Roger Daltrey, Coldplay and Charlie Gillett were among the stars to pick up awards at the 22nd Radio Academy Awards.

The Neilsen Music Control Award for the Most Played Artist on UK Radio went to Coldplay. The band became only the fourth act to win the award since it was set up in 1999, joining the likes of Robbie Williams, Kylie and Jamelia. Coldplay’s third album X&Y has recently been named the best-selling album of 2005, ahead of Mariah Carey’s The Emancipation of Mimi and rapper 50 Cent’s The Massacre. [Roger] Daltrey picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event, which was held at the Cafe de Paris in London and was hosted by Phill Jupitus. The star, who recently revealed that the years spent performing and recording with The Who has left him almost deaf, picked up the accolade in person before dashing off to perform in concert with Razorlight.

Renowned broadcaster and BBC world music DJ Charlie Gillett was handed The PRS John Peel Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio by Trevor Nelson.

PRS chairman Ellis Rich commented: “Charlie Gillett is the man who pioneered world music in Britain. His radio shows have brought a diverse range of music to new audiences and we are delighted that he has joined the illustrious ranks of winners for this prestigious award.”

The PRS Award was renamed in honour of the late John Peel last year, the DJ received the PRS Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio in 1994.

Former Radio 1 controller Johnny Beerling was presented with a Radio Academy Fellowship at the industry event.

Source: The Stage

Perhaps it was the presence of alpha pin-up Pamela Anderson or the more festive atmosphere of Halifax, but the 2006 Juno Award weekend brought out some of the randiness in the otherwise traditionally sexless Canadian musical community.

All throughout the weekend, musicians' thoughts were veering below the belt. Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and Jully Black, the host of Saturday night's non-televised Juno Awards gala, mustered up some heat when Kroeger proclaimed that he and Black were "gonna make some creamy babies" together.

"People don't understand how dirty we are," Brueggergosman said. "If you spend half your life in a practice room, you're going to come up with a few pretty decent fantasies, my friend. Our inner dialogue really would not be fit for mass consumption."

Coldplay's Chris Martin, the object of much lusting-after all weekend, also caught Brueggergosman's eye. "Like every other carbon-based entity in this entire country and city, I will be drooling over Chris Martin unapologetically," she said.Still with nether-bits on the mind, Black also scored the line of the evening when dishing out some props about a certain star's more symmetrical, image-retooled haircut. "Shout out to Shawn Desman, he took the vagina off his head!"

Although Black suggested that the adult alternative category sounded like "straight-up porn," eventual winner Neil Young found a suitor elsewhere.

Kathleen Edwards, an adult alternative nominee vanquished by Young, was hoping to get a little rough with the grunge godfather. "I want to give that man a spank on the bum," she said.

That wasn't her only entanglement, though. Buck 65 loudly professing his love for Edwards at the gala awards said perhaps too much. "I'm still recovering [from that]," Edwards said.

"It was nice to meet his wife today, too. I'm sure she appreciated that — when she walks in on us when we're doing it. Yes, it makes it very awkward."

Even the supposedly stiff sorts in the classical music scene were getting in on the act. Fuelled in part by some sly sapphic innuendo courtesy of Sami Jo Small, her teammate at the Juno Cup celebrity hockey game, vocalist Measha Brueggergosman defended her genre.

"People don't understand how dirty we are," Brueggergosman said. "If you spend half your life in a practice room, you're going to come up with a few pretty decent fantasies, my friend. Our inner dialogue really would not be fit for mass consumption."

Coldplay's Chris Martin, the object of much lusting-after all weekend, also caught Brueggergosman's eye. "Like every other carbon-based entity in this entire country and city, I will be drooling over Chris Martin unapologetically," she said.

Drool, however, was the least naughty fluid floating around at Sunday's mid-day songwriters' circle. The near-blue banter between Great Big Sea's Alan Doyle, Ron Sexsmith, Jann Arden and Martha Wainwright must have spiced up the afternoon tea for listeners to the CBC's nationally broadcast showcase. Amongst other admissions: Sexsmith once solicited Arden for sex, Wainwright "doesn't need lubrication" and, after meeting Wainwright, Doyle admitted that he needed a special "moment by myself." There was also some crude Arden-ism about menstrual blood falling from the sky, but the less said about that the better.

