WordPress Posts: Coldplay News

The Oracle discusses the 'Daniel' in Us Against The World, and songs from Coldplay's first gig

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1900 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

November 16, 2011 - submitted by Anne, Malaysia

Q. Hello dear Oracle! In Coldplay song Us Against the World says "my drunkard is Danial in a lion's den". Can u please tell me, who's Danial? Thanks for ur time. Anne.

The Oracle replies:

He's Daniel from The Bible.

November 16, 2011 - submitted by patty, United States of America

Q. Hi Oracle, I wanted to know what song Coldplay sings from this video that's posted on the timeline. I believe it's their first gig when they were formerly known as Starfish ? I know that Ode to Deodorant is the last song played but I would really really like to know what the first one is called? Some of the lyrics go like "There goes another day. My friends are telling me that I will be okay. I'm gonna be okay". I would really appreciate it if you told me what song it was because I love it! Even though I only heard like 5 seconds of it. Thanks so much! Have a nice day wherever you are!

The Oracle replies:

It's So Sad. Looking at the set list from that gig, I don't recognize the first title at all - I don't think I have ever heard it. The others I have in their demo form - hopefully safe in a box in a loft somewhere...

November 16, 2011 - submitted by Jen, United States of America

Q. You can see the Saturday Night Live Weekend Update skit with Chris! Here is the link. It is the 3rd video down. ENJOY!

The Oracle replies:

Ah, no, YOU can as you're in the U.S but we can't. I went to that link yesterday and as is the case for many American clips, it says "We're sorry, but the clip you selected isn't available from your location." Thanks for trying though. I have actually edited yesterday's answer to include a clip that does work...

November 15, 2011 - submitted by Melissia, United States of America

Q. Oracle, hello there. Oh great one! Have to say the Saturday Nite Live episode was great. I laughed so hard when Chris was on the Weekend Update segment. Would he consider doing comedy-acting? Thank you Oracle!

The Oracle replies:

It's a shame we can't all watch the clip of Chris in the Weekend Update* sketch but if you watch this SNL skit from the same show instead, you will be rewarded around the 3'18 mark. Chris has appeared as himself in a couple of comedy things; Extras and a very real life interview with Ricky Gervais - neither of which had elements of truth to them. It's a fun perk of being in Coldplay and Chris is a very funny guy, but the band is his passion so he'll be sticking to that. *Thanks to Jesse for the Weekend Update link.

November 15, 2011 - submitted by Alicia, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, I have two questions: First. Why Coldplay don't like to do weddings, funerals and special occasions? Second. Where can I get LRLRL? I hope you can answer me :)

The Oracle replies:

Let's go with your second question first. LRLRL is still available by clicking on the butterfly icon which you will find at the bottom left corner on the home page of this very site. As for question one, I didn't say they didn't like to, I said they don't. It's not very practical is it? They're a touring band with an incredibly busy schedule, imagine how many people would want to hire them if they did? They'd have time for nothing else! In my personal yet humble opinion it's not that credible either.

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

The new range of Coldplaying merchanise (unofficial of course to the official shop) has hit our stores, with our biggest range of goods so far. Prices are as low as they can be for a Cafepress shop so more people will be able to afford them. We don't take any profits for the sale of the merchandise as a result. Take a browse in one of the online stores nearest to you: UK | US | Canada | Australia | European (shipping is worldwide, but you can choose what currency to pay in) - simply alter the country dropdown menu at the top of the shop page. [thanks to TracieMorgan and zzz]

Holding Coldplay gig 'an honour' for Coventry venue, while Sunderland AFC gear up for the masses ahead of general ticket sales

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Next year's Coldplay UK stadium tour will kick off in Coventry and local venue the Ricoh Arena thrilled to be hosting the first gig. Marketing director at the event centre Liz Cooper noted the concert held there on May 29th will be the only one the band play in the Midlands in 2012. [Are you applying for genral sale tickets for a stadium show in 2012 - and if so how many are you going to get? We want to hear your story at the Coldplay Live now!]

She warned people the 'unwavering' popularity of the band is likely to see a rush for Coldplay tickets when they are released. "We are expecting the concert to be a sell-out," she said. "I would urge everyone to reserve their hospitality packages before this opportunity closes."

There are three different types of these bundles - gold, silver or platinum - which include extras such as meals or a stay overnight in a nearby hotel. Ms Cooper stated this is the first time the promoter of the concert has allowed the venue to offer pre-registration of hospitality packages for fans. The general sale of Coldplay tickets begins at 09:00 GMT this Friday (November 18th) and with the band's new album Mylo Xyloto having been in the official top ten for three weeks, they could attract a lot of attention.

Meanwhile, in the northeast of England, scores of Coldplay fans from as far as Scotland are set to converge on Wearside tomorrow as queues for tickets to see Coldplay's live 2012 show at Sunderland's Stadium of Light open at 9am - 24 hours ahead of release at the venue, says Sunderland AFC website on Wednesday. The British music giants will perform at the stadium, which can hold up to 56,000 people during concerts, on 7th June 2012, and it is predicted that tickets will attract huge demand - and huge queues - when they are finally released for sale by the Sunderland AFC Ticket Office at 9am on Friday morning.

Preparations for the arrival of fans have already started on the stadium site, with barriers, stewarding and additional facilities all on standby to accommodate those hoping to camp out and get their hands on next summer's hottest music tickets. Gary Hutchinson, Sunderland AFC's head of venue and events, commented: "We are delighted with the bands we have once again been able to attract to the Stadium of Light. Coldplay are a hugely influential and successful group, not only in Britain but across the world, and that has naturally resulted in huge interest in their sole appearance here in the North East. We are already gearing up for the arrival of fans when queues open at 9am on Thursday after huge demand for tickets to previous shows and there's usually a fantastic atmosphere around the place as people take their place."

Fronted by Chris Martin, the multi-award winning band will follow in the footsteps of fellow chart heavyweights Take That, Oasis, Pink and Kings of Leon, who have all played spectacular shows at the Stadium of Light since summer 2009 - resulting in a total of nine music concerts and nearly 500,000 music fans. Sunderland AFC's chief executive Margaret Byrne said: "To have established the Stadium of Light as one of the top music venues in the country in just three years is a fantastic achievement both for the club and for the region and it's testament to the hard work and dedication of our concerts team and partners. To welcome a band of Coldplay's profile, alongside our Red Hot Chili Peppers show, highlights how our reputation and ability to deliver is now widely recognised across the music industry."

More than 100,000 concert-goers are expected to arrive in the region for the confirmed live music events at the Stadium of Light in summer 2012 when Coldplay will be followed by Red Hot Chili Peppers; the seminal US group playing one of their only two 2012 UK shows at the arena on 24th June. And the benefits for Sunderland and the wider North East are once again set to be huge as up to 200 organisations come together to facilitate the shows, with an estimated £3.5m expected to boost the region's economy through sectors including transport and tourism, leisure, hospitality, and retail.

Last summer, music tourists - attracted by shows at the Stadium of Light and across the region, boosted the North East economy significantly, increasing the average hotel room rate by 42% and increasing hotel room occupancy to a whopping 98%. The five shows at the Stadium of Light - four by Take That and one by the Kings of Leon - were estimated to have stimulated £18m worth of regional trade alone. For more information on concerts at the Stadium of Light, including details of corporate hospitality packages, which can be reserved now from £125 per person, contact the sales team on 0871 911 1555, email coldplay@safc.com / rhcp@safc.com or visit www.safcconcerts.com.

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

More photos of Coldplay on the TODAY Show at Rockefeller Plaza {21st October 2011):

All photos courtesy of MrsMartin333 via Facebook (click for more!)

80,000 Coldplay tickets go on sale as the O2 UK priority offer period begins at 9am Wednesday (NOW SOLD OUT)

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

UPDATE: The O2 pre-sale for the 2012 UK stadium tour has now sold out, according to the O2priority website!

Last week Coldplay announced a UK tour for next year, playing stadiums in Coventry, London, Sunderland and Manchester - in that order - and priority tickets for O2 customers go on sale from 9am GMT (Wednesday), with the general sale following on Friday. Are you applying for priority tickets - and if so how many are you going to get? We want to hear your story at the Coldplay Live now!

To apply, text COLDPLAY to 2020 during the 'Offer Period' (texts sent to 2020 are free. O2 customers only). The offer period is from 9am Wednesday 16 November 2011 until 9am Friday 18 November 2011 or until tickets sell out. A maximum of six tickets are allowed per transaction (person). O2 UK have already teamed up with Coldplay ahead of these shows with a television advertisment campaign promoting Priority Tickets for O2 customers. The campaign runs from 11th November and will include TV, radio, print and digital media activity. The advert campaign is led by a new version of O2's 'The Walk' ad, following Coldplay on their journey from the dressing room to the stage. The advert has already run in a full 60 second slot during ITV's The X Factor last Saturday (12th November). O2's 'The Walk' series of ads have followed a number of artists on their walk to the stage, including Gorillaz, Foo Fighters, Jon Bon Jovi and JLS.

Coldplay will play a string of football stadiums to kickstart their tour in support of Mylo Xyloto, beginning with Coventry's Ricoh Arena on May 29th. They then head to London, where they will play at the Emirates Stadium on June 1st and 2nd, before moving on to play at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on June 7th and ending the brief tour in Manchester at the city's Etihad Stadium on June 9th. General sale Coldplay tickets for the shows then go on sale on Friday November 18th.

Tickets will once again be expected to be in high demand - remember that back in September several major sites - including those of Ticketmaster and Seetickets - appeared to have sold out all three of the December UK Coldplay shows shortly after they went on sale. Coldplay are due to play Glasgow SECC on December 3rd, Manchester's MEN Arena on December 4th and the O2 Arena in London on December 9th - all were sold out in just a few seconds as an estimated 100,000 fans flocked to the Internet to try and get their hands on scarce tickets for the shows.

Coldplay Priority Ticket Offer Terms and Conditions

1) Priority Tickets - Priority Tickets are reserved as Priority Tickets for O2 customers from the general public sale of tickets. There are a limited number of Priority Tickets available for purchase via this method. Tickets will be sold on a 'first come first served' basis. O2's Priority Ticket Offer does not guarantee access to the best seats. The Priority Tickets will be comprised of a broad range of seats for each show and when purchasing tickets, customers have the option to choose where to sit from the range of seats available within the Priority Ticket allocation.

2) Offer Period - The Priority Ticket Offer will only be available for the period set out above or until the total number of Priority Tickets available for that gig are sold out, if earlier. Applications for tickets received after this date and time will not be successful. The Offer Period may coincide with the general public sale of tickets and, if so, customers may also wish to attempt to purchase tickets through the general public sale of tickets.

3) O2 customers only - This Priority Ticket offer is open to anyone who is a customer of O2 on the day before the Offer Period starts. No third party or agency applications will be accepted. O2 reserves the right to verify the eligibility of applicants. O2 may require such information as it considers reasonably necessary for the purpose of verifying the eligibility of an applicant and the tickets may be withheld until and unless O2 is satisfied with the verification.

4) Applications and Purchase – When you apply by text you’ll receive a URL for the Priority Ticket promotions page on o2priority.co.uk/tickets which will give you the chance to buy tickets online from the authorised ticket seller during the Offer Period. Only one application per person is allowed. The Maximum Ticket Number indicated above is the maximum number of Priority Tickets that can be purchased per application. Standard ticket purchase policy applies to all ticket purchases. These will be provided when purchasing the tickets. Capacity restrictions may apply during busy periods.

5) Cancellation or refusal of ticket purchases - Ticket purchases may be refused or cancelled in the following circumstances:

-- More tickets than the Maximum Ticket Number are requested;

-- The total number of Priority Tickets for the gig have sold out;

-- The person attempting to purchase tickets does so outside of the Offer Period;

-- O2 or the ticket seller reasonably believe that the person attempting to purchase tickets has already applied for Priority Tickets to the gig; and/or

-- O2 or the ticket seller reasonably believe that the purpose of the purchase is to enable commercial re-sale of the tickets.

6) Venue Terms and Conditions - Entrance to the gig is subject to the standard conditions of entry specified by the applicable venue.

7) Cancellation - Gigs may occasionally be cancelled after publication of a Priority Ticket Offer for reasons outside O2's control. O2 will endeavour to promptly update any relevant information but O2 will not be liable for any change of date or venue or cancellation of any gig.

8) When you apply for Priority Tickets and/or purchase Priority Tickets or register to receive Priority Ticket information, we will collect information directly and indirectly from you, such as your telephone number and email address and Priority Ticket offers of interest. Your information will be collected and used in accordance with our privacy policy www.o2.co.uk/termsandconditions/o2privacypolicy which is incorporated by reference. In particular, we may use and analyse information about you in order to provide you with Priority Ticket offers, process your applications, verify that you are an authorised user for security purposes, enhance and personalise the Priority Tickets that we offer you and to send information to you about our products and Services from time to time by phone, post, email, text, MMS or other means (subject to any objection or preference you may indicate when submitting your preferences to us). We may disclose your personal information or usage of our service to certain third parties such as our partners, ticketing agencies, venues, agents and subcontractors.

9) The ticket seller's decision as to ticket allocations is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Applications and ticket purchases not complying with these terms and conditions will be invalid.

10) O2 accepts no responsibility for incorrectly completed, lost, delayed or unprocessed online purchase transactions.

11) If any provision of these terms and conditions is held invalid by any law, rule, order or regulation of any government, or by the final determination of any court of a competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the enforceability of any other provisions not held to be invalid.

12) O2 reserves the right to suspend, cancel or amend the promotion and/or review and revise these terms and conditions at any time without giving prior notice and by continuing to take part in the promotion subsequent to any revision of these terms and conditions, entrants shall be deemed to have agreed to any such new or amended terms.

13) This promotion is governed by English Law and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

14) The promoter of this Priority Ticket Offer is Telefónica UK Limited, 260 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4DX ("O2").

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

Coldplay's Oracle muses over Moving To Mars live, 'Jonny Goes Jazz' and an acoustic treatment of Mylo Xyloto...

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1900 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

November 14, 2011 - submitted by Talia, Canada

Q. Oh great Oracle, can Chris really ride a unicycle in an elephant suit?

The Oracle replies:

You saw it with your own eyes so why don't you believe it to be true? Ok, well if you need proof, read the interview with Mat Whitecross who tells Anchorman all about the video.

November 14, 2011 - submitted by Tony, United States of America

Q. In a question you answered today, you mentioned that all the ep's are listed in the recordings section. Why isn't the Don't Panic single listed? It exists. I own it and it has an amazing red cover.

The Oracle replies:

Just because it exists and you own a copy doesn't mean it's worthy of a position in our Recordings section because... it wasn't actually released as a single in the UK; it was limited to a few territories which is the reason it's not included as a release. The U.K just had it as a promo single which is entirely different.

