Coldplay have gone glam rock to celebrate the arrival of singer Chris Martin's first baby.

Just days after singer Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow became parents to Apple Blyth Alison Martin, the band's official website www.coldplay.com features an exclusive video by spoof band The Nappies, with the group wearing Darkness-style glam rock wigs.

The track features Martin 'rapping' to Gwyneth and baby Apple, claiming "I'll be there through the thin and the thick / I'm gonna clean up all the poo and the sick."

He also pokes fun at the physical implications of Gwyneth's pregnancy: "There's shit going down that you can't disguise / when your boobs dem got ten times the size. The cups gone up from an A to D / It’s bad for you but it's fun for me."

You can download the video and the MP3 (320kbps) here.

The baby, weighing 9 pounds, 11 ounces, was born Friday after what People described Saturday on its Web site as "a long labour." Mother and daughter were said to be doing fine.

A spokesman for Chris Martin, Murray Chalmers, said: "Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin are delighted to announce the birth of their first child. Both mother and baby are very well."

The celebrity couple said they were ecstatic over the birth of their daughter.

Chris M said: "We are 900 miles over the moon, and we'd like to thank everyone at the hospital who have looked after us amazingly."Paltrow announced in December that she and her husband, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, were expecting a baby. The couple, who have been scrupulous about maintaining their privacy, were wed in December in a private ceremony in Santa Barbara.

"The Jewish part of me is superstitious about talking about it, so when people say, 'Are you going to find out about the sex? Do you have weird food cravings? Or 'How does your mom feel?,' I don't want to answer those questions," the 31-year-old actress recently told "The Tonight Show's" Jay Leno.

Paltrow, who won an Oscar for "Shakespeare in Love," is the daughter of actress Blythe Danner and the late director Bruce Paltrow.

She hinted during an interview with W magazine earlier this year that she may do as her mother did and put her acting career on hold to raise her child.

"My mother turned down every fantastic movie there was," said Paltrow, who starred opposite her mother in last year's film "Sylvia." "She turned down these amazing things that would have made her a huge movie star."

Source: Yahoo News

If it's true you heard it here first. More news to follow...

Thanks to Sean from Pennsylvania.

The song is 'Everybody's Happy Nowadays' and was recorded for the zombie flick Shaun of the Dead. The movie stars and was written by Simon Pegg (24 Hour Party People).

The song will be used as a B-side for the new Ash single 'Orpheus' from the album Meltdown due May 24.Chris Martin has previously guested on albums by Ian McCulloch and Ron Sexsmith. Sexsmith wasn't happy with his star guest when he heard the Martin version of 'Gold In Them Hill' but bowed to record company pressure and had it released. "I got a call when I was in Vienna from (producer) Martin (Terefe) to say Chris Martin was coming down to the studio and wanted to hear it" Ron tells Undercover News. "Coldplay was in LA doing their record. I asked if he could see if he would play piano on 'Gold In Them Hills' because my piano playing isn't very good. So Martin asked him. A few weeks later I'm back home and get this package in the mail saying 'Gold In Them Hills' remix. I put it on expecting to hear some new piano and it is my piano. Then his voice comes on in the second verse. It was one of those moments where I had mixed feelings".

Shaun of the Dead was premiered in the UK last month but is yet to be given an Australian release date.

Source: Undercover.com

Latest news on the Coldplay-online front will appear here, as always.

Source: Coldplay.com

Chris, Jonny, Will and Guy took time out from recording the forthcoming platter to kick a ball around and careless Chris even managed to hoof the ball over a wall adjacent to the north London studio, and had to climb over to retrieve it.

An onlooker says, "Chris and his mates looked like they were taking it seriously. But David Beckham needn't worry about his place in the England team, judging by Chris's 'silky' skills."

Source: ContactMusic

4 Coldplay, V2003, Weston Park, Staffordshire, 17 August 2003 - Coldplay's last major appearance. Q calls it a triumphant, anthemic set. Singer Chris Martin referred to the gig as "the death of soft rock".