Join the discussion here

In a recent poll, Chris Martin was voted the 12th Worst Dressed Man of 2006. He features along side conservative leader David Cameron & the Prime minister, Tony Blair.

Read more here

On Monday 13th February, Coldplay performed to an intimate audience at legendary Abbey Road Studios in London as part of BBC Radio 2's Live & Exclusive season. The show will be broadcast on Saturday 8th April at 8.30-9.30pm [GMT].

You can listen at 97-99fm, via DAB radio or online here. It will also be available to listen to for seven days after transmission.

You can see photos from the show here

HALIFAX - Bagpipers at the airport, parties in the street, industry hobnobbing, star sightings and music everywhere — it was an action-packed weekend on the East Coast as the 35th annual Juno Awards did their best to celebrate Canadian music, big and small.

The televised show last night was just one event among many, and there was truly something for everyone.

Ginger’s Tavern was the place to be on Friday night, as soft-spoken romantic Ron Sexsmith held court before a full house.

Outside, about 30 people stood in line, waiting desperately for a chance to hear their favourite artist. They watched as media, label reps and other industry pass holders waltzed in front of them and upstairs.

Inside, Mr. Sexsmith played acoustic guitar (and, briefly, piano), accompanied only by stand-up bass as an enraptured crowd (save for a few schmoozers near the bar) hung on his every word and note.

The scene was somewhat more disjointed (and rowdier) over at Irish pub Pogue Fado, where Vancouver’s Alpha Yaya Diallo played fluttery African guitar, backed by a tight, funky band. Half the crowd went obliviously about its business — drinking and gabbing –while the other half danced along.

Elsewhere in town, Luke Doucet played to the jam-packed college crowd at Tribeca; rock acts Stabilo and Pilate performed at the Marquee Club; Toronto rapper Eternia and soul singer Carl Henry played an urban showcase at the Waterfront Warehouse; and Montreal rocker Jonas performed at Your Father’s Moustache.

The kids got their fix on Saturday at Juno Fan Fare, an autograph session featuring Nickelback, Bedouin Soundclash, Hedley, Shawn Desman and more than a dozen other acts.

Things kicked into high gear on Saturday night, as every venue in town seemed to have a lineup out the door.

Political offspring Justin Trudeau and Ben Mulroney were among the elite in attendance at CTV’s invitation-only Juno party, at the Economy Shoe Shop. It was open bar, Pamela Anderson was hanging out in a back room somewhere, and Jimmy Rankin was playing to the dolled-up, elbow-to-elbow attendees.

Things were more down-to-earth next door at the Seahorse pub, where local acts Hey Rosetta and Elliott Brood were performing to the mostly hometown crowd.

Coldplay front man Chris Martin performs at the Juno Awards in Halifax last night. The band tied with the Black Eyed Peas for best international album — Coldplay for X&Y, and the Black Eyed Peas for Monkey Business.

Around the corner at Ginger’s Tavern, Jully Black — who had just hosted the non-televised awards with a fearless mix of snappy punchlines and caustic wit — was delivering the smooth soul sounds of her Juno-nominated album This Is Me.

The big show of the night was a double bill: indie rock collective Broken Social Scene and reggae act Bedouin Soundclash. Feist swooped in to join her pals in Broken Social Scene for their song 7/4 (Shoreline). Both groups performed at last night’s televised awards and both, coincidentally, won Junos.

Other performances around the city on Saturday night included Halifax rockers Sloan, Juno winner Corb Lund (roots and traditional album of the year — solo) and Blessed (reggae recording of the year), plus Julie Doiron, Tanya Tagaq and C’mon.

At Dalhousie University’s Rebecca Cohn Auditorium — away from all the hustle, bustle and hype — a handful of artists sat on stools yesterday afternoon, acoustic guitars in hand, for the Songwriter’s Circle. Among them: Martha Wainwright, Diallo, Mr. Sexsmith, Joel Plaskett, Jann Arden and the event’s host, Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle.

Broadcast on CBC Radio, the show was the antithesis of the flashy affair the Junos have become. But between the two extremes lay an endless array of possibilities — each somehow representing the eclectic, confusing and evolving identity of Canadian music.

