If you've ever wanted to know how to play your favourite Coldplay songs on guitar, a unique new digital service has just been launched with video tutorials showing you how. Now Play It has been developed to help offer a more instant and direct way of learning, for musicians of every ability.

Click here to visit the Coldplay page of the site. Five of the band's tracks are available as "Lite tutorials", where the guitar chords flash up over the song's video (as in the picture above, from 'Yellow'). Another three songs are available as "Full tutorials" where a qualified guitar instructor takes you through an in-depth video tutorial of how to play the song.

Full tutorials cost £3.99 and Lite tutorials £1.99 and they're available to download throughout the world. They come in a variety of sizes and file types to fit on your iPod, mobile or computer.

You'll be the next Jonny Buckland before you know it...

Source: Coldplay MySpace

Rules:

1) Must have COLDPLAYING DOT COM in the standard Albertus Coldplay font, and pictures of all four members of the band in which ever format you like. Additional graphics with a Coldplay theme within the banner are welcomed.

2) Banner size must be standard 728x90

3) The deadline for this is the end of the month: 12pm GMT on 9th February 2007.

4) However there is a difference... until the deadline I may choose to rotate the banners that have already been submitted to the site for the next 7 days.

5) Please submit your banners here or via busybeeburns by private message.

Good luck and happy banner making!

Ian

Rules:

1) Must have COLDPLAYING DOT COM in the standard Albertus Coldplay font. Additional graphics with any Coldplay theme within the banner are welcomed.

2) Banner size must be standard 728x90

3) The deadline for this is the end of the month: 12pm GMT on 31st January 2007.

4) However there is a difference... until the deadline I may choose to rotate the banners that have already been submitted to the site for the next 7 days.

5) Please submit your banners here or via busybeeburns by private message.

6) Submit as many banners as you like!

Good luck and happy banner making!

Rules:

1) Must have COLDPLAYING DOT COM in the standard Albertus Coldplay font, and pictures of all four members of the band in which ever format you like. Additional graphics with a Coldplay theme within the banner are welcomed.

2) Banner size must be standard 728x90

3) The deadline for this is the end of the month: 12pm GMT on 31st January 2007.

4) However there is a difference... until the deadline I may choose to rotate the banners that have already been submitted to the site for the next 7 days.

5) Please submit your banners here or via busybeeburns by private message.

Good luck and happy banner making!

Ian

All submissions will be verified for errors and will be added to the site as soon as possible (knowing me, quick).

Please note you do not have to be a registered member in order to add your review.

It's a perfect way of getting people to read all about that album you've been raving about for ages!

For examples of work please click here - you're music could feature here and get exposure to fans of similar types of music.

Hosting can be done by this site, or through your own webspace, its your choice.

If you are interested, please mail me here

Ian

Do you need answers?

If you have a question (Coldplay-related or not) then ask the Oracle. The Oracle will pick the best/most interesting/bizarrest questions and answer them for all to see. The Oracle can do this because the Oracle knows everything. Where is the Oracle open for questions? It's on Coldplay.com - here!

Have you asked the Oracle a question? Only those question answered will be published, so don't keep everyone in the dark - let us all know what you asked here [thanks twistedlogic149]

-Chris' once-white-now-yellow sweat stained shirt - is it a health hazard? [thanks mimixxx]

-The new album was originally subtitled Death and All His Friends—what’s the closest you’ve ever come to dying?

-Do you know how I know you’re gay?

-I’m getting married in Kentucky this summer—what would it take to get you to sing "The Scientist" at the ceremony?

-How does Chris get to be the lead singer when Guy Berryman looks like such a badass?

If you've ever wanted to know how to play your favourite Coldplay songs on guitar, a unique new digital service has just been launched with video tutorials showing you how. Now Play It has been developed to help offer a more instant and direct way of learning, for musicians of every ability.

Click here to visit the Coldplay page of the site. Five of the band's tracks are available as "Lite tutorials", where the guitar chords flash up over the song's video (as in the picture above, from 'Yellow'). Another three songs are available as "Full tutorials" where a qualified guitar instructor takes you through an in-depth video tutorial of how to play the song.

Full tutorials cost £3.99 and Lite tutorials £1.99 and they're available to download throughout the world. They come in a variety of sizes and file types to fit on your iPod, mobile or computer.

You'll be the next Jonny Buckland before you know it...

Source: Coldplay MySpace

If you have not received an answer to your query, please submit it again. The system has now been restored and email is now getting through to the site.

Thankyou

Coldplaying.com

The Coldplay blog from the Journal Tyne Theatre in Newcastle has started! Please join us now at the Coldplay forum (that should take you newest unread post) for all the discussion on the latest pictures, interviews, videos and updates from the live Coldplay Crisis blogging!

Here are the latest official photoblog updates...

11.02pm: And that, folks, is good night.

That was a really great show. Thanks very much for joining us for our photoblog marathon. It's been lovely getting all your emails (we'd tipped well over 1,000 last time we looked). Have a great Christmas y'all. And look out for a rather amazing Christmas Lights live video here on the site very soon...