Click on the link to read more and take in the top 20. The full list appears in the June issue of Q out on Saturday 1 May.1 Radiohead, Glastonbury, 28 June 1997 - technical problems hid the 40,000-strong crowd from the band's view, and singer Thom Yorke could not hear his own voice. But to festival organiser Michael Eavis it was the most inspiring festival gig in 30 years.

2 Nirvana, Reading Festival, Berkshire, 30 August 1992 - Kurt Cobain in a wheelchair and blonde wig, the band's version of More Than A Feeling at the start of Smells Like Teen Spirit, and Cobain asking the crowd to chant their love for the hated Courtney Love.

3 Oasis, Knebworth, 10-11 August 1996 - more than 250,000 fans attended Britain's biggest rock concerts to date for what some have since described as the crowning moment of Britpop.

5 Brian Wilson, Royal Festival Hall, 26 February 2004 - after a wait of 40 years Beach Boys fans got to hear Wilson's lost masterpiece Smile. Worth the wait.

6 Madonna, Earl's Court, 7 July 2001 - multiple costume changes and a dazzling array of hits proved Madonna was still the Queen of Pop after an eight-year absence. Some were prepared to fork out £150 on a souvenir jacket, despite spending £85 on tickets.

7 The Beatles, Apple HQ rooftop, Saville Row, 30 January 1969 - still regarded by some as the greatest live rock "stunt" of all time, the impromptu gig ended only when police pulled the plug. It was their first live concert for three years, and the image of John Lennon in Yoko Ono's fur coat only added to the band's iconic status.

8 REM, Trafalgar Square, 29 April 2001 - Nelson Mandela and Tony Blair joined 30,000 for the square's first ever rock concert. Overruns by other acts meant REM had time to play just seven songs.

9 Queen, Live Aid, Wembley Stadium, 13 July 1985 - Bob Geldof reputably enticed Freddie Mercury and the band to play Live Aid by saying to their manager: "Tell the old faggot it's gonna be the biggest thing that ever happened." It was.

10 Pink Floyd, Earl's Court, 4 August 1980 - indoor Spitfire fighter planes, a monstrous teacher puppet, giant inflatable pigs and 160ft cardboard wall that crashed down for a spectacular finale.

11 Sex Pistols - Screen on the Green, London (29 August 1976)

12 Stone Roses - Spike Island (27 May 1990)

13 U2 - Slane Castle (25 August 2001)

14 Eminem - MEN Arena, Manchester (8 February 2001)

15 Flaming Lips - Bristol Academy (18 January 2003)

16 Stereophonics - Earls Court (17 December 2003)

17 The Strokes - Heaven, London (28 June 2001)

18 Red Hot Chili Peppers - Camden Palais (14 June 1999)

19 The Libertines - The Forum, London (18 December 2003)

20 The Verve - Slane Castle (29 August 1998)

Source: ThisIsLondon and Ireland Online

Last year's songwriters of the year, Coldplay, are up for most performed work with Clocks, alongside Jamelia's Superstar and Sugababes with Hole In The Head. Will Young, Dido and cult act Belle and Sebastian will compete for the accolade of 2003's best song at next month's Ivor Novello songwriting awards.

Young's Leave Right Now and Dido's White Flag are shortlisted for best music and lyrics in a song.

Dizzee Rascal, Amy Winehouse and Kylie Minogue are contenders for best contemporary song.

Young will also compete for the best- selling UK single title at the London ceremony on 27 May.

Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne's duet Changes will take on Mad World, by Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules for the best-selling prize.

Minogue, who is a previous winner of the prestigious awards, was nominated for best contemporary song with Slow and faces competition from Winehouse's Stronger Than Me and Mercury Music Award winner Dizzee Rascal with Jus' A Rascal.

The international hit of the year category features Dido with White Flag, Minogue's Slow and multi-award winner Robbie Williams who picked up a nomination for Feel.

The awards are held in honour of Ivor Novello, the British musician and songwriter who died in 1951.

Source: BBC

Popular music acts from India scheduled to perform during the June 8 One Night for India event at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion include Talvin Singh, Nitin Sawhney and Karsh Kale.