November 14, 2011 - submitted by Thom, United States of America

Q. I hear there's word of a band called So Sweet The Hour touring with Coldplay soon. The band neither said this nor denies this. All that they say is that they "really want to in the very near future." Can you clear this up for me?

The Oracle replies:

No, the band is not touring with Coldplay but I guess you know that already... Oh Thom if you're going to advertize your own band, at least have the nouse to write in with a false name rather than your own. Tsk tsk shame on you since you could have legitimately submitted a video via our Exhibition Room*.

*Don't submit it now though - you've had your plug.

November 10, 2011 - submitted by Timothy, United States of America

Q. Has Moving To Mars ever been played live? I think it's a great song and I feel it has been somewhat forgotten.

The Oracle replies:

I am pretty sure they have only ever played Moving To Mars live once. The song was performed at London's Roundhouse on Friday 22nd July.

November 10, 2011 - submitted by David, Canada

Q. Dear Oracle, I am a 20 yrs old student who has always loved playing and composing music. I am currently enrolled in a 4-year baccalaureate in mechanical engineering. Unfortunately, that program imposes long days at school plus a great amount of homework. I don't like the fact that I spend a lot less time playing music since I am in University. I am thinking about switching program for something that would allow me to have more time for myself. Mechanical Engineering is not a passion for me but it would assure me to have a great job (and I obviously don't hate it). However, I'd like to have enough time to form a band and make shows. Sorry for that long contextualization. Now my question is: Would you recommend me to continue in that field and to maybe try forming a serious band after I am done with my studies, or rather to find something else and to have more time to exploit my talent? I know it is a hard question to answer and I am not looking for a sudden revelation. But if you could give me something more thoughtful than something like: "If that is what you want to do, then do it", then I will be very grateful. Thank you very much, long live Coldplay. I love all their albums (especially Parachutes).

The Oracle replies:

It is a hard question to answer because you say you love playing and composing and also refer to it as a "talent" so I am assuming you rate yourself as being pretty good at it. If you really believe the music you make is amazing and needs to be heard, I believe you can find a way to do that while still studying. There are so many people who juggle school, work, family etc. and continue with music so why not you? Personally the state of the music industry today leads me to advise you to stay at college and finish your course. When you have completed it, see how you feel. I encourage people to follow their dreams but these days I think it's vital to have a career to fall back on if music doesn't work out - which for many doesn't and never will. Sorry, but that's the reality. It shouldn't stop you doing what you love; if it's that important you will find a way to make it work.

November 10, 2011 - submitted by Stefanie, United Kingdom

Q. Hello dear Oracle, As I am currently studying in the UK I try really hard to get any payable ticket for a Coldplay show here, but until now all my attempts failed. Now I found this page, where tickets are offered for an acceptable and relatively cheap price of 44 Pound for the Little Noise session. But it says for "General Admission". Can you help me, what is meant by that? Are the tickets worth buying? Or can I hope for other shows / extended tour next year, as this years tour schedule isn't that big so far?! Alright, long talk. Thanks a lot. Cheers.

The Oracle replies:

The tickets for that show were sold at a face value of £50. It is a charity event so you shouldn't be able to find tickets for sale at a cheaper price than £50. It's obviously not an official ticket outlet. I do not advise you to buy this ticket as there's no guarantee it's genuine and you may not get in. General Admission just means there is no allocated seat.

November 9, 2011 - submitted by Matt, United Kingdom

Q. Dear Mr Oracle, I was fortunate enough to get tickets for the Little Noise Sessions show. Any ideas as to the sort of set as I know its supposed to be acoustic only which won't suit Mylo Xyloto?

The Oracle replies:

Lucky you, it will be a great night. I disagree however about Mylo Xyloto tracks not suiting acoustic treatment. Did you not hear Hurts Like Heaven on

Radio 1's Live Lounge? My opinion is that most songs start in an acoustic form anyway so it's just a case of stripping them back down. I think there's plenty songs from the album that will work with just Chris & Jonny performing them but I don't actually know what's planned for that show. I wouldn't tell you if I did of course! They're sure to some oldies too so I'm guessing a mixed bag and who knows, maybe a cover?

November 9, 2011 - submitted by Nicole, Canada

Q. Dear Oracle, I don't yet have a wedding date (let alone a boyfriend), but I was wondering if Coldplay would play at my wedding? Thanks for your time! Nicole

The Oracle replies:

Bloomin' heck Nicole, one step at a time eh? Next you'll be buying a dress. You haven't got one already have you? I've seen programmes about women who book churches before finding a groom... Assuming you're not one of those ladies, don't rush into finding a future husband because the band don't do weddings, funerals or Bar Mitzvahs*.

*Or indeed any other hire outs for special occasion.

November 9, 2011 - submitted by Colin, United States of AmericaM

Q. Will The Hardest Part be released in an acoustic version (like with Lost?) similar to in LRLRL? I ask this because I thought that the LRLRL version was as good as the album version, but I don't always want to listen to Postcards From Far Away when I listen to it. Thanks for answering!

The Oracle replies:

Why would anyone not want to always listen to Postcards From Far Away? Anyway, no, there is no point in releasing a song that a) was released as a single from album 3 and b) an acoustic version is, as you say, already available on LRLRL. Press skip? Just an idea...

November 8, 2011 - submitted by Brittney, United States of America

Q. Hey El Caro! As we all know, part of the magic in Coldplay's live shows are the butterflies raining down from the heavens. What sparked the idea for the flutterbies throughout the band's work? Thank you! I'm absolutely loving Mylo Xyloto, by the way :)

The Oracle replies:

The confetti dropped during the Viva tour were butterflies and they inspired the cover for LRLRL which followed. This tour however, the confetti is made up of Ms and Xs. You may have noticed the butterflies are still present; if you happened to see the Unstaged gig in Madrid. Paradise was performed with an accompanying video on the screens featuring butterflies personalized by fans.

As with most things, the idea came during the planning of the live shows and the idea stuck and has become really symbolic.

November 8, 2011 - submitted by Daniel, Colombia

Q. Friends and I want to call our band Jonny Goes Jazz in honor to that funny video. Do you also mean to copyright something?

The Oracle replies:

I wouldn't bother actually because back in the 1980s there was a band called

. It's a little too similar in my opinion.

November 7, 2011 - submitted by Luthfi, Indonesia

Q. Greetings almighty Oracle, I want to ask you about the song Don Quixote will it be released as a single, out of the album like the Christmas Lights back in 2010? And one more thing, will there be more music video of the tracks from Mylo Xyloto? Thanks, Luthfi, Indonesia

The Oracle replies:

One of my responses back in March has been proved right in that the track wasn't planned for Mylo Xyloto. I stand by that reply saying I doubt it will be a b side to any songs from the album. I will go one step further and also say that it will not be released as a single outside of the album. On the way to Madrid last week as the forecast was rain, I pondered whether the band would play it given its alternative name is Spanish Rain. Sound man Dan Green said, "oh yeah, I forgot about that song". I suspect the band have for the time being... FYI: the second the band walked out on to the stage, it began to rain.

November 7, 2011 - submitted by Ian, United Kingdom

Q. I want to name my band 42, would I run into any copywriting issues if I do so? Also, what do you think is a cool band name?

The Oracle replies:

A copyright issue with who? It's a number, you can use it if you like. You may however run into another problem now I have replied to your question on here. I'd get it registered as soon as you can as I imagine many other would be bands may fancy it for themselves!

November 7, 2011 - submitted by Isa, Brazil

Q. Hey Oracle. I don't know already this questions but, where (or who was) the idea of elephants on Paradise? Thank You, Isa.

The Oracle replies:

I'm pretty sure that Phil & the band came up with the idea...

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

Coldplay news round-up: Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live, 'American Museum of Natural History' Gala

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Chris Martin got a bit of a break from performing when he appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon for an interview on 11th November, writes Neon Limelight this weekend. [You can download the show in the Multimedia forum now and also discuss it in the Coldplay forum (thanks Mimixxx, iriden, jeremyy, zzz)]

They continue with the review: "The singer talked about a slew of topics with his old pal Jimmy. Among them was chatter about his band’s uber successful new album Mylo Xyloto, his wife Gwyneth Paltrow and sometimes being confused by Coldplay’s busy traveling schedules. He recalls a hilarious incident where one of the band members (he wouldn’t mention names!) became so confused after waking up in an airport departure terminal in Iceland that he put his underwear on over his pants. Along with being witty, charming and just downright adorable, Chris did a little dancing. He and Jimmy shared bad dancing stories and performed the worm for everyone."

Photo of Chris Martin on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (11th November 2011):

Hitfix have the first review of Coldplay on Saturday Night Live which was aired on Saturday 12th November, where Coldplay performed Paradise and Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall. Read the reviews and check out some pictures below. [UPDATE: You can download the show in the Multimedia forum now and also discuss it in the Coldplay Live forum (thanks iriden, coldplaymom, ANGELOKUSS & Astronaut)]

Hitfix continue: Coldplay comes onstage to sing “Paradise,” and my first thought? “This looks like the dorm room of an art student with a lot of black lights.” As for the song: it’s got an anthemic chorus that works, but there’s a long road to get to the good stuff. The audio mix onstage does a good job of delivering the ambient nature of the record, but when Coldplay goes this bombastic with its production, the underlying melodies and emotions often get lost. Their last album did a great job of tempering those impulses, but “Paradise” feels like a track left off “X&Y” more so than a logical extension of “Vida La Vida.” [Grade: B-]

Then Hitfix wriote: We’re back in the art school dorm, with Coldplay performing “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall.” I dig how the band’s drummer pulls a Mumford and Sons for a bit, playing acoustic guitar and the bass drum simultaneously. Each member of the band is a multiple-instrument threat, which is fun to see in concert as they trade off roles in order to perform the next song. I especially love the guitars in this track, which sound like bagpipes. Normally, bagpipes have me looking for the nearest cliff off which to jump, but it works for me in this song. Yes, liking Coldplay makes me uncool. But there you have it. [Grade: B+]

Photos of Coldplay on Saturday Night Live (12th November 2011):

Finally, Coldplay performed at the American Museum of Natural History's 2011 gala in New York on 10th November. Before the event, it was described as ""A much-anticipated highlight of the fall season, the museum gala is the American Museum of Natural History's largest annual benefit," the museum said in a news release. "More than 600 guests are expected to attend this year's dazzling ball. Following cocktails in the Roosevelt Rotunda, guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner and a performance by Coldplay in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life." No videos have emerged yet, but one review and two pictures have been found. [thanks mimixxx]

The review goes on to say: At the American Museum of Natural History Gala on Thursday night, Emma Stone was not giving interviews. “Not a chance,” a clipboard-wielding flack said of the Carven-clad actress. “Seriously, forget it.”

The publicist was walking backward while she shook her head, and nearly collided with Blythe Danner, who was picking her way through the party in search of her table. “Excuse me?” the bemused Danner asked the woman politely. “Forget what?”

Coldplay was set to perform after dinner, which would give Danner a chance to see her son-in-law, Chris Martin, in action. Was she excited? The actress laughed. “Of course, I’m a very big fan,” Danner said. “I doubt that’s surprising.”

Though they arrived at the event separately, Andrew Garfield seemed to be escorting Stone, his “Amazing Spider-Man” co-star. The Burberry-clad actor proffered his arm to the starlet for the descent from the Hall of Biodiversity into the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. “Very happy to be here,” Garfield nodded of the melee below, which from the stairs did look like leagues under the sea. Guests took on a coral-reef-like appearance from that distance. “It should be a fun night.”

The crowd assembled at the closely placed dinner tables under the museum’s giant blue whale had a decidedly comedic bent. Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Steve Martin, Kristen Wiig and Jane Krakowski all present and accounted for, thanks to “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels’ customary patronage of the evening. Jimmy Fallon wasn’t sure how the night would go, despite the musical entertainment’s reputation as easy-listening. “Coldplay may get us all going,” the comedian said before dinner, cocking an eyebrow. “You never can tell.”

Photos of Coldplay performing at the American Museum of Natural History's 2011 gala in New York (10th November 2011):

Watch: Coldplay feature in new 02 ad campaign for the 2012 UK stadium tour... but can you spot the continuity error?

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Coldplay are currently featuring in a new advert for O2 to highlight that the mobile phone operator's customers can get tickets for the band’s UK stadium tour 48 hours ahead of them going on general release. [Watch the new video and also discuss the latest on this news at the Coldplay forum now or download the video and screenshots for later at the Multimedia forum (thanks Skuze23, zzz & Mimixxx)

The campaign, by VCCP, will highlight the band’s 2012 stadium tour, promoting the Priority Tickets for O2 customers, running from today (11 November) across TV, Radio, print and digital platforms and features a new version of ‘The Walk’ as it follows the band from their dressing room to the stage. [However the eagle-eyed Coldplayers will note that Jonny has his guitar in the dressing room - but not in the first clip that you see him while he's walking down the corridor!]

The advert will premiere on YouTube, but begin broadcasting on TV during Saturday’s episode of The X Factor. A two-day homepage takeover of NME.com will also take place, supported by radio promotions on XFM and Capital and placements in The Metro and The Sun. Media buying has been handled by Zenith Optimedia.

Sally Cowdry, marketing and consumer director for O2, said: "This campaign shows our continued commitment to bringing access to the very best acts for our customers. We’re passionate about finding new and innovative ways of working with top artists, and bringing to life the benefits of Priority Tickets for our customers."

Tickets will go on sale to O2 customers on 16 November.

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

Coldplay's record label EMI to be sold to Universal Records and Sony for £2.5 billion

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Universal Music, the world's biggest record company, is poised to announce the £1.2bn purchase of EMI's recorded music division, home to the Beatles, Coldplay and Tinie Tempah, according to almost a thousand online sources across the world, today. At the same time, Sony Music Entertainment has obtained EMI's music publishing division for $2.2 billion. The Wall Street Journal reported that news this morning. [Discuss the latest on the news at the Coldplay forum now.]

The music division sale is the first part of the break-up of the 114-year-old British company, which is likely to be followed by the EMI's music publishing division, most likely to a consortium led by Sony for in excess of $2bn (£1.26bn). Although the enlarged Universal will now account a third of all music sales worldwide, company executives believe they can persuade regulators to allow it to swallow the business whole because the music industry is in such decline.

Nevertheless, Universal will respond by selling record labels or catalogues if the European Commission were to demand disposals. Its goal, however, will be to retain the Beatles material. Buying EMI is a coup for Universal's boss, Briton Lucian Grainge, whose bid had been considered opportunistic. Smaller rival Warner Music, recently bought by Len Blavatnik's Access Industries, had been considered the front runner.

EMI is being sold by Citigroup, the bank that ended up owning the record company, after it seized control of the debt-laden business from venture capitalist Guy Hands. However, Citigroup is retaining in deficit EMI's pension fund, which has 21,500 members. The deficit was £162m according to the last set of publicly available accounts.

