Coldplay, the Gorillaz and Natasha Bedingfield are among the nominees for this year's BT Digital Music Awards (DMAs).

The annual event for UK-signed artists recognizes cutting-edge music entertainment delivered through the latest digital technology.

Thirteen of the 18 DMA award winners are decided by fans, who cast their votes online.

Coldplay is nominated for three awards including Best Rock Artist, Best Music Community, and Best Single for "Speed of Sound."

In the Best Single category, Coldplay faces competition from the Gorillaz, U2, James Blunt, Stereophonics and McFly. Gorillaz also scored a nomination for Best Dance Artist.

In the Best Pop category, Natasha Bedingfield faces off against James Blunt, KT Tunstall, Goldfrapp and Turin Brakes. Bedingfield is also nominated for Best Performance.

The 2005 DMA winners will be announced during a UK-televised ceremony in London today, October 18th.

This is the last night of voting for the People's Fansite Choice Award - vote for Coldplaying.com HERE!

By voting for Coldplaying.com you'll be automatically entered into the prize draw to win BT Broadband for a year and 100 music downloads courtesy of iTunes.

Thankyou to everyone who has voted so far - results will be with you here soon.

Coldplay's Chris Martin may have complained about corporate pressures but he is on track to help his record label to improved profits this year.

The success of the band's X&Y album is set to help increase revenues by 4.5% at EMI this year in what the publisher described as a weak market. Successful album launches by The Rolling Stones, Gorillaz, Paul McCartney and KT Tunstall also boosted revenues in the six months to the end of September.

Earlier this year Chris Martin complained about pressures placed on the band to complete the recording of the X&Y album. Coldplay's X&Y sold nearly 6m copies in its first month on the market following its release in June, while The Demon Days offering from Gorillaz - led by Blur frontman Damon Albarn - sold 2m in its first two months. Revenues in its publishing arm, which sells music rights to film and television makers, are expected to rise 5.5% resulting in a 9% hike in group pre-tax profits for the six months to the end of September.

Last year, pre-tax profits at EMI fell 13.1% to £141.9m as its share of the music market dropped from 13.5% at the start of the financial year to 12.9% by the end of it.

Figures from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents the recording industry, said the global market was down 2% in the the first six months of this year.

Digital sales continued to enjoy 'very strong growth', EMI said in a trading update. Combined with improved margins following a restructuring of the business, EMI forecast pre-tax profits to rise 9% in the first half.

'The group remains on track to deliver in line with its expectations for the full financial year,' the company said.

The market consensus for the year is for a 2.5% to 3% increase in group revenues from £1.94bn last year, with a 10% to 15% hike in full-year pre-tax profits.

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin hopes to record a duet with Celine Dion in the near future, because he wants to push the band's sound to the limit.

Chris is determined to expand Coldplay's sphere of reference and believes a duet with Canadian Dion will help him achieve that aim.

He said: "We shouldn't restrict our options. To me, the most bizarre things at the moment are the most exciting. I'd even be up for making a didgeridoo album in Alice Springs."

Vancouver rockers Black Mountain, fresh off a once-in-a-lifetime tour opening stadium shows for Coldplay, have had some of their momentum cruelly sapped by cowardly thieves who recently broke into the band’s van and nabbed a good deal of their equipment.

The thievery went down in New York City on the band’s current tour with side project Blood Meridian, the latest in a rash of equipment heists in the Big Apple that also saw The Raveonettes ripped off brutally.Black Mountain has asked that anyone with information about the looting should e-mail the band directly at jerkwithabomb@hotmail.com. Here is a list of the stolen merchandise, so keep your eyes peeled:

Guitars:

Gibson RD Standard, Blonde Woodstain 1366

Eko 12-String, Sunburst (“Gus” stencil on case)

Epiphone ET-270, Red w/ black pickguard

Fender Telecaster Thinline, woodstain

Squire Telecaster, Black (with “Jawbreaker” sticker)

Gibson Ripper electric bass, Sunburst (duct-taped Pickguard/”Black Halos” stencil on case)

Pedals (in black & silver flight case):

Maestro Phaser 013922

MXR Distortion

MXR Overdrive

Boss Tremolo

Boss Digital Delay/Octave

Electro Harmonix Big Muff

Electro Harmonix Dr. Q

Electro Harmonix Octaver

Boss TU-2 guitar tuner (x2)

Black Mountain will begin a European tour with Dead Meadow next month.

Coldplay have revealed their current album "X&Y" marks the end of the first phase of their career.