North American artists Michelle Branch and Macy Gray are also expected to make an appearance, while Peter Gabriel and Coldplay are to be seen performing by remote satellite.Proceeds from the event will benefit The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the American India Foundation.

One Night for India will be filmed and recorded for DVD/CD and television distribution.

This is an unprecedented cross-cultural affair designed to showcase the power of the Indian and Western entertainment industries in raising the world's awareness of the AIDS pandemic facing India, said Mark Porter, event co-founder and co-chairman of the One Night Foundation.

Ticket prices for the event range from $25 for single tickets to $500 for VIP packages.

They go on sale Friday through Ticketmaster and at the event's official website, www.onenightforindia.com.

Coldplay, U2 and Robbie Williams have sparked a huge surge in DVD sales in Britain, figures showed today.

DVDs featuring artists live in concert have helped sales almost double in the UK in the past year while there has also been major increases in sales in Ireland.Robbie Williams’ DVD of his record-breaking Knebworth gigs, What We Did Last Summer, looks set to be one of this year’s biggest sellers, shifting 46,000 copies in its first week alone.

According to figures released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), sales of music DVDs rocketed by 95% last year. Of those, 60% are of live performances.

The IFPI predict that music DVD sales will continue to grow.

Source: Irish News

the Echo And The Bunnymen star McCulloch this week revealed his group had been asked to support Coldplay on a massive world tour in 2005.

Do you think Ian McCulloch was right to speak out about next year's tour? Cast your vote here.McCulloch said, "Chris Martin has asked us to support them on a massive tour in the New Year."

But Martin was furious with his pal for letting the news slip - and demanded it be retracted.

A source tells British newspaper the Daily Star, "Chris was livid that Ian had mentioned it to anyone and wanted it all denied.

"He was really pissed off and said Ian had jeopardised the band's chances of supporting Coldplay. It was an idea they were knocking about and suddenly Ian was stating it as fact. Chris is a private man and hates people knowing his business."

A Coldplay spokesperson says, "At the moment, there's no specific plan for a tour next year."

Source: ContactMusic

'The Brit Pack' is an entire evening of films profiling acts including Coldplay, The Darkness, Blur, Travis, Manic Street Preachers and The Stereophonics. Running on the Biography channel on May 3, it kicks off at 6pm with Richard Ashcroft and winds up with the Manic Street Preachers at 10pm.

Click here for a preview of the Coldplay video.The full line-up for 'The Brit Pack' is as follows:

May 3 - The Biography Channel (SKY:229 / NTL:home802)

6.00 - Richard Ashcroft

6.30 - UB40

7.00 - Mark Knopfler

7.30 - The Stereophonics

8.00 – Blur

8.30 – Travis

9.00 - The Darkness

9.30 - Coldplay

10.00 - Manic Street Preachers

Source: Launch

They have kept tight lipped about plans to hit the road - but fellow Brits Echo and the Bunnymen have let slip they have been asked to support the group. Echo And The Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch reveals, "Chris Martin has asked us to support them on a massive tour in the New Year."

The two groups became close while Coldplay were recording their second album 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' at Parr Street studios in Liverpool, UK.

Source: TeenMusic

Vote For Me will copy the successful format of so-called reality television shows such as Fame Academy and Pop Idol, but will offer contestants the chance of a future at Westminster rather than in pop music.

John Sargeant, the former BBC political correspondent, will be on the panel of judges - the producers are also approaching Martha Lane Fox, the founder of Lastminute.com, and Chris Martin, of Coldplay - who will select 10 finalists from the public. Each contestant will have to produce a manifesto and "audition" in front of the panel.The finalists will then be put through a series of challenges such as a mock hustings, knocking on the doors of potential voters and being questioned by a political interviewer.

Viewers will be asked to vote off contestants at the end of each programme, leaving a winner who will stand as a prospective independent MP in the next General Election.

Advertisements for the contest will be in newspapers next week. As well as enforcing the existing ban on criminals, bishops and minors from becoming MPs, ITV will also try to prevent anyone with affiliations to a political party from getting into the final. Producers are keen to find candidates with a broad appeal to voters rather than single-issue campaigners.