10.45pm: The last song was, of course, Christmas Lights, for which the band were joined by Ant and Dec. Great crowd singalong for the "woah-ohhh-ohhh-ohhhhh!' bit too.

10.30pm: Well, that was quite a moment. A man called Simon just came on stage to ask a woman called Ruth to marry him. And to huge applause and wide, wide grins, she said yes.

And now Coldplay are playing The Scientist which, as Chris just pointed out, perhaps isn't the most appropriate song for the moment. :-) Congrats to the happy couple, though. That was lovely.

Oh, by the way, the internet is soooo slow here that we had to turn off email. Which means we haven't read your emails for a little while. But we will.

10.24pm: Fix You was the last song of the main set. Here's Chris saying a very heartfelt thanks for what's been an amazing crowd tonight.

10.15pm: Viva La Vida from the balcony. The singalong was really quite something (we'll get a video of that up on the site soon too).

And the crowd have kept the singing going for Fix You, which is literally sending shivers down our spine as we're typing this. Ace.

10.05pm: Looks like the video won't be ready until the morning. So you've got us for the duration of the show (woot!)

9.57pm: This is what's technically known as the "YEAHHH" moment in In My Place.

And now they're playing Lover In Japan, which they didn't play last night. Quick! Someone make some butterfly confetti!

9.49pm: Here's some shots from Til Kingdom Come, with Will on the piano, Guy on the harmonica and Chris on the pre-song laughs. It's really been a great show so far.

9.35pm: Here's how it's looking from the balcony (taken over the shoulder of Dec out of Ant and Dec). Still not had the shout from R#42. They just played Trouble. Lovely to hear that live again.

9.28pm: And here's how it looked during the first song, which was Yellow...

9.20pm: Coldplay are on! Here they are, shortly before taking to the stage, while Ant and Dec were being very funny.

8.58pm: Here's how tonight's crowd is looking (17 minutes until stage time...)

8.28pm: Woot! Dressing room picture! Thanks Jonny...

8.21pm: Here's the Choir With No Name...

8.10pm: Jonny just told us that his mum and dad will be reading the live blog. He'd like us to say hello to them. Hello Mr and Mrs Buckland!

8.08pm: Dinner was a really nice piece of sea bass. Yum. The Choir With No Name are on now - they opened with a really wonderful performance of Fairytale of New York. We'll go and take some pics, in the meantime go check out their website...

7.52pm: Ant and Dec in the house! For those of you outside the UK, tonight's comperes became famous as teenagers via a show called Byker Grove, before embarking on a pop career and then becoming the UK's most-loved TV presenters. They're from Newcastle, and they're back up here for Christmas (sounds like they had a really tough journey up). Lovely fellas too.

7.36pm: Here's a picture from today's soundcheck which we didn't post yet...

7.16pm: Right, we're taking a wee break to have some dinner. Back soon...

7.14pm: Quite a few of you have also asked about the outfits which the band are wearing at these shows. They were put together for the Christmas Lights video and Will tells us they're aiming to capture the vibe of "travelling theatre performers". The plan is only to use them around Christmas Lights and these shows. Here's some close-up pics of them...

6.53pm: Lots of you emailing asking what the band are up to at the moment. They're all just chilling out, ahead of the show. They've let us point a camera at them quite a lot in the last 24 hours, so we're giving them a little break.

6.45pm: We're trying to find out who tonight's Elvises are. Nobody seems to know yet. Watch this space...

6.39pm: A few of you have asked if tonight's setlist is different from last night's. The answer is, yes. There is at least one new addition that we're aware of.

6.28pm: Here's how it's looking from Chris's mic...

6.23pm: Is the flower real or fake that Chris wears in his vest pocket? asks Christina. That was a real one.

6.18pm: Check out this lovely painting which the venue have had made for this evening. The band are also very impressed with it (they've been given a framed one).

6.02pm: Here's a nice picture of Jonny from yesterday which, for some reason, we haven't posted yet...

5.52pm: The sound of one crew member hitting one snare drum over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again begins to get a bit testing after a while.

5.50pm: Just bumped into these folks. No idea who they are or what they're doing, but great costumes, eh?

5.35pm: OK, let's delve into some of the questions you've been emailing to anchorman@coldplay.com...

- The capacity tonight is about 1,000, Juan.

- Stena, to pass the time on the way here, we mainly played Pro Evolution on the XBox with Jonny. Sadly, Jonny won 6 games to our 2.

- My favourite Coldplay song. Ooh, that's a tough one Evelien. Fix You was certainly pretty immense last night. And Christmas Lights is definitely a high new entry into our Top 10 Coldplay songs.

- Not sure about a Special Guest yet, Raphaele. There could be a suprise or two, we genuinely don't know yet.

- It's actually a bit warmer inside today's venue, Melisa. But *really* cold outside.

- We'll ask about the special T-shirts, Lisa - don't know if they'll be available online or not.

- Yes, Léa, the band are really enjoying playing in these smaller venues. There was an incredible atmosphere last night. Did you see the the Guardian's 5-star review??

- Will is in the dressing room, Noelia. He actually travelled up a bit earlier than the rest of us to visit some family who live near Newcastle.

