After contributing to three different charity auctions in the last quarter of 2006, Coldplay are now featured in the 3rd annual Charity Auction for Sudan with 100 % of the proceeds going to Oxfam, Human Rights Watch and the Save Darfur Coalition.

The Coldplay item isn't listed yet, but other stars contributing are Maroon 5, Bright Eyes, Switchfoot, Kanye West and Tori Amos.

Find out more about the deadly conflict in Darfur and the organisations trying to help its citizens here, also including the complete list of items you can bid for.

Throughout January, BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe has been replaced by a string of guest presenters while he's on leave, report coldplay.com.

Tomorrow night, it's the turn of our very own Chris Martin to take to the mic. The show is on from 7-9pm UK time. Click here for more info or to listen online.

Radio 1 regular Nihal will be the co-host accompanying the celebs in the second and third week of January. New Zealander Zane is known for playing fresh alternative tracks, including rock, punk and British hip hop, on his flagship show. Will Chris Martin, best known for lyrical ballads such as Yellow and Fix You, manage to follow suit?

We've heard there will be an extremely limited release of this, pressed up for initial orders only and then deleted. We will post more information as to exact release date, tracklisting, cover as soon as we receive it from EMI.

No mention of the DVD though... more on this here

In the last three years, the academy has revamped its Grammy sponsorship strategy, moving from one-year financial commitments to long-term deals with companies that have music-focused marketing efforts, says Evan Greene, chief marketing officer of the academy.

"We bring a good degree of instant credibility to brands that have a serious commitment to music," Greene says. "While clearly the Grammys are the jewel in our crown, the Recording Academy has opportunities to make sure that we continue these partnerships and deliver for each other throughout the year."

This year, for the first time, the Hard Rock Cafe chain will host telecast viewing parties for local academy chapter members, as well as ticket winners from the general public, in 10 cities: New York; Chicago; Philadelphia; Dallas; Washington, D.C.; Memphis; Nashville; Atlanta; San Francisco; and Hollywood, Fla. Parties in the first five markets will feature live performances by signed developing artists, or "future Grammy winners," Hard Rock International director of marketing Annie Balliro says.

The Hard Rock relationship covers local academy events throughout the year, pre-Grammys orientation sessions for nominees and managers, and an online auction to benefit the Grammy Foundation and MusiCares. The partnership will be boosted by stepped-up support from Grammy sponsors Verizon and Westwood One, along with new partner USA Today.

USA Today will supply regional advertising for the telecast parties as well as a sweepstakes to attend the Grammys. Hard Rock party guests can check out high-definition and broadband products by Verizon, which sponsors the academy`s SoundCheck artist seminars throughout the year.

For the first time, awards not presented during the live show will be broadcast by XM Satellite Radio on its returning Grammy Radio channel. Westwood One will run radio promos for the Hard Rock viewing parties as well as audio versions of the My Grammy print campaign.

The ads, which run about once per month in People magazine, feature such Grammy winners as Coldplay and Nelly Furtado discussing what the award means to them on a personal level.

Artists have been involved in another recent partnership as well: From February to December 2006, the Hilton Harmony tour sent a grand piano to its hotels around the country, collecting celebrity autographs and hosting music classes for children. Participating schools each received a $1,000 donation to their music program, and each signature sent $1,000 to the Grammy Foundation for music education.

"By doing what we`re doing, we expand our reach beyond that one big night of the year and create more of an opportunity to develop a deeper connection with consumers," Greene says.

http://music.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1247428.php/More_Grammys_planned

The auction, being held in conjunction with eBay's MissionFish charity division, will be active at www.ebay.com/darfur3

Items for the auction include items from Coldplay, System of a Down, Madonna, Gnarls Barkley, Kanye West, Gorillaz, Evanescence, Common, Pussycat Dolls, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Switchfoot, Tori Amos, REM, Cam'Ron, , Panic at the Disco, Maroon 5, Goldfrapp, Sonic Youth, Fall Out Boy, Tori Amos, 2Pac, Wilco, Brian Wilson, Rihanna, Patti Smith, Badly Drawn Boy, Big & Rich, As I Lay Dying, The Donnas, Mark Farina, Ry Cooder, Cartel, Barenaked Ladies, Simple Plan, LiL Boogie, Peaches, The Faint, and Bright Eyes, the cast of Law & Order, the writers of Adult Swim, footballer Eric Dickerson, Chad Muska, to name a few.

