorrow (24th May) at summersonic.com.