Source: canada.com

HALIFAX (CP) - Honeyed ballads edged out rock anthems with Michael Buble winning a leading four Juno Awards this weekend, as the music community gathered in Halifax to fete its best offerings with a sexy celebration.

A scantily clad Pamela Anderson kicked off Sunday's televised show gushing about the Canadian music scene, but quickly turned to her political views on the East Coast seal hunt. "I don't mind a little blood on the ice when it's a hockey rink, but I hate seeing blood on the ice when it's from baby seals," she said.

With just seven awards handed out, Sunday's two-hour celebration was mostly about live music, featuring plenty of performances including Nickelback with Savin' Me and Coldplay with Talk. Ottawa's Massari brought some urban flavour to the show with a medley of Real Love and Be Easy.

Thandie Newton, the British star of the Hollywood hit film Crash, has become a crusader against gas-guzzling cars after a Greenpeace activist slapped stickers on her vehicle accusing her of adding to global warming.

This week, Newton, 33, will make her support for the anti-emissions campaign public by writing to fellow Hollywood stars and other celebrities who own four-wheel-drives, asking them to join her in switching to greener forms of transport.

Other celebrities targeted by Newton include Madonna and her filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie, chef Jamie Oliver, Coldplay singer Chris Martin, crooner Barry Manilow, soccer star Wayne Rooney and Hollywood stars Kevin Costner, Bill Murray, Meg Ryan, Jack Nicholson and Ben Affleck.

Read the full article here

Remembered: Chris Martin Has A Bumper Hit

The English quartet have been stadium-sized superstars virtually since the first single, "Yellow," off their first album, 2000's "Parachutes," and their profile has grown with subsequent releases "A Rush of Blood to the Head" (2003) and "X&Y" (2005).

Their grandiose sound begs comparison to U2, but only if Bono and company had skipped their scrappier early material and gone straight to "Rattle and Hum."

When many bands make the leap from smaller venues to king-sized sports arenas, they battle the less intimate surroundings, but Coldplay seemed right at home, making use of every square foot of the enormous building.

Read the full review here

On the eve of her Juno hosting gig, Pamela Anderson took more shots at Prime Minister Stephen Harper, urging him to get a makeover and, on a more serious note, renewed earlier calls to end the East Coast seal hunt.

"When people think of Canadian Club, they should think of a good whisky, not jerks beating pups on the ice," she told a throng of reporters during a news conference late Saturday afternoon.

She appeared far better versed on the seal hunt than on the state of Canadian music, at one point mistaking the origins of Coldplay.

"I know I'm hosting the Junos but I didn't know Chris Martin was Canadian," she told reporters, who quickly corrected her about the origins of Martin's British band.

Neil Young and Nickelback were among the early Juno winners, each snagging two trophies yesterday at a private industry dinner.

Alberta rockers Nickelback, who spent the afternoon signing autographs for thousands of frenzied fans at an event at Pier 21, were named group of the year.

As expected, superstars Coldplay and Black Eyed Peas - who are scheduled to play during tonight's broadcast (7 p.m., CTV, Cable 2) - won awards. They tied for best international album.

More on this hereWinners from the first of two Juno Awards nights in Halifax:

International album: Tied between X&Y, Coldplay and Monkey Business, Black Eyed Peas

Group: Nickelback

Instrumental album: Belladonna, Daniel Lanois

Pop album: It's Time, Michael Buble

Rock album: All the Right Reasons, Nickelback

New artist: Daniel Powter

Country recording: The Road Hammers, The Road Hammers

Adult alternative album: Prairie Wind, Neil Young

Rap recording: The Dusty Foot Philosopher, K'Naan

Vocal jazz album: Christmas Songs, Diana Krall

Contemporary jazz album: Radio Guantanamo, Jane Bunnett

Traditional jazz album: Ask Me Later, Don Thompson Quartet.