According to the Save Darfur Coalition, "Darfur has been embroiled in a deadly conflict for over three years. At least 400,000 people have been killed; more than 2 million innocent civilians have been forced to flee their homes and now live in displaced-persons camps in Sudan or in refugee camps in neighboring Chad; and more than 3.5 million men, women, and children are completely reliant on international aid for survival. Not since the Rwandan genocide of 1994 has the world seen such a calculated campaign of displacement, starvation, rape, and mass slaughter."

"Even though Darfur has become a prominent issue, it's important we don't forget that it's a dire crisis there that is getting worse. We can't assume the attention Darfur is getting is the same thing as assistance. Real help is as crucial now as it ever was." Says Waxploitation founder Jeff Antebi.

In 2004, Waxploitation released the Genocide in Sudan charity CD with tracks donated by artists including System of a Down, Gorillaz, Yoko Ono and Bad Religion. In 2005 and 2006 Waxploitation charity auctions for Darfur, with items donated by Radiohead, OutKast, R.E.M., Nine Inch Nails, Angelina Jolie, Serena Williams to name a few.

Human Rights Watch, one of the world's largest human rights organizations, conducts fact-finding investigations into human rights abuses in all regions of the world, then publishes those findings in dozens of reports every year, generating extensive media coverage. This publicity helps to embarrass abusive governments in the eyes of their citizens and the world. In addition to providing much needed awareness.

Save Darfur Coalition is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to ending the genocide in Darfur. It is a coalition of over 160 faith-based, humanitarian, and human rights organizations designed to raise public awareness and to mobilize an effective united response to the atrocities that threaten the lives of some two million people in Darfur.

For more information please go to www.ebay.com/darfur3 , www.hrw.org , www.savedarfur.org, www.waxploitation.com , www.myspace.com/waxploitation

Chris Martin will host the 18 January programme while Zane is on leave. You can listen to the show from 7 to 9pm at 97-99fm or online here

For more information, please click through to Radio 1’s website here

The photo was taken by a girl attending a special day off which the band spent with the lads from Arcade Fire and other guests at a ranch at Lake Austin. They were in town to perform live at the Coachella Music Festival on Saturday, April 30, while Arcade Fire played the day after.

Gwyneth Paltrow and precious daughter Apple spent the day with hubby & daddy at the ranch as well.

[Thanks Flying Sparks]

Actress Thandie Newton (ER, Crash) is on a mission: After being confronted by Greenpeace because she owns a big, oil-wasting BMX X5, she got herself a hybrid car, the famous Toyota Prius, and started sending letters to other celebrities who own such eco-damaging, huge jeeps themselves.

"I rang Greenpeace saying that I wanted to write a letter to celebrities who have 4x4s, because maybe a lot of them are like me and are just ignorant.", Newton said. So far, she's written letters to Will Smith, Tom Cruise, and also Chris Martin.

Read the complete (very interesting) article about Newton's mission here

Kanye's shades protect him from the harmful UV rays emitted by Chris Martin's pale English face

"Homecoming," Kanye West's much-anticipated collaboration with Chris Martin, is making its way around the blogosphere this afternoon and — amazingly! — it's actually pretty great. Martin eschews the usual schlocky mid-tempo stadium balladry for some flashy piano work that almost sounds like it could have come from Billy Joel (but in a good way!). The track seems like an easy sell to radio and should help pay for Kanye's next gold-plated sweater vest.