Chris Martin told Xfm that the band have been working on new material whilst on tour, and plan to move away from their current sound. Chris explained: "We're always working on new material. We've got no laurels to rest on. We're still looking for our laurels in my opinion. We've everything to prove and we've finished phase one of Coldplay and now we're going to enter phase two, which could be the Abba phase or it could be the transvestite phase. Who knows? But it'll definitely be good."

Guitarist Jonny Buckland added: "We want to do something different. We don't want to keep doing the same thing all the time."

Chris Martin also revealed that that the new songs the band have written are more stripped-down than the material on their first three albums. It's not a reaction against anything as much as an evolvement," he explained. "But the new record's going to blow your socks off. Or tights, depending on what you're wearing."

More details on this More on this story here

Oasis confirmed its influential status in the industry by clinching two of the top prizes at this year's Q Awards yesterday (Oct. 10) at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. Oasis picked up not only best album for "Don't Believe the Truth" (Big Brother), but also the people's choice award.

Gorillaz (Parlophone), the virtual band co-founded by Damon Albarn, lead singer of Oasis' former chart competitor Blur, also won two awards: best video ("Feel Good Inc") and best producer (shared by Albarn and Danger Mouse for the album "Demon Days").

Coldplay, currently touted as Oasis' rival for chart dominance by the music press, walked away with the Aloud.com best act in the world today prize. But Chris Martin, Coldplay's lead singer, used the occasion to criticize the media for fueling the rivalry in the first place. "They make our lives a misery; we don't want to fight with anyone," he declared.

The ceremony also acknowledged the role of emerging acts by presenting James Blunt (Atlantic) with the Island Records best new act award, while KT Tunstall (Relentless/EMI) won the Napster best track prize for her single "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree."

Rock and pop veterans also held their own, with the Bee Gees accepting the lifetime achievement award. Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page nabbed the icon award, while the Kinks' Ray Davies collected the classic song prize for the 1960s hit "Waterloo Sunset."

The most emotional moment came when Yoko Ono received a standing ovation while collecting the special award on behalf of her husband, the late John Lennon. She moved the audience with her anecdote about the days when she found herself reassuring Lennon that he was as widely admired as his co-songwriter and Beatles colleague Paul McCartney. "I miss that," she added.

Chris Martin gets embarrassed when he thinks about his band's duet with Richard Ashcroft at the London leg of Live 8, because they played like "crap".

Coldplay teamed up with Ashcroft at the 2 July (05) charity event to sing The Verve hit, Bittersweet Symphony, but Chris wishes they'd rehearsed a little more beforehand.

He says, "Richard Ashcroft was brilliant but I thought we were crap. Robbie Williams was absolutely amazing, so were Pink Floyd."

Reports suggest that at the Q Awards yesterday those long-standing enemies Coldplay and Oasis locked horns yet again for another round of mud-slinging and fisticuffs. So why are Noel, Liam and Chris discussing playing a gig together?

While Liam is reported to have heckled Coldplay’s Chris Martin with shouts of “plant pot”, it was all smiles and handshakes between the Oasis and Coldplay camps at yesterday’s Q Awards as their respective leaders, Noel Gallagher and Martin, got together on the red carpet to discuss the so-called feud between the two groups.

CM: "Noel, are we in a fight?”

NG: "No... You and our kid are.”

CM: "Are we? I don't get it.”

NG: "I have no idea…”

CM: "Who started this fight then?”

NG: "You did, you lairy bastard. No, really we're good friends..."

CM: "Well we used to be friends, until he slept with my sister.”

CM: “How many awards did you win? Like twelve?"

NG: "We won as many as you"

CM: "Well, we won one..”

NG: "Oh, and we got two”

CM: "So you won twice as many as we did?”

NG: "Well, better luck next year..."

NG: "He's not in a fight with him [Chris], he's just being Liam isn't he?”

CM: "Are we in a fight?”

NG: "Course not. Are we gonna work together?”

CM: "Big time. We're gonna do Live 9 in December, and Oasis are gonna do it this time because they want to save the world, finally”

NG: "We'll do Stop The Congestion Charge 2008, cause let's face it, that's f**king important.”

But while Noel was lapping up his Best Album and People’s Choice awards and discussing the two bands’ next charity projects, there was still the small matter of Liam…

"Look, I like Chris Martin,” he told Xfm. “I’m getting him at it, it's a bit of fun innit? If he thinks I'm serious he's been hanging around with his bird too much..."

Consider the horse’s mouth to have spoken.

Source: xfm.co.uk

Coldplay are to release a new single in the Netherlands in November (exact date unknown), which is much sooner than expected.

'Talk' will be the 3rd single to be taken off their latest album 'X&Y'.