Francophone album: Pages blanches, Jim Corcoran

Children's album: Baroque Adventure: The Quest for Arundo Donax, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra

Classical album: solo or chamber ensemble: Albeniz: Iberia, Marc-Andre Hamelin

Classical album: large ensemble or soloist with large ensemble accompaniment: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 et 6, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra

Classical album: vocal or choral performance: Viardot-Garcia: Lieder Chansons Canzoni Mazurkas, Isabel Bayrakdarian

Classical composition: String Quartet No. 1 (The Awakening), Christos Hatzis

Dance recording: Spanish Fly, Hatira & Macca featuring Shawna B

R&B/soul recording: Back for More, Shawn Desman

Reggae recording: Reggae Time, Blessed

Aboriginal recording: Hometown, Burnt Project 1

Roots and traditional album: solo: Hair in My Eyes Like A Highland Steer, Corb Lund

Roots and traditional album: group: The Duhks, The Duhks.

Blues album: Let It Loose, Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne

Contemporary Christian/gospel album: Amanda Falk, Amanda Falk

World music album: Humo De Tabaco, Alex Cuba Band

Producer: Neil Young, The Painter, Prairie Wind

Recording engineer: Vic Florencia, Everyday is a Holiday/Melancholy Melody, Wikked Lil Grrrls, Esthero

CD/DVD artwork design: Rob Baker, Garnet Armstrong, Susan Michalek, Will Ruocco for Hipeponymous, The Tragically Hip

Video: Devil's Eye, Micah Meisner, Rich Terfry for Buck 65

Music DVD: Hipeponymous, The Tragically Hip

More pictures from Coldplay's recent shows at the Nassau Coliseum have been posted on the messageboard.

You can see them here [Thanks TLo]

The Oracle has the answers...

August 27, 2008 - submitted by Derek, United States of America

Q. Who is Coldplay’s favorite uncle from America?

The Oracle replies:

That’d be Shawn Carter aka Jay Z. This refers to when Coldplay performed live at the BBC in June, Jay-Z was in the audience. They dedicated Lost! to him using that moniker.

August 27, 2008 - submitted by Miranda, Australia

Q. Was a Coldplay song ever used in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy? I thought I heard Chris’ voice over a scene once and it’s been bugging me not knowing. Thanks very much

The Oracle replies:

Yes it was, just before Viva la Vida was released, the song Death and All His Friends was featured in an episode. Also, In The Sun (the track Michael Stipe & Chris duetted on that I mentioned yesterday), was used.

August 27, 2008 - submitted by Dean, United States of America

Q. Did Richard Ashcroft enjoy the experience of opening for Coldplay and would he ever give us fans the greatest nite of music again by opening again for them?

The Oracle replies:

Ah Richard. Of course he loved being back playing live again but he wasn’t overly enamored with being an opening act for anyone. I guess with the success of The Verve and his solo career he wanted to headline and not long after of course, he was back doing exactly that. There were some great shows though and of course the collaboration at Live 8 that they’d been able to rehearse during sound checks on the road. Only good came of that support slot.

August 27, 2008 - submitted by Ali, United Kingdom

Q. Dear Oracle, Even though you know everything, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s important to have back-up. If you found yourself sitting in the chair on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”, which one of the band would you have as your “Phone a friend”?

The Oracle replies:

Hmm good question Ali, albeit a tricky one. If pushed I’d probably ask for Phil. He’s intelligent and possibly more available. I mean I can’t phone the band if my Millionaire appearance clashes with a live performance. You can have more than one ‘phone a friend’ so if you insist it has to be a band member I’d pick Chris as an all rounder and nominate Will, Guy & Jonny for specialist subjects.

August 27, 2008 - submitted by Ryan, United States of America

Q. A guy rides into town on Friday, stays 3 days, and leaves on Friday. How does he do it?

The Oracle replies:

Ah another riddle. The trick is to use lateral thinking. Ryan my friend, it is possible because the horse he is riding on is called Friday. Silly name for a horse if you ask me.

August 27, 2008 - submitted by Ryan, United States of America

Q. A guy rides into town on Friday, stays 3 days, and leaves on Friday. How does he do it?

The Oracle replies:

Ah another riddle. The trick is to use lateral thinking. Ryan my friend, it is possible because the horse he is riding on is called Friday. Silly name for a horse if you ask me.

August 27, 2008 - submitted by Stephanie, Columbia

Q. Dear Oracle, why Sparks is listed two times in Parachutes (first as song #4, and then as the first bonus track? What makes them different?