Still, though, if the Coldplay singer wants to be Kanye's favorite dorky white dude in 2007, he's got some stiff competition. Below, we see how the candidates measure up.

1. Chris Martin

Laugh all you want, but Kanye's newest BFF has some serious gangsta credentials — Martin was responsible for producing the fourth-best track on Jay-Z's Kingdom Come, an impressive feat given that Dr. Dre, Just Blaze, and West himself made the other beats.

Read the full article here

Coldplay have personally designed a mug to raise money for Trade plus Aid, Water Aid and Oxfam.

The mug, which comes in a gift-box with a photograph of the band, is available for order here

More on this story here [thanks airieslady]

A series of special guest presenters have been standing in for Zane Lowe on his BBC Radio 1 show this month. Guest presenters are hosting the programme while Zane is on leave, culminating in Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin fronting the show on 18 January 2007.

For the first three weeks of January 2007 Zane's show will be hosted by some of the biggest names from the UK music world.

They include Ricky from Kaiser Chiefs, The Streets aka Mike Skinner, Snow Patrol and Kelly Osbourne.

The line-up in full is:

2 January – Ricky & Nick from Kaiser Chiefs

3 January – Editors

4 January – The Young Knives

8 January – The Streets aka Mike Skinner

9 January – The Automatic

10 January – Snow Patrol

11 January – Kelly Osbourne

15 January – Jamie T

16 January – The View

17 January – The Zutons

18 January – Chris Martin

Each show runs from 7 to 9pm. Find out more by visiting BBC.co.uk/radio1.

Thanks to Patrizio at Coldplayzone for the following interview questions to Debs Wild:

Hi Debs! Thanks a lot for accepting this interview! How long have you been working with Coldplay?

It's been 5 years now.

How is your relationship with the band?

It's very good!

How long is usually your working day? And how do you work?

This isn't my only job so it's not a regular 9-5. Each day is as short or as long as it needs to be. It's pretty flexible at times but I do try to average an 8 hour day.

Which is the most exciting Coldplay concert you've ever seen? Why?

Well…apart from the first one (Manchester 1998), as that was when knew I was witnessing something very special I'd have to say both headlining Glastonbury gigs were very exciting. Looking at a sea of people all there to see Coldplay was amazing!

The strangest thing you have done with Coldplay…

Hahaha, I can think of something that happened with a couple of the guys which was very funny, yet surreal but I'm not sure I should talk about it. Strange? Er, nothing strange really. There've been many things that are maybe strange to me but not for them. Flying in a small plane with the worst turbulence ever and I thought we could all possibly die, that was pretty strange!

Which is the most important Coldplay song to you?

Bigger Stronger holds such a special place in my heart and was the first song they gave me recorded so it has to be that.

Which the Coldplay songs you liked the most at first listening?

Bigger Stronger, What If and How You See The World.

Are Coldplay interested in their fansites?

They love their fans and are amazed at the support.

Please, if you want to say some words to Coldplay italian fans, speak now!

I used a translator so forgive me if this is really bad. Ringraziamenti per il vostri supporto e lealtà. L'opinione della fascia hanno sempre i ventilatori migliori! (in reality, the sentence is: ‘Thanks for your support and loyalty. The band always say they have the best fans!)

As reported earlier Chris Martin will be presenting Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show on 18th January 2007.

We want you to post your questions for him on the Coldplaying messageboard and we'll endeavor to get him to answer as many as possible on the show. You can also video yourself asking a question on your mobile phone and send it to 81199.

To post a question or for more information click here [thanks BBC Radio 1]

Beeb bosses have enlisted the stars to help cover Zane Lowe's 7-9pm show while the DJ is on leave.

Ricky and Nick from the Kaiser Chiefs will kick-start the special series by fronting the radio programme on January 2. They will be followed on consecutive days by the Editors, the Young Knives, Mike Skinner from The Streets, and The Automatic. Snow Patrol will take control on January 10, followed by Kelly O, Jamie T, and The View. The final shows will belong to The Zutons and Chris Martin on January 17 and 18.