Today it has been revealed that the Dutch 3-disc single release of 'Talk' will be backed with either 9 or 10 exclusive live tracks, recorded at this year's gig at the Gelredome in Arnhem, Netherlands. Coldplay's classic single 'Clocks' was released in the exact same way, which helped making it their biggest hit in the Netherlands to date. It is expected that 'Talk' will become a big chart success as well.

Fans can vote which live b-sides they'd like to see included on the single.

Vote by texting 'TALK' to 3333 (Radio 3FM) this week, and you might win tickets to see Coldplay in Antwerpen, Belgium next month.

Also check the 3FM website (http://www.3fm.nl/page/coldplay/) for further details.

[Thanks Marc]

Chris Martin has revealed he would like to record a Christmas album with the Krankies.

The Coldplay frontman says performing with the 80s comedy couple would be the perfect Christmas gift for fans.

He said: "I'd sound great singing with Wee Jimmy, both of us dressed as elves." He also revealed he would like to record a duet with Celine Dion reports The Sun.

He added: "We shouldn't restrict our options. To me, the most bizarre things at the moment are the most exciting. I'd even be up for making a didgeridoo album in Alice Springs."

Tickets to Coldplay's 2006 Australian tour has been snapped up in record times after going on sale this morning. Second shows have been added in both Melbourne and Sydney while Brisbane at 12.30pm today (Oct 10) had just 80 seats left.

Promoter Michael Chugg's comment about Adelaide and Perth's need to make themselves noticed seems to have worked, since both cities will now get a show there with ticketing details soon to be released. Coldplay's Australia tour dates are:

Friday 23rd June - Brisbane Entertainment Centre

On Sale - Monday 10th October 2005 - SOLD OUT

Monday 26th June - Sydney Entertainment Centre

On Sale - Monday 10th October 2005 9AM - SOLD OUT

Tuesday 27th June - Sydney Entertainment Centre

On Sale - Monday 10th October 2005 10AM

Saturday 1st July - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park

On Sale - Monday 10th October 2005 9AM - SOLD OUT

Sunday 2nd July - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park

On Sale - Monday 10th October 2005 10AM

Former Jam frontman Paul Weller [pictured] has launched a scathing attack on the music of Coldplay and pop newcomer James Blunt, describing their songs as "fucking bland".

The songwriter is delighted his children are as passionate about music as Weller was during his teen years, but thinks much of today's music lacks the vigour of music from past decades. Weller, 47, says, "My two eldest kids are just mad for music and it's great to see another generation who are passionate about music, especially after those fallow years of Westlife and reality bullshit. It's good to go out to gigs again.

"I don't get Coldplay and James Blunt though. They bore the shit out of me. I've met Chris Martin before and I don't want to slag him off because he's a lovely lad, but his music is too fucking bland."

More on this story here

Email from coldplaytickets.musictoday.com regarding cancelled Sept. 24 Houston show:

It is possible that the 9/24 Coldplay show will successfully be rescheduled. Please hold on to your tickets as they will be honored for the new show date.

If you have already returned your tickets for a refund, please reply to this e-mail and let us know if we need to reship them to you or you still need to be refunded as you will not be able to attend a rescheduled date.

We will send out another e-mail with updated information as soon as any new information is confirmed.

Thank you,

Coldplay Ticketing Customer Service Dept.

3G network operators 3 have announced a partnership with EMI Music UK to supply full-length music videos directly to the company's 3 million customers.

The deal will let music fans delve into EMI's extensive back catalogue of music videos as well as download new releases from big sellers like Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, Jamelia, Joss Stone, Norah Jones and Gorillaz.Material from all of EMIs other labels - including Parlophone, Relentless and Virgin - will also be made available.

The tie-up with EMI means that 3 subscribers can access a veritable cornucopia of audio/visual delights on their phones, with the new video material adding to the wireless operator's bulging music catalogue, which includes full-length video and audio titles from Sony BMG and indie music videos supplied by VidZone.

3 has proved a trail-blazer in the UK for music video on mobile, being the first mobile network to launch full-length music videos over mobile over a year ago and world-premiering a Robbie Williams' single on their network.

The service has proved a hit too, with over 10 million full-length music videos being downloaded in the 6 months following the launch of 3's Video Jukebox in August 2004.

Graeme Oxby, Marketing Director 3 UK, was chuffed: "3's mobile music service is growing every day. Music is one of our most popular services and with this deal our customers can enjoy the latest music videos from top artists like Kylie, Robbie and Coldplay. 3's expertise in 3G means major record labels like EMI Music UK recognise the strength of a partnership with the UK's leading video mobile company."