The Oracle replies:

The bonus track on Parachutes isn’t listed at all. They may sound similar to you but I assure you that the hidden song is not Sparks, but Life Is For Living. Unless you have a dodgy copy of course…

Top 20 Coldplay (Music)

Starting: 15:00 on Monday 3rd April. Duration: 2 hours

Showing on VH2.

Coldplay (Music)

Starting: 09:00 on Tuesday 4th April. Duration: 30 minutes

Showing on Q.

Coldplay (Music)

Starting: 12:00 on Wednesday 5th April. Duration: 30 minutes

Showing on Q.

****Coldplay Live and Exclusive (Music)****

Starting: 20:30 on Saturday 8th April. Duration: 1 hour

Showing on BBC Radio Two...Coldplay vs. Oasis (Music)

Starting: 14:00 on Tuesday 11th April. Duration: 1 hour

Showing on TMF (The Music Factory).

Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (Chat Show) [REPEAT]

Starting: 02:10 on Wednesday 12th April. Duration: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Showing on UKTV Gold (TopUpTV).

Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (Chat Show)

Starting: 02:10 on Wednesday 12th April. Duration: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Showing on UKTV Gold.

Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (Chat Show)

Starting: 03:10 on Wednesday 12th April. Duration: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Showing on UKTV Gold Plus 1.

Coldplay (Music)

Starting: 06:00 on Thursday 13th April. Duration: 1 hour

Showing on MTV Hits.

Jonny Buckland, lead guitarist for the extremely popular band Coldplay, has confirmed that he and his long time girlfriend have recently tied the knot. When the pair was stopped coming out of a restaurant in New York City, they were asked about their relationship’s status.

“Yes, we’ve gotten married.” Jonny confirmed.

More on this here

Like the other 1,099 fans who were lucky enough to see Coldplay at Metro last spring, shortly before the release of the band's album "X & Y," I was pretty sure Thursday's show at the United Center, the first of a sold-out two-night stand, wouldn't come close to matching the excitement of that much more intimate gig.

How could it? That would be like saying you preferred watching Michael Jordan on TV to playing a game of one-on-one with him.

Nevertheless -- and the fragility of many of the band's arrangements and self-consciously arty rips from vintage Pink Floyd and krautrock aside -- Coldplay's music has always been designed for the stadiums. And in many regards, it thrives there.

Read the full review here

The available tickets to Sunday's Juno Awards sold out in 15 minutes, so telecast executive producer John Brunton’s enthusiasm isn't calculated to boost the box office.

"It’s going to be unbelievable. The show is shaping up to be a barnburner. Strap your seatbelts on, baby," he said during a phone interview conducted earlier in the week while he attended Canadian Idol auditions in Ottawa.

He is concerned, however, with drawing a television crowd to the two-hour show starting at 8 p.m. on CTV and ASN. By the time it goes to air, it’s a show that will have involved a lot of work by a lot of people.Crew members started hanging equipment in the Metro Centre on Monday and Brunton was to arrive in the city on Tuesday.

He said the Junos are the biggest, most-complicated show CTV does annually. The arena will be strewn with 650 kilometres of cable to provide high definition images and 5.1 channel sound. Brunton estimated that a couple of hundred crew members will be involved in the telecast, including at least 13 staffed cameras along with some robotic equipment.

Throw in the logistics of mobilizing presenters, performers and host Pamela Anderson and you’ve got the definition of controlled chaos.

"We’ve got bands flying in from all over the world on the day of the show. We have the most sophisticated equipment. Every single band’s got their own peculiar and particular taste in terms of how they’re mixed, how they’re lit – very, very specific equipment requirements," Brunton said.

Production designer Pete Faragher was required to come up with ideas for the look of the show. Brunton didn’t want to divulge too much about the set but CTV leaked some information on Thursday.

A standing room general admission section of the floor will result in some fans being surrounded by elevated walkways connecting to a central stage in the middle of the arena.

"The shape of this walkway is like the waterways that lead to the ocean," said Faragher in a news release.

Seven awards will be presented at the centre pod, where Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin will introduce Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Bryan Adams. Adams will also perform an undisclosed hit on the main stage.

Nine of the 11 acts to be featured in the broadcast – Bedouin Soundclash, Black Eyed Peas, Broken Social Scene, Adams, Coldplay, Divine Brown, Hedley, Michael Buble and Nickelback – are to perform on the main stage. Massari will perform along the walkways and the centre pod.

