The current tour of Australia is underway and they have so far played Brisbane and Sydney. This coming Monday (3rd July) the popular TV programme ‘Enough Rope with Andrew Denton’ will be showing an exclusive with Chris.

The show will be transmitted on ABC at 21.35 (local time). If you are unable to watch the show, they have an official website with archived interviews available as videos, audio and transcribed text, so check http://abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/ for more information.

There will also be various radio promo interviews on Triple M, Triple J and Nova. (The links below gives more info on the stations in the local areas).

http://www.triplem.com.au/index.php

http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/

http://www.dmgradio.com.au/dmgMC.html

[Thanks Debs & Nettie]

Members of Coldplay insist World Cup soccer has kept them sane on their international tour, because they have something to watch in the middle of the night when they are jet-lagged.

After playing in Sydney, Australia last night (26JUN06), Chris Martin led the charge to the North Bondi Beach Returned And Service's League (RSL) to watch the Australian team's effort to remain in the World Cup.

Guitarist Jonny Buckland said jokingly, "This has been the best time of our lives to have jet-lag, because finally there's something to watch at that hour of the morning." Martin explains, "The thing about Australia is they play that game like life should be lived. It's great to watch it." The Coldplay frontman apparently holds no ill-will towards Australia, after scuffling with paparazzi in Byron Bay during his 2003 visit Down Under.

A relaxed Martin added, "It was good to save this part of the tour until last."

More on this here

Coldplay front man Chris Martin, also known as Mr Gwyneth Paltrow, is a devoted football fan and revelled in the World Cup fever gripping Australia when his band played at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Monday night.

He referred repeatedly to the Socceroos' upcoming do-or-die clash with Italy during the gig and even dedicated the song Yellow to the green and gold army.

Afterwards, the down-to-earth rock god went looking for a place to watch the match and turned up at North Bondi RSL before midnight where he killed time playing pool until the match started at 1am before a packed house.

Source: http://theaustralian.news.com.au

Tune in to Mix FM to win Coldplay tickets for the Singapore gig next month:

We're giving away tickets to Coldplay's - Twisted Logic Concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on the 10th of July. Listen out for a coldplay song and call us with the title of the song and you'll win 2 tickets to watch COldplay in concert!

More on this competition here

Relive (or enjoy for the first time) video clips of both of Coldplay's gigs in Brisbane recently.

Download the files from both nights here

[Thanks SteveM and Dave S]

British rock outfit Coldplay today backed the Socceroos to make it to the World Cup semi-finals.

Speaking before its final 16 clash with Italy tonight, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin said there were plenty of lessons to be learnt from Australia's performance in the World Cup.

"Australia are going to get to the semi-finals," Martin said in Sydney today. "The thing about Australia is they play that game in particular like life should be lived. They attack it, and they just go for it so heavy. It's so fun to watch and I personally get a real kick out of watching them at the moment."

Read the full article here

Six-year-old Ria Malik has got to be Coldplay’s youngest fan — she’s heading all the way to Hong Kong to watch them perform. “She prefers them to Disneyland,” says her dad Subir Malik.

Like the Maliks, more people are heading to destinations abroad to be part of an event — be it the World Cup, an F1 race or a music concert.

“We’re going to Hong Kong only to watch Coldplay perform. It’s just a two-day trip and it’s worth it. Last year I had everything ready for the Live 8 concert in London where Pink Floyd was getting together again after 25 years, but didn’t manage to go because of a last-minute engagement,” says Malik.Travel agency Compact Travels has created a special package for Madonna fans. For Rs 41,000, you can get a return ticket to Prague, three nights stay at a three star, airport transfers and a ticket for the Madonna concert that will take place on September 6. “Gates were open for just half an hour and they were sold out immediately. She’s having a concert after ages and lots of people would like to go, but they worry about details like where to stay. Also, there are those who want to go sightseeing and time it with an event,” says Subhash Motwani, director, Compact Travels. He’s planning to create packages for the Eric Clapton concert on July 20 in Prague too.

Likewise, SOTC has a special cell called Sport Abroad that organises special interest tours covering sport events like tennis, grand prix, soccer and cricket amongst others. “We offered a package for the Malaysian Grand Prix in March and we had a great response. In fact, we are the official sponsors for the Cricket World Cup 2007 to be held in the West Indies and we have already started getting reservations for it,” Says Sunil Gupta, COO, SOTC, Outbound Division. “While 600 people went for FIFA World Cup, we are expecting 2000 bookings for West Indies next year,” he adds.