As previously reported, the first new-look singles chart is due to be revealed - with "golden oldies" tipped to make a comeback.

Under new chart rules which came into force this week, any song available as an internet download is eligible for the chart regardless of when it was released. Previously, songs could only be included if a physical copy of the single was also available in the shops. So Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars - released back in July - is expected to feature in this week's top 10.

This also means that any of Coldplay's previous releases, including Brothers and Sisters, Shiver, Yellow, Trouble, In My Place, The Scientist, Clocks, Speed Of Sound, Fix You, and Talk can regain chart positions.

Coldplay has replaced the Christmas song on their MySpace player with ‘Bigger Stronger’, which was the opening track on Coldplay’s first release for Parlophone, 1999’s ‘The Blue Room EP’.

This is the same recording of the song that appeared on the band’s self-financed demo ‘Safety EP’ in 1998.

More on this here

January 6th back in 1998 was the day Will joined Chris, Jonny and Guy to form Coldplay.

More on this here [thanks twistedCLOCKS]

According to several S.Americal Coldplay fans, the company that is bringing Coldplay to Brazil is asking absolutely ridiculous prices for their gigs, and they are putting tables and chairs for the audience. More on this petition here

Este é um protesto dos fãs brasileiros da banda Coldplay. Após 3 longos anos de espera desde o último show da banda no país, após a decepção de termos sido excluídos da última turnê do grupo, o anúncio de 3 shows no Brasil, em fevereiro do ano que vem, não poderia nos ser motivo de maior felicidade. No entanto hoje, a divulgação dos preços e condições de compra dos ingressos, fez essa felicidade ser ofuscada por um outro sentimento: revolta.

Eis os valores, divulgados apenas 2 dias antes do início da venda de ingressos:

Setor Preço (R$)

Platéia VIP 400,00

Platéia 1 300,00

Platéia 2 220,00

Platéia 3 200,00

Platéia Lateral 150,00

Mezanino Central 300,00

Mezanino Lateral 230,00

Camarote 300,00

Ficamos bastante surpresos e desapontados com a organização do show com mesas e cadeiras, o que reduz consideravelmente o número de ingressos disponíveis. Quem quiser ver de perto, terá que pagar um valor maior do que o salário mínimo do país. Além disso, os 3 shows acontecerão em uma só cidade. Como a banda tem admiradores espalhados por todo o país, várias pessoas ainda terão gastos com passagens, hospedagem e transporte. E a elas, só resta a opção de compra pela Internet com cartão de crédito, na qual é acrescida uma taxa de 15% do valor do ingresso, sendo que, ainda assim, eles deverão ser retirados na bilheteria com presença do titular do cartão. Para os estudantes que moram fora de São Paulo, a compra de meia entrada é vetada.

Nós, abaixo assinados, pedimos aqui uma revisão dos preços dos ingressos e melhores condições de compra para aqueles que não residem na cidade de São Paulo. É uma incoerência o estabelecimento de condições tão desrespeitosas no show de uma banda que é a maior defensora da campanha MAKE TRADE FAIR (a favor de condições justas no comércio entre países desenvolvidos e subdesenvolvidos). It’s time to MAKE CONCERTS FAIR (É hora de fazer shows justos).

Atenciosamente,

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Who deserves the Album of the Year 2006?

Vote in the 2006 Coldplaying messageboarders vote. To find the best, worst and most inane of this past year, Coldplaying turns to you.

Put forward your list here (and read the rules first!) [thanks Ondes Martenot]

- you can post a list of minimum 5 and maximum 25 albums in order (1st, 2nd...25th)

- !!!!!!!!!!!!you can't vote for compilations, live albums, re-released albums, eps, singles!!!!!!!!!!!!