- Yes, Deshani, we're ready to be showered with questions. Bring. It. On.

5.16pm: OK, we've found the guitar you were asking about - the one Chris used for Yellow. We just went to look for it and happened to find Jonny's guitar tech, Matt McGinn (he of the Roadie book fame) near it. He tells us that, actually, it's far from a new guitar, as Chris has actually started using guitars from the era of the song he's playing. So, for Yellow, it's this guitar dating back to the Parachutes days, which has lots of old song titles and tunings scrawled all over it. See what you can make out...

4.50pm: Apologies for the gaps between updates, we've been busy working on a certain video from last night which we'll (hopefully) be uploading later today...

4.41pm: Here's some pictures from the soundcheck which is sounding great, but looking very dark (none of the spotlights are on). Makes it a bit (very) tricky when you're trying to take pictures...

4.12pm: Don't forget, you can drop us a line on anchorman@coldplay.com. Soundcheck's about to start, we'll nip down and get some pictures...

4.10pm: Here's some pictures of tonight's venue, the Journal Tyne Theatre, which, like the Royal Court last night, currently has a pantomime on. It's a beautiful old place.

And here's a shot from the bus, which brought us here from Liverpool.

3:38pm: Hello! We've made it to Newcastle. We're in the dressing room. And we're ready for some bloggin'...

The Coldplay blog from the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool has started! Please join us now at the Coldplay forum (that should take you newest unread post) for all the discussion on the latest pictures, interviews, videos and updates from the live Coldplay Crisis blogging!

Here are the latest official photoblog updates...

11.14pm: And with that, we'll say goodnight. See you back here tomorrow for more of the same from Newcastle (and we'll post the Viva singalong from tonight too...)

11.06pm: Here's the pics of Gary Barlow, singing Back For Good. At the end of the song, Peter Kay back on, to throw chocolates into the crowd. And, oddly, bananas.

Quite with pleased with that banana-throwing action shot.

10.59pm: So, the gig has just finished, with an encore which included an amazing guest appearance from Take That frontman Gary Barlow, to join Coldplay for a rendition of their classic hit, Back For Good. Sounded fantastic. As did the closing number, Christmas Lights (complete with the three Elvises - who sadly we couldn't see from the balcony we were standing on - sorry). Pics to follow...

10.38pm: It's the Scientist now. And it sounds really, really lovely. We've brought the laptop to the side of the stage for the big finale. As well as the band, we can see Roadie #42 tapping his foot from here.

10.32pm: The band are just back on for their encore. Here's some more pics, from Viva and Shiver.

Politik is literally making the ground beneath us shake as we type...

10.25pm: Tell you we've run up and down enough stairs tonight to get to the top of the Empire State Building. But the latest lot of pictures of are processing and Fix You is about to have its big kick-in moment... right... about..... NOW!

10.04pm: Another fan site shout-out - coldplayfrance.com are tranlating the blog into, yes, French. C'est vrai! They're playing Shiver now. We're rushing down to watch...

10.01pm: Here follows a lesson in how hard it is to take pictures of drummers, who 1) sit at the back, 2) aren't terribly well lit and 3) move about very quickly.

(Sorry.)

9.52pm: From our little room up two flights of stairs and down a corridor, we can hear that the band are playing Trouble. Sounds blooming great, even through a bunch of walls. Could crowd backing vocals for the "They spun a web for me" bit. We're off to take some more pics...

9.50pm: And here's some shots of the first couple of songs, which were In My Place and Yellow.

9.38pm: So, tonight's first special guest was Peter Kay, the British comedian (who has actually had three Number One hit singles here). He introduced the band (after getting the crowd to make animals noises for a while. We also got a pic of the classic pre-gig Coldplay huddle...

9.35pm: They're on stage. It's ace. Pictures coming...

9.09pm: Oh, and it's not the Steve Strange from 80s popsters Visage. It's a different one.

8.57pm: Don't think you're going to guess it - the third Elvis is Coldplay's live agent, Steve Strange. We will, of course, try to get pictures of this motley crew. 18 minutes til stage time...

8.49pm: It's not me (Anchorman), Roadie #42, Matt McGinn, Simon Pegg or Bono.

8.46pm: Wow, Erin has correctly guessed that Chris's Dad will be another of the Elvises. Didn't expect that one to go so quickly. The last one is way tricky...

8.45pm: Esther is straight in there with a Phil guess. One down, two to go...

8.43pm: Right, who can guess who the three Elvises will be for the performance of Christmas Lights tonight? Email anchorman@coldplay.com with your guesses (put them in the subject, please)...

8.33pm: Lots of you asking for a clue about the special guests. There are actually two of them. And between them they've had a lot of number one singles.

8.28pm: "Waiting for Coldplay watching Choir With No Name," emails Anita, a fan who's clearly in the venue, "what a fab choice of support, so upbeat it's great!" We've just watched a bit of them and would definitely agree. They did a belting version of Politik, too. And this is what they look like...

8.25pm: A Very Famous Special Guest has just arrived.

8.08pm: And here's

We're getting hundreds and hundreds of emails to anchorman@coldplay.com from you folks, by the way. Sorry we can't respond to all of them.