Vijay Nair, an event manager, says getting one international artiste down itself is tough, so he made sure he went for the Glastonbury festival in England last year along with band Pentagram. “There were 40-50 artistes performing at one festival over a couple of days. It was fantastic. Even if they weren’t very big, they were very talented,” he says.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com

Not only has the Australian teams' valiant World Cup campaign kept the world's biggest band entertained as they battle jetlag on tour but it has inspired frontman Chris Martin to pay tribute to the team in song.

"If it's there milk it, I say,'' Martin joked yesterday, as the band prepared for their three-night stand at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

"It's a gift for a frontman to arrive in a country and find there's lots of yellow jerseys and the team is doing really well. You don't have to talk about how great it is to be here.''

Read the full articles here

No more angst… Coldplay members enthuse yesterday about their evolution to big-arena gigs. Last night the band performed its first Sydney concert in three years at the Entertainment Centre.

At first sight, Coldplay look like sensitive, middle-class English boys who studied humanities at university and pined hopelessly after dangerous, arty girls.

On second sight, they do, too.

But they are also the world's biggest-selling band, with over 8 million copies of their third album X&Y sold last year. Last night, on the eve of their first Sydney concert in three years, lead singer Chris Martin insisted the band had given up on angst. "We're not angst-ridden about anything any more, we're just excited," he said.

Read the full article here

Despite major differences of opinion, the marriage between Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow is thriving -- and that's because the stubborn musician wins most of their battles.

When Gwen talked of their daughter, Apple, becoming an actor, Chris said a firm "No, over my dead body." It was a similar negative when she hinted living in New York would be nice. Insiders say he told her, "Sure, you can go back to America, but the baby stays with me." Gwyneth coos: "I love being married to a strong man; I could twist other guys in my life around my little finger -- not this one!"

PREDICTION: This will be a long-lasting marriage -- with a third baby to come.Source: http://lfpress.ca

Chris Martin is making poverty history by hiring a private helicopter this summer to keep popping in to the recording studio, where he is making another epic record.

Coldplay have an album's worth of new material and are planning to set up their own HQ in London to record it - despite tabloid reports they're going to split. After sampling Kraftwerk on last single 'Talk' the band are set to take their approach to recording. Inspired by the German group's Kling Klang studio where no outsiders are allowed, Coldplay are planning to build their own London studio to record the follow-up to 'X&Y' [pictured].

Their third album was recorded in various studios across the world, an experience the group aren't in a hurry to repeat. However, one thing is for sure, despite Chris Martin's claims at the BRIT Awards the group would move out of the limelight, any suggestion of a split is untrue.Source: http://www.metro.co.uk

On Thursday morning I had to go into the city before work to pick up some dress pants & some dress shoes because I had a business dinner that night that I’d only found out about the day before. So I’ve gotten into the city about 10am & rushed around to find pants & shoes which I did, so went over to Borders books to have a look around, I’ve walked out & gone to cross the street at the intersection to head over to the Myer shopping centre.

I’ve crossed the street & as I’ve gotten to the other side of the street a figure has walked in front of me, I knew immediately that it was Mr Jonathan Mark Buckland!

So I’ve called out “Jonny?” as he’s walked onto the escalator & I’ve gotten onto the escalator next to him. He’s turned to look at me & I’ve just freaked out, lost my words as I’ve seen his face. He must have seen the look on my face & said “So, what’s your name?” I’ve answered “Mel” as we have reached the top of the escalators. Then I’ve said “You’re my favourite!” Then this huge big grin spread across his face. After that everything is still a little blurry, but it goes a little like this...

Read the full article here

British supergroup Coldplay charmed Australian fans with a tribute to the Socceroos and a Shane Warne [pictured] joke when they opened the Down Under leg of their world tour in Brisbane.

Engaging frontman Chris Martin donned a Socceroos' scarf and marvelled at Australia's sporting credentials as Coldplay last night won over 12,000 enthusiastic fans at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

"As English people we just have to ask is there anything you can't do?" he said. "The answer is 'no'."

Read the full review here

How did Coldplay become the biggest band in the world? Take four unassuming London uni students, create anthems with soaring high notes and add guitars and lashings of emotion.