- the album HAS TO BE released in 2006 (so no albums from 2005, neither "leaked" albums from 2007 - e.g. The Shins, Bloc Party, Deerhoof, Of Montreal) (if you are unsure, check these sites: http://rateyourmusic.com/ & http://allmusic.com/ )

- you can edit your post whenever you want, but till the deadline (i'll link your lists to this post, so you can easily find them after)

- if you don't know which albums you should/can vote for, you can check this: http://rateyourmusic.com/charts/top/album/2006

It was the best year in recent memory for live music in the Bay Area.

As per my regular music critic routine, I saw more than 150 concerts in 2006. A few of those shows were stinkers, some were mediocre and a surprisingly large number of them proved to be quite memorable.

The best of the lot are remembered here, in my own highly subjective list of the top 10 concerts of 2006. All of these shows left a lasting mark on me, in one form or another, which is exactly what's supposed to happen with truly great live music. There was no shortage of worthy candidates for this list. I had a harder time than usual whittling the list down to just 10. That's why I've included an honorable mention section, which highlights some shows that were simply too good not to bring up.

Indeed, if it had been a merely average year for live music in the Bay Area, any of those runners-up could have landed in my top 10 list. But it wasn't an average year for live music — it was a fantastic year. And I'm just glad I was there.

8. Coldplay

(Jan. 31, Oakland Arena)

It took a few years for this critic to warm up to Coldplay. Any lingering frost was quickly melted — as if a flamethrower was pointed in my direction — during this superbly paced and executed concert. Vocalist Chris Martin and crew mined all three of their studio albums in Oakland and came up with nothing but exquisite gems.

Read the full list here

Dear Miller,

I know you don't come here, but I know Debs sticks her head in every once in a while so maybe she could pass this along to you.

I am writing today to discuss your complete lack of activity on the Coldplayer. Your last entry was made on July 12, 2006 and in your text you admit to be "appallingly lazy" due to tour fatigue. I understand that it must be difficult to travel around from city to city, but you have been off for some time now and still nothing has been posted.

The fans enjoy your stories and we all love the pics, vids and sound snippits you provide. But now is when we need you the most. You see during the tour, we almost always have at least one forum member that goes to the show and they come here and share with us set lists, pics, the occasional crude video footage and so forth. But now, while the band is down we only get the rare Chris was spotted there tidbit from the gossip rags. Now is when we need a new pic or two. Now is when we need a Guy did this crazy thing story. We all know that between you and Penny there is a whole giant multimedia pile of stuff. We're not asking you to leak their new recordings. We're not asking you to bother them to sit for photo sessions. But it would be bloody fantastic if you could throw us a frickin bone and put up a pic or two a week. Give us an update...the band is working, the band is sitting on their arses... the band is starting to rehearse for Latin American dates.... tell us a story about something that happened 3 years ago!...anything. We can amuse ourselves and discuss a single pic for a solid week around here. We're simple like that.

If you're too busy, please hand the duty over to someone else. I can off the top of my head name 30 people from this forum that would gladly take over for you. We have a great community spirit here and we we all share what we have. Won't you please share some of your collection with us.

Thanks for your time,

Angie

More on this here [thanks Texasluvsjonny]

We've just received confirmation of the UK transmission date for the live film which was made at Coldplay's Toronto show in March 2006.

It will be broadcast on Channel 4 on Sunday February 11th at 11.50pm (GMT).

This U-turn follows an email sent from Channel 4 denying that the show will be broadcast at all. [Thanks Larry]

As reported earlier Chris Martin will be presenting Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show on 18th January 2007.

We want you to post your questions for him on the Coldplaying messageboard and we'll endeavor to get him to answer as many as possible on the show. You can also video yourself asking a question on your mobile phone and send it to 81199.

To post a question or for more information click here [thanks BBC Radio 1]

Beeb bosses have enlisted the stars to help cover Zane Lowe's 7-9pm show while the DJ is on leave.