Steve Anderson, ITV's controller of current affairs, said the programme was a serious attempt to address the "crisis" in political apathy, particularly among the young. Speaking at the Rose d'Or television festival, which has moved this year from Montreux to Lucerne, he said he had written to the political parties telling them about the programme.

He said that the winner would be left to decide which constituency he or she fought and that it could be one with a high-profile sitting MP.

In the last General Election, voter turnout fell to 59 per cent, the lowest since 1918, and only 39 per cent of 18- to 34-year-olds bothered to vote.

By contrast, 8.7 million people voted in the Pop Idol final between Gareth Gates and Will Young in 2002.

However, the idea of reducing the political process to a popularity contest at the same time as giving enormous television publicity to a single independent candidate has already met with criticism.

Senior figures within the Conservative Party are understood to be deeply concerned that the winner would stand against their leader, Michael Howard, because his 5,907 majority in Folkestone and Hythe is significantly smaller to that of either Tony Blair or Charles Kennedy.

Their fears have been echoed by Sir Bernard Ingham, Lady Thatcher's former spokesman, who said it was not difficult to work out where the winner would stand "if they wanted maximum drama". He dismissed the show as "cheap entertainment" and "a disgrace" and called on the Electoral Commission to stop it going ahead.

Mr Anderson said ITV was "prepared for a row" but had taken legal advice on how to proceed. As a result, it will not provide any funding towards the winner's election campaign.

Mr Anderson said ITV would broadcast the show over one week early next year, well in advance of any proposed May election. It would be broadcast after the evening news, clashing with Newsnight on BBC2.

Like other broadcasters, ITV is legally obliged not to give any General Election candidate undue prominence during the campaign. However that rule does not apply to the press, which would be free to run as much as it liked about the winner's campaign.

Mr Anderson said the show was "enriching" democracy rather than demeaning it. "We know about the power of television and, here, we're trying to use it for something good and worthwhile."

Vote For Me's presenter, Jonathan Maitland, said the intention was to make the show not only entertaining, but "serious and credible".

The Electoral Commission said the show would not infringe electoral law so long as it maintained impartiality and did not give undue prominence to a particular candidate during the election. Prospective participants can call the Vote For Me hotline on 0141 204 6626 or e-mail voteforme@mentorn.tv

Source: The Telegraph

The British actor, 34, was invited to drum for the superstar pair after visiting the Coldplay frontman, a pal, in the recording studio - and he describes the experience as remarkable.

He says, "Echo and the Bunnymen was the first live band I ever saw so for me it was a huge treat to meet him. I just went into the studio to see Chris, who was recording A Rush Of Blood To The Head at the time. As it was the end of the day, I got to go behind the drums while Chris played the piano, Jonny Buckland played the guitar, and Ian sang.

"To be honest, I was just sitting there like a pig in shit, thinking, 'Yes, I rock!'"

Source: ContactMusic

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed it was investigating the incident, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday night in Knightsbridge. "An allegation was made about an attack in the area," the spokesman said.Mr Copetti told the Sun newspaper he had been taking pictures of the singer and his wife outside the San Lorenzo restaurant when Martin kicked him from behind.

A spokesman from Coldplay responded: "Photographer Alessandro Copetti had been running after Paltrow's taxi and tripped. Chris' sole concern was to ensure that Gwyneth got into the cab safely and was not impeded or harassed."

But the Coldplay spokesman also told BBC News Online: "Chris and Gwyneth left a restaurant on Wednesday evening when a photographer became very aggressive in trying to picture them together.

"Naturally enough for a man whose wife is heavily pregnant with her first child, Chris' sole concern was to ensure that Gwyneth got into the cab safely and was not impeded or harassed in any way."

He said as the pair were not leaving together, Martin followed Paltrow's taxi to make sure she was safe, and the photographer tripped.

The Coldplay singer was charged with malicious damage last year after allegedly attacking a photographer's car in Australia, but the charges were later dropped.

Source: BBC

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Tickets for this year's event go up for grabs at 8pm and will only be available through the telephone ticketline on 0870 830 2004 or via a link at the official festival site, glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.