You are a bit perplexed. You know the song Yellow and that other one, the slow, sad one with the bit where the vocalist goes all high and vulnerable as he sings about a scientist. Or something. You're pretty sure there's a celebrity actor connection and maybe an oddly named child, too.

Coldplay ­- that's it. Yeah, you think, I like them. Like about 20 million others who've bought their albums. Their third, X&Y, was the world's best-selling album last year, with more than 8 million copies sold in the six months after its June release. The first single from that album, Speed of Sound, became the first British single to debut in the American Top 10 since Hey Jude in 1968. They are huge. Globe-straddlingly huge.

Read the full article here

Coldplay begin their Australian tour tonight (23rd) in Brisbane. Check the Coldplayer for updates and exclusives from the tour.

For more information on the support band, Youth Group, click here

Source: coldplay.com

[All Brisbane first night reviews are here]

British supergroup Coldplay paid tribute to the Socceroos when they opened their Australian tour in Brisbane on Friday night.

Frontman Chris Martin made reference to Australia's qualification to the second round of the World Cup following the 2-2 draw with Croatia. Martin changed the lyrics in the song Politik with a verse saying, "Give Harry Kewell Australia's second goal".

In front of 12,000 fans, at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre complete with a mosh pit, the band started their performance with Square One, the opening track of their latest album X&Y, which was the world's best-selling album last year.Fans were treated to songs from the band's three albums, including their first international hit "Yellow".

Aiming to rival Irish rockers U2 as the world's top band, Coldplay are making their first major concert tour of Australia since initially coming Down Under for Big Day Out in 2001.

They were last in Australia three years ago for the Splendour in the Grass festival at Byron Bay.

This time they are packing out concert venues and their act features a spectacular light show, panoramic video screens and computer graphic projection.

Coldplay's set featured major hits Clocks and In My Place and the three song encore closed with Fix You - the band's favourite track from their current album.

Coldplay, who are supported by Sydney band Youth Group - enjoying success with their cover of Forever Young - play a second show in Brisbane on Saturday night before performing three times at the Sydney Entertainment Centre next week.

The band also plays the first of three shows at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena next Saturday before travelling to Adelaide and Perth the following week.

More on this review here

I am Waiting For My Man, except I don't have $26 in my hand, this isn't Lexington, 125, nor do I feel sick and dirty, more dead than alive. I am in Gateshead, feeling excited, because I am about to meet Lou Reed, who wrote Waiting for the Man for the Velvet Underground. I'm also as nervous as I have ever been.

Reed's curmudgeonly reputation precedes him. The last time the Guardian attempted to interview him, he declared: "I don't know anyone actually who does care what a critic says," before adding: "I'm not trying to intimidate you."

I'm just here reviewing the gig, which has somehow resulted in me acquiring a backstage pass, along with the most curious ensemble of Reed "guests" imaginable. Reed used to hang out with David Bowie, Andy Warhol and New York's transvestites and junkies. Tonight he will face an undercover hack, two loud, obnoxious Americans, a 14-year-old boy and a man with a wooden leg.Eventually the Americans flounce off in a huff and the man with the wooden leg declares he once met the Beatles, so isn't bothered hanging around for the guy who created Metal Machine Music, 64 minutes of white noise. Finally, a woman says the "after-show party" just isn't going to happen. I'm the only one left by then, so she tells me: "Maybe you could hang out ... by the stage door."

Who does she think I am? I am a grown adult, write for the Guardian and have a 90-minute drive home. Of course I'll hang out by the stage door.

Moments later, there I am, autograph pen in hand, with 50 or so other Reed groupies. I feel terribly sorry for him. You change the face of music, and instead of being able to get back to your hotel for a mug of herbal tea and a bit of t'ai chi, you have to spend 10 minutes after every gig for the rest of your life behaving like you're in bloody Take That. People form an orderly line while Reed signs autographs in silence. I have 45 seconds to put a question to Reed, which probably rules out the stuff I'd stored up earlier, such as asking him about his infamous encounter with gonzo rock journalist Lester Bangs, when they stayed up all night discussing the purity of mind-boggling varieties of narcotics (published as Let Us Now Praise Famous Death Dwarves, or How I Slugged It Out with Lou Reed and Stayed Awake).

Nervously, I pick the most topical question I can, and hit him with it.