What will this mean for EMI and the music industry?

Sir Mick Jagger, frontman for the Rolling Stones who left EMI for Universal in 2008, said EMI would “once again be owned by people who really do have music in their blood”. The deal will widen the gap between Universal and its rivals. It also marks a coup for Lucian Grainge, who was promoted to chief executive in January and became chairman in March. He said: “For me, as an Englishman, EMI was the pre-eminent music company that I grew up with. Universal is committed to both preserving EMI’s cultural heritage and artistic diversity and also investing in its artists and people to grow the company’s assets for the future.”

EMI was put on the block by US bank Citigroup, which seized control of the company in February after it became clear that its owner, Guy Hands's company Terra Firma, could not contend with the £3.4bn debt taken on when he bought the business in 2007.

The double sale means that Citi will recoup about £2.5bn of its original loan. The bank also scooped a little over £200m in fees from the original loans to Terra Firma, meaning that its overall loss on those loans is a little less than £700m. Bank insiders characterised that as "a good result" given that EMI was bought at the height of the credit boom and is being sold in a downturn.

Universal's move for EMI means that the two companies will account for 38% of all recorded music sales worldwide. In some countries, such as France, that figure will be over 50%. Vivendi, Universal's owner, pledged to take on the regulatory risk in the deal. Chief executive Jean-Bernard Lévy said it would pay £1.1bn in 10 months' time and a further £100m on completion.

Simon Dyson, editor of industry newsletter Music & Copyright, said that he would "be very surprised" if regulators cleared the deal "without a lot of sell-offs" – and said that the overall market share level was perilously close to "the magic number for an outright no" for the Universal-EMI combination. Sony's deal for EMI's music publishing catalogue carries far fewer regulatory risks because Sony is a relatively small player.

Universal was quick to emphasise its commitment to EMI's musical heritage, with Lucian Grainge, the British chief executive of Universal Music, pledging to keep the historic Abbey Road studios where the Beatles and many other famous artists have recorded. "Abbey Road Studios are a symbol of EMI, a symbol of British culture, a symbol for the creative community of exactly what the company is and we are [now] part of," he said.

Universal said that it expected to save £100m a year in costs by combining operations with EMI. The company added that it was "very confident" that it would be able to get the deal through a regulatory investigation, which could take up to a year, saying that it expected "deep and fruitful dialogue".

To emphasise the point, Universal wheeled out Mick Jagger, who moved the Rolling Stones catalogue from EMI to Universal after a falling-out with Hands. The singer said Universal's move was "a very positive development and I particularly welcome the fact that EMI will once again be owned by people who really do have music in their blood".

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

Coldplay begin announcing MX Tour dates for 2012, starting with the UK stadiums

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Coldplay have announced five stadium shows in the UK for May/June 2012 - will a promise of more dates in North America and Europe to follow. They will play all the venues for the very first time - Coventry's Ricoh Arena (home of Coventry City FC), Stadium of Light (home to Sunderland AFC), Emirates Stadium in London (home to Arsenal FC) and Etihad Stadium (home to Manchester City FC). The dates are below. More discussion on these shows is at the Coldplay Live forum now [thanks Texasluvsjonny]

Tickets for all three shows go on sale at 9am on Friday 18th November. They will be available online from www.gigsandtours.com (0844 854 1360), www.ticketmaster.co.uk (0844 847 2312), www.ticketline.co.uk (0844 888 9991) and www.ticketfasctory.com (0844 581 9900). The dates are as follows...

MAY

Tuesday 29 - Coventry Ricoh Stadium [discussion]

JUNE

Friday 1 - London (Emirates Stadium) [discussion]

Saturday 2 - London (Emirates Stadium) [discussion]

Thursday 7 - Sunderland (Stadium of Light) [discussion]

Saturday 9 - Manchester (Etihad Stadium) [discussion]

Sunderland AFC's chief executive Margaret Byrne has already put out a press release, saying: "To have established the Stadium of Light as one of the top music venues in the country in just three years is a fantastic achievement and testament to the hard work and dedication of our concerts team. To welcome a band of the profile of Coldplay, alongside our Red Hot Chili Peppers show, highlights how our reputation and ability to deliver is now widely recognised across the music industry."

Ricoh Arena (Coventry)

Emirates Stadium, London (Arsenal)

Stadium Of Light (Sunderland)

City Of Manchester Stadium

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

Recap: Chris Martin's 'Quiet Riot' (Spin article)

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

In case you missed it at the end of October, Spin posted a nice article on Coldplay after talking to Chris Martin in New York. In it, Chris talked about what the new album Mylo Xyloto stands for, the bands recently setbacks, being English, and Jay-Z. Overall it's a good read and well worth a recap. [Discuss this article in the Coldplay forum thread at the messageboard now (thanks Blue Nails & Long Live Life)]

On the morning of Saturday, October 15, Chris Martin went for a jog.

He left the West Village apartment where he lives part-time (between his native London) with his wife of nearly eight years, Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, and their two children, Apple, 7, and Moses, 5, and headed downtown. He ran past Wall Street, then up Broadway to Zuccotti Park, the epicenter of the Occupy Wall Street movement. There, as rallies against corporate greed raged in more than 900 cities, from Auckland to São Paulo to Berlin, he watched as thousands of protesters marched past police in riot gear toward Times Square. Some played drums or waved flags or signs reading, "We are the 99 percent." When police intervened to make arrests, they chanted, "The whole world is watching."

"I thought, 'If I'm seen, am I considered one of the bad guys?'" Martin, 34, says six days later, lounging on a squishy white couch in a ritzy suite at the Trump Soho Hotel, 30 floors above and some 20 blocks from Zuccotti Park. "I see the logic in the movement. But it should be more focused with a pinpoint message. There are a few different agendas. I pay fucking shit loads of tax and I'm happy to, especially in Britain because we have healthcare and schools."

Martin didn't linger for long. "I was worried about being recognized because I was in running shorts," he says, smiling, "and I didn't look that good." But despite their differences, political or otherwise, the leader of one of the world's biggest — and one of its most profitable — bands believes he has quite a lot in common with the protesters and their ethos. Coldplay's fifth album, Mylo Xyloto, which is projected to top the Billboard charts next week, is a concept album based on two rebellious young lovers, Mylo and Xyloto, fighting for freedom in an authoritarian dystopia. Sound familiar? It could be the idealized story arc of more than a few residents of Zuccotti.

"This album is about standing up for what you believe in," Martin says. "It's about trying to make the best out of any bad situation that life throws your way."

Coldplay headline Lollapalooza 2011 on August 5, 2011 in Chicago. (Photo: Cambria Harkey)

It's also indicative of Martin's catch-22: He's one of the world's biggest, richest rock stars, married to one of the world's biggest, richest movie stars. By definition he's a member of the one percent. But he identifies with the other 99.

In 2008 Coldplay appeared to be riding high. Their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, debuted at No. 1 in 36 countries and scored Coldplay their first No. 1 single in the U.S. with the title track. So Martin watched from protected ground when, in June '08, as Viva was unleashed, the global recession took hold. By October, during the band's supporting U.S. tour, the financial crisis was at its worst. "The recession had something to do with it," Martin explains of the inspiration behind Mylo Xyloto. "And the feeling of being mad at the people who did sub-prime mortgages and got everyone in such a heap of trouble."

Coldplay soon experienced their own setbacks with a barrage of court cases: Five different musicians, from a little-known U.S. band called Creaky Boards to guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, all sued Coldplay for plagiarism, claiming that Martin copied sections of their songs for "Viva La Vida." Martin's tone sharpens and his playful, friendly mood disappears. "We were sued by all five people at once for the same two bars of music, all wrongly," Martin explains of the cases, which were all eventually settled out of court. "It gave us a bit of anger."

There was more bad news for Martin and Coldplay guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion: Brian Eno, the studio guru to U2, David Bowie, and Talking Heads, among many others, who produced and essentially joined Coldplay for Viva, sent the band a letter just as their album became a global sensation. It said he thought Viva was decent, but that Coldplay could do much better: "Get back to the studio soon."

"That letter came right when we got sued," says Martin. "So the combination of those two things was like, 'Okay, we've got to write some better songs.' The band had already stockpiled 50 or more tracks they hoped to use on Viva's follow-up, but Martin scrapped them and insisted on penning new material. "We always have two albums worth of songs, but sometimes they're even worse than the ones we release [laughs], so we don't let them out." He adds, "There were so many bad things going on then. But there was still such beauty around. I wanted to fit that all onto one album."

Martin found inspiration in 1970s graffiti in New York City and the Nazi-resistance movement known as the White Rose, which both shaped Mylo Xyloto. As he stares out the window at the cloudy Manhattan skyline and the Hudson River, he suddenly bursts to life. Martin turns and stares with his cornflower-blue eyes and inches closer. "I came up with the name Mylo Xyloto for the band when I was looking at other people's tag names," he says. "A lot of other names are like 'Fube' or 'Ghost' or 'Zarba' or 'Tacky183' — they don't mean anything. They're just tag names. It's a beautiful, powerful thing when [graffiti is] done in a place that's not beautiful, like the Berlin Wall or the Palestinian Wall." He pauses, placing his hand on his chin. "It's interesting. Even this morning on the news, when I saw pictures of Gaddafi, people were already writing on the walls around Libya just to be heard."

Both the graffiti and White Rose movements were all about young people embracing art in troubling times. "The things happening in the world, even in the band, made you feel like your true feelings or voice weren't being heard," says Martin. "I responded twofold to the graffiti: It's about having your voice heard regardless of what anyone says. And that's what the White Rose movement was about too. It's also about turning gray, drab, ugly surfaces into pieces of art."

He adds, "It's about transforming the darker stuff in life into something more colorful."

With Mylo Xyloto, Coldplay responded to the bleak with a sonic Crayola set. It's by far their most colorful album to date, pushing their shoot-for-stars arena anthems into lush, vibrant electronic territory. It's also their first concept album and, surprisingly, the storyline flows instead of rambles, a feat considering that Coldplay have banked on the vague and archetypal for their decade-plus career.

Mylo follows its titular protagonists as they "struggle with the feeling that my life isn't mine" ("Hurts Like Heaven"), dream of escaping to a better world ("Paradise"), revolt and riot in the city ("Charlie Brown"), fear they're being watched by the authorities ("Major Minus"), and sing a rebel's call to revolution ("Every Tear Drop is a Waterfall"). The third-person narrative is a product of listening to storytellers like Tom Waits, Arcade Fire, and Bruce Springsteen, says Martin. "You can sometimes get your own feelings across more strongly if you pretend that you're singing it from someone else's angle. But it's always from me. It's just a new way of framing it. That's definitely from listening to so much Springsteen."

Chris Martin at Glastonbury Festival on June 25, 2011. (Photo: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)

Musically, an eclectic collection of artists including Mozart, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, PJ Harvey, Michael Jackson, and "a lot of old gospel and Motown stuff that Brian made us listen to," inspired Coldplay to craft an album that's simultaneously their most poppy and experimental (yes, Rihanna, swelling choruses, and layers of trippy synths and ambient washes all on one song, "Princess of China"). To record Mylo, Coldplay returned to the former bakery-turned-studio that functions as the band's HQ in Primrose Hill, North London, in 2009 with their usual team of Markus Dravs (who produced one of Coldplay's favorite new albums and inspirations, Arcade Fire's The Suburbs), Daniel Green, Rik Simpson, and Eno, who is credited with "enoxification and additional composition." Martin had plenty motivation in the studio: "I'm competitive with anyone who writes a good song — I don't care if it's a band or solo artist or whoever. If 'Someone Like You' comes up by Adele, part of my brain loves it and another part is like, 'Shit. I've got to come up with something better than that.' Even with Rihanna's new song 'We Found Love,' I thought, 'Well, why the fuck didn't I think of that?' It really drives you" (Coldplay even covered the Rihanna single recently). But for Viva's follow-up, Eno had an entirely new approach to writing and recording: ban Martin from the studio.

Jay-Z, Chris Martin, and Kanye West perform in Las Vegas on December 31, 2010. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Eno wanted Martin gone so he could encourage Buckland, Berryman, and Champion to play without the direction or cues of their frontman. He pushed them to master their instruments and respond to each other's chemistry. "Eno pushed us to not just rely on the song," says Martin. "We wanted to make the songs as colorful and as interesting as we're capable of, while not just settling on old tricks. Johnny pushed us very hard, and Markus pushed us even harder. Markus spent two weeks with Jonny just making new guitar sounds and electronic noises."

Jay-Z, one of Martin's close friends, was also a major influence on Mylo. He taught Martin an important lesson about moving forward, past your enemies, something Martin has struggled with since Coldplay's beginnings at University College London. After signing a five-album deal with Parlophone in 1999 on the strength of a handful of EPs, Coldplay released their proper debut full-length, Parachutes, in 2000. Its first single, the painfully-romantic ballad "Yellow," charted in the Top 5 in the U.K. and peaked in the Top 50 stateside. It also signaled the beginning of Coldplay's touchy relationship with the music-listening public. Lyrics like, "Look at the stars / Look how they shine for you," invite a certain degree of backlash. For every hardcore fan, there was seemingly someone to decry the band's disingenuousness as a Radiohead-lite soft-rock act born in a record exec's high-rise office.

"Some people misconstrue our band to be just a commercial venture," says Martin. "They question the soulfulness of Coldplay because we've done okay. Maybe it's because I'm English, but in terms of how people perceive us I only pick up on the negative side of it. I always feel like the big bad outside world just fucking hates us."

Jay-Z, who has certainly had his share of critics and rap beefs, told Martin to "just follow your passion and fuck everything and everyone else," the frontman recalls. "And [Jay] embodies that to a T. He's done it more successfully than anyone. He's just following his path, and you either get on or you get off. His influence is as much philosophical as it is musical."

Martin's wife and her celebrity didn't help that process, though. "It's extra hard because I'm married to Gwyneth. I find it very hard to work out where Coldplay stand. There's this other side of fame that we try to avoid, but you can't always avoid it. So I never know why someone might be interested in me. Is it about the music? Or is it about this or that?"

"But, you know, in a way that's a good thing," Martin reconsiders, shifting on the couch. "Because it never makes me feel like a rock star. I'm not even the biggest star in our family [laughs]. It keeps your feet on the ground."

Despite the quartet's massive success — seven Grammys, more than 50 million albums sold, and Mylo projected to be the biggest-selling rock album since U2's 2009 LP No Line On the Horizon — Martin refuses to accept that Coldplay are the biggest functioning band in the world. "You can't be called the biggest band in the world when the Rolling Stones and U2 are still in it, and anyone can go buy a Beatles or Clash album. Just because some bands aren't around doesn't mean they're not big."