8.04pm: And here's

7.58pm: What's your favourite Christmas song? asks Raphaele. Will's actually just popped in, so we asked him. The answer is this...

7.52pm: Brooke asks if the band are "getting dressed and such right now"? They've actually just finished a meet and greet with some fans, and now they're chilling in the dressing rooms.

7.51pm: Julia asks if people were surprised to see the band on the train. Only Will and Jonny came on the train today, and people were busier joining the desperate scrum for a seat than they were bothering the guys.

7.46pm: Another email from another great Coldplay fan site - www.coldplayzone.it is following the blog and translating it into Italian.

7.39pm: This is the room Dan was popping into to say hello to us. It's where the band's rider is sitting. That and our laptop. Cosy, no?

7.35pm: Here's Coldplay's soundman Dan Green, who worked the desk here when Coldplay supported Gomez at the Royal Court in "2000, or maybe 2001, actually, no, I think it might've been 1999". Apparently they were amazed to be playing in a venue as big this.

7.30pm: Hello to Coldplay Brazilian fan site vivalacoldplay.com, who are following the blog (and translating it into Portugese). Guessing they're not quite as chilly as we are.

7.18pm: Dinner was "salt and pepper chicken" with chips (or fries) and roast veg. Which was very nice. Even better, we sat next to Roadie #42 and had a good old chinwag. Considering it took him 11 hours to drive the 175 miles from London to Liverpool last night, he's in a very good mood.

6.40pm: Here are the stage times (oooh! special guest!!). CWNN is the Choir With No Name. We're off to see if we can get some dinner...

6.38pm: Most of the band have gone to the hotel to get dinner. Doors open in 22 minutes...

6.24pm: "Why is everyone wearing coats and scarves in the dressing room? Is it cold there?" asks Lau to anchorman@coldplay.com. Yes. Blooming cold. It's minus 3C outside, and doesn't feel a whole lot warmer in here.

6.07pm: Lots of you have been emailing asking for a picture of Coldplay's fifth member, Phil. Lots of you have been asking for a shout out for the terrific Coldplay fansite Coldplaying. Two birds, one stone. [thanks ColdplayHQ!]

5.52pm: Here's Chris, in the dressing room just now. He's in good spirits.

5.24pm: Laura's emailed asking for a picture which shows what the venue looks like. Here you go...

5.16pm: Here's Chris having a natter with the fans at the "soundcheck party". They seemed to enjoy their little private gig (Glass Of Water sounded particularly good)

5.06pm: Blimey, you've been sending a lot of emails to anchorman@coldplay.com. Some responses:

- Snow itself is great, Christina, it's just a pity this country isn't very good at dealing with it.

- Will is eating some crisps/potato chips in the picture, Deshani. Not sure what flavour.

- Brooke, we're very pleased to be live blogging again. Always fun.

- Monica, the bottles are actually port, not wine (and they're empty)

- Suhit, no the handprint is not Jonny's. We're not sure whose it is.

- No Christina, we like getting your emails :-)

- Yes, Taameen, you can have a picture of Guy...

4.43pm: As promised, here are some pictures of the soundcheck - which is sounding jolly good. As you might gather from the surroundings. the Royal Court currently has a pantomime on. The folks at the front are the ones who won the VIP ticket auctions which raised big bucks for Crisis, tonight's charity.

4.06pm: Soundcheck soon, so we're off to take some pictures. Feel free to get in touch to anchorman@coldplay.com if you have any particular observations, questions or felicitations.

4.01pm: We're typing from the dressing room at the Royal Court, a lovely old venue in the centre of Liverpool which has a capacity of about 1,000 and a very "lived in" feel, as these pictures from the really very tiny dressing room probably illustrate...

Yes, that seat Will's sitting on is kind of inside a cupboard. (He's only pretending to look annoyed.)

3.56pm: So, we came up from London today on a train which - because of the snow - was a) very late and b) very, very packed. But, hey, it got us here, so all good. Here are a couple of pics from the train:

(Jonny: "I've only just started it, but yeah, it's good")

3.46pm: Hello! We've made it to Liverpool! When, thanks to the snow, we thought for a while we really wouldn't! Let the live blogging commence...

He doesn't smoke, drink alcohol or eat meat. So it's good to see that Chris Martin does still know how to have fun. Chris took to his surfboard on exclusive Long Island, in New York's The Hamptons. The 33-year-old, an accomplished surfer, showed off his skills as the sun set. More on this is at the Coldplay forum here onwards [thanks mimixxx for the pictures and SueDeNimes for the gif].

Wearing board shorts and a wetsuit shirt, Martin caught wave after wave. For once the father-of-two's time in the ocean passed without incident. In July 2003 the singer, who guards his private life jealously, damaged a photographer's car windscreen after having his picture taken while surfing near Byron Bay on Australia's east coast while the band were on tour. His love of surfing also led to problems on his and Gwyneth Paltrow's honeymoon later that year when he needed hospital treatment after cutting himself while surfing in Mexico.