Oasis, Paul McCartney and Muse have been revealed as the headliners of this year’s Glastonbury.Festivalgoers will also not be allowed to pay for tickets with a credit card in a bid to stop touts from buying multiple tickets. Instead fans will have to use a debit card, or postal order and cheque via the telephone line.

Speaking earlier this year, festival chief Michael Eavis said: "I am sorry if this change causes any problems, but there are benefits for everyone. This measure has allowed the Festival to cut the booking fee charged from £5 to £3 per ticket and should there be any further savings I will pass that money on to the charities and good causes the festival supports."

Further measures to clamp down on the ticket chaos include the limiting of tickets to two per person and the personalisation of all tickets to prevent re-selling. Many fans were left disappointed last year when the event sold out in 23 hours, with Internet touts then re-selling the tickets for highly inflated prices.

Identity checks may be carried out at the festival gates to ensure people have not bought their tickets from touts.

Eavis said: "The measures we are taking this year will result in a much fairer way to access the festival, which promises to be as always, an incredibly joyful way to spend your mid-summer!"

Tickets are priced at £112 plus booking fee, postage, and packaging. Glastonbury Festival takes place from June 25-27.

Source: NME

Dead in Leicester Square.

The Coldplay singer, who arrived with bandmates Guy Berryman and Will Champion, has a cameo part in the movie and also sings backing vocals on a track by band Ash for the soundtrack.

But the singer refused to talk to press, sprinting into the West End cinema and leaving by a back door once the movie had finished.Lucy Davis, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Bill Nighy were among cast members who took to the red carpet for the premiere.

They play a group of friends who encounter a literal night of hell at their local pub which results in a zombie holocaust.

Pegg, who co-wrote the comedy with director Edgar Wright, told Teletext: "We

took a chance but we pulled it off. Film writing is what I want to do now."

The Office star Lucy Davis wore a black Chloe dress and revealed she has a new man in her life: "I'm very happy. All I'll say about him is that he's not famous."

Celebrities who turned up to the premiere after party at London's Atlantic bar included Steve Coogan, Matt Lucas, David Walliams and David Baddiel.

Frost, who plays Ed in the film, turned out despite suffering from the flu.

The actor said: "I've been preparing for this role for 10 years, smoking a lot of dope and playing on my Xbox.

"I lived with Simon for years and one of our favourite conversations was what would happen if the world collapsed and there was just the two of us left. Now it's come true."

Source: Teletext.co.uk

The shrinkage represents about 20 per cent of the unit’s workforce with most of the redundancies stemming from the company’s decision to outsource manufacturing of its CDs and DVDs in Europe and the United States to third-party contractors.About 900 of the job cuts will arise from the closure of plants in Uden, Holland and Illinois, America, with the shake-up prompting a one-off cost of £75m.

A spokesman for the world’s third-biggest record company said "a small fraction" of the job cuts would take place at its sites in the UK, but refused to say how many.

EMI also said it was getting rid of about 20 per cent of its "niche and under-performing artists" as it overhauls its portfolio of 70 separate labels and artist line-up. However, the London-based company, which like its peers has been hit hard by illegal piracy of its music, did not name any of the artists likely to get the chop.

"The roster is being rebalanced to focus resources and efforts more effectively on the artists who have the greatest potential on both a global and local level," the firm said in a statement.

Among its 1500-strong stable of artists are megastars Robbie Williams, Janet Jackson, The Verve, Rolling Stones, Coldplay and Radiohead.

Updating on current trading, the firm said full-year sales in recorded music were "close to previous year’s level" with a "solid performance in music publishing".

Alain Levy, the group’s chairman and chief executive of EMI Music, said: "The time is right to further reposition EMI Music.

"Exiting manufacturing in our two primary regions of Europe and the US will allow us to lower our costs while flexibly meeting our supply needs in the future."

He added: "We believe that by concentrating our efforts on a tightened roster of artists we will increase our revenue-generating potential while reducing our costs, even as we continue to invest in artists worldwide and in developing our digital capabilities."