He chuckles and says, "I mean, we're definitely the biggest soft-rock band from north London in the last 10 years."

The competition at the top of the music food chain is slim. "There are definitely less bands around who are given two or three albums to get great, except maybe Kings of Leon," he says of Coldplay's main competition. "We were very lucky in that we managed to have a freak hit single with 'Yellow,' which got us to our second record. It's more egalitarian on the Internet — anyone can put anything up. But in terms of the money it takes to allow a band to get good, there's less of it to invest. Music is split up now into little pockets." He turns to me, smiles, and asks, "So what do you think?"

But the bigger Coldplay get, the more of a challenge it is to maintain the intimate, one-of-us connection with the fans Martin seems to covet. "Everything has to be emotionally true," says Martin. "Our music isn't the most beautifully poetic or best-constructed music in the world. But it is honest and it tries to make sense of life." I ask about their art-directed look, which, for Mylo, includes rainbow-colored graffiti and matching outfits. Is that honest? Wouldn't performing in jeans and a T-shirt be more emotionally true and real?

"It's fun to get dressed for work," he explains. "It's something that lets you get rid of your middle-class English-ness and become a musician. A policeman out of uniform is very different from a policeman in uniform. This is my job, and I'm very proud and happy to have it." He reclines on the couch and opens his arms, motioning at his hoodie sweatshirt and tattered jeans. "I would never go on stage dressed like this. Now I'm dressed as the guy trying to hide. I've got the hoodie ready to go, which is great to just blend into the background. But… if we're playing a song I want to feel the exact opposite of that. Yeah…"

He leans forward and looks me in the eye. "You've kind of got me," he admits. "But I think people would leave if I came on stage dressed like I am every day. It's just making zero effort. People have paid for parking and they'd be like, 'You look like a mess! Go change, then give us a concert!' "

How many more concerts Coldplay will perform in their lifetime remains a big unknown. "We haven't considered the future yet," says Martin, who has bluntly questioned the band's lifespan in the press before. "The Police did five albums and then quit. The Clash, six. But they'd all peaked. It's something we've got to work out: Can we get better? Or are we too old?"

But for now, Martin seems content and at ease, despite any conflicted feelings about whether he's an occupier or the occupied. He jokes about my messy, wind-blown hair and fiddles with his dog-eared autobiography of Andre Agassi ("I looked not dissimilar to Andre in 1986," he cracks, pointing at photo of the gloriously mulletted former tennis pro). As he walks me to the elevator, Martin asks me if I write music (I do). "So, what's the name of the last song you wrote?"

"Blue Cornflakes," I say.

"Really. I like it. Can I use that?"

I pause. "Sure. And I promise I won't sue you, either."

"Well, how about Red Rice Crispies, then?"

He looks over to his publicist, who has his back: "He made it up last night, I swear. I have it recorded in my phone."

"She does," he says, a big smirk on his face. "It's genius, right?"

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

UK: Mylo Xyloto helps digital album sales break 2010's record... with two months to spare

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Digital albums sales in the UK this year have already passed the total amount sold in 2010, according to the NME today. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has revealed that 21.3 million digital copies of albums have been sold in 2011, breaking the record set last year with two months of the year remaining, according to the Official Charts Company.

They also report that this year, digital albums represented 26.2% of all albums sales, which is up from 17.5% from 2010. The figures have been boosted by the success of Coldplay's latest album Mylo Xyloto. The record broke the record for the highest number of digital copies to be sold in album's first week of release after it shifted more than 80,000 digital copies in week one. This accounted for 40% of its first week sales in total.

BPI Chief Executive Geoff Taylor said: "It's encouraging to see such strong sales in the digital albums market before the Christmas gifting seasons gets properly underway. For the last five consecutive years, the final week of the year has been the biggest in terms of digital album sales, as consumers spend digital music gift vouchers received at Christmas and try out legal digital music services on their new iPods, tablets and laptops."

He added: "In the last week of 2010, digital album sales topped a record 800,000. This year we may see the one million weekly sales barrier broken for the first time, despite the adverse impact of illegal sites and tough economic conditions. Music fans have more ways than ever to buy music and a great selection of exciting new albums to look forward to before the end of the year."

Adele's album '21' still holds the record for the most digital album sales of all time, having sold almost twice as many records as Lady Gaga's 'The Fame Monster', and also has the biggest digital sales figures for 2011. Other albums to make this year's Top 10 include Rihanna's 'Loud' and Jessie J's 'Who You Are'.

Latest photos of Coldplay at the MX launch event in Cologne, Germany (for 1Live Radiokonzert E-Werk - 2nd November 2011):

Mylo Xyloto review 12: "Coldplay hasn't outdone themselves, but they've done more than enough" (Blinded By Sound)

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Another featured review of Mylo Xyloto is from a new 2011 website based in Los Angeles, Blinded By Sound, described themselves as an internet outpost written by music obsessives. Another positive review overall, its thoughts captured by the line: "When taken in its entirety, MX is a beautifully produced record with all the soaring choruses and catchy melodies we have come to expect from Coldplay. What is missing, however, is the signature, distinctive, world-conquering appeal of one individual song." Read on for their review...

I am not a musician – much less a popular one – but I am thinking one of the most frustrating, maddening parts of being a big megarock band must be the expectations that come with each release. Bands could probably ease some of the pressure by not waiting three or four years between releases, but not everyone can be James Brown, The Beatles or Prince, who seemingly released classic records every other month at the height of their careers.

Coldplay shot to global stardom after having previously been critical darlings with the release of A Rush of Blood To the Head,and then made the mistake of releasing the merely ‘good’ X&Y, which, while solid, didn’t set the world on fire as its predecessor did.

Fast-forward to a new decade, and history has repeated itself. After releasing the masterful, jaw-dropping Viva la Vida (Or Death And All His Friends) to almost universal critical and commercial success in 2008, Coldplay has released the follow-up Mylo Xyloto, and the results are far more X&Y than Viva.

And this is the part where expectations suck: Mylo Xyloto is a good album. It is a really good album. It is a really good album in the purest sense of the word, as the songs form a cohesive unit rather than being a collection of randomly cobbled music that jumps from place to place. The album artwork, a collection of brightly colored graffiti on stark surfaces, ties into lyrics found on the album, while also harkening back to U2’s landmark Achtung Baby, which (maybe) coincidentally turns 20 this month.

When taken in its entirety, MX is a beautifully produced record with all the soaring choruses and catchy melodies we have come to expect from Coldplay. What is missing, however, is the signature, distinctive, world-conquering appeal of one individual song. That is to say, there is no "Clocks" or "Viva la Vida" to be found on MX, and thats is okay. This simply tells me that registered god of music Brian Eno, who served as an advisor on MX rather than as a credited producer, was allowed to have his way in steering Coldplay away from the business of making singles and more toward pursuing a great record, and the more we listen to Eno, the better off we all will be. (Take a note, Bono.)

That’s not to say that some of the songs on MX aren’t catchy as hell and won’t receive airplay. "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall," the album’s lead single, has already done well on radio, and if "Hurts Like Heaven," the album’s first full song following the gorgeous instrumental opener "Mylo Xyloto" isn’t a hit, something is very wrong with radio.

The tracklisting here is a little deceptive at first glance. While there are 14 songs listed, three of those tracks are brief snippets – each less than 45 seconds – of lyric-less music with great titles, bringing us down to a more manageable 11 tracks. This mixing-in of short or unfinished ideas was also explored on ‘Viva,’ but this time you don’t have sit through an entire track to get to the ‘hidden’ stuff, because here the interludes aren’t hidden at all. I liked the technique on ‘Viva,’ and I like it on MX.

As for the songs themselves, along with ‘Hurts Like Heaven,’ initial favorites include "Us Against the World," "Charlie Brown," and "Don’t Let It Break Your Heart." As on Viva, several of the songs on MX dwell on vague themes of spirituality in the gnostic sense of the term, with singer Chris Martin trying to find his way to the reality of love and beauty while lost in a sea of confusion. As always, Martin is hopeful that we all will find our way, and let’s hope he is right.

In all, Mylo Xyloto is a fine album that deserved its strong chart performance, and the visuals found in the album’s artwork and in the imagery of the song should make for a visually and sonically pleasing tour, just as Viva before it.

So what do you want from your new Coldplay record? Anthemic choruses? You got ‘em. Hopeful lyrics? Check. Enoesque chords that send you to the album credits to confirm The Edge stopped by the studio only to find he didn’t? Uh-huh. Songs that stick in your head the rest of the day? You’ve got ‘em here, all day long. A guest appearance by Rihanna? Yeah, I didn’t need that either, but we got one anyway. Unwanted guests aside, Mylo Xyloto has everything you would expect from a Coldplay album.

I don’t think it is fair to expect an artist to produce their best work each time out, so that being said, I am going to be cranky if critics pan MX for not being Viva or Rush of Blood. Judging MX its own merits reveals a fully realized, polished product that more than holds its own in Coldplay’s ever-expanding catalog of great rock songs.

Don’t go in expecting the grandeur of Viva, and you won’t regret picking up Mylo Xyloto. Unless you believe second place is the first loser, you won’t be disappointed.

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

More photos of Coldplay on the TODAY Show at Rockefeller Plaza {21st October 2011):

All photos courtesy of MrsMartin333 via Facebook (click for more!)

Mylo Xyloto review 11: A Hopeful Transmission (The Houghton Star)

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

The next of our featured Mylo Xyloto album review comes from the Houghton Times which is a student newspaper of Houghton College, Houghton (which is a hamlet within New York). A generally positive review but not without its criticisms of Mylo Xyloto, the review sums up the album saying: "As a whole, the album is carried by a handful of beautiful songs that are bubbling over with hope and happiness. And music that gives you hope, whether mainstream or obscure, is worth listening to." Read on for their review...

Ever since coming to Houghton, there have been a few bands that I've been embarrassed to listen to. Coldplay, Switchfoot, and U2 have always been three of my favorite bands, but they're all "mainstream," and sometimes I feel awkward listening to them when everyone else in college is listening to obscure indie music or dubstep. Yes, yes, I know this is stupid of me. I apologize for having insecurities, but after listening to "Mylo Xyloto," Coldplay's fifth album, I've firmly decided that it is absolutely ridiculous to be embarrassed to listen to Coldplay, because their music, and this album in particular, makes me so happy...

Like most albums, "Mylo Xyloto" could be about any number of things. The band has stated that it's a concept album "based on a love story with a happy ending." In my opinion, calling it a "concept album" is a bit of a stretch. The story and characters are much more loosely defined here than in other recent concept albums such as the Decemberists' "The Hazards of Love" and Green Day's "American Idiot."

The overarching ideas of love and optimism definitely run throughout each song, but it's not syrupy or saccharine. It's more realistic and poignant, acknowledging sadness before directing us to the beauty it can contain. Bittersweet, is still sweet. This is probably best captured in the elegant, acoustic ballad "U.F.O.:" "Bullets fly / Split the sky / But that's alright sometimes sunlight comes streaming through the holes."

The song "Mylo Xyloto" is a short instrumental that segues into the song "Hurts Like Heaven," but I honestly can't ever imagine listening to one of these songs without the other. From the brief background vocals to the drill-like guitar solo, this song is full of moments that bring me to the brink of giddiness. It's fast and happy and makes me wish I could dance.

"Paradise" is good but is unfortunately sandwiched between my two favorite songs on the album, so I often skip it. But you should definitely listen to it and watch the music video, because it's pretty funny.

"Charlie Brown." Oh my goodness, "Charlie Brown." This is my favorite song on the album. The instrumentation, the tempo, the melody, the rhythm, the lyrics—everything about it is full of longing and emotion. I've listened to it when I was happy, and it's made me even happier. I've listened to it when I was depressed, and my sadness didn't go away, but became tempered with hope and peace. And the implications and imagery suggested by the line "Be a cartoon heart"…oh man, do I like that a lot. That is a beautiful, wonderful idea.

"Up in Flames" is my least favorite song on the album. I can only make it about 16 seconds in before I start to get bored and upset.

Critics could accuse Coldplay of trying to fit too many ideas into each song, and they'd probably be right. Songs like "Us Against the World" and "U.F.O." shift musically from one minute to the next with extended bridges, intros, and outros that are completely different from the rest of the song. The closing song, "Up With the Birds," begins modestly with spacious chords and minimal instrumentation. Midway through, the guitar kicks in, and the tempo picks up, and it gets harder and harder not to smile as the song builds on itself and Chris Martin croons, "A simple plot, but I know one day good things are coming our way," and part of you believes him.

"Mylo Xyloto" definitely is a mixed bag. There are some clunkers, but it doesn't feel like a disappointment. There are a lot of high points, most of which seem to take place on the first half of the album, but even the parts that miss the mark aren't a total loss. As a whole, the album is carried by a handful of beautiful songs that are bubbling over with hope and happiness. And music that gives you hope, whether mainstream or obscure, is worth listening to.

And speaking of obscure, I have no idea what the album title means, but it's fun to say.

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

More photos of Coldplay on the TODAY Show at Rockefeller Plaza {21st October 2011):

All photos courtesy of MrsMartin333 via Facebook (click for more!)

Coldplay's Oracle on naming of Charlie Brown, elephant safety, Little Noise Sessions, and graffiti wallpapers

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1900 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

November 3, 2011 - submitted by Julia, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, Why is the song Charlie Brown named Charlie Brown? Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

An earlier version of the song actually had the lyric Charlie Brown in it. It was left out of the final recording but the name stuck as the band couldn't think of an alternative.

November 3, 2011 - submitted by Shelley, United Kingdom

Q. My boyfriend suggested dressing up as elephants when we go see you live at Manchester, would this be silly? The costumes are exactly same as the ones on the video lol.

The Oracle replies:

It wouldn't be the first time; last week at Norwich there were quite a few elephants wandering around. Chris wore the elephant head during the encore too but I warn you, they do get hot so bear in mind that it wouldn't be wise to overheat, get dehydrated and need any potential medical attention! Be safe elephants.

November 2, 2011 - submitted by Graham, United Kingdom

Q. Hello Oracle, I hope you are well. Thank you for answering all our questions. I just saw that Chris and Jonny are going to be playing the Little Noise Sessions later this month and was hoping you could tell me how long they will play for. I am desperate to go but the tickets are expensive and I'm worried they may only play 3 or 4 songs or something short like that because there are quite a lot of people on the bill. Thank you! Graham

The Oracle replies:

£50 is a lot of money but given, as you say, there are quite a lot of people on the bill, you're seeing five artists and helping a fantastic cause at the same time, they're not that expensive if you think of it that way. Chris & Jonny will be doing a full set so it won't be 3 songs and off if that swings it for you.

November 2, 2011 - submitted by Tobias, Germany

Q. Hey Oracle, is there any possibility to download the whole graffiti wall of the new album as wallpaper or something like this ?