Ricky and Nick from the Kaiser Chiefs will kick-start the special series by fronting the radio programme on January 2. They will be followed on consecutive days by the Editors, the Young Knives, Mike Skinner from The Streets, and The Automatic. Snow Patrol will take control on January 10, followed by Kelly O, Jamie T, and The View. The final shows will belong to The Zutons and Chris Martin on January 17 and 18.

A recent email was sent to Channel 4 in the UK (traditionally the channel that has supported Coldplay by screening exclusives of Coldplay music videos) regarding the upcoming Toronto gig televised around the world. This was their reply:

Thank you for contacting Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries.

At present there are no plans to screen Coldplay Twisted Logic. Programmes that will be screened can be found on our TV listings pages.

http://www.channel4.com/listings/C4/index.jsp

Regards.

Noah Sinclair

Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries

[Thanks mayurshikotra]

Chris Martin isn't the only Coldplay member celebrating the pitter patter of tiny feet.

The singer and wife Gwyneth Paltrow had their second child, Moses, in April. But now the 29-year-old must be thinking about having a creche on the band's tour bus. Drummer Will Champion and wife Marianne had baby girl, Ava, two weeks ago. And bassist Guy Berryman's wife Jo is halfway through her pregnancy.

"The guys are over the moon with all the baby stuff," a spokesperson for the band tells us. Marianne and Will are busy looking after baby Ava while Jo and Guy can't wait for their tot to be born."

Let's hope the little ones don't cause much Trouble for their parents.

After looking back at Coldplay in 2006, it's time to take a peek at the next 12 months and find out what might happen in 2007...

A new album?

In April 2006, Guy made the following statement: "We hope to have something together by January. We're going to make sure with our new album that everyone remembers why Coldplay are one of the best bands in the world."

Bassist Guy Berryman said that the group feel inspired to experiment more with their new songs. "I don't want to generalise it and say 'We're going to become electronic' because I don't think we are going to become truly electronic," he said. "I think there's going to be elements of lots of things. It's hard to say, all the ideas are just spinning around inside my head and I've got a lot of new toys to play with. I always like our next record to be a bit harder sounding. Not rock harder just edgier. We'll always have melody."

Does that mean we can hope for a 4th Coldplay studio album in 2007?

Latin American Tour

Coldplay finished their huge Twisted Logic Tour on 19th July in Budokan, Tokyo, Japan and are taking some time off with their families before they start work again. But one thing's for sure: In February, they'll play a string of intimate gigs in Latin America to present some new material.

The trek will begin with a Feb. 14-16 stand in Santiago, Chile, and will run through a March 3 show in Mexico City.

"Having received such a phenomenal response to their last Latin American trip in 2003, [the band] personally chose to return to the region," reads a post on Coldplay's website, which also lists details for ticket onsales. The new material is earmarked for Coldplay's fourth studio album, which is tipped for a late 2007 release via Capitol. It will be the follow-up to 2005's "X&Y," which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. Here are Coldplay's 2007 tour dates:

Feb. 14-16: Santiago, Chile (Espacio Riesco)

Feb. 20-22: Buenos Aires (Gran Rex)

Feb. 26-28: Sao Paulo (Via)

March 3: Mexico City (National Auditorium)

More Grammy Awards?

After scooping no awards at this year's ceremony, we can hope for one at the 49th Grammy Awards in February 2007. The band has been nominated for their single 'Talk' and could finally take one more Grammy home.

Lu Cont tries for another gold gramophone to add to his stash with a remix of Coldplay - 'Talk' (Thin White Duke Mix).

Jonny Buckland and Chloe - A new Coldplay toddler?

In 2006, three new Coldplay babies saw the light of day: Moses, Ava and Nico. Possibilities for even more offspring in 2007?

A marriage?

Jonny is the only Coldplay member left who hasn't tied the knot yet - it's time, Jonny boy! He's been dating his girlfriend Chloe Lee-Evans [pictured below] for a couple of years now and was said to have proposed to her during their summer vacation in Hawaii.

Hopefully we'll find out in 2007!

[Thanks to Flying Sparks for the 2007 model]