Coldplay top the list of bands organisers want to perform the official Olympic song at the opening ceremony for the 2012 games in London. Whoever is chosen will play the specially-commissioned song to a TV audience in excess of two billion, reports say.

Organisers have delegated the responsibility of finding someone to write what will be called 'Welcome Song' to arts charity the Dartington Hall Trust. According to an inside source, Chris Martin and company are their first choice to perform it.

The source told the Daily Mirror, "Chris is at the top of the list to front the official record. He's a huge star and a British musical icon, with an international profile. We're pulling out all the stops to get hold of him, ideally with the rest of Coldplay involved, too."

The source added, "Coldplay are the biggest stadium rockers in Britain today and their style of anthemic music would be perfect for the Olympics. It needs to be something inspirational. The hope is that they would perform at the opening ceremony, as well as produce a recording of the track, which could help fund good causes in British sport."

Coldplay aren't the only act in the running to perform the track on July 27, 2012. Muse, Joss Stone and Damon Albarn are also rumoured to be in contention to feature at the Danny Boyle-orchestrated opening ceremony.

Recent pictures of Coldplay with fans at the Bakery (March 2011): [thanks to laurenev49]

Already at least three bands have revealed that they’ll be on the Splendour in the Grass lineup in 2011 – The Kills, The Vaccines, and Cornershop – and now as we countdown the days to the official announcement the rumour mill has inevitably gone into overdrive, multiple online sources are reporting today.

Fuji Rock will be held from Friday 29th July to Sunday 31st July, and Splendour will be on during the same weekend, held at south-east Queensland’s Woodfordia site. Coldplay will play T in the Park festival in Scotland on July 9th which would give them a 3 week break ahead of Fuji and Splendour. More on the as-yet-unconfirmed Splendour date is at the Coldplay Live forum now [thanks njshaw]

Last year Fuji Rock and Australia's Splendour in the Grass festivals shared a fleet of acts, so the announcement of the Fuji lineup provides excellent fodder for the favourite late Summer game: Guess The Splendour Lineup. Last year the Splendour in the Grass lineup was released on the 15th of April and as we approach that date an article has been posted on the SPA website claiming that Pulp has been “confirmed” to headline Splendour, with Elbow, Noah and the Whale and Coldplay on a very English festival lineup.

Coldplay’s place on the festival lineup has been a persistent rumour ever since the 2003 Splendour visitors were announced on the Fuji Rock lineup back in March. Earlier this week Herald Sun music journalist Nui Te Koha also declared on Twitter that “Coldplay [are] coming for splendour in the grass. no side shows” so the rumour certainly seems to be gathering steam.

Splendour rumours: Kanye West, Coldplay, Pulp and more

Coldplaying TV (episode 3) is now live!

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: #42 and the wonky studio

Discuss this blog entry in the Coldplay forum here onwards [thanks Natascha]

Greetings folks, from my little room at the top of the Beehive. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I could swear that things have got more wonky up here since we moved in. And I mean that in a purely physical sense, not a psychological one. We’ve got bits of wood under the fridge to try to level it up and there’s a pretty hefty crack appearing down the side of the staircase. Whether it’s just the building breathing, or whether I’ll find myself on top of a passing double decker one day soon, only time will tell...

Aside from the cracks down the stairs, there are further building modifications going on. Somewhat amusingly, before we moved in here, the place had been squatted and the walls were covered with graffiti. Part of the refit was cleaning up, re-plastering and re-painting so we were surrounded by pristine white walls.

Since then, bringing everything full circle, Chris seems to have become very friendly with spray-paint and Will, with most of his parts recorded, has also begun to express himself rather colourfully all over the walls.

I didn’t find out for a long time that the Viva logo was something Will did whilst at a loose end during the last album sessions. The four bars, one red and three black with the V I V A letters across them had been up on the wall in the lounge area of the Bakery for a long time. Because I was so accustomed to seeing the logo all over the place - on the huge stage drape, on t-shirts, tour programmes - everywhere, I just assumed that the small one up on the wall in the Bakery was just another, maybe a decal or something. But when we were filming the band getting all the wonderful fan postcards a couple of years ago, the subject came up. Will proudly explained that it was the original and all his own work.

This week is eerily quiet here. From the look of things, this may be a “family week” at home for the band, which means everyone still here gets a chance to catch up with work and make a start on preparations for the festivals.

EJ, one of the band’s lovely assistants dropped by the other day with passports fresh back from the travel company. I’m now on my fifth passport since starting with Coldplay back in 2002 - that’s a lot of pages stamped and an unthinkable number of miles travelled. The impending festival run is hardly a lengthy world tour, but it’s a reminder that we’re going to be back out in the world soon and that the warm comfy cocoon of the studio isn’t forever.

In an attempt to take the edge off the mad-dash panic that band rehearsals tend to be, we’re getting a head start on gear repairs and maintenance. Bash has been in with a new kit for Will, which has been suitably attacked with the spray-cans. I’m busily sampling a lot of the old keyboards that we’ve taken on the road with us for years - trying to shed a few cargo pounds. Matt McGinn is tearing apart Jonny’s world to satisfy Dan Green’s desire for true stereo.