"Mr Reed, what did you think of Coldplay covering your song Perfect Day at the Isle of Wight Festival?"

If it were humanly possible, Reed's expression darkens even further.

"They did whaaaaaaat?"

I tell him Chris Martin told the media that because Reed hadn't played it during his set, Coldplay did it in theirs.

"You're kidding."

Reed looks so infuriated that I'm still not sure whether his next question "Have you heard that?" is directed at me or members of his entourage. I hurriedly try to pacify him, telling him that although I wasn't at the Isle of Wight and people say Coldplay were pretty good there's no way their Perfect Day could have been anywhere near the unutterably lovely version he played that evening in Gateshead. But he's not having it. I meet Lou Reed and escape with an insight into why he's so famously miserable. I mean, if it's not enough having all sorts of freaks line up for your scrawl on a bit of paper, you get whippersnappers like Coldplay stealing your best bloody songs.

Source: http://arts.guardian.co.uk

The band party are arriving by helicopter today, which is unusual. Not just one, mind you - but five. Unfortunately, everyone is coming from different locations at different times, rather than ‘in convoy’, so vision of the bands arrival looking like a scene from M.A.S.H. are not to be realised. Shortly after they arrived, I’m asked over the radio if I can get a piano into the dressing room for them to learn a new song. Looks like there might be a cover tune tonight after all.

Trying to learn a song with under an hour to go before they get onstage in front of tens of thousands of people [and a tv crew] is pretty ballsy, or perhaps more accurately, mildly insane. Excellent behaviour and long may it continue.

Come showtime the guys play a blinder. They’re rough around the edges after the time off, but what’s lost in polish is more than made up for in excitement. The crowd too, are on fine form. The cover turns out to be ‘Perfect Day’ by Lou Reed. In truth, it’s probably kindest to say that they just about get away with it. Given that they were still trying to work the chords out ten minutes before the intro rolled, they do well to pull it off.

Read the full journal here

Popular music's first lady, the stunning Gwyneth Paltrow, is tipped to visit Melbourne within weeks because her husband, Chris Martin, is hitting the stage with his band, Coldplay, at Rod Laver Arena.

Paltrow and the couple's two children -- two-year-old Apple and two-month-old Moses -- are joining the Australian leg of the tour, but it's not yet known which cities her visit will include. Martin and his bandmates flew into Brisbane last night for a rest stop ahead of their first gig tomorrow night.

They then head to Sydney before the July 1 and 2 performances in Melbourne.

Coldplay is taking its "Twisted Logic" Tour Down Under next week.

The band's sold-out Australian tour in support of the its latest album "X&Y" kicks off tomorrow, June 23rd, with a two-night stand in Brisbane. The outing wraps up July 7th in Perth.

A few days later, Coldplay completes the final leg of the Twisted Logic Tour with six shows in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan.

Going to a show? Preview it and review it in the Coldplay Live forum.

Becks hefts the cup as top pop with more than a quarter of UK dads and 30 per cent of mums voting the England captain the best example of modern fatherhood. In true Becks style, he thrashed the opposition, netting 20 per cent more votes than second-placed Chris Martin.

But brand new starry dads Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise fell by the wayside in the poll, carried out by top toy firm Smoby – the blockbusting pair managed just three and four per cent of the vote respectively. Top dads:

David Beckham 29%

Chris Martin 9%

Tony Blair 8%

Peter Andre 6%

Tom Cruise 4%

Brad Pitt 3%

Guy Ritchie 2%

Eminem 2%

Jude Law 1% The research also found that despite all the talk about “new men”, it’s not a lot more than hot air as far as kids’ play is concerned. Many dads still like their boys to be boys and to play with boys toys.

Cars or trains, balls and building blocks came out top of a preferred list of toys and a third of fathers still don’t like their sons to play with dolls. Of these dads, nearly three quarters believe that dolls are just for girls and 16 per cent were concerned that if their son were to play with a doll other children might make fun of him.

In true stereotypical form, parents put dolls top of the list of toys they’d be content for their daughters to play with – 85 per cent of fathers and 83 per cent of mums.

Taking such views into account, Smoby has created a very different type of doll. Roby is a near-lifesize toddler designed to appeal to boys and their dads as well as girls and mums. He is clearly male and is robust enough to act as a rough and tumble playmate.