Nova Scotia’s Buck 65 will perform from the arena floor. The winner of the 2004 Juno for alternative album of the year, the low-key hip-hop artist is the show’s music composer and will also provide voice-overs and transition music between show segments.

"Somehow, in some way, we try to reflect where we are in the body of the program and in ways that people don’t necessarily expect us to. For example, Buck 65 plays a major role in our show. People might have assumed that we might have represented music from Halifax in a much more traditional or old-fashioned way. We wanted to do the reverse. We wanted to be super cool and really contemporary," Brunton said.

While the Junos are Canada’s music awards, this version is slated to get unprecedented international exposure. CTV, which recently cemented an alliance with MTV Networks International to relaunch the MTV brand in Canada, confirmed Thursday that a specially packaged version of the show will be carried on 11 MTV-affiliated channels worldwide, including MTV2 in the United States.

"I look at it as a celebration of Canadian music and the Canadian music scene. It’s almost like the Grey Cup coming to town. There’s an entire weekend of activities, songwriters circles and fan opportunities. Of course, our hope this year is that we’re drawing attention to the program from all over the world. The Canadian music scene is as exciting as any anywhere right now," Brunton said.

"Part of the reason that Coldplay is on the show is that they think the Canadian music scene is so cool. When you go to their concerts they mention some of their favourite bands that come from Canada that they’ve discovered here."

CTV began broadcasting the Junos in 2002 with the ceremony from St. John’s, N.L. It’s been taken on the road to Ottawa (2003), Edmonton (2004) and Winnipeg (2005) and will be held next year in Saskatoon.

"We like taking talent to the country," said Susanne Boyce, CTV president of programming and chair of the CTV Media Group, during a phone interview from Toronto.

"Or as someone said, and I love this line, ‘Go to where Canada is.’ "

She said the network was approached by then-Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin about broadcasting the show before the rights were even available.

"Now the cities are vying for it. They really see the potential of the event," she said. "It’s bigger than the weekend, which I love."

Brunton has been assigned the task of making sure the Junos are not bigger than the designated two-hour time slot. U.S. import Desperate Housewives is one of CTV’s most popular shows and, apparently, it’s going to come on regardless of what might be happening on Brunswick Street.

"The show has not been two hours in quite a few years. Because of the telecast this year, it will be exactly two hours because of other issues," Brunton said.

"You try to go into a show like this about eight or nine minutes under two hours, hoping. And then as the show actually is going on live you’re adding and subtracting material as you’re producing the show with a stop watch in front of you."

Source: herald.ns.ca [thanks sniggirb]

All the papers report that the Tories have revealed details of £16m in loans still owed to wealthy supporters.

The Guardian's Olaf Priol says singer Chris Martin has declared his backing for Mr Cameron.

The Coldplay front man was won over by Mr Cameron's trainers, the windmill on his roof, and the fact that he dresses like his band's fans, Mr Priol says.This is of course an April Fools Joke, courtesy of The Guardian

Win a contest to see Coldplay perform a lunch time mini-concert at wplj.com

"Over three sold out nights at the Nassau Coliseum and the Continental Airlines Arena. Coldplay will perform in front of 45,000 fans... On April 6th, they'll play for an audience of only 95.

95 lucky ‘PLJ listeners will be invited to the China Club for a very rare lunchtime mini-concert with Coldplay. They’ll even get a chance to ask the band questions. It will be like having Coldplay in your living room. Get set to call in and win an invitation to the Coldplay Lunchtime mini-concert from 95-5 ‘PLJ!"

This is NOT an April Fools Joke!

For the forthcoming show [the last in the final US leg of the Twisted Logic Tour] in Philadelphia...

The momentum is building... we have 8 people who have volunteered to print and pass out signs to hold up at the last U.S. show in Philly but we need even more!!!

The more we can get to help, the more amazing the guys will feel. This is the last Coldplay show for us in the U.S. for a very long time as they go off to create the best Coldplay album yet. Let's do all we can do to make it an unbelievable night for Chris, Johnny, Will and Guy!!!

If we all printed out a pack of paper worth of signs can you imagine what that place would look like....incredible!!!!!!!!