It’s not all silence in the studio though, as Chris and Brian appear to have snuck back in during the ‘quiet week’. Like mischievous little boys, they’re pulling the songs out and seeing if there’s some interesting ways in which they can twist and distort them. Markus has been at the reins very solidly through this session and has done a sterling job at keeping everything progressing towards the finish line. A little bit of coaxing happy accidents from mad experiments can’t hurt though. And it looks like that’s exactly what’s happening downstairs. I want to find an excuse to nip in and take a look, but I also don’t want to break the spell.

Either way, I can’t wait to hear the results.

R#42.

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

April 5, 2011 - submitted by Sara, United Kingdom

Q. Hello, Oracle! I was on a Coldplay playlist on youtube and came across this and was puzzled. Does this have anything at all to do with Coldplay? Is this them performing it? If not, then would you happen to know what this is? Because it is indeed beautiful!

Best wishes, xxx

The Oracle Replies:

The connection is that the creator of the music - Miami Lights - has featured on our website's Exhibition Room. I would assume that's why they have tagged the video with Coldplay.

April 4, 2011 - submitted by John, United States of America

Q. Why did Coldplay name the Safety E.P. as they did?

The Oracle Replies:

There's an interview with the band's lovely friend John Hilton who took the photo for the Safety E.P cover. He explains that the name came about accidentally from a piece of the camera film...

April 5, 2011 - submitted by Rowan, United Kingdom

Q. **I BEG YOU FOR A REPLY** What do you do with a girlfriend(dating for 2 years) who neither wants your last name when you marry or wants children. I may be thinking ahead, because I'm still young in tertiary school, but a man finds and dates a woman he plans on marrying one day, and it bothers me that she wouldn't want to take my last name, which is something I traditionally believe strongly in. Her reasons for not wanting to take a man's last name is that she likes her last name. She doesn't like her parents but she really likes her last name, and THAT'S her only reason. I asked about hyphenating, and she was strongly opposed to that too. The thing about children is these things usually pass with time, but she really doesn't like children. I always planned on adopting as opposed to having my own due to genetic reasons, so she wouldn't have to bear the children, but she really doesn't like children and really never wants any of her own (or pets... I love animals). I feel like if I stay with her, that we're both wasting our time, because our futures and marriage ideals just seem different, but it'd be hard to break up with a 2 year girlfriend. What should I do??? Thanks very much in advance!

The Oracle Replies:

Slow down cowboy! You don't need to be worrying about such things just yet. Two months, two years, two decades - time doesn't necessarily mean it gets easier or harder to break up with someone Rowan but as you're still at school, a lot of changes are going to happen to you both over the next few years. Personally I don't think there's anything wrong in her wanting to keep her last name, it's not that big a deal in my opinion but if it's a value you hold dear and are not prepared to change, you have to respect someone if they value the opposite. You're both still young so honestly, if you did break up, don't be surprised to find out in ten years time that she's married (with her husband's surname) and has kids! As I said, people change but if you know now that you want children then it's important for you to find someone who shares that just don't expect to find them when you're still at school.

April 4, 2011 - submitted by Arely, United States of America

Q. Hi Oracle! I had one quick question: What does Chris or someone else say at the very end of the new Studiofeed video? It sounds like an odd word....

The Oracle Replies:

Really? Sounds like swearing to me...

April 4, 2011 - submitted by Linea, Denmark

Q. Many people have probably asked this, but why was there no Aprils fools joke on the website? Last year there was the perfume, and the year before that; zero gravity recording.

The Oracle Replies:

Did you not see the hypnofeed video clip? It was decided to share a well known prank from 1957 with you all instead. I'm not old enough to remember it first time round...

March 31, 2011 - submitted by Josef, Brazil

Q. Oracle, we can find hidden tracks on the albums: Viva La Vida (Chinese Sleep Chant), Parachutes (Life Is For Living) and X&Y (Til Kingdom Come). Why A Rush Of Blood To The Head doesn't have a hidden track?

The Oracle Replies:

I personally wouldn't say that Viva la Vida has hidden tracks, they're just not named on the track listing. I say 'they' because The Escapist is the album's uncredited closer. Hidden tracks are totally different in my opinion, in that they appear quite a time before the first or last songs. The reason that Viva had a two for one on some was to keep the album at a rounded number of ten in total. It wasn't an unwritten rule to have hidden tracks on every album. Before anyone asks if the next album will have any - I have no idea!

March 31, 2011 - submitted by Will, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle- I was just listening to some Coldplay when a question struck me--how many instruments does Chris play? I'm aware he plays guitar and piano in addition to his amazing vocals, but are there any more hidden talents? Thanks from the U.S.A.!

The Oracle Replies:

I've seen him play the drums but obviously not on record. Will is the multi-instrmentalist of the band but they all try their hand at different things in the studio and at their live shows.

March 30, 2011 - submitted by Helene, Norway

Q. Dear Oracle, Is there any place where I can buy the acoustic version of Lovers in Japan? I'd never download anything from a band that I adore as much as Coldplay without actually paying for it first. Thanks in advance! Best wishes from Norway.