The Oracle replies:

I think there's actually 9 graffiti walls in total and they're real. Chris asked me last week where they were now and my Oracle powers failed me yet again... I have no idea!* Anyway, we don't have wallpapers currently so it's not possible to download the album's wall. *I will endeavour to find out.

November 1, 2011 - submitted by Alba, Spain

Q. Dear Oracle, I know that Chris said that Mylo Xyloto is a love story but I don't know if the other albums have any story. If they have, Can you tell me what are and summarize the main ideas? Thank you so much.

The Oracle replies:

Mylo Xyloto does have themes though is not a concept album per se but it's the only one of the band's 5 to have a story running through it. This doesn't mean there aren't themes in the other albums but MX certainly has a more constructed form.

November 1, 2011 - submitted by Melina, Sweden

Q. Hi Oracle! Is it true that Coldplay recorded parts of the album under hypnosis?

The Oracle replies:

The answer is no, there are NO parts of the album recorded while under hypnosis. This is a topic that just will not go away. It's such old news - it was mentioned as far back as April. So we can put it to rest... Guy was asked a question about recording with Brian Eno at the album's launch press conference last week. In his reply he mentioned that they'd agreed to be hypnotised and play. He also added that although nothing came from it, that no suggestion is too crazy.

October 31, 2011 - submitted by Nicole, Puerto Rico

Q. Noel Gallagher says: 'I'd be up for collaborating with U2 or Coldplay.'

That would be the most amazing thing ever! Do you think Coldplay would be up for it?

The Oracle replies:

Last week Chris talked about why collaborations with men don't quite have the right chemistry so I can't see that happening any time soon, no.

October 31, 2011 - submitted by Anton, Netherlands

Q. How does Coldplay feel about somebody putting a shaky video on his facebook page of a part of a song recorded during a concert. I ask this especially cause if think I was foolish to post a picture and question on Chris Martins facebook page. And I got the feeling he did not appreciate that very much.

The Oracle replies:

Chris doesn't have a facebook page so whatever wall that was, it wasn't our Chris Martin's. I suspect it's someone posing as him. The band members do not have individual facebook accounts. Please pass that on to other people who may be being misled...

October 31, 2011 - submitted by Axel, Mexico

Q. Hi dear and lovely Oracle! Hey I heard Princess of China was the third single from Mylo, and then I looked for information and I found it was released on October 25! Is that true? Is POC a single? By the way, Mylo Xyloto is fantastic! When will be lyrics on Recordings Section? I need to sing right as loud as I can! Thanks for your time! Greetings from Mexico!

The Oracle replies:

PoC has definitely not been released as a single. We've not long since released Paradise and the album only came out last Monday. The lyrics are coming I promise. It's something to look forward to!

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

Coldplay's new innovation: Flashing wristbands for the MX tour

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

With the banks in crisis Coldplay have found a decent way to keep their fortune safe – becoming the music world's answer to telly's Dragons' Den, writes The Sun, in an article featuring the business models that the band have chasing recently.

The band have already given cash to a feature film about the The Stone Roses' Spike Island gig. Now they've invested in a Devon-based electronics firm RB Concepts. Entrepreneurs Clive Banks and Jason Regler approached the group after coming up with a flashing wristband that can be used for audience interaction at gigs.

The company approached the band, who said they would like to try the wristbands out during the launch of their latest album, Mylo Xyloto, in Madrid. The LED wristbands were handed out to members of the crowd at last week’s live event and lit up during the band’s first song as part of a world ‘first’ interactive experience. “It was a huge challenge to design, manufacture and deliver 17,000 wristbands at very short notice, but we are now working with the hottest act on the planet,” said Mr Banks.

The new technology aims to increase audience participation at live events. He said: “The big thing is audience participation and this means bands can relate more to the audience. It means there is a lot more audience participation, as opposed to it being static.”

RB Concepts boss Clive said: "It is huge to be working with Coldplay. The next move would be to have the wristbands at sporting events and night time events. The big thing is audience participation, this means bands can relate more to the audience. We are looking towards using it at the Olympics."

Not only that, according to an article on the same subject written by the UK's Midweek Herald, "Coldplay will be unveiling something even more innovative when they begin their European tour next month." No idea what that might be. Any guesses? Let us know in the Coldplay forum now! [thanks Skuze23, _Tash & Jason-DeBord]

The Madrid concert - which was held at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas - kicked off Coldplay's European tour and saw them perform a set which showcased songs from new album 'Mylo Xyloto' as well as their extensive back catalogue. The band are also celebrating after making iTunes chart history, with 'Mylo Xyloto' setting the record for the highest first week album sales ever on the music downloading service's worldwide stores.

The new flashing wristbands as used during Coldplay's recent concert in Madrid

Kit yourself up for the forthcoming MX tour and get spotted with Coldplaying's new range of merchandise! [click on the items for the full shop]

Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland to play Little Noise Sessions in London (24th November)

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland will play an intimate charity gig later this month in aid of Mencap. They will perform a special set for Jo Whiley's Little Noise Sessions at St John-at-Hackney in London on November 24th. Tickets for the show go on sale Monday (November 7). Coldplay.com members and subscribers of Little Noise Sessions will have access to a pre-sale through their respective official sites from 10am on November 4. [Discuss this new date in the Coldplay Live forum at the messageboard now (thanks mimixxx)]

Emeli Sandé and Ben Howard will also perform at the event, which has been organised to raise money for Mencap. Speaking about his participation, Chris Martin explained: "Jo does amazing work for Mencap, we are thrilled she asked us to play and are honoured to be part of this special night."

Elbow will open the event on November 22, with support from Maverick Sabre. Marina And The Diamonds will headline the second night on November 23, while Goldgrapp will perform on November 25 with Alpines. Example, Ed Sheeran and Birdy will perform on November 26, with Sinead O'Connor closing proceedings on November 27.

More photos of Coldplay on the TODAY Show at Rockefeller Plaza {21st October 2011):

All photos courtesy of MrsMartin333 via Facebook (click for more!)

Coldplay set a new UK 'first week' digital download record with new album Mylo Xyloto (plus Australian chart news)

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto has smashed a new digital record in landing the Number 1 spot in yesterday’s Official Albums Chart, the Official Charts Company can confirm today - the new studio album scored the biggest one week digital albums tally of all time in the UK – becoming the first album to top 80,000 downloads in a week as it did so. 'Mylo Xyloto' tallied just over 83,000 digital sales last week, on the way to totalling 208,000 copies overall. [Discuss this and other latest MX chart news from around the world in the Coldplay sales updates thread at the messageboard now (thanks jeremyy & rafaelchampion)]

The biggest previous weekly digital tally by any album was 79,800, which was achieved by Take That’s 'Progress' in its opening week, in November last year. The only other artist albums to total more than 50,000 downloads in a week are Adele’s '21' which sold 76,000 downloads in its debut week in January this year, along with Lady Gaga’s 'Born This Way', which sold 57,000. "We're thrilled to achieve this record and very grateful to our British fans for their incredible support," the band told theofficialcharts.com.

The sales of 'Mylo Xyloto' are not yet quite enough to push bit into the Official all-time Top 50 digital albums listing, but it should break in pretty quickly, with only 49 albums having sold more than 100,000 downloads to date. However, Coldplay’s previous album 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends' is currently at 13 in the all-time ranking, with 175,000 downloads sold. The biggest selling digital album is Adele’s '21' with 664,000 sales, almost double that of second placed Lady Gaga’s 'The Fame'.

Meanwhile Coldplay have also gone straight to number one on the Australian albums chart with Mylo Xyloto. It's the fourth time in a row that Coldplay has reached the top spot on the ARIA album charts and has this week already sold more than 35,000 copies. Coldplay knocked fellow Brit Adele from pole position, just days after her album 21 went platinum for the eighth time. Coldplay's current track Paradise also peaked at number 18 on the Australian singles chart after five weeks.

More photos of Coldplay on the TODAY Show at Rockefeller Plaza {21st October 2011):

All photos courtesy of MrsMartin333 via Facebook (click for more!)

Chris Martin talks candidly to Pitchfork about Brian Eno, Radiohead, Para-Para-Paradise, Rihanna, Reinvention, Mylo Xyloto...

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Chris Martin is a charming guy. Like, very charming. "You're lucky because you're going to have hair your whole life," he says, eyeing the top of my head, writes Pitchfork, in an interesting and candid interview with Chris Martin (who discusses Brian Eno, Radiohead, Para-para-Paradise, Rihanna and new album Mylo Xyloto, amongst other things. The interview continues... [Discuss this article in the Coldplay forum thread at the messageboard now (thanks mimixxx & para-para-parrotdies)]

"It'll get a bit thinner, but it'll be good. And that is a great blessing." Granted, it's in his best interest to play nice in any interview, and he's had more than a decade to master this dance. But still, sitting in a relatively modest Trump hotel room in downtown Manhattan, Martin seems genuinely engaged, his boyish charm never souring into smarm.

The 34-year-old Coldplay frontman's easy affability is even more impressive considering the fact that, only a few hours ago, he was singing and prancing in front of a "Today Show" crowd at the ungodly hour of 7 a.m. Naturally, Martin's not complaining. But he does look to be taking some extra comfort in his colorless casualwear as he lounges on the couch.

The night before, I looked on from the audience as the singer answered some "tough" questions on "The Colbert Report". There, he was playful and witty, gamely zinging back and forth with Colbert. But he was also deferential to a near-annoying degree. Because even though Coldplay have sold more than 50 million albums and have managed to retain some semblance of critical respect over the last 10 years, Chris Martin can still seem embarrassed by his status as one of the planet's most recognizable rock stars. His band's music is completely and utterly grand in ambition and sentiment yet, offstage, Martin is mostly immune to the groan-worthy platitudes and shameless chest-puffing typical of his stadium-filling brethren.

In person, he can be as innocent as an LP-clutching teenager. For instance, he's crestfallen about R.E.M.'s recent breakup. "Why not just take a break for a bit and then play when you want to play?" he suggests. "I love R.E.M., so I prefer it when they're around, but I get it." Growing up in England's largely rural West Country, first R.E.M. album he heard was their 1991 smash, Out of Time: "Without the internet, records had to be big in order to break that barrier of ruralness."

Of course, Coldplay cleanly hurdle that same barrier on a regular basis nowadays. Their latest record, Mylo Xyloto, has the band tip-toeing outside of their comfort zone with hip-hop beats and a guest appearance by Rihanna, all under the keen ears of Brian Eno, who returns as studio guru after the phenomenal success of 2008's Viva la Vida. And while Coldplay continue to winningly explore "the tension between wanting to be one of the best bands in the world and having to settle for being one of the biggest," as our own Ian Cohen recently put it, ubiquity often comes with animosity, and Martin's well aware of his detractors, too. At one point, he asks me, "Do you think it's normal for big artists to have haters and ups-and-downs?" The question is posed with utmost sincerity. "If someone thinks I'm a dickhead, fine, listen to someone else's record. We're not a totalitarian regime; no one's forced to listen to Coldplay."

Pitchfork: This is a little weird to say considering how many people like Coldplay, but Mylo Xyloto sounds like your attempt at a "pop" album.

Chris Martin: Yeah. We're in such a strange position, I don't even know where we fit in. Maybe it's because of our Englishness or the pantheon of brilliant bands that have gone before us, but we always feel very small. Some people say we're talented and some say we're the worst thing ever to happen to music, and it's a bit confusing being in the middle of that. All the noise reached a zenith on the last album-- we started getting lawsuits and just being taken apart. Shitty stuff. So we were like, "Fuck it, we'll make a record that really reflects what we listen to, and it doesn't matter what category it comes from." And that was part of Brian Eno's philosophy: You have to ignore all the noise around you and just have as much fun as possible when you're in that room for the 300 days of the year when no one is watching. It's not about who sold the most records as much as it's about who's enjoying their Thursday. He helped us to enjoy being in a band rather than just feeling under pressure to keep share prices up. So Brian wrote to us right after the last album came out and said, "You need to get back in the studio because we can go further." Which was a nice way of saying, "You can do better." Brian doesn't work with many people, so if he wants to work with you, you want to do it.

Pitchfork: What was your experience like working with Eno on this album?

CM: First and foremost, we do anything he says. [laughs] That goes a long way with him. So I'm secretly using him as much as he thinks he's using us, you see-- by letting him do whatever he wants, we're actually gaining. He's very mercurial-- he'll come in for a few days and then disappear. On the last album, I would come to him and be like, "Here's the song and here's all 28 bits to it." But this time, Eno said to me, "You need to fuck off for a bit, and then the end result will be much more about the chemistry of the band than the ramblings of a dictator."

He worked with everyone in the band one-on-one-- except for me-- just to make new sounds and get their confidence up. [Guitarist] Jonny [buckland] is a naturally shy person, but after spending time with Brian, he was much more prepared to take the lead role once we started putting songs together, which was great news for me. [laughs] "I love 'Last Friday Night' by Katy Perry almost as much as 'Karma Police', and if you want to straddle that line, you have to take the slings and arrows." Around our third record, X&Y, we all got a bit musically shy and probably made an error in terms of going for size over interestingness. That album sold well and had a lot of songs we really liked, but in terms of playing together as a band, we were relying too much on Pro Tools and using it as more of an examiner instead of as an instrument. A lot of people making records around 2004 were editing too lightly, even something like [R.E.M.'s] Around the Sun is guilty of that.

But when Brian came in, he was like, "You all need to sing together." His favorite thing to do is sing a cappella, so we really clicked by singing old gospel songs in the mornings before we'd start work. We were just so happy to have a teacher, someone to remind us of the joy of everything. He's so inquisitive and he's not afraid of failure, which is major thing if you're an established artist. He doesn't give a shit if he plays something ridiculous for two hours, because maybe after two hours and three minutes, one nugget of coolness comes out-- and we're very willing to play and play until that happens. On this album, the song with Rihanna, "Princess of China", started out acoustic, with no drums and all the boys just playing in a circle. And then little noises start coming out that gave the song its identity. Everything on this record went through that process.

Pitchfork: Did you guys actually record in the studio with Rihanna?

CM: I played the song on piano for her in the studio, but then she went away with her magic team and turned it into greatness. I was just like, "However you like to sing, please do that." [laughs] She has my favorite singing voice-- except for Bruce Springsteen or Stevie Wonder, maybe. It's so rich, but she's never showing off. She always puts the song first, not her ego, and gives you these fucking ironclad melodies. I really respond to it.

Pitchfork: It's funny, the "para, para" hook on your new single "Paradise" reminded me of the "ella, ella" part on Rihanna's "Umbrella".

CM: Yeah. The repeating of a syllable is a real recent pop trick. I've been wanting to do that for ages. It came out so naturally on "Paradise" because I've been listening to so much of that kind of music. I find that the more varied stuff you listen to, the more you learn other peoples' tricks. I'll think, "Oh, is there a way we could try something like that, but on the opposite kind of song?" Crossing wires, as it were. There was this Hungarian chant we were listening to for a while, which informed the new song "Hurts Like Heaven"-- there's a squashed harmony thing on there that comes from listening to these Hungarian women.