So far we have folks in Sec. 102, 115, 1, 7, and 8a. As you can see we have some holes and really need some help in the 100 sections. If anyone saw the pictures from the DC show where DreamOutLoud and her group passed out Happy Birthday signs for Chris it looked beautiful and Chris was visibly touched.

Lets make the Philly show one that both Coldplay and the fans won't soon forget.

To help out click here

Coldplay's growing domination of the global music market was confirmed today after the announcement that their latest album, X&Y, was the bestseller in 2005.

The British band, fronted by Chris Martin, have recently made a major breakthrough in the US, and already claimed the biggest selling digital album of the year award across the Atlantic.

Here are more links from around the world:

Ireland Online | BBC News | Scotsman | Reuters | Irish Examiner | Monsters and Critics | In The News UK | Drowned In Sound | Houston Chronicle

Coldplay band members Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Will Champion and Jonny Buckland were expected to host a private party at hot nightspot Reserve -- following their Chicago concert at the United Center Thursday night.

The Coldplay guys were taking a page from Korn frontman Jonathan Davis -- who partied at Reserve on Wednesday night before an Allstate Arena show.

Source: cbs2chicago.com

On April 6th, Coldplay will perform to lucky winners of WPLJ Radio's exclusive competition.

The prize is tickets to the China Club (New York) for a very rare lunchtime mini-concert with Coldplay. Winners will even get a chance to ask the band questions. This is a repeat for the band who, at the close of the A Rush Of Blood To The Head tour, played as part of WPLJ's Up Close & Personal season on June 12th 2003, also at the China Club. Listeners are invited to enter by calling the station.

For more details and the chance to win tickets (there are 95 up for grabs), tune in to WPLJ (95-5) or click here

Coldplay's growing domination of the global music market was confirmed today after the announcement that their latest album, X&Y, was the bestseller in 2005.

The British band, fronted by Chris Martin, have recently made a major breakthrough in the US, and already claimed the biggest selling digital album of the year award across the Atlantic. They have also led a British revival in America, with artists such as former army officer James Blunt following in their footsteps.

When X&Y was released last June it became the first album to simultaneously top both the British and US album charts since the Beatles did in 2000 with their collection of greatest hits, One.In total, Coldplay sold more than eight million copies of their third album in 2005, beating Mariah Carey's album The Emancipation of Mimi into second place.

Commenting on Coldplay's success, Alain Levy, the chairman and chief executive of their record label, EMI, said: "This is a huge achievement for Coldplay.

"They have developed long-term global success over the course of a number of albums, and I’m sure that they will continue to build their career for many years to come."

There was further good news for British acts as both Blunt and Robbie Williams also featured in the International Federation of Phonographic Industries' (IFPI) top ten selling albums.

Blunt had the ninth biggest hit, with his debut album Back to Bedlam, while former Take That singer Williams was in tenth with Intensive Care.

US rapper 50 Cent was third with The Massacre, the Black Eyed Peas were fourth with Monkey Business and Green Day's American Idiot came in fifth.

Source: Various

British band rocks a sold-out Meadowlands crowd

A sold-out crowd flocked to the Continental Airlines Arena Saturday in eager anticipation of a rock concert given by one of the most popular British musical groups of this era -- Coldplay.

Known for its smooth melodies, poetic lyrics and cathartic feel, this group of four British boys has established an enormous fan base in America, owing in large part to the success of its three most well-known albums: "Parachutes"(2000), "A Rush of Blood to the Head" (2002) and, most recently, "X&Y" (2005).

The formidable masses at the concert consisted of tens of thousands of revelers ranging in age from 13 to 40 and assembling from all around the tri-state area. They came to East Rutherford with high hopes for a fun, engaging musical experience from a talented group of musicians.

Read the full review here

Rock Star: The Series will take off in the summer in the United States and with it, the rock band Supernova. It’s now hunting for that very special lead singer.

Imagine being the lead singer for a new band, with rock legends Tommy Lee from Motley Crue; Gilby Clarke, ex- Guns ‘n’ Roses axman; and bassist Jason Newsted, ex-Metallica, as your fellow members.