The Oracle Replies:

The acoustic version was a bonus track on the pre-ordered Viva album via iTunes, in fact there was only ever a digital version. Unfortunately that also means it was only available for a limited period of time. It popped up on my iPod's shuffle the other day and I myself wondered how I'd come by it.

March 30, 2011 - submitted by Ian, United States of America

Q. I know there must be at least 5 dozen other guys asking for relationship advice from the Oracle, but it would be greatly appreciated. My girlfriend intends to go with a bunch of friends on a cross country trip to California at the end of senior year. I love her to tears and would never think of leaving her. But I don't think I can just uproot myself from Pennsylvania to go with her. I don't know if I should go with her, break it off just before she leaves, or break up now so I don't have to see her go. Anyway I look at it my heart gets broken.

The Oracle Replies:

Ian you are a walking contradiction. How can you say "I would never think of leaving her" and two seconds later ask if you should break up with her now or before she leaves? It's time to get harsh... C'mon man, pull yourself together; she's going on a trip, not emigrating! You don't actually mention if she has asked you to go along with her and her friends either so this is what I think... If you don't want to go, don't go but let her go with as much strength as you can muster. I suggest you encourage her and support her. She's going anyway regardless and the last thing she'll want or need is to feel pressure from you. Yes it will be sad saying goodbye for a while and your heart may be heavy, but it won't break. Surely you want her to be happy and feel she deserves it after studying hard? Part of being in a relationship is compromise. You may be part of a couple but you are both individuals so let her be herself. If you are prepared to end the relationship just before you goes, I'd say you need to take a long hard look at yourself. Why would you want to put her through pain just before a trip of a lifetime? If you love her, wait for her otherwise tell your ego to calm down dude or you'll lose her anyway.

March 29, 2011 - submitted by Big Silly aka Mike, United States of America

Q. So what's all the hullabaloo about with the boys pushing back the album release date? Is someone trying to calumniate against Coldplay or was there never a release date to begin with? Splish splash ahoy hoy and thanks

The Oracle Replies:

Once again it's all been based on hearsay Mike. The release date is and always has been tentatively planned for when it is actually is going to be. It hasn't been pushed back at all so it's quite baffling why these rumours start.

March 29, 2011 - submitted by Evelien, Belgium

Q. Dearest Oracle, I heard that Mercury is going to stop releasing physical copies of singles. As a Coldplay collector, I must ask: will there come a day that I'll have to find a new hobby?

The Oracle Replies:

Maybe your hobby will be even more interesting given you may well be having to hunt down singles in the future? It's so sad to see the decision to stop manufacturing physical CD/vinyl singles but I guess Mercury did their homework and decided it wasn't cost effective to produce them. I'm of an age where I still do buy CDs - not always - and still love looking at artwork and reading sleevenotes etc. I own some vinyl from years gone by but alas do not own a record player.

It's a sign of the times but one that I must slightly back-up... supply and demand is the biggest part of a commercial market; if there was a demand for physical singles, they'd survive. Let's start a "Buy singles" campaign!

March 28, 2011 - submitted by Estelle, France

Q. Hi Oracle! I have a question: why do the Coldplay's albums contain just 10-11 songs? Though the group record a lot of pieces during the recording... It's a great pity! Thanks for your answer! I can't wait for the 5th album!!!

The Oracle Replies:

10 tracks per album is the average number for all acts though Estelle. Just because a band records more doesn't mean they should be included. In my honest opinion there are artists who think that ten random songs make an album but I feel that an album is so much more than that. To me it's a body of work that is similar to a novel in that it has a beginning, a middle and an end. It's sad to say that in a few years b-sides may not be necessary but at the moment those surplus songs can be used as the extra tracks released with singles.

March 28, 2011 - submitted by Kate, Poland

Q. Hi, Oracle, maybe you've already answered this, but I wanted to ask about the Viva la Vida video, the one where Chris is dressed like a king, wandering around with the painting under his arm. Was the video inspired by the Enjoy The Silence video by Depeche Mode? If it was, are the guys DM's fans? AND since you are all-knowing, do you have any idea why this new Oracle page isn't working on my screen? When I try to 'roll it down' only one half of the page goes down. I've tried everthing and it's still not working. Thanks in advance. xxx K.

The Oracle Replies:

Indeed, I have already answered this and the answers are yes and yes. Make sure you're scrolling both arrows; the one on the far right for the website page and the Oracle one within the page. If it still doesn't work I suggest trying an alternative Internet browser e.g. Firefox or Safari...

Coldplay tracks 'Famous Old Painters' and 'Lukas', as well as an old track called 'Until The Water Flows Over' (better known as Solid Ground) have all surfaced online this week in MP3 instrumental format.

Famous Old Painters is a song written during sessions for Coldplay's fourth album, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, but was ultimately left off the album. The song came about around October 2007 when it was introduced alongside Glass Of Water in Prospekt's journal on October 29, 2007. Today though, it is heard in instrumental format; the source is believed to be a mobile downloads site.