Martin is currently staying at his luxury holiday home, which he and Gwyneth purchased for $5.4 million in 2006. His wife is also in the area - earlier this week she was pictured having lunch with Faith Hill at a Japanese Restaurant in SoHo, New York. The 37-year-old actress will soon be releasing a country music single from her upcoming film Country Strong.

Pictures of Chris Martin surfing at Long Island, New York (7-8 August 2010):

Source: Daily Mail

Join our fantasy leagues before the new English Barclays Premier League kicks off on 14th August 2010!

^ Code to join: 128001-38219

^ Code to join: FCD8B-ZJS

Internet sources reported on Chris Martin's attendance at the Kids Company charity designer fashion sale called 'Gladrags and Handbags' at the Music Room in London last night, which you can discuss and see more pictures at the Coldplay forum. Other pictures are after the jump also. As we reported recently, Coldplay have donated £1million to the South London charity Kids Company, which provides practical and emotional support to children who come from deprived families in the city. [thanks mimixxx]

The band's donation will help fund the opening of a new centre in Camden, a place where individuals searching for flats to rent in Camden might want to get involved with through volunteer work. A spokeswoman for Kids Company said: "Coldplay were inspired by the work they saw so decided to make this donation."

Kids Company, founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh, provides emotional and practical support to children from deprived families in the capital. Coldplay will help fund the opening of a new centre in Camden, plus they have offered to give free music lessons to the kids. Coldplay have, however, been trying to downplay their donation and didn't inform the press about their kind-hearted gesture or make any mention of it on their official website.

On Chris's attendance, Holy Moly for example reported online today with an article and pictures with headings entitled 'Chris Martin needs a macrobiotic pie - QUICKLY' and 'God Put a Ryvita Upon Your Face', saying: "Chris Martin from Coldplay looks as though he has finally succumbed to wife Gwyneth's mental diets. How else could he be looking so thin all of a sudden?"

They go on to say that, "Here he is at the charity designer fashion sale 'Gladrags and Handbags' thing in London last night. He certainly appears to have laid off the pies and gone for some other form of nourishment to keep the weight down. Mysterious. He seems to have contracted the same staring, shocked look that Robbie Williams was sporting last night and on the X Factor too. It would be churlish of me not to mention the fucking lunatic he's stood next to wouldn't it? Her name is Camilla Batmanghelidjh. It had to be really didn't it? Tek me length Gal...".

Typical Holy Moly charity article!

The Coldplay blog from the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf has started following a bout of technical problems. Please join us now at the Coldplay forum here for all the discussions on the latest pictures, interviews, videos and updates from the live Coldplay Dusseldorf blogging!

Here are the latest updates...

22.52: Right then, we'd better say our goodbyes. Mr Phil Harvey (Coldplay's elusive fifth member) just passed by and said what an amazing show tonight has been. We'd wholeheartedly agree. Thanks for reading this (and thanks for your hundreds of emails). Hope we've given you a little flavour of what it was like to be here. G'night folks.

22.47: OK, it's Scientist now - so just LITii left. The crew are already lined up to start taking things down and we can see the cars ready to whisk us out of here.

22.42: How it looked during Lovers when the butterflies rained down...

Can you spot Chris's umbrella (ella, ella...)?

22.22: And here we have it! Only filmed 19 minutes ago... A mighty performance by the crowd.

22.19: Video coming (fingers crossed). Here's some C Stage pictures. We couldn't get very near, so the big screens helped out...

As we type this, about 50,000 Dusseldorfians (?) are going doolally to Coldplay's Billie Jean cover.

22.07: We're just trying to rustle you up a quick video of the crowd singing Viva. Standby...

21.57: B Stage action...

(Yes, we've gone back to the trusty silhouettes)

21.47: Some slightly more conventional shots of the show (which, it must be said, is proving to be something of a stormer)

21.31: Oddly, nobody's emailing in asking for mysterious silhouetted pictures of Guy and Chris performing. Ah well, sometimes you have to trust your instincts...

21.24: It's Yellow, which means it's balloons o'clock...

21.20: What's known in the trade as the pre-gig huddle (quite a few of you asked for this too...)

21.09: For all of you who've emailed anchorman@coldplay.com pointing out that we haven't had many pictures of Chris yet today...

:-)

21.08: They've just gone on, and we've got a wireless signal right behind the stage. Yee-ha! Pics to follow...

20:51: How it's looking out there...

(from the stage - we rushed this one as you might gather)

20.40: Twenty minutes until stage time...

20:36: Aussie rockers Howling Bells only came off stage a few minutes ago, but Joel and Glenn from the band are already playing some (very competitive) table tennis. They say their show was "really good". Having watched some of it on our way up to the stadium summit, we'd very much agree.

20:29: Guy, Will and Jonny are currently in the warm-up room. You wouldn't really guess from these pictures, but they're actually warming up their voices - which they do before every show, by "laa laaa laaaaa-ing" along to a tape of warm-up exercises.

By the way, we wanted to send our very best wishes to Katrine Mortensen, who was apparently in a nasty car accident on the way to a Coldplay show recently. Hopefully we'll see you at another gig soon.

20.18: We hi-jacked this photo opportunity near the entrance to the venue. It just seemed too good not to.