Next up on the back-slap promenade was Dave Gould, Commercial Manager, Digital Media for EMI Music UK: "We're delighted to bring videos from EMI Music UK's labels to 3. 3 is a leading network in bringing mobile music to its customers and we're really excited about working with them to allow fans to catch up with their favourite artists anywhere and at anytime."

Wrapping up the music industry love-in, Peter Jamieson, chairman of UK record companies trade association the BPI, purred: "The UK recording industry is committed to making music available wherever and whenever the music fan wants it. We welcome the increasing range of repertoire now available on 3."

Robbie Williams [pictured] says he is desperate to find the special person to share his life because one night stands have become "too much a palaver."

And the 31 year-old superstar admits that while his fame and money make it possible for him to have everything he wants, he is no closer to meeting the love of his life.

The former Take That singer also says he no longer wants to break America and is ready to slag off a British band that has, Coldplay.Robbie, who now spends a lot of time at his Beverly Hills mansion, said: "I've got pretty much everything in life except for love, haven't I?"

But says he now has a tendency to freeze with shyness. "I'd see a girl I like, and just get tongue-tied. But I can't be doing that anymore. I'm 31; I no longer have the time.

"So now, I just wander up to anyone I like the look of and say 'Hello I'm Rob. How long have you been here? What are you doing? How are you finding LA?'

"It's the same set of questions over and over, and I stand there pretending to listen."

Williams who's comeback single Tripping is expected to make a splash at the top of the charts this week, says his days as a promiscuous sex-machine are also over.

"One-night stands are becoming too much of a palaver, that's for sure.

"I can't even remember the last time I had proper sex, and you know what? I'm fine with it, I really am. I can't be arsed.

"If a girl does come back here, she's going to stay the night and lets face it, nine times out of ten you are not going to want to see her at breakfast, are you? So, these days, I just can't be bothered."

Williams says he has learnt the hard way to avoid saucy kiss-and-tell gold-diggers who have seen in plush LA mansion.

"There's a lot riding on Robbie Williams these days.

"There's a chance that Pants Down Palace could be theirs. They look at the staircase and the Andy Warhol originals and the fact that I have a chef, and they think that if they don't sleep with me immediately, I will respect them more, and if I do respect them more then it could lead to relationship, marriage, kids, the lot.

"Trust me, that can be very frustrating, especially if all I'm up for is a bit of meaningless sex."

In an interview with GQ magazine, Williams also took a swipe at Coldplay, who have achieved the type success with America audiences that has so far been beyond him.

"The fact is, that if I really wanted to break America, I could. That is a fact.

"The reason Coldplay are doing so well over there is because they are working their arse's off. Over the past seven years, I have spent less than two months do promotion here, and you and I know that that is not enough time to make an impact.

"On an emotional level, success in America would be terrible for me, it would be insane. I really, seriously, never want to be famous here."

Williams may still be angry after Chris Martin and the band declined an invitation for afternoon tea at his home in LA.

The star said of Coldplay's lead singer: "He's a bit mad, isn't he? I'd listen to him talk and just think, 'Eh?"

Coldplay have been nominated for 3 categories at this year's Digital Music Awards (DMA05).

The categories are 'Best Rock Artist', 'Best Music Community' (for the Coldplayer) and 'Best Single' ("Speed of Sound").

For more details on how to vote for Coldplay click here

To vote for Coldplaying.com at the same awards click here

Nirvana's 1991 record Nevermind [pictured] has been voted the most overrated album of all time by BBC 6 Music listeners.

Coldplay's X&Y came second in the survey, followed by The Libertines' self-titled second album at three.

6 Music's Ric Blaxill said the poll had given the digital station's listeners the chance to "address the hyperbole".

Albums by such popular bands like Oasis, U2, Radiohead and the Beatles also featured in the Top 10, reports the BBC. Listeners were invited to submit their nominations, which were shortlist tto 10 and put to a public vote. Top 10 most over rated albums are:

1. Nirvana - Nevermind

2. Coldplay - X&Y

3. The Libertines - The Libertines

4. Oasis - Definitely Maybe

5. U2 - The Joshua Tree

6. Radiohead - OK Computer

7. The Beatles - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

8. Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

9. Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks

10. The Smiths - The Queen is Dead

Disagree? Maybe you couldn't agree more? You can air your view on this list here

Coldplay has been nominated for two mtvU Woodie Awards - the Good Woodie and the Alumni Woodie.

The Good Woodie awards charity and humanitarian efforts by the band. The Alumni Woodie recognizes artists that have gone mainstream but stay true to their roots. The winners are determined by the fans. The voting is in full effect and the competition is tough. Time to really show our support for Coldplay at this year's mtvU Woodie Awards!