Group chairman Eric Nicoli said tough market conditions over the past two years had forced changes on the company’s recorded music business and steps had been taken to maintain its competitive position.

Over that time, changes in management have helped deliver savings of £100m and the group’s US division had also improved its performance.

Mr Nicoli said: "The actions announced today represent another major step forward.

"EMI will continue to be an agile and progressive music content company that fully embraces and profits from changes in technology and consumer trends.

"Whilst we remain optimistic that the market will return to growth in due course, we are committed to being in the best possible shape to compete in all conditions and to take advantage of improving trends."

In recent years, EMI has seen two merger attempts blocked by regulators, one with Warner Music and one with Bertelsmann’s music arm BMG. Last year it bowed out of the race for Time Warner’s music business.

Source: Scotsman

The Coldplay rocker, who is expecting his first child with his Hollywood star wife Gwyneth Paltrow, has used his fame to highlight social and environmental issues, but his dad has created controversy in his home town of Exeter, England with his building plans.

Locals are so incensed at Anthony Martin's application to build the houses on a protected 'green field' site they have successfully blocked the move - however, the persistent Martin Snr is now going to the British High Court to try and push through the construction.

Source: TeenMusicA firm co-owned by rock star Chris Martin's father is going to the High Court in a bid to push through controversial plans for 160 new homes in Exeter. Landowner ADP &E Farmers has been trying to develop a 6.9-hectare greenfield site off Topsham Road for more than 40 years.

But its applications have been turned down by Exeter City Council planners and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on environmental grounds.

Now it has emerged that the Coldplay frontman's father, Anthony Martin, is one of the driving forces behind the development.

Ironically Mr Martin, a city magistrate, is also a former chairman of the governors at the West of England School for Young People With Little or No Sight - one of the main objectors to the proposal.

The school fears an increase in traffic from the development would disrupt the education of its students. The housing scheme would also involve using the school's private road for access.

Other objectors include environmentalists who fear for the cirl bunting, a rare bird which is reputed to live in Ludwell Valley Park, near to the proposed development.

Residents were outraged to hear the decision of the landowner to appeal against the refusal by the ODPM.

Douglas and Janet Sims, from nearby Tollards Road, submitted a protest petition of 250 names during an inquiry into the application last year.

Mr Sims said: "We are very disappointed that they are taking this matter further.

"Residents were so glad when it was dismissed by the Secretary of State. This is disheartening news."

Jill Barnes, also from Tollards Road, added: "It's bad news - especially for the school as some of their children are really quite disabled.

"It will also be horrendous for the traffic along Topsham Road."

Chris, who last summer played cricket at the 50th birthday celebrations of the Countess Weir Cricket Club, for whom he played regularly as a teenager, has no connection with his father's business.

Source: This Is Cornwall

Coldplay frontman Chris and his movie star wife have set their hearts on a Cotswold stone cottage in Great Tew, a sleepy village in Oxfordshire.They have fallen in love with the thatched, two-bedroom house and are planning to be in and paying the £500-a-week rent in time for the arrival of their baby in June.

Chris discovered the quaint village last month during a hunt for a secluded country retreat. He then took Gwyneth and a group of pals to see the area and hired a side room at the local pub, The Falkland Arms, so they could have a drink and a chinwag.

A resident who spoke to the couple said: “Chris and Gwyneth are completely taken with Great Tew. Chris said he was a country boy at heart and had to bring Gwyneth to see the house because he liked it so much.

“They had an afternoon in the Falkland Arms — which has won awards for being the most unspoilt pub in Britain — and they said they felt at home here.

Gwyneth told me she was on the lookout for somewhere to settle when their baby is born in June.

“They loved the area so much that Great Tew is now at the top of the list.”

The couple share Gwyneth’s luxury flat in Belgravia, Central London. Chris owns a flat in North London.

Appearing on SADIE FROST’S E4 TV show recently, American Gwyneth said she was determined to have her first child in England.

But she admitted there was one downside to giving birth in Britain, saying: “If he’s born here, the only problem is he can never be president of the United States.”

Source: The Sun