Pitchfork: You mentioned this idea of confidence, and while you're a popular singer for a massively successful band, you're also very self-deprecating and a little goofy. Like, when you played "Live on Letterman" last month, you literally fell down onstage while dancing.

CM: [laughs] Yeah, I was spinning. I lost my angles.

Pitchfork: But everyone there loved it. And when I saw you at Madison Square Garden at the beginning of the Viva la Vida tour, you messed up a couple lyrics, too, but you make it work somehow. At the same time, I can't help but think that another area rock act like Bruce Springsteen probably wouldn't do those things.

CM: I'm sure Bruce makes occasional mistakes-- not very many, I admit, but I've heard him fuck up one or two things. [laughs] But even though some of the things I do can come across nerdy or unprofessional, it's at least true to me. Now more than ever, pretending not to be myself would end even worse. I don't think you can be a mysterious rock star the same way you could in 1965 because there's too much information. Everything you do is available all the time. So the only thing you can rely on is not being false. That's really our only rule, and I think that's what drives people crazy about us, in a bad way, because it's not mysterious enough. But it's also why people like us, because it's coming from straight from the heart. There's nothing in the way. When I fall, I fall. That actually happens quite a lot, just not on camera-- that was embarrassing. [laughs]

Pitchfork: I agree that it's more difficult to conjure this mystery around rock stars nowadays, but I feel like Jay-Z still pulls it off.

CM: He's the only person, though. He's actually the coolest person in the world-- no one would really question that. But who else?

Pitchfork: Well, someone like Kanye...

CM: Kanye doesn't have it-- he fucking tweets about his curtains!

Pitchfork: You're right, but Kanye's managed to make his own type of non-mysterious over-sharing cool.

CM: [laughs] Oh, OK. I mean, I love his Twitter as much as anyone else, but Kanye's just being himself and letting people decide if they like it or not, too. You can't pretend.

Pitchfork: Do you think it was easier for artists like Neil Young to be cool in the 60s and 70s than it is today?

CM: One hundred percent, yeah. To establish the legend of Tom Waits would be so much harder now with people taking camera phone pictures of him changing his gas or doing his laundry. Everyone has to do all this unglamourous stuff, but in the past it was easy to believe that maybe Joni Mitchell didn't do all that and existed in this magic world. But technology has changed that. Lady Gaga does a great job of trying to keep everything in her own universe, but then someone will find a picture of her by a pool somewhere, which makes me feel annoyed for her because I know that's not part of her creative intention. It's the same as if someone gets a clip of you tripping up or having a nosebleed. It's tough, but that's the way it is.

Pitchfork: It's interesting to me how well you in particular can get away with those slip-ups, like on "Letterman".

CM: Well, during a show, you can get away with one massive fuck-up. But then your card is played. So if something goes wrong, it's fine, but then I am secretly a bit worried. An audience will forgive one tumble from the high wire, but if it happens twice, they'll think, "You can't even fucking do that."

Pitchfork: I was at your recent "Colbert Report" taping, too, and you played the wrong chord at the beginning of "Up in Flames" and had to start it over. Is that just nerves?

CM: Yeah, everybody gets a bit nervous. And we had only played that song once live before. With TV, you don't want to go in and be like, "We're the fuckin' greatest," because you're just the musical entertainment at the end of the show. You've got to know your place. If it's our own stadium gig, then it's a different thing. Did you see Radiohead when they played "Colbert"? Was that great?

Pitchfork: It was really good. They played a bunch of songs from their new album, though I feel like some people may have wanted to hear older ones. Bands like Radiohead and U2 are famous for reinventing themselves while maintaining a huge audience, which is an especially impressive trick to pull off. I feel like Coldplay kind of does that, but have you guys ever thought about going for a more radical musical change? Does that appeal to you?

CM: The way we differ from Radiohead-- who are unquestionably brilliant-- is that, at the end of the day, I'm still a slave to catchy songs. I love sing-alongs. And within the limits of that, we'll try anything. But we're in the middle because I love "Last Friday Night" by Katy Perry almost as much as "Karma Police", and if you want to straddle that line, you have to take the slings and arrows. Thom [Yorke] has a different philosophy, and that's why they're as great as they are. They're a lot braver, in a certain sense. They always challenge the hell out of you. When Kid A came out, I listened to it once and was really angry. I was like, "Where are all the stadium songs?" And then, sure enough, it becomes your favorite. That's so wonderful. Reinventions like Kid A or Achtung Baby were natural, but we wouldn't do that because it's already been done. We're trying to keep changing in our own way-- we're definitely a very different-sounding band now compared to the first album or the third album. I know we can never be in those guys' spheres, but we have our own thing, which is OK. Do you think it's normal for big artists to have haters and ups-and-downs?

Pitchfork: Yeah, how could you not?

CM: But with people like Bruce or U2, they're quite rightly beyond that-- they're respected. Recently, I've adopted a Bruce line where he asks the audience a question. I kind of stole it.

Pitchfork: What is it?

CM: I don't even want to say.

Pitchfork: C'mon...

CM: He asks, "Is there anybody alive out there?" I fucking love that. When I first saw him about three years ago, no one had told me about the way everyone says "Bruuuuce." So, like everyone else, I was like, "Why the fuck is everyone booing him after every song?" [laughs] I've seen a lot of his shows since then.

Pitchfork: Your friendship with Jay-Z is kind of fascinating to me. I'm curious, what do you guys bond over?

CM: I think a lot of people wonder why we're friends, and sometimes that question is basically racist-- not from you, though. [laughs] But if we were both black or both white, I don't think anyone would question it. I get it: We're from very different backgrounds. But we love the same stuff everyone else loves. I love his music, and he's a super cool guy, and he's genuine. I respect his decisions, and we have the same feelings about trying to be true in your art. It just happens that one of us is a nerd and the other is the coolest multi-entrepreneur on the planet. I think more people wonder why he's friends with me. Of course, I want to be friends with Jay-Z-- he's cool as fuck. In Britain, they're like, "How are you friends with Jay-Z?" It's almost like they're jealous. It's the same with my wife: "How the fuck did you manage to do that?" And my answer is: "I have no idea." [laughs]

Pitchfork: Do you and Jay, like, play board games together? Trivial Pursuit?

CM: No, we don't play that. We do play touch football. He's very good at American football-- not only does he have all these other talents, but he can throw a perfect spiral. And then, on the other end, it smacks me in the head. [laughs] In England, no one teaches you how to throw a spiral, so mine looks like an egg slowly limping through the air. "Jay-Z and I love the same stuff everyone else loves. It just happens that one of us is a nerd and the other is the coolest multi-entrepreneur on the planet."

Pitchfork: When you named this album Mylo Xyloto, you must've known that everyone was going to ask about what it meant.

CM: There's no actual answer; I've given like 18 different answers to that. The truth is I don't know. It's like the song "Yellow", there are just some things where your brain just tells you, and you can't change it. They just come out really naturally, and when you try and change it, it doesn't seem right, even though it might make more sense.

Pitchfork: As much as you're self-deprecating and humble, it takes a healthy amount of ego to name your album that, or put out a first single called "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" knowing that there will be people who'll dismiss it as "another Coldplay song about crying" without even listening to it.

CM: Well, for all my talking, I'm very proud of my band, and when we're playing together, I love it. It's given me everything good in my life. Everything. But I know we might not be everyone's cup of tea. So I apologize for that, but it doesn't make me want to stop. I really like that title "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" because I know it's about turning bad shit into good; music can make you escape, or it can make a situation more manageable somehow. The great thing about the internet is everyone hates everything, so you might as well just go on and do what you want. [laughs]

Pitchfork: If I meet someone who hates Coldplay, I'll sometimes tell them to watch your guest appearance on Ricky Gervais' "Extras", where you really take the piss out of yourself. Do you care if people are aware that you have a sense of humor even though there's no real irony in your music?

CM: No, there isn't-- and there isn't supposed to be. I've just given up caring about what anyone thinks. If someone thinks I'm a dickhead, fine, listen to someone else's record, then. We're not a totalitarian regime; no one's forced to listen to Coldplay. It's actually quite a compliment if you're something that people can stand against. We welcome that. But, in terms of personality and humor, none of our funny songs make it onto the records. [laughs] We have a lot of stupid ones, but our drummer Will never lets them on.

Pitchfork: What's a funny one?

CM: Actually [smiles mischievously], we wrote one yesterday about a girl with three boobs, but Will said, "It's not a single."

More photos of Coldplay on the TODAY Show at Rockefeller Plaza {21st October 2011):

All photos courtesy of MrsMartin333 via Facebook (click for more!)

Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto storms to no.1 on the UK album charts as 'Spotify boycott' begins

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Coldplay have gone straight to number one in the UK with their fifth studio album Mylo Xyloto, which sold 208,000 copies in its first week, according to the BBC this evening. The album, which was withheld from streaming service Spotify, outsold the rest of the top five put together. It notched up the second highest first-week sales of the year so far, behind Lady Gaga's Born This Way, which sold 215,000 copies in May. [Discuss this and other latest MX chart news from around the world in the Coldplay sales updates thread at the messageboard now (thanks mimixxx, nancyk58, teernabh5 & jeremyy)]

Meanwhile in the US and as previously reported, Coldplay is easily cruising to its third No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart as Mylo Xyloto will top the tally. While on Wednesday, the set was projected -- by industry sources -- to sell at least 440,000 to 450,000 copies by week's end on Oct. 30, that prognostication has grown a bit. MX should start with a minimum of 450,000 -- and could be bigger, depending on how the weekend shakes out. With lots of people out shopping this weekend for the Halloween holiday, anything is possible. A sales start north of 440,000 would secure Coldplay the third-biggest sales week of the year, behind Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" debut (1.1 million) and Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter IV" start (964,000).

On SoundScan's Building chart below -- a precursor to the final Billboard 200 ranking -- reflecting the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan's tracking week (which ends Sunday) as reported by six major merchants, Coldplay is expectedly found at No. 1.

And the person Coldplay have knocked off the UK top spot, Noel Gallagher, has indicated he'd be happy to collaborate with Coldplay or U2 - mainly due to the size of their record sales. Noel told the Sunday Mirror he'd be up for working with anyone who 'sells 50 million albums'. He said, "I’ve never been asked to do a collaboration. I guess I just don’t give off that come-and-get-me vibe. I wouldn’t be adverse to doing one with Coldplay or U2."

However, the interview perhaps indicated that Gallagher has a selective memory, as he also claimed that he's never been asked to do a collaboration.

This is despite the fact he has featured on a number of artists' tracks over the past 16 years, including two hook-ups with The Chemical Brothers - on 1998's 'Setting Sun' and 1999's 'Let Forever Be'. Gallagher has also appeared on tracks by Ian Brown, Paul Weller and more recently Miles Kane, along with a number of other collaborations.

Meanwhile, the New York post are asking "Is a Spotify boycott getting started?" As streaming music services gain ground, artists’ managers and their labels are starting to give more thought to how to window their new releases, to keep people buying the CDs and the digital downloads. Last week, CNET reported that Coldplay reps told a bunch of streaming services, including Spotify, Rhapsody and Pandora, that it didn’t want its new album Mylo Xyloto available there. The reasoning: They wanted fans to hear the album in its entirety. Windowing is something that is definitely being debated at the moment,” said one music label executive.

While movies tend to have big opening audiences and then drop off, music is a different animal. Some artists take a while to build (Adele, for example), while others (say, Bruce Springsteen) have huge sales on day one. “The shelf life is different,” explains one music-label executive, who doesn’t think such windowing is a great idea. “Windowing could be a logistical nightmare. We already do exclusives with retailers.”

This person lamented that even getting a release out on iTunes is something of a task, given that it can take as long as 10 days to get it there. While streaming services are where the music business is headed, one can hardly blame artists for wanting to preserve their revenue models. Paul Vidich -- a former Warner Music executive who appears in Walter Isaacson’s Steve Jobs biography for his role in helping build the iTunes platform -- told On the Money last week that the music business is in a deflationary period. He points out that CDs were once $18, and digital downloads are 99 cents. Vidich told On the Money, “Consumers are enjoying the music at different price points. The new and convenient on-demand service is cannibalistic and... is creating overall deflationary pressure on revenue.”

He added that there were very few artists who can control their streaming deals, since those are locked up with the labels.

More photos of Coldplay on the TODAY Show at Rockefeller Plaza {21st October 2011):

All photos courtesy of MrsMartin333 via Facebook (click for more!)

Coldplay's Oracle dismisses rumours of a Christmas album, and explains Will's absence from the Q Awards

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 2000 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

October 27, 2011 - submitted by David, United States of America

Q. First off I love Mylo Xyloto! it was magical! my question is about the possibility of a Christmas album, Chris mentioned on the Colbert Report that one was in the works, was he joking or is there one in the works?

The Oracle replies:

Without even having to ask someone to confirm / deny I know that it's definitely a joke and Chris is teasing; there is no Christmas album in any pipeline of any kind.

October 27, 2011 - submitted by Jessica, United States of America

Q. Dearest Oracle, I am looking at the back of Mylo Xyloto and I noticed that each song corresponds to a shape below, such as Up with the Birds is a bird shape. Can you tell me why Us Against the World is a sideways letter c and k? Or is it a variant on a stick figure? By the way I love the album but I wish that I hadn't seen footage of the band playing these songs live because I think they sound so much wonderful live. Thanks for answering my question and have a good day Oracle! Jessica

The Oracle replies:

Yes it's a stick figure but also the initials CK as you say, which stands for Car Kids.

October 26, 2011 - submitted by Luis, Spain

Q. Hey Oracle, Could you tell me the name of all Coldplay's EP albums and the songs from each album?

The Oracle replies:

Every official release is featured in our Recordings section so if you look there, you will find all the EPs with tracklistings.

October 26, 2011 - submitted by Anthony, United States of America

Q. So there is this girl and we are really good friends and I've liked her for about a year or so and asked her out a couple times and she said no each time. But now I'm hearing rumors that she really likes me but I don't want to go asking her out based off rumors and I mean we have A LOT in common so I think I should but at the same time I don't think I should. Please help.

The Oracle replies:

Rather than ask her in the same manner again, maybe make a little joke about it - like "you'll never guess what I heard? It's as if they don't know you turned me down twice! Unless it's 3rd time lucky?" If she doesn't seem interested, tell her you're joking but couldn't pass up the opportunity just in case. That way if she says no again, you won't feel too bad but... if the rumours are true, it'd be a shame to miss out after liking her for so long. If you don't like that idea, why not just ask one of her friends if there's any truth in what you have heard.