Discuss the Famous Old Painters instrumental (and whether or not you still think it is fake!) at the Coldplay forum now - and don't forget to add to our latest poll. You can hear the complete collection of instrumentals that are available now at the Multimedia forum [thanks coldplaykb, joecortazzo, Juanma8 & KingChris]

Here are some of your comments about the Famous Old Painters track:

Give me real, don't give me fake..., and this is case. For real, this is real. "Famous old painters all over the world..." [thanks locust7]

well said! it appears famous old painters is definitely real! which is really so cool to have heard it after so long. once again, this confirms to me that songs coldplay throw away are always great as well. if that had full instrumentation and vocals it would be just incredible. i'm also happy to have a version of lukas minus natalie imbruglia to be honest... [thanks footyfan10]

I doubt very much that this one is real. Where has it been, while Lucas and other demos from Viva session have long been floating in the net? Though it is lovely and sounds very coldplay-ish it is too repetitive. [thanks lafinion]

It didn't leak from some anonymous person, it was bundled with very legitimate perviously unheard Coldplay instrumentals for album tracks. For anyone who doesn't know the story, the same source is hosting Lukas and Chris is very easily heard in the track, as well as Solid Ground, from the X&Y sessions. It's very real imo. [thanks joshtimo]

As much as I love it, I can see why it wasn't on Viva. It's a good song but it's not very interesting put up next to songs on Viva. But I do think it would have been a much better song to be on Prospekt's instead of Lost+. [thanks Technicolor Liver]

It's...wow, extremely pretty, but to me it has fake written all over it. There's nothing in there that seems uniquely them at all to me, nothing that couldn't be produced by talented copycats. Also, as said above, it doesn't fit the description we have of it. Without a voice, or something that just SCREAMS Jonny/Guy/Will, I don't buy this for a second. [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]

Jo Whiley was serenaded by Coldplay and praised by U2’s Bono as she left Radio 1 yesterday after 17 years. The DJ [pictured with Chris Martin in 2005] was given a celebrity-packed send-off on her last slot before leaving for Radio 2.

Coldplay had performed a cover of East 17's Stay Another Day, adding Jo’s name into the lyrics. The Klaxons and Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl also appeared. Jo’s new show on Radio 2 starts on April 4. She said: "The boss Andy Parfitt gave me a speech and made me cry this morning. Thanks for the messages. To be part of people’s lives is all you can ask for as a DJ." Moments earlier, Bono made a surprise phone call and told her: "You should be carried around the BBC in a chair with people throwing flowers at your feet."

More on this story is at the Coldplay forum now. You can download the Coldplay cover at the Multimedia section [thanks wolstenfierce & SueDeNimes]

Recent pictures of Coldplay with fans at the Bakery (March 2011): [thanks to laurenev49]

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

March 23, 2011 - submitted by luke, United Kingdom

Q. Dear O, I heard that Ricky Gervais was going to help produce the new album, it appears this rumor was proved true. What sort of special twists can we expect to hear from the band with the new producer? Luke

The Oracle Replies:

I sometimes seriously do not know where you hear stuff guys. Where on earth did you get that information from? There's no truth in that whatsoever. Roadie #42 has been blogging about Brian (Eno), Markus (Dravs) and Rik (Simpson) - there's been no mention of Ricky Gervais. Unless I have missed a really significant blog?

March 24, 2011 - submitted by Jack, United Kingdom

Q. Hey there! Just wondering, why are Coldplay's website and the Coldplaying website separate domains? Wouldn't it be better if everything was under the same roof? Thanks!

The Oracle Replies:

We love our friends over at Coldplaying but there's a crucial word missing from their site - unofficial. That word is why we're not under one umbrella. There's only this one official band website but a few unofficial fan sites around the world, of which Coldplaying are the largest.

March 24, 2011 - submitted by Hans, Germany

Q. Hi there, Oracle. I myself am recording some things and sometimes I am kind of torn between leaving something as it is (because it already sounds beautiful) or adding something to it. A great man may have said "it's absolutely beautiful as it is and we shouldn't be afraid of just having a beautiful song", but what do you think about that?

The Oracle Replies:

Have you ever heard the expression over egging the pudding? I do think you could potentially ruin it if you keep adding to it when it sounds like it's finished already. I can understand your reluctance of letting go as you want it to be perfect and sometimes it's hard to be objective when you're so close to a project, particularly a personal, creative one. Maybe it's better to listen to those people around you who you trust.

March 23, 2011 - submitted by Jan, Netherlands

Q. Dear Oracle, one of my friends just started being a DJ, and I'm helping him to find good music. but we've got a question: You ought to have a legal copy of every song you use in sets, but can he use remixes of songs when he has the original song? (e.g. the thin white duke remix of Viva, when he owns the album). Thanks, and have a nice day :)

The Oracle Replies:

I feel like some legal eagle these days... no, that is not suffice yet it's also irrelevant. Just because he owns the album doesn't mean it's ok to play the remix on bootleg as they're completely separate entities. Anyway, the whole live DJ set lists are covered by the same blanket music license I spoke of a few days ago. The area of contention is that mash-ups, bootlegs and remixes use significant parts of an original track and so there is a copyright issue.