20.13: This is how it looks from the very, very back (as requested by Marcus). Was it worth the Everest-like walk up there? We'll let you be the judge of that...

These, meanwhile, are German sausages - or wurst. They do sausages very well over here.

20.10: Well, that took rather longer than expected. This place is a maze..

And now for the real pictures...

19.36: Right, we're gonna follow this arrow and see what we find...

19.27: "Can we get some roadie pictures?" Rachel Gannon

Here's one of some of the crew playing football earlier. The chap in blue is Paul, the Set Designer.

19.22: Arlene (mgmt) and EJ (band PA) ping ponging out some of their pre-show stress...

19:18: We just discovered this curious array of percussion in the band's warm-up room:

19.04: "What are the band doing right now?" Rachel W

They're actually in their dressing room eating their dinner. It's very quiet in there (we're in the management office next door). All you can hear is the odd "chink" of cutlery on plate. Not sure exactly what they're having, but think we heard Beef Bourgignon being mentioned at one point.

18:59: Several of you have asked us to give a shout out to Coldplay fansite Coldplaying.com (which seems only fair given the amount of shout outs they give us). So here you go... (thanks A or whoever it is!!)

18:53: "Now that you're back, how about some Guy pictures? :D" Brooke

Et voila! Taken less than a minute ago...

18.50: Just ploughing through all your picture requests and questions. To speed things up a bit (we can talk, etc) please could you put the request or question in the subject of the email? And send it to anchorman@coldplay.com. Thanks!

18:37: Sorry folks that took a little bit longer than we thought it would. But you'll be pleased to know that Team Coldplay had a resounding victory over Team Coldplay Crew. Pics...

On our way to the pitches...

In the shadow of the Arena...

Watching a crew vs crew match...

The opposition wasn't as tough as it could've been

Where anyone sensible would be heading now. But you'll have our undivided attention from hereon in...

17.11: "And what are they doing until it is time to go on stage?" Beate

If it's Jonny and Will, it often (and currently) looks a bit like this...

17.08: Oooh, we've just been asked to join the band in a game of football. It'd be rude not to (but we'll try to get you some pictures to make up for being away for a wee while).

17.04: "Could I see a picture of their dressing room, would be nice to see all the food and drinks they request" Christopher L

(Chortle)

16:56: We thought we'd get you folks a bit more involved with today's photoblog. So, is there anything you'd like us to take a picture of? Or, is there something specific you'd like to know about being backstage at a Coldplay stadium gig in Dusseldorf? Then bang us an email at anchorman@coldplay.com and we'll see what we can do...

16:35 DUSSELDORF: Coldplay.com in the house! Yes, just two hours after leaving London, we're here (the extra hour is the time difference). Here are some pictures...

Jonny, on the way here...

Chris, heading towards the stage down one of the Esprit Arena's many corridors...

And they were all for Yellow...

Chris checks out the Arena

He must not have brought his car...

13:44 LONDON: Hello folks - we were hoping to begin today's live blogging here in London bur we've had some tech problems. Sorry about that. Still, we're on the plane and about to set off for Germany. Lots more to come when we're there...

The official site have this afternoon published some amazing photos from last night's Coldplay concert in Herning, Denmark, including backstage and behind-the-scenes pictures. You can discuss all the latest pictures at the Coldplay forum here onwards [thanks Zeya]

Here's Anchorman with full details:

Good afternoon. We went along to Herning in Denmark yesterday to check out Coldplay's first show of the European tour. The crowd was amazing, the show was fantastic, the weather was decidedly patchy and we took some pictures...

Blue skies and heavy machinery, as the finishing touches are put to the new stage

That thing hanging down at the back is known as an LED wall - aka an absolutely massive telly

A mic's eye view

The dressing rooms are in FC Midtjylland's new football stadium next to the venue

Pretty soon, a ball is procured and a sun-soaked kickabout ensues

The band's trusty travelling wardrobes

You don't have to be mad to work here etc...

A popcorn machine action shot

Alas, the blue sky is no more

White Lies' rocking set warms the crowd up nicely

Guy plays some mandolin in the dressing room as the minutes tick down to stage time

The pre-show huddle, complete with Coldplay's elusive fifth member, Mr Phil Harvey

It's a definite thumbs up from Jonny.

Atomic strobes?!

Beware Mr Champion with a leaf blower

The crowd's enthusiasm isn't dampened by the drizzle

Let the show commence!

Jonny throws himself into Violet Hill

Two guitars are better than one...

...and so are two heads

After a cracking show, the band say goodnight

Anchorman

The Coldplay puppets that starred in the new video for Life In Technicolor have yet again appeared in various locations in the US this last couple of weeks thanks to coldplay.com - including Miami Beach, Atlanta, New York and New York's Central Park. It's surprising they're still in one piece... in fact its fair to say they're looking a bit scuffed. Chris resembles someone just pulled out of a refuse van and Will and Jonny look like they've been hand-digging in the garden.