October 25, 2011 - submitted by Rebecca, Japan

Q. Dear Oracle, Could you please tell us why was Will absent from the Q Awards ceremony?

The Oracle replies:

As you probably know by now, Coldplay were named Best Act In The World Today in the public vote (thank you!) and all but Will attended the Awards ceremony in London yesterday (24th October). Will had a day off with the family before they reconvened to continue with press & promo duties. It's not the first time the whole band haven't attended as the Q Awards always seem to be when the band are at their busiest. I remember Guy didn't go back in 2002 when they had a show at Wembley Arena later than night. Here's a clip of Jonny & talkative Guy at yesterday's

event.

October 25, 2011 - submitted by Rudy, Slovakia

Q. Hi all-knowing Oracle! Can you please tell us when there are lyrics available for Mylo Xyloto in the Recordings section? Also other question from yesterday. On Coldplay Facebook page there was a greeting for our country, why did we get this honor from you as MX was also released in other countries? Thank you in advance, greetings from Slovakia.

The Oracle replies:

They're coming! The lyrics will appear this week - maybe even today. Facebook is very clever; it allows you to send notifications to a territory at a time so you're not the only country to receive news of the album's release.

October 25, 2011 - submitted by Dain, United States of America

Q. I was listening to the live version that Coldplay did a little earlier and I noticed that just a tiny bit of things are different than in the one released in the album. Any chance that Coldplay will release a studio version of the live version they did?

The Oracle replies:

I know I know everything Dain but give us a clue mate. You were listening to the live version of what exactly? I might be able to help if I know which track you mean...

October 24, 2011 - submitted by Carly, Australia

Q. On the Mylo album it's mentioned that Davide Rossi did all strings so what did Jon and Guy play? Mylo rocks because it's full of guitar shame Coldplay lacked imput :-( I'm so cut up I love Coldplay.

The Oracle replies:

In this context, strings refers to violins & cellos etc. As is usual, Jonny played guitar and Guy played bass. Davide is in charge of non-guitar string instruments.

October 24, 2011 - submitted by Ana, Spain

Q. Would you cancel your concert in Madrid if it rains? Rain is predicted for Wednesday

The Oracle replies:

Spanish rain eh? No, concerts don't get cancelled for rain.

October 24, 2011 - submitted by Laurie, Canada

Q. Hi Oracle, How are the boys today? Are they quite nervous about the release?

The Oracle replies:

To be honest, they've been a bit busy. Chris arrived in the UK this morning and went straight to meet Jonny & Guy at the Q Awards where he presented Gary Barlow with the Classic Songwriter award and they collectively picked up the Best Act In the World Right Now award. Phil tweeted this morning that it's a relief for the album to finally be out there and I'd wager the band agree.

New photos of Coldplay on the TODAY Show at Rockefeller Plaza {21st October 2011):

All photos courtesy of MrsMartin333 via Facebook (click for more!)

Coldplay Live Reviews, Photos and Setlist - Radio 1 Student Tour, UEA, Norwich (27th October 2011)

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Coldplay have played tracks from their new album Mylo Xyloto for the first time in the UK since its release, at the University of East Anglia in Norwich last night (27th October 2011). They performed a 75-minute set in front of 1,500 fans at Norwich's East Anglia University - most of which was streamed live on Radio 1 around the world. The gig was the first time Coldplay had returned to play the student union venue in 11 years. Speaking to Radio 1's Newsbeat before performing, Chris Martin said: "We just did a soundcheck and there were more people there than the first time we played here properly. So that was encouraging."

Interrupting a pre-gig game of football in their dressing room, Chris said: "The last time we played here was on the NME tour in 2000. Nobody really watched, which was probably as well as we weren't very good." Mylo Xyloto is likely to set the largest first week sales so far this year. But Chris said: "I asked this time not to really know [about the sales] because it's too easy to get caught up in that stuff and forget you just love being in a band."

Coldplay's website once again live blogged superbly throughout the evening and you can read all the photoblog discussions including your views on the latest pictures, interviews, videos and updates at the Coldplay forum now. More live discussion on this show is at the Coldplay Live forum (reviews start around page 95 onwards). Keep an eye on the Multimedia forum at the messageboard for downloads of the transmission (some links already available). Thanks to everyone who has contributed on the forums, Youtube and twitters. We'll have more on this show over the next few hours/days!

Setlist (confirmed):

Mylo Xyloto

Hurts Like Heaven

Yellow

In My Place

Major Minus

The Scientist

Violet Hill

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

Paradise

Up In Flames

Viva La Vida

Charlie Brown

Clocks

Fix You (Amy Winehouse - Rehab cover intro)

---------

Green Eyes (not aired on R1)

Shiver (not aired on R1)

Us Against The World (not aired on R1)

Photo courtesy of BBC Radio 1

At 8 o’clock,Zane presented Coldplay and the Back to the Future theme came on and they walked on stage. The set list was brilliant. Although we didn’t have Life is for living or Politik (which is my personal favourite), we did get quite a special treat. In the main setlist we had Paradise and Up in flames which was absolutely beautiful. After ETIAW, Chris came back on stage and told us that the official air-time was over so we could now swear. He counted 1-2-3 and we had to swear which was really funny and then he said: ‘Great but let’s try with sg worse’ and counted again we shouted and then laughed. The rest of the band came back on and they started singing Green eyes which was AMAZING!! Then they started Parachutes which turned into Shiver and Chris said: “This is a very special song. We wrote that in Jonny’s bedroom.” Of course that put us into a fangirl mode and we screamed. He started laughing and Jonny kissed him on the cheek which made us scream even louder. That was the cutest moment of the whole gig!(*sorry for being such a fangirl). Finally, UATW came on which made me end up in tears and that gives a feeling how great that concert was as I’m really not the crying type, I very rarely cry but that night made me so emotional. I was incredibly happy and grateful that I could be there. That was the best night ever, most incredible gig I’ve ever been to, I will never forget it. When the concert was over I even managed to get an MX guitar pick from Matt <3 and Anna has got a setlist. [thanks **Laura** - read more]

My Mum won a competition on Wednesday night for the UEA show on Thursday. So you can imagine my excitement when I found out... especially as the majority of the fans had queued up for 2 nights the week before in order to make sure they got tickets! I was stunned and couldn't sleep all night... I am an absolutely massive Coldplay fan (as are all of you) so it truly felt like Christmas Eve! We were told our names would be on the guestlist, so as we arrived to collect our tickets we explained that we had won a competition. The man at the door said 'Sorry, you've missed that competition. It was for this mornings acoustic session, not this evening'. My heart completely sank and I felt really shaky - we'd driven for over 2 and a half hours to get there! We asked them to check again, as we knew that we'd won a competition for the evening. After a bit of waiting around, the man at the door realised that he'd been thinking of the wrong competition, checked our names and we were given our lovely blue Coldplay wristbands! It was the biggest relief, and after that, we were completely elated, as after being told that we wouldn't get the tickets - we did! We then started queuing in the rain at around 5pm, to get in for when the doors opened for 6pm. Everyone was in high spirits singing along to Viva La Vida's classic 'oooo-ooooo's. A camera crew were there with a presenter saying 'Coldplay have come to Norwich!' which was then followed by lots of cheers from the crowd. While waiting in the queue, I was listening to some girls chatting in front of me (as you do...) and one girl was excitedly showing the others her picture of Chris Martin from earlier in the day as well as her autographs from the band. She had then asked the band 'Can you please play Green Eyes tonight?' and Chris said 'Yes sure we will'. I was a bit gutted that I hadn't waited around earlier to try and get some autographs and request a song from the band after hearing that! [thanks rnel16 - read more]

Hoooly shit, best day ever! Phil Harvey remembers my name *fangirl*. I'll write up a story once I've gotten some sleep and will also upload pictures and oh man, my epic IMP vid, I love it haha. Also filmed Green Eyes, haven't watched it yet but should be good cos my camera takes really good videos! Such a fucking incredible day! My elephant hat is just hanging on the door now, sad sight :( [thanks johkujii]

So, Anna (AnnaElisabeth), Jo (johkujii) and I set off for Norwich early on Wednesday as we planned to queue v.early on the day of the gig (hey these students proved themselves to be crazy with the 48 hour queuing just for tickets) and met the lovely Chelsea (ApproximatelyInfinate) there. After checking into our weird, yet awesome hotel (no reception which was great since there were 5 of us bunking in a room for two ) we headed to UEA to check the situation. Chelsea (who is a UEA alumni) took us to the LCR and showed us all the possible entrances and likely queuing places, there were a lot which worried us, but we decided we’d just get there the next day early enough to be able to scope the scene first. Next she showed us the room Coldplay would be playing in, which was SO small The barrier was also insanely close to the stage. Excited squees ensued... At around 11am three blacked out vans appeared signaling the arrival of the band, by this point the lovely Laura (**Laura**) and Chelsesa had joined us. We just watched and waved from afar as Jonny and Guy clambered out, however as soon as Chris came into view everyone else in the queue screamed his name. Surprisingly (since he looked so very tired and they were late for the Live Lounge soundcheck) he came over. Immediately everyone started making demands of him. We opened our mouths to greet him since he was standing in front of us, only to have someone nearby shove a camera in his face and demand a picture without so much of a “hi, nice to meet you” And on it went like that for the duration of his stay. Without going into too much detail Chris told everyone that the gig would be slightly shorter than planned thanks to a personal issue (I know there’s rumours floating around but I’m not going to repeat what he said, sorry) however instead of people backing off as you would expect they continued undeterred, barking demands for autographs and pictures. It left a pretty sour taste in our mouths to be honest I know the biggest band in the world walking around a university campus is a very very rare occurrence, however I kinda think that doesn’t mean people should forget how to be respectful. [thanks Mimixxx - read more - Part 1 Part 2]

More Coldplayer reviews to follow...

New photos of Coldplay @ R1 Student Tour concert, University of East Anglia (27th October 2011):

Photos courtesy of BBC Radio 1

Coldplay news round-up: Live Lounge, R1 Student Tour tonight, Stone Roses, streaming snub, MX chart update for US/UK

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

UPDATE: Coldplay.com are Live Blogging again tonight! Join all the discussion on Coldplay's performance and the blog at our dedicated R1 Student Tour forum now! [Don't forget you can listen live to the full concert on Radio 1 online!]

A few headlines that have escaped the radar over the past few days in between all the appearances and events are rounded up now, starting with today's news that Coldplay have covered Rihanna at the University of East Anglia in Norwich. Coldplay performed at the student union at lunchtime today (Thursday) as part of BBC Radio 1’s Student Tour, which sees DJs Fearne Cotton and Zane Lowe broadcasting live from four university towns and cities. You can listen to the small set of three songs at the Coldplay Live forum and/or download them at the Multimedia forum now [thanks Tom8 & chommy_16]

Just 100 students were given the chance to see Coldplay while others peered through the windows to catch a glimpse. The performance saw them play Hurts Like Heaven and Paradise while their 'mystery cover' was a Rihanna song. Lucy Dale, 20, who studies film and television at the UEA, was one of the lucky fans to get the chance to see the Live Lounge set. She said it was "like a dream. It’s been absolutely amazing, I can’t describe it," said Miss Dale, who has seen Coldplay twice before.

Politics student Thomas Shaw, 20, who was with his friend Adam Speak, said: "It’s been incredible. The atmosphere in the room has been amazing. The fact that we got to see them with so little people is amazing." The show raised the curtain for Coldplay’s evening gig at the UEA – one of the biggest in the venue’s history – which will be broadcast in Zane Lowe’s show from 7pm tonight. A spokesman for the UEA said: "This is a very rare opportunity to see a hugely popular band, who are more used to headlining festivals, but to see them up close and personal in a good small live music venue."

Also being reported today by Contact Music is the news that Coldplay have a vested interest in the Stone Roses' upcoming reunion after ploughing cash into a movie about the cult British rockers. The Stone Roses smashed U.K. concert sales records last week (21st October 2011) when all 240,000 tickets for their reunion gigs sold out in less than an hour. They are reporting that are backing an upcoming fictional movie based around a legendary Stone Roses concert, and they are hoping the band's newly announced 2012 world tour will generate interest in the film. Frontman Chris Martin explains, "We actually invested in a film by our friend Mat Whitecross about four lads who tried to blag tickets for the famous Stone Roses Spike Island gig. Speaking as film investors, we hope the reunion is a huge success as it will be reflected in the box office figures."

Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto won't be streaming on Spotify or any other unauthorised music streaming service, according to various sources including the Guardian. They are reporting via CNET that Coldplay have followed in Adele's footsteps by ensuring their latest album won't be available on most streaming services. They said: If Spotify is the future of the music industry, then Coldplay are betting on the present. The rockers' label has revealed that their new album, Mylo Xyloto, will not be offered to streaming services, forcing fans to pay for physical copies of MP3 downloads. EMI are "a little embarrassed" by Coldplay's decision to spurn Spotify, CNet reports. Although the band's previous albums are available, songs like Paradise and Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall are nowhere to be found on Spotify, nor on competitors like Rdio and Rhapsody. The tracks are only only available on Microsoft's Zune network, and on iTunes, where Coldplay streamed one song a day last week. "We always work with our artists and management on a case-by-case basis to deliver the best outcome for each release," EMI told CNet. According to an unnamed industry source, Coldplay want Mylo Xyloto to be heard as "one cohesive work" and not split up into songs. This could be the rationale for Arcade Fire and Pink Floyd, whose work is absent from Spotify, or for Tom Waits, whose latest album will not be made available on the service. But if Coldplay care so much about "the album", it's odd their songs are available on iTunes as individual downloads. More likely, Coldplay are mimicking the sales strategy of Adele. Without any help from Spotify – 19 isn't listed – the singer has broken sales records worldwide. Indeed, the tactic seems to be working so far: Coldplay are on track to debut at number one.

In chart news, Coldplay will easily have the number one album in America next week with 'Xylo Myloto', according to the Music-News website. The 5th Coldplay album is tracking to selling upwards of 450,000 units over the week in America, according to hitsdailydouble.com. The last Coldplay album 'Viva La Vida' sold 721,000 in week one when it was released in June 2008 and went on to sell 2,760,000 units in America.

Meanwhile in the UK according to the Music Week website, Mylo Xyloto needed just two days to achieve the highest first-week album sales in the UK for an entire week since the end of May. MX album clocked up 122,508 sales up to the close of business on Tuesday, according to the Official Charts Company, more than any newly-released album has sold in an entire week since Interscope/Polydor’s Lady GaGa album Born This Way debuted at number one with 215,639 sales five months ago. Xylo Myloto’s total for the week so far is already more than their first album Parachutes sold (70,951) to debut at number one across its first week in 2000, but the first-week tallies of their subsequent albums were significantly higher. The 2002 album A Rush Of Blood To The Head began with 273,924 sales, 2005’s X&Y 464,471 and Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends 302,074 in 2008.