March 22, 2011 - submitted by Vanessa, Germany

Q. Hello Oracle, I've got a few questions... For which reason does the website have a new layout? Are you still renewing the exhibition room? Why isn't it on the welcome page anymore? Why is there the hypnofeed instead? Have a great day, Vanessa

The Oracle Replies:

Well Vanessa, the new layout is simply us moving out of the Viva era on to pastures new. Festival appearances start soon, the 5th album is ticking along nicely so it was time for a change. The Exhibition Room is still accepting entries and hopefully people will still have an interest in it even if it has moved. Out of site out of mind? Excuse the pun but I couldn't resist. The hypnofeed has moved to the front page and is an extension of the ticker we had along the top of our previous incarnation (which some folk didn't notice). Hypnofeed is not in the same vein as the Exhibition Room at all; we are NOT looking for your own creations be them music or otherwise. Nor are we interested in run of the mill videos, we're looking for extraordinary ones that you stumble across. We'd love people to send in their suggestions for hynofeed by clicking upload.

March 22, 2011 - submitted by Miles, United States of America

Q. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?

The Oracle Replies:

I'd attempt to fly. Seriously though, I have to confess I attempt anything that I want to do and never with the thought of failing.

March 22, 2011 - submitted by Eric, United States of America

Q. I've arranged Viva La Vida for an acapella group. What sort of legal procedures to I have to go through to make this piece legally performable?

The Oracle Replies:

As long as the venues you perform it has a blanket license agreement to play music (live or otherwise) you don't need to get legally involved. There's usually a form to fill with what songs you are performing so that the songwriter's will receive their royalties.

If you want to see Coldplay live at Glastonbury this year then you have one more chance to grab entry - cancelled and refunded tickets for this year's festival will be resold to the public on Sunday, April 17 at 9am. Those hoping to purchase a pass for the event must ensure that they are registered via the official Glastonbury website by Friday, April 15.

"The number of tickets available is expected to be quite limited, because these are returns, not a second batch," a statement on the festival's website read. "Tickets will be limited to four per transaction."

Glastonbury Festival takes place at Worthy Farm, Pilton, from June 22 to June 26 - this year's event will be headlined by U2, Beyoncé and our very own Coldplay. Additional tickets will be made available for the sold-out event because previous purchasers have cancelled their passes or not settled the balance of their deposit in the week permitted between April 1 and April 7. Passes will cost £195 plus £5 booking fee.

Coldplay recently announced their headline slot of this year's Glastonbury Festival on Saturday June 25th. This will be the Coldplay's first appearance at the legendary festival since 2005. Catch all the latest discussion and previews to this new festival date at the Coldplay Live forum now. [thanks AnnaElisabeth]

Recent pictures of Coldplay with fans at the Bakery (March 2011): [thanks to laurenev49]

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: Songs are blossoming and roadies are blowing things up

Discuss this blog entry in the Coldplay forum here onwards [thanks Natascha]

Perhaps it’s the weather. The change of season has removed the permanent blanket of grey cloud from over London and we’re getting day after day of clear blue sky and blazing sun. Similarly with the record, the fog of infinite possibilities has lifted and, for me at least, the songs are appearing in a whole new light.

I guess it demonstrates the idea that nothing focusses a creative mindset more than a hard deadline. Although the festivals are still comfortably on the horizon, they’re marching ever closer with each day. This not only provides a solid target for having things tidy, but also brings plenty of spring-like new growth of its own...

Plans for how to present Coldplay live in 2011 are well underway, which means production meetings, old faces, new ideas and a whole host of very talented people from across the globe passing through the Coldplay world once again. Each brings a bucketful of ideas and concepts, some of which will become defining features of the tour, some of which won’t make it off the drawing board. All of it looks exciting at this stage, though.

The first sightings come on a trip to an aircraft hangar in the middle of the countryside where Production Manager Wob Roberts has assembled all manner of new gear and technology to assess suitability and potential for both the festival shows and beyond. I tag along to film proceedings to send off to band members who are on half-term with their families.

The hangar itself, I’m told, is situated on what used to be a hugely secure and secret military base. Here, boffins once prodded, wired and evaluated the next level of war machinery. By rather lovely and heartening way of progress, we found the place full of crazy-arsed roadies blowing shit up, running around with the hugest toys imaginable and generally making a wonderful mess in the name of creating a bloody good time for crowds of music lovers. Perhaps there is still hope for the world?

Back in the studio, the songs are now very much pushing their heads above the soil and straining towards the light. I suspect that the band has had a reasonable idea all along of how things will feel when they’re finished, in the same way that a sculptor sees the finished piece, but just needs to dig it out of the block. There’s been much chiselling and smoothing and now things are really developing a recognisable form and an emotional resonance.

There’s no better aural equivalent of the bursting growth of spring than the laying on of backing vocals. Brian is back in the fold this week and the fellas are gathered around the mic for much of the time. It’s a tremendous thing to get close up to. When the guys are belting it out with the track on headphones, all that can be heard in the room is the blast of harmonies. It’s huge, powerful and yet completely unaided by technology, just a pure, organic human bloom.