Roadie #42 recently blogged about the puppets, saying: "The 'out and about' shots of the puppets are all the work of Dan P, the band's personal trainer. As with most creative endeavours, it becomes a good deal more involved than first anticipated. Dave Fav, the band's lighting crew chief lends us a couple of lamps which we stand on cardboard boxes. We're then into the business of trying to make the puppets stand up. We employ fishing line, initially around the necks and then through the jackets. Still, the band's mini-mes are refusing to stand up straight. "RF Stef", who looks after a mountain of radio gear used in the show comes up with the idea of sticking the radio antenna from a walkie talkie up a trouser leg. It's silly enough to try and it works a treat. I find myself continually apologising to the puppets for the discomfort, but they behave themselves well and shortly before showtime, we're done!"

Here is a picture recap of the puppet's adventures in the US these past 10 days...

Central Park:

New York (general visit - Sadly the Empire State Building security guards told us that puppets are not welcome):

Atlanta (general visit):

Miami (general visit):

Pictures are still coming in from last week's Coldplay's set at the Sound Relief bushfire benefit concert at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Read the full story to see the pictures.

Meanwhile, the Australian Government is refusing to give up almost $900,000 in taxes from the Sound Relief concerts - despite one of its ministers performing for free. Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett was one of the star acts when he and his Midnight Oil colleagues reformed to raise money for bushfire and flood victims. But their generous lead has not been followed by his Labor Government, which will pocket about $900,000 in GST from the proceeds.

Of the gross takings from ticket sales, expected to be about $9 million when final figures are released in a few weeks, about $900,000 will be scooped off by the Government, despite top international acts Coldplay and Kings of Leon and Australian legends giving their services free.

Promoter Michael Gudinski, who organised the MCG leg of the spectacle, revealed 10 per cent of each $75 ticket went to the Government. The Sydney and Melbourne concerts, attended by about 120,000 people, will raise about $5 million for victims of the Victorian bushfires and Queensland floods.

A spokesman for Treasurer Wayne Swan said the Government would keep the tax money, but was helping the bushfire relief effort in other ways. "The Government's contribution is being made in other ways, including a $2 million direct donation to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund, in addition to uncapped commitment to fully rebuild Victorian communities devastated by the bushfires," the spokesman said.

The tax take was revealed as Mr Gudinski responded angrily to questions about the costs of mounting the two-state concert. The music industry figurehead said it was too early to provide a breakdown of the expenses for the event, which included staging, production equipment and trucking costs, but he believed they were minimal.

"I am a bit miffed why people are asking all these things," Mr Gudinski said. "It is way too early, you are talking about two massive shows. "It is just disappointing from my end seeing people having cheap shots at nothing and not letting true business take it course. None of the artists got paid, I am totally comfortable and confident, and the percentage of costs is going to be very minimal. Some of the suppliers who helped stage the show made their contribution for nothing or cost price."

Mr Gudinski said an accountant's report in coming weeks would reveal exactly where all the money went. "It has all gone through an accounting firm," he said. "The whole thing is going to be transparent."

The Coldplay puppets that starred in the new video for Life In Technicolor have yet again appeared in various locations in Auckland this week thanks to coldplay.com - including Long Bay Beach and Mt Eden. It's surprising they're still in one piece...

Roadie #42 recently blogged about the puppets, saying: "The 'out and about' shots of the puppets are all the work of Dan P, the band's personal trainer. As with most creative endeavours, it becomes a good deal more involved than first anticipated. Dave Fav, the band's lighting crew chief lends us a couple of lamps which we stand on cardboard boxes. We're then into the business of trying to make the puppets stand up. We employ fishing line, initially around the necks and then through the jackets. Still, the band's mini-mes are refusing to stand up straight. "RF Stef", who looks after a mountain of radio gear used in the show comes up with the idea of sticking the radio antenna from a walkie talkie up a trouser leg. It's silly enough to try and it works a treat. I find myself continually apologising to the puppets for the discomfort, but they behave themselves well and shortly before showtime, we're done!"

Here is a picture recap of the puppet's adventures in New Zealand this week...

Auckland (general visit):

Long Bay Beach:

Mt Eden:

Make sure you're following the Coldplaying Twitter to receive the latest Coldplay news as it happens, all day every day...

The Coldplay puppets that starred in the new video for Life In Technicolor have appeared at various locations down under these past few days - Sydney's Botanical Gardens, the Sydney Harbour Bridge... Bondi Beach... but at what price? UPDATE: Now in an Irish Pub Drinking Guinness...

Roadie #42 recently blogged about the puppets, saying: "The 'out and about' shots of the puppets are all the work of Dan P, the band's personal trainer. As with most creative endeavours, it becomes a good deal more involved than first anticipated. Dave Fav, the band's lighting crew chief lends us a couple of lamps which we stand on cardboard boxes. We're then into the business of trying to make the puppets stand up. We employ fishing line, initially around the necks and then through the jackets. Still, the band's mini-mes are refusing to stand up straight. "RF Stef", who looks after a mountain of radio gear used in the show comes up with the idea of sticking the radio antenna from a walkie talkie up a trouser leg. It's silly enough to try and it works a treat. I find myself continually apologising to the puppets for the discomfort, but they behave themselves well and shortly before showtime, we're done!"

Here is a picture recap of the puppet's recent adventures down under (including the bar drinking)...