New screenshots of Coldplay @ Amex Unstaged concert, Madrid (26th October 2011):

[thanks to Megane Helders]

Coldplay Live Reviews, Photos and Setlist - Amex Unstaged concert, Madrid (26th October 2011)

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Coldplay returned to Europe last night as they performed at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas for the Amex Unstaged concert, in Madrid (26th October 2011). Coldplay, due to top the charts with new album Mylo Xyloto this weekend, launched their latest release with an outdoor show at Madrid's premier bull ring. As fans at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas arena came under a hail of ticker tape, balloons and heavy rain showers, frontman Chris Martin told them: "We have the best fans in the world no question."

Photographer and film-maker Anton Corbijn directed the show, which was broadcast live on YouTube. Fans wore illuminated LED wristbands, filling the venue with flashing lights. The band launched the album in Europe with a press conference in the city but will return home for a 1500 capacity show in Norwich tonight.

Chris did some spray painting to the stage with cans of spraypaint during the show as he wrote "Madrid". The show was streamed on YouTube at the ColdplayVEVO channel and is being repeated at that channel regularly. Keep an eye on the Multimedia forum at the messageboard for downloads of the transmission. Some excellent photos from the concert are already available courtesy of excessif312 @ Flickr. And a huge review from Jason DeBord includes masses of pictures.

More live discussion on this show is at the Coldplay Live forum (reviews start around page 85 onwards). Thanks to everyone who has contributed on the forums, Youtube and twitters. We'll have more on this show over the next few hours/days!

Setlist (confirmed):

Mylo Xyloto

Hurts Like Heaven

Yellow

In My Place

Major Minus

Lost!

The Scientist

Violet Hill

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

Paradise

Up In Flames

'Til Kingdom Come

Politik

Viva La Vida

Charlie Brown

Life Is For Living

---------

Clocks

Fix You (Amy Winehouse - Rehab cover intro)

Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall

Photo courtesy of excessif312 @ Flickr

I came all the way from California for this show, and had high expectations, and came away just absolutely thrilled - thought it was a fantastic show (muy bueno!). Coolest venue ever. Now, the "Hidden Gigs" from last December were incredible because of their small and intimate nature - this show was spectacular by the gravitas of the venue. Just awesome. I only found one other Coldplaying member (photo of her and her friend at the bottom - I'll let her identify herself if she'd like!), as I had almost no Internet connectivity, but really enjoyed chatting with her before and after the show. The sound I think was the best I'd heard at a Coldplay show - not sure if they had different rented (local) gear in addition to their own or it was the acoustics of the venue or what, but it was awesome. Loved the show itself. I am a huge Anton Corbijn fan, so not having seen the broadcast product yet, I can't comment on that aspect. There was a really cool "flying" video cam up top on wires that could basically capture anything in the arena (posted a pic below). Would have liked more of his influence in the visuals (a la the Depeche Mode 'Devotional' film and tour), but I know they didn't have as much lead up time for this show. I thought the set list was great. Of course, Coldplay always leave you wanting more... but that's a tribute to how many great songs they have. I wished, from the new album, they'd done "Up With the Birds" and "Princess of China". But you can't have everything. Anyway, I'm sure everyone here watched it themsevles, so I'll just post some still pics I took below... Oh, and the "Premium Golden Ticket" was actually more more than I was expecting, compared with the VIP tickets I got for the UCLA/MusicCares gig... they had a cool room set up with free drinks and finger foods, and they let you take funny pics that you are supposed to be able to download with a code on the laminate/lanyard (haven't looked for them yet). The light up bracelets were really cool in the show... I got a few of those but gave the extras to some other fans in other sections that didn't have them, and just kept one for myself. Also got one of the beach balls. And one other really, really, really cool thing was gifted to me. Oh, and it did rain - I thought it was a cool, environmentally-friendly effect. [thanks Jason-DeBord]

This was really great, awesome. The crowd, some improvisations from Jonny, little mistakes (I like them), the weather, Up In Flames, Till Kingdome Come the way they played it in the Twisted Logic tour, the X-stage (dont know how to call it) and the fireworks who didnt look to go well haha. And the Ole-part from Chris was great! For a moment I was expecting Don Quixote! I think it was a great show and I can't wait to see them here in Holland! [thanks sjors93]

Well, this was pretty awesome, as usual. Slightly disappointed with the setlist though. I like the new stage. I loved Up In Flames, Violet Hill, 'Til Kingdom Come... Great to see that one back. And God Put A Smile is still so, so good. Funny when Chris went 'I'm gonna trow mah guitah herrreee.' I had hoped to see more of Anton, but at least the pre-show video was really cool. And Guy's silly walk was hilarious. Edit: Can't wait to see Chris spraying 'ROTTERDAM' on that screen! [thanks Blue Nails]

I think it's normal they didn't play a lot of MX songs. Most people have only been listening to it since Monday/Tuesday in Spain so the crowd didn't know the new songs yet. And since it was broadcasted worldwide, and probably recorded for a DVD or something, I guess they didn't want to risk it too much. I would like to hear new songs at Norwich, though. [thanks isrlns]

I was a bit disappointed actually. I really thought they would add more new songs. They even skipped UATW! I really love Til Kingdom Come, but why play an oldie like that when you have a new record with a track like UATW? I still think the setlist is too short for a proper concert. How long did they play? 75 minutes, 80 minutes max? Thats way too short for a band like Coldplay. During the festival gigs it's explainable, but not for a real concert for the real fans. And I think I've seen too many shows this year so far because there aren't really any surprises left for me during the gig. I know when Chris finishes Politik he's gonna play a Viva intro on the piano and when the crowd recognizes is as VLV the song starts. I know when In My Place is finished Chris is going to talk to the crowd in their language and excusing himself 'because his [put in language of the country] is fucking terrible'. And why still play the Amy tribute? And so on. I was really happy with the atmosphere though. The venue looked amazing and Anton Corbijn did an excellent job. Some shots (especially aerial shots) were amazing. I also laughed when Chris smashed down his guitar after GPASUYF.

Conclusion: an average Coldplay concert, with a bit more mistakes than we're used to actually. I'm really hoping for a new setlist for the coming European tour, because there is just no surprise left for me. And it has to be longer, come on guys, you're not playing festival gigs anymore! [thanks R23]

I was so excited for this, even asked my painting instructor to stream it live on the projector screen during class, which he did, but then felt disappointed as it reminded me of VLV tour with a few new songs thrown in. I preferred the setlist at the beginning of summer when they had Shiver and Everything's Not Lost in there. I rather they go way back to Parachutes and RBTTH than just back to VLV for retro songs. I am so over hearing Lost and Violet Hill and VLV for that matter. I know they won't drop VLV, but drop the other two please. [thanks Yeshe]

I only watched about 7 or 8 songs but I can see already that Chris was little over excited, the vocals weren't great, a little painful at times. Granted, they were having fun, which is great to see. The audience was phenomenal and the venue was spectacular and unique. Like someone else said earlier, perhaps we've been spoiled since we've seen EVERY festival and live performance in 4 months so nothing is a surprise to us. It would be great for them to mix things up a bit. I do hope that the official tour will be slightly different as I feel like I've seen it all. The setlist did seem a bit short, but was still okay. I was front row here in Toronto for their gig at Much Music in September and I felt the performance was super solid...maybe they're just getting tired and need a bit of a break. [thanks Taliaa]

Very satisfying setlist for any fans and Chris had a lot of energy. I like all the songs they played but I wish they had played more of the new songs like Don't Let It Break Your Heart and Up With The Birds. Also, whose idea was it to remove Us Against The World from the setlist? Fire him now ! After 5 great albums, Coldplay's catalog is now full of hit songs. They need to "let go" of some of their favorites and make room for the new ones per example Violet Hill and In My Place (and I really love those songs). This will be the MX Tour so please make it about the new songs. Or they can just play a 120 minutes long show (I have no problem with that). [thanks macky]

More Coldplayer reviews to follow...

New photos of Coldplay @ Amex Unstaged concert, Madrid (26th October 2011):

More photos available via excessif312 @ Flickr now.

Coldplay live preview: AMEX Unstaged concert in Madrid tonight (join the streaming party!)

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

UPDATE: We now have a dedicated AMEX Unstaged forum for alll discussion threads relating to this evening's Live Blog and concert!

Graffiti is the theme of Coldplay’s concert tonight (Wednesday 26th October) in Madrid, a performance that is the focal point of a multi-platform event from American Express in partnership with Vevo and YouTube. The show is part of the American Express Unstaged music series, but this time is distinctive for being directed by filmmaker and photographer Anton Corbijn (The American, Control) and streamed live exclusively on Vevo. We will have full discussion on this show at the messageboard today - join us as we try and break another forum online users record! (Please post your show reviews in that thread and we'll try and post as many of them as we can in tomorrow's review article!)

There are other viewing options, too. Fans in New York City will be able to watch on four large LED screens, with built-in sound, placed in Times Square. It will also be available to watch live on mobile devices via VEVO and YouTube apps for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Android. Those at home can switch between multiple camera angles, including: the Director’s Cut; how it looks from the stage; and the view from above, thanks to an aerial camera affixed to cables circling Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas. Let us know via Twitter where and how you will be watching it! (please include your country and a picture where possible).

In the buildup to the performance, among competitions and other activities, Coldplay fans were invited to create an online graffiti-style butterfly as part the “Flight of Madrid” project. An assortment of these lepidopterae will be will be animated into a music video that will be projected on the LCD screens behind the band during the concert, and they each have the creator’s tag and home town on their body for easier recognition. Afterwards, fans who “like” the American Express entertainment tab on Facebook will be allowed to download three Coldplay tracks from the Madrid show. The performance also will be rebroadcast for 48 hours and selected clips will be on the Coldplay Vevo page on YouTube.

In the United States, the webcast will begin at 4pm ET / 1pm PT (and in the UK this is 9pm BST) on Wednesday, October 26 with special guest, artist FeddeLe Grand (who recently remixed Paradise.)

The Unstaged show be available to watch in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korean Republic, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States.

Some of the butterflies you have created for the 'Flight of Madrid' Project:

Coldplay round-up: Mylo Xyloto on track for record UK sales; The now infamous 'The Bert Show'; Q Awards interviews

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto is challenging Adele’s 21 to become the fastest-selling album in the UK this year after opening with more than 95,000 sales., according to Music Week today in a review of early music sales for this week. They continue:

Coldplay are certainties to debut at number one this coming Sunday with what will be their fifth chart-topping album out of five releases. They begin the week by outselling nearest rival Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds by nearly four copies to one, according to the Official Charts Company. As they head to the top of the artist albums chart, Coldplay will also return to the singles chart this week. Paradise is new at 12 in the chart week so far, one position ahead of fellow new release, the Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen single You Make Me Feel by Cobra Starship featuring Sabi.

Chris Martin was interviewed on The Bert Show (radio) after appearing on NBC Today Show last Friday - nothing unusual about that, right? Wrong. The interview was pre-recorded for playback during their primetime show - but they were forced to hang fire on publishing it because Chris (or Coldplay's publicist) hung up on the show after a heavy bout of questioning on Chris's personal life and Gwyneth Paltrow. 'Bert' from the show was adamant that he did not ask any offensive questions but when he said that: "Gwyneth tweeted that the new album is a masterpiece, but she sort of has to say that, right?" there was a heavy sigh from Chris, then the conversation ended. [You can discuss and listen again to this interview at the Coldplay forum now (thanks Mimixxx & _Tash)]

Interestingly, the Bert Show's written preview of the interview said: "Chris Martin joins The Bert Show for an interview to promote his upcoming album, Mylo Xyloto…and hangs up on us! The cast isn’t really sure what set him off that made him hang up, but then he called back and asked to speak to whoever asked the last question." Hardly surprising, then, when the questions are not about MX, the interview is halted. UPDATE: The Bert Show have now gone and uploaded the full interview and autopsy on their website. That was probably your first and last interview with Coldplay, Bert!

Meanwhile, at the Q Awards in London yesterday, Chris Martin joked that fans should 'burn' their new album Mylo Xyloto for 'warmth' if they buy it and don't like it. Coldplay released their fifth LP this week and have given many unusual reasons why people should purchase the record. Asked what people can expect from the album, frontman Chris Martin joked: "I think its one of our roundest albums, it's almost a perfect circle of a CD, it costs less than £20 and if you don't like it you can always burn it to get some warmth, so it's a three-pronged reason to buy it."

Noel Gallagher's solo album, 'Noel Gallagher's High-Flying Birds' is currently number one in the UK album chart but Coldplay don't think they will take the top spot away from him at the end of this week. Chris said: "I don't think so, we've never knocked Noel Gallagher off anything."

Coldplay picked up the Best Act in the World Today prize at yesterday's (24th October) Q Awards and said they enjoy attending the ceremony because it is like a 'school reunion'. Jonny Buckland said: "You get to see lots of bands and people you haven't seen for ages." Chris added to BANG Showbiz: "It's the closest we get to a school reunion you know, with all the bands."

New photos of Coldplay at the 'Audience with Absolute Radio' event, Globe Square, London (25th October 2011): [thanks _Tash]

Our Tuesday 'On Air' round-up: Coldplay @ Absolute, BBC6 Music, XFM, Jools Holland today

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Coldplay will be hitting the UK radio stations in London today and then finish the day on telly. In order, they will appear on: Absolute Radio, BBC6 Music, XFM and then finish with a performance on Later With Jools Holland. We will try and get them all up as soon as they become available, in the Multimedia forum!

1) First up, is Chris and Jonny who will be heading for Globe Square, home of Absolute Radio for an interview with Christian O'Connell (and guests!). The unedited interview - warts and all - with be airing LIVE on digital station Absolute Noughties from around 1pm UK Time today (TIP: listen in standard quality and you don't need to sign in). The edited interview will air again on Wednesday 26 October between 6am and 10am. More on this appearance is here at the Coldplay forum now.

2) Then, Chris and Jonny will be heading to BBC6 Music to speak to Steve Lamacq about all things Coldplay, including the new album release. You can listen online to the programme from around 4pm UK time later today. More discussion when it happens will be here at the messageboard.

3) Following that, Chris heads to XFM to talk John Kennedy through every track on Coldplay’s new album Mylo Xyloto. In another of XFM's X-Posure Album Playback. This interview will be airing online from 10pm tonight. Discussion as it happens on this one will be here at the forum. [thanks Mimixxx]

4) Airing around the same time as XFM is Coldplay's appearance on BBC2 on Later With Jools Holland where Coldplay will be performing tracks from the new album. You can watch on BBC2 at 10pm, but don't worry if you miss it - this show will also be repeated with more tracks on Friday. More on this at it happens is, again, at the Coldplay orum here onwards [thanks Smethus]

New photos of Coldplay at the Q Awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London (24th October 2011):