Other spurts of growth are taking place on the top floor, as Dav Rossi gives a few songs his string arranging magic touch. My office is next door, I hear Chris standing in the doorway of Dav’s room listening. “That’s amazing, just great.” He stays a while and listens, then heads off down the stairs proclaiming to no-one in particular: “Maybe this album won’t be so bad after all”.

Regular viewers will doubtless be aware that in terms of hyperbole and enthusiasm, that’s pretty excited talk around here…

I’d say then, that winter is well and truly behind us and the summer is shaping up rather well.

R42

Gwyneth Paltrow has finally put to bed any possibility of collaborating with Coldplay or to create studio material with the band, according to The Sun today. Here's what they had to say online earlier:

2011 has seen Gwyneth reinvent herself as a musical star somewhat with singing roles in both Glee and her new movie Country Strong. That doesn't mean she will be hooking up in the studio with her husband any time soon though. Asked by The Sun if she would ever perform with Chris, Gwyneth replied: "Never. I think hell would freeze over first. So I guess if I did (form a band with Chris) it would be called the Hell Freezes Over Band."

This is hardly surprising news though, Chris Martin has long been secretive about his relationship with his wife, as she explains: "He doesn't want people to listen to his music and automatically think of us as a couple. And I think it's better that way - it's nicer to keep it so that when we are at home it is our own thing. Then, when we're in public, that's our careers. It's just better to keep it separate."

Coldplay will headline this June's Glastonbury festival. Gwyneth might be there... but don't go expecting her to be making an appearance!

Recent pictures of Coldplay with fans at the Bakery (March 2011): [thanks to laurenev49]

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

March 21, 2011 - submitted by Spencer, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, Is Famous Old Painters still being considered for the new album? It sounds like it could be a great song. Thanks!

The Oracle Replies:

Still? It has never been considered for the next album. The last one yes, but the Viva era is over... All the tracks will be new to me and you.

March 21, 2011 - submitted by Luis, Mexico

Q. First of all... how are you been dear Oracle? I hope you're ok :) okei... my question is: What do you think about the cancellation of Two and a Half Men??? it is one of my favorites tv shows [just after House M.D.] Thanks a lot! Saludos :)

The Oracle Replies:

This is just my personal opinion and I'm sorry Luis, you're not going to like it... I HATE that show. I remember the first few episodes were quite funny but as it's gone on it became so coarse in humour and lacked any charm. I sincerely hope Charlie Sheen gets help as he's clearly not well. I think the cancellation is probably wise...

March 17, 2011 - submitted by Crystal, United States of America

Q. Hello, Oracle. I'm just curious... When did you start answering questions and how many questions have you answered? Also, and this one may be trickier to quantify, but how many questions have you been asked? Thanks!

The Oracle Replies:

My first answer was posted back on 25th July 2008. Good grief has it really been that long? I have answered 1975 questions. To be fair I could say it's less as a few were actually me posting Team Oracle Qs or it's more as some people have asked multiple Qs within their one submission. Would you believe I have been asked 82,331 in total. Blimey!

March 17, 2011 - submitted by Kim, Canada

Q. Further to Pedro's question...so the video was not shot in real time?

The Oracle Replies:

Although it looks like it was all done in one take, apart from the illusion of time passing quickly, they actually ran through the song five times and it was filmed in an hour.

March 16, 2011 - submitted by Pedro, Argentina

Q. Hi O! I know you may have asked this before, but I would like to know how was Yellow clip made? How is it possible that in a few minutes the sky turned into a light blue and Chris didn't let footprints on the sand?! Sorry if it's a repeated question but it's burning my head! Thank you! PS: I can't wait for the new album!

The Oracle Replies:

I have been asked about the video for Yellow before but was shocked to discover from the tag cloud that I haven't answered one since February 2009 - apparently.

Anyway, films/videos/photographs etc. can feature special effects used during shooting or they can be digitally enhanced afterward (removing footprints if necessary though I can see plenty). In the case of Yellow, after the film was processed it went through another process called gradual grade that gave the impression of the day changing.

March 16, 2011 - submitted by Piyush, India

Q. Dear Oracle, Talking about the Coldplay crew, do they get unemployed while the band isn't touring and working in the studio? Thanks. Piyush

The Oracle Replies:

It depends on which crew members we're talking about but they don't become unemployed exactly, no. Certain roadies and staff are working alongside the band during studio sessions too but any that aren't are free to take other work or tour with other acts. One crew member for example went on tour with Gorillaz straight after the Viva tour ended but will rejoin the boys once they get back on the road.

March 15, 2011 - submitted by Wesley, United States of America

Q. Did Coldplay really only play 9 songs at the leftrightleftrightleft concert?

The Oracle Replies:

The cd is a selection of songs from dates during the early part of the Viva tour so it wasn't a one-off gig where they only played the songs that appear on the cd.

March 15, 2011 - submitted by Ali, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, Any ideas on an extremely creative and non-awkward way to ask someone to prom? This would be extremely beneficial to me seeing as I need a great way to ask someone!