Irish Bar:

Sydney Harbour Bridge:

Sydney Botanical Gardens:

Bondi Beach:

Make sure you're following the Coldplaying Twitter to receive the latest Coldplay news as it happens, all day every day...

The UK music industry got ready to don it's glad rags for last night's glitzy Brit Awards - but for a host of stars playing live at the bash, they had already got into costume. Here's a peak at Coldplay's dress rehearsals - essentially a run-through of the on-air show... (read full article for more pictures).

You can see the full album of dress rehearsal pictures at the Coldplaying Gallery here

The Coldplay puppets that appeared in the new video for Life In Technicolor have appeared at the Osaka Cavern Club and with a Japanese band courtesy of Coldplay.com today. No message, but pictures tell a thousand words!

Coldplay have led the way for British bands at this year's Grammy Awards with Viva La Vida taking song of the year and the album from which it was taken, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, getting the best rock album nod.

Decked out in Sgt Pepper style outfits, the band apologised to Sir Paul McCartney, who was in the crowd, for copying the look. Frontman Chris Martin joked that they were not the hardest of rock bands, adding that they were a little softer but just as charming. He added: "Thank you so much. We have never had so many Grammys in our lives. I feel so grateful to be here, I'm going to tear up. Thank you so much."

Viva La Vida was nominated in the best song category alongside tracks including Adele's Chasing Pavements and the Estelle/Kanye West hit American Boy. Earlier, Martin duetted with hip hop superstar Jay-Z on a version of the band's Lost before joining the rest of Coldplay for Viva La Vida.

You can see all the photos now in the Coldplaying Gallery here and in case you missed the Coldplay performances and the red carpet arrival (or just want to relive them!) you can see them at the Coldplay forum here

Coldplay performed at the MusiCares Person of the Year tribute honouring Neil Diamond on Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Los Angeles. Coldplay played a stripped-down version of "I'm A Believer". There are some pictures of Coldplay at the event below (look out for Coldplay's new dress sense!)

Other performers included the Foo Fighters, who tend to appear at all Grammy-related activities, and country singers Tim McGraw and Raul Malo. All the performing artists tackled a selection from the Diamond catalog. The annual fundraiser, which took place two nights before the Recording Academy hosts Sunday's Grammy Awards, celebrated Diamond's philanthropic work, which of late has involved donating funds to Hurricane Ike relief efforts in Texas. Diamond has been nominated for 12 Grammys and won in 1973 for best original score for a motion picture or a television special for his work on "Jonathan Livingston Seagull." Diamond scored his first No. 1 album on the U.S. pop charts this year for his "Home Before Dark."

More pictures and discussion on Coldplay at this gala here onwards [thanks clisaj, texasluvsjonny, Debs Wild, iriden & FixYou319]

Good times never seemed so good for Neil Diamond as they did on Friday night, when the pop icon was named MusiCares Person of the Year at the annual fundraiser for the charity that helps musicians who have fallen on hard times, report Billboard today.

"This is a great honor, of course," Diamond said at the event, which was held at the L.A. Convention Center and attracted a crowd of 2,200 people. "I've been writing music for a little over 50 years now, and it's hard to believe because it seems like yesterday."

Diamond said he started taking guitar lessons as a child in a fit of depression after the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles. His parents bought him a guitar, and paid it off over the course of 10 weeks at the price of $1 a week. "It was a good investment, mom," Diamond said to his mother, who was in attendance. "You made the beginning of a life for me."

The event was chaired by Ticketmaster Entertainment CEO Irving Azoff, Diamond's longtime business manager Marshall Gelfand and AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke. Among the items auctioned off at the benefit were a customized 2009 Acura TL which went for $55,000 and a Britney Spears London Experience, which included business class airfare to see the "Circus" tour in London - for $30,000.

In addition, Diamond donated his own perfectly restored 1956 Thunderbird for the auction - and Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow bought it. He promised to take Diamond out for a ride. Besides the auction, the event included a dinner (among the highlights was a "Cherry Cherry" chocolate truffle lollipop) and numerous artists who took the stage to perform their favorite Diamond classic. "This is like the greatest karaoke night ever," noted host Jimmy Kimmel.

The complete set list:

The Jonas Bros. - "Forever in Blue Jeans"

Jennifer Hudson - "Holly Holy"

Kid Rock - "Thank the Lord For the Nighttime"

Adele - "Cracklin' Rosie"

Urge Overkill - "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon"

Coldplay - "I'm A Believer"

Chris Cornell - "Kentucky Woman"

Raul Malo - "Solitary Man"

Cassandra Wilson and Terence Blanchard - "Love on the Rocks"

Los Volcanes (a tejano band booked for the event by Diamond after he called band member Eddie Rodriguez completely by accident - Diamond intended to call Eddie Vedder) - "Red Red Wine"

Tim McGraw - "Hello Again"

Foo Fighters - "Delirious Love"

Josh Groban - "Play Me"

Neil Diamond - "Cherry, Cherry," "Love on the Rocks," "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" with Faith Hill, "Pretty Amazing Grace," "America" and "Sweet Caroline."