Vote online here for Coldplay as many times as you can. Voting ends on October 28th.

Vote for Coldplay in the Good Woodie category here

Vote for Coldplay in the Alumni Woodie category here

Chris Martin and the other members of Coldplay have made no bones over the years about their admiration for U2 [pictured]. And the Irish band's guitarist, The Edge, told us that the feeling is reciprocated:

"I think you're talking about an amazing talent there, that band as a whole and Chris as a singer and songwriter. I don't think they sound that like us, but I, occasionally I hear a little influence here and there, but it's always something that I feel kind of proud about, that they enjoy what we do and have done and they're making some amazing music."

Coldplay followed U2 on the bill at the Live 8 show in London on July 2nd, after U2 opened the show in Hyde Park.

Coldplay perform tonight (Wednesday, September 28th) in Atlanta, Georgia. U2 resume their Vertigo world tour on Monday (October 3rd) in Boston, Massachusetts.

Coldplay were were joined by Michael Stipe [pictured] at their show in Atlanta last night (28th Sept).

The REM frontman duetted with the band at the Philips Arena for a rendition of the track Nightswimming.

Introducing Stipe, Chris Martin told the crowd that the last time Coldplay played Atlanta they were joined by Elton John on piano and they felt they had to do something to top that.

A Coldplay fan told a music magazine: "Stipe got a huge standing ovation, and they couldn't start the song for a minute or so because it was so loud. It was unbelievable."

Coldplay continue their extensive American tour with a show at Virginia Beach Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre tonight.

Read more about this and other Atlanta reviews and pictures here

Coldplay and Gorillaz lead the nominations list for the MTV Europe Music Awards 2005 with five each. The 12th annual event will be held Nov. 3 in Lisbon and will be broadcast live on MTV in Europe and the United States. Other acts with multiple nominations include Gwen Stefani with four and 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Green Day, U2 and James Blunt with three.

Coldplay is named in the best group, best rock act, best song ("Speed of Sound") best album ("X&Y") and best U.K. & Ireland act categories. Gorillaz will vie for best group, best song, best video ("Feel Good Inc."), best pop act and best U.K. & Ireland act.

Coldplay will perform at the awards, as will Green Day, Foo Fighters, Robbie Williams and the Black Eyed Peas. The show will be hosted by Borat Sagdiyev, the spoof Khazakstan television journalist created by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Cohen hosted the 2001 MTV Europe Awards as one of his other alter egos, Ali G.

Winners in all categories will be voted for by MTV viewers worldwide, except for best video and Free Your Mind, which are chosen exclusively by MTV Europe viewers.

More on this here

Coldplay fans will finally get a chance to see the band live in Melbourne, but they have to wait 10 months. They will play the Brisbane Entertainment Centre Friday 23rd June 2006, perform Sydney's Entertainment Centre Monday 26th June and move to Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena Saturday 1st July.

Australia will be the final stop on a world tour to promote their third album X&Y. "It's a fantastic arena show. The band are firing on all cylinders," promoter Michael Chugg said yesterday.

Tickets for their Australian tour will be sold in a two-tiered roll-out.

Tickets will go on presale on October 6th 2005 [NEXT WEEK!] and on sale to the general public from October 10, from Ticketek. The Australian shows are expected to sell out quickly. A recent Belgian concert sold out within an hour. Tickets will be limited to eight per transaction in order to curb scalpers selling tickets on eBay at inflated prices. Coldplay will play in Brisbane and Sydney before Melbourne.

Concerts have not been scheduled for Adelaide and Perth but Chugg suggests a fan backlash may change the band's mind. "We are talking with the band about Adelaide and Perth shows, so we've asked fans there to make a bit of noise," he said.

More details here

Aussie cricket legend Shane Warne enjoyed a few drinks in London during the recent Ashes series with an unlikely admirer - Chris Martin.

Pictures and scans here

[Thanks April]

Chris Martin can make humility an act of hubris, and vice versa. He's as cocky and as insecure as rock stars come, a psychic balancing act reflected in his band Coldplay's crescendo/crash songs.

For instance, during a recent interview, the handsome, Bono-voxed singer says that the four hours he recently spent in a Miami studio with hip-hop producer Timbaland provided a bracing reality check — even while he acknowledges his own superstar status.

"I gleaned that it doesn't matter if you're in one of the biggest bands in the world," Martin says on a mobile phone as his car makes its way out of New York City, en route to a show in Ohio — "it doesn't mean you're very good."

Then Martin concedes this is no revelation: "But I glean that most days."

Read the full article here