The Oracle Replies:

They didn't have a prom in my day so no, I have no witty ways to procure a date but I do have advice... don't hang about, get a move on! If you don't ask someone else may get in there first so who cares how you do it, just do it! Hmmm unless you incorporate it into food? Maybe ice it onto a cup cake or offer a sweet but actually inside the wrapper is an invite? I'm sure you can come up with someone creative to suit the person you have your eye on.

March 15, 2011 - submitted by Imrano, Singapore

Q. Hey O, when you said that "a band you used to love are doing" a reunion as well, are you referring to Soundgarden or another band? Because I am psyched for their new album!

The Oracle Replies:

Did you not see the word band was a clickable link my friend? The band I mentioned were called Halo who are doing a gig in June. I admit I am quite excited about the Soundgarden reunion too. I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Coldplay are moving into the movie business by funding a new British film starring Ray Winstone. The band are co-financing the noir thriller Ashes, which is being directed by their friend Mat Whitecross. Discussion and comments on this are at the Coldplay forum now.

Whitecross has been friends with the band for many years after meeting them at university and made a number of their videos, including the most recent single Christmas Lights. He directed the Ian Dury biopic Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll, which was scripted by Paul Viragh, who is also writing Ashes. Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion will all be executive producers of the film.

As well as Winstone – currently to be seen in almost every TV break in the bet265 ad – Ashes is to feature the acting talents of Jim Sturgess, Lesley Manville, Jodie Whittaker and Luke Evans. Production of Ashes starts next week in the Isle of Man.

Coldplay's Studiofeed#1 video: Screencaps from 17th March 2011:

Here's a very special auction item for you to bid for on the last day of Comic Relief UK fundraising: director Dougal Wilson has kindly donated one of the puppets from his brilliant, Grammy award-nominated video for Coldplay's single Life in Technicolour ii... [thanks Natascha]

You can bid for the puppet on eBay now. This is another chance to own some unique Coldplay ephemera (the band themselves had their own puppet figures, until they were gradually decimated on the final stretches of the Viva La Vida tour).

The puppet is an Indian musician who accompanies Coldplay on a santoor (a trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer) while they perform as puppets to a crowd of confused children during Heswall Village Fête. Shown below is a picture of the puppet, and also a still from the video that shows him with the band. The puppet is a modified vintage Pelham puppet, redesigned by the video's award-winning art director Andy Kelly, and equally award-winning costume designer Michelle May.

Coldplay have tonight (Thursday) launched a slightly new look website which includes a new Studiofeed#1 YouTube video. This video clip is from their Beehive studio - if you listen carefully, you'll hear parts of music that may form part of their next album.

Interestingly though, the link button to the news page now shows a newspaper with letters "MX" and "UFO". For those interested in Roman numerals, MX is the equivalent of 1010, or for those wishing the LP5 was here already, 10th October. But of course we're just speculating, and we've been there before...! As for UFO, who knows, a new single perhaps... but the site is now themed with 'alien' goings-on, that we don't even have the first clue about yet... [thanks Lark]

You can read Coldplayers' feedback on the new look and the Studiofeed video, as well as the other clues on the new theme at the Coldplay forum - also if you want to watch the Studiofeed#1 video backwards as well. Alternatively download the video from the Multimedia forum and watch it in your own time. [thanks iriden]

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

March 14, 2011 - submitted by Jay, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, will the devastating Japanese earthquake affect the Fuji Festival?

The Oracle replies:

Right now all our thoughts are with the people of Japan and all who are affected by the tragic events. It will no doubt have ongoing repercussions around the world let alone the rest of the country. It's all I can say as honestly, it's too soon to be commenting or thinking of such things. I personally hope that the festival will still go ahead because whatever happens, Japan needs as much joy as is possible after such an horrendous hell to endure.

March 14, 2011 - submitted by Ricky, United Kingdom

Q. Hey Oracle. I've heard a rumour that Coldplay have been covering a song from 90's Brit-band CABLE? Is this true? If so, what song did you choose and why? Ever though of inviting them out of retirement to support you live?

The Oracle replies:

Nice try "Ricky"! You can't kid a kidder. I can't blame you for trying to resurrect the band that YOU were in but they won't be coaxing you out of retirement. If you want a reunion gig, go for it! A

March 14, 2011 - submitted by Rolando, Peru

Q. Dear Oracle, does it exist a vinyl edition of the Safety EP?

The Oracle replies:

Safety EP was a CD only "release" so there isn't a vinyl.

March 10, 2011 - submitted by Thibault, France

Q. Dear Oracle, I'm wondering something. The man who put strings on Viva, is he the same guy that put them on Rainy Day?

The Oracle replies:

Indeed it is the same guy and that guy is Davide Rossi.

March 10, 2011 - submitted by Sam, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle, Is the Don Quixote/Spanish Rain song still in reckoning for the new album? All the best, Sam

The Oracle replies:

It never was Sam. Over a year ago I heard Chris say that it was going to end up as a b-side. I remember thinking "I bet it doesn't"... We shall see I guess but that all seems so long ago now.