Michelle McNulty, casting director for Mark Burnett proffers some advice on some of the aspects they are looking for. "The image of a rock star is always a skinny person but look at what constitutes today’s ‘rock star’. There’s the lead singer of Stained who is a little overweight, and then there’s Coldplay’s Chris Martin who looks a little geeky, but when he’s on stage, you just can’t take your eyes off him.".If you think you have what it takes to front a world-class band and to headline a world tour, and if you know you have the mettle for metal, then you could just be the person to fit the bill for the second season of Rock Star: The Series.

Supernova is looking for 16 talented individuals from around the world to compete in the show to win the ultimate gig — be part of the "supergroup of the decade", cut an album, and go on a worldwide tour as the group’s frontman.

This is the stuff rock ‘n’ roll dreams are made of and this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for fame. Star World, together with Mark Burnett Productions, is holding Asian auditions tomorrow with callbacks on Sunday at the Berjaya Times Square’s Exhibition Hall in Kuala Lumpur.

Auditions have already been held in 26 cities and now, they’re coming to Asia. Handling the auditions here are Mark Burnett Productions’ talent producer Sam Gollestani and casting associate Holly Gardner who will be flying in all the way from Hollywood.

"The biggest thing is that they have to be honest in their performance. A lot of people come in thinking we want to see something crazy, like running around the stage and jumping about. In fact, that is not an honest performance, and trust me, we can tell. I love it when people get up there, be real and honest and just give an amazing performance.

"We are also looking for that X-factor — you see someone walking into the room, and he just catches your eyes. The quality and energy about them is undeniable.

"Finally, your voice does matter! So, be careful not to let your adrenalin and nerves take over. You can get crazy — if that is honestly you — but just be sincere."

McNulty is a professional dancer who has been casting for television shows for years. She said that this year’s contestants are expected to be harder rockers than last year’s.

"We are looking for a different style of singers. This season’s Rock Star has three really heavy rockers, who haven’t played together yet. So the singer they choose will also help to establish the sound and overall feel of the band, Supernova.

"If we get a John Mayer type, that’s wonderful, but we’ve also had our Incubuses, our screamers, the jazzy kind and the bluesy rockers. So, we are really open to all kinds of rock sounds."

The level of talent definitely has risen since last year’s Rock Star, apparently.

"We are getting musicians who have been doing what they do their whole life, playing in clubs, and they have been fine-tuning their songwriting skills ...just waiting for their big break," she said.

Meanwhile, McNulty who has also headed other Mark Burnett Productions like The Contender with Sylvester Stallone says that this year’s Rock Star: The Series, is also a lot more artiste-friendly.

"We have an amazing house band and it would be a shame not to make the most of it. We are encouraging the final 16 contestants to change the cover song and be as creative as possible, as well as change the arrangement and the sound. The house band can do anything you put before it.

"Even during the early rounds of auditions, we encourage contestants to be as creative as they can with their cover songs. There was this one female singer who came in and said she wanted to sing Olivia Newton John’s Hopelessly Devoted To You and she really rocked it out! She completely changed the arrangement, turning it into a rock song — and it worked!"

"Another guy who came on stage ran and jumped on the tables and went wild! He was out of control and very rock ‘n’ roll, but it looked contrived, too stereotypical. It was rather amusing.

"However, there was one singer who just stood there, and he sang with so much passion, it just made me cry," she said, adding that no one should assume the casting team wants to see people flipping out with rock and roll.

"You have to imagine that you are singing in front of 50,000 people, fronting a major music group."

For those who feel that they may sound the part but may not look it, McNulty says talent will always prevail at the end.

Has she ever had a contestant who refused to accept that he didn’t make it?

"Oh yes. Actually, this is the hardest part of my job. And the greatest thing about my job is helping people realise their dreams."

On the most overdone songs by hopefuls, she said: "There have been a lot of Fuel songs, Bon Jovi and a lot of the women contestants have been doing Janis Joplin’s Piece Of My Heart."

She said that Asian contestants are allowed to sing in their own language as long as they also sing the same song in English. "Music is a universal language," she said, recalling the auditions in the United States where some contestants sang Spanish numbers.

"But because of the show, there is a need to know that they can also sing in English. But I am really looking forward to hearing some Asian languages. It’ll be different, and I am very excited!"

Although there have been more males trying out for the competition compared to females, there has been an increase in women vying for the position.

Source: nst.com.my