Adrian Mayes, MD of Smoby, commented “This research has shown how important it is for toys to be acceptable not just to kids but also to their parents – and in the case of boys, it’s important that dads feel comfortable with the choice of toy.

“Following extensive research into the development of Roby we believe that although popular with girls, he will also prove a hit outside the usual doll market.”

In the most recent issue of Life & Style, the magazine featured a special for Fathers Day, including gift ideas and their list of a few of Hollywood's Best (and may we say some of the Hottest) Dads.

The list includes:

Brad Pitt, the new dad- Brad has taken on the role of father by adopting son Maddox and daughter Zahara, and with the birth of baby Shiloh. How many men go from no kids to 3 in one year so handsomely?

Chris Martin, rocker dad- Chris is hubby to award winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow and poppa to 2-year-old Apple and 2-month-old Moses. He juggles fatherhood and a successful music career as only a true rocker would.

Matthew Broderick, city dad- Matthew is married to former Sex & the City star Sarah Jessica Parker and had been a constant fixture on Broadway for years, so it's no surprise that the couple love to show their son, 3 1/2-year-old James Wilkie, the best that New York City has to offer.

Dean Cain, single dad- Although Dean and his son, 6-year-old Christopher's, mother split, that doesn't mean Dean can't be a constant fixture in his son's life.

Will Smith, funny dad- Will is the epitome of the working, yet involved father and husband to wife Jada Pinkett and their children. Will is the first to include his kids in his projects, even featuring his boys, Trey, 14, and Jaden, 7, in videos and movies. Soon to join the clan on film will be Will's 5-year-old daughter Willow, who daddy doesn't seem ready to share with the world yet.

David Arquette, wacky dad- Father to 2-year-old Coco Riley, with wife Courteney Cox, David does everything in a tacky, wacky way. From the way he dresses to the roles he takes, David never compromises on his eccentric ways.

Ryan Phillippe, Mr. mom- A successful actor in his own right, Ryan can be hardly seen without his two best friends, daughter, 6 1/2-year-old Ava, and son , 2 1/2-year-old Deacon. But don't worry his wife, Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon, is usually not far behind.

Guy Richie, spiritual dad- Guy makes sure to keep his stepdaughter, 9-year-old Lourdes, and son, 5-year-old Rocco, involved in their Kabbalah activities.

Heath Ledger, hipster dad- As the ultimate bohemian, Heath is sure to be seen tracking around the world with his 7 month old daughter, Matilda Rose, and fiance Michelle Williams, in a style that is completely their own. From their clothes to the carriers used for their baby girl, Heath and Michelle stand out in every way.

Ben Affleck, working dad- Ben keeps his wife, actress Jennifer Garner, and his 6 month old daughter, Violet Anne, close while currently shooting his directorial debut in his Boston hometown.

Others not mentioned, but that should have been:

Seal, Eminem, Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Mel Gibson and yes, even Tom Cruise and many others.

Source: Various

Coldplay lead singer singer Chris Martin will be Andrew Denton's Enough Rope guest on July 3.

Married to actor Gwyneth Paltrow, Martin is father to daughter Apple and newborn son Moses. So, baby names will surely be covered, but what of Martin's recent comment to Rolling Stone that despite Coldplay's zillion record sales, "We haven't done anything better than (Michael Jackson's) Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough"?

Denton will also chat to three cabbies (from Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast) who love their job and reveal, among other things, that they've all been offered sex in exchange for rides.

Source: http://theage.com.au

The MuchMusic Video Awards take place later today. To vote for Coldplay in the People's Choice award for Best Interantional Group, click here

The ceremony airs at @ 9pm ET. To get full timings of all related programmes including the show, click here

MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch is back!

Chris fights Bono!

See the action here [thanks nightsurfer]

Chris Martin angered members of the Foo Fighters' camp at the Isle of Wight festival.

Tensions over the billing at the Fuji Rocks festival in 2005 continued last weekend, leading to Martin [pictured] being branded a "cry baby".

"Comments were made by Chris and it's really hacked off some of the Foos people," a source told the Daily Star. "Apparently he mentioned something about the billing again and he was seen as being a bit precious. Now he's being referred to as a 'cry baby' and a 'bit of a tosser' by several people in the Foos camp. There's some really bad feeling towards him there. As they see it, he's in one of the biggest bands in the world yet he still makes a point of noticing who's band is where on the bill."

More on this story here [thanks Mimixxx]