March 9, 2011 - submitted by Adrian, Australia

Q. Dear Oracle, One of my friends who lives in London was lucky enough to meet Guy Berryman outside the studio. Just wondering do the band ever let their fans into their studio for a tour?

The Oracle replies:

Outside the studio is very different from inside. My personal question on the matter would be this: it's a place of work so why would there be tours? I wouldn't want to open my private working office to visitors either - not that there are any. That said I've been there myself when people have turned up & can completely understand why people are drawn to the studio to see where it all happens. I'm sure you understand that chance meetings are possible but the studio is full with many people who are very busy so they wouldn't be able to open the doors and invite anyone in.

March 9, 2011 - submitted by Chris, United Kingdom

Q. Did you see the excellent Ron Sexsmith documentary on BBC4? Any chance the guys could ask Ron to support them on the next tour? This guy deserves more recognition!

The Oracle replies:

I knew it was on but was so tired that I missed it. Ron has already supported Coldplay back in 2003 so I don't think it would happen again. This album does seem to be getting some great coverage so let's hope he does get his deserved recognition.

March 8, 2011 - submitted by Vanessa, United Kingdom

Q. Hello. So you partied so hard that you forgot it was the weekend!? What happened that week in Latin America??

The Oracle replies:

What did I get up to that week (it was almost 3 actually)? Well, "what happens on tour, stays on tour". Ha ha, no not at all Vanessa, I'm joking. Touring isn't like my normal every day routine so it was hard to keep track of what day it was; a little bit like a holiday - which I confess that work aside, it was. Ahhhh I wish I was still there now...

March 8, 2011 - submitted by Laura, United States of America

Q. Have you ever played in a solid rock ampitheatre? There is a venue in Colorado in the foothills of the mountains called, Red Rocks. Come to Colorado and play a concert!

The Oracle replies:

There are probably many people shouting "they have!" at their computer screens right now. Coldplay played Red Rocks on June 5 (& 6th) 2003, it was recorded for the Live 2003 DVD too. Exactly 20 years previously, U2 played there in the same torrential weather when they filmed Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky.

March 7, 2011 - submitted by RaisinBran, United States of America

Q. I LOVE this band and I have been known to form many a theory about their foreseeable future; however, I only ask about this one (theory) which you probably wont even get a chance to read but, meh a boy can dream. Will the new album's artwork be designed by Sr. Berryman? Is that what the old pictures were for? I know they were looking for a more intimate sound this time and, to me, old pictures make people feel happier in a nostalgic type way. Best wishes, many thanks. The Bran

The Oracle replies:

You are way off with that theory. As we mentioned at the time, Guy's request for photos was a non-band related personal project and so they will have absolutely nothing to do with the album at all.

Announcing the beginning of their comeback with already confirmed headline sets at a number of UK festivals, it now looks likely Coldplay will be adding a headline show at Hyde Park in London this summer, according to reports from Stereoboard on Friday.

As part of the promotional push for the upcoming release of their fifth studio album, Coldplay have already been announced as a headliners for 15 festivals so far, including Glastonbury, T in the Park and Oxegen as well as Rock AM Ring in Germany and Pinkpop in Holland.

Hyde Park already has an impressive list of shows confirmed for this summer including Arcade Fire and Kings Of Leon as well as Hard Rock Calling which features Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi as headliners. More on this news story is at the Coldplay Live forum now.

There are two Hyde Park gigs, a one off concert on the 30th June that the Arcade Fire are playing at, but Coldplay will be in Poland on that day. The other is Hard Rock Calling, on 24-26 June. Rod Stewart is headlining the Saturday, Bon Jovi on the Sunday. No headliner has been announced yet on the Friday. Which means 24th June is the only day Coldplay could play, which is one night before their Glastonbury performance.

Coldplay won't play any new material at any of their summer headline festival slots, if recent reports are to be believed. Coldplay, who are due to put out their long-awaited fifth studio album later this year, are said to be holding off on performing any new material until the record's release in autumn. "There definitely won't be anything new before Glastonbury and their summer dates," a source recently told the Daily Star.

Coldplay last played in Hyde Park during the Live8 festival on July 2nd, 2005:

It's massive! Hyde Park during the Live8 festival

As we have been anticipating since our reports over the last two weeks or so, Coldplay have now officially confirmed in the last 24 hours that they will be headlining both Ireland's Oxegen and Japan's Fuji rock festivals. Here are Anchorman's announcements:

Oxegen: We have another festival show to tell you about - on Sunday July 10th, Coldplay will close the main stage at this year's Oxegen Festival. Tickets have just gone on sale via ticketmaster.ie. For more information on the festival, head over to oxegen.ie now. For Coldplay Live forum - [previews/discussion]

Fuji Rock: We're pleased to confirm that Coldplay will be headlining this year's Fuji Rock festival at the Naeba Ski Resort in Japan on Friday 29th July. For more info, or to buy tickets, head over to the festival's official website (available in English or Japanese). For Coldplay Live forum - [previews/discussion]

This brings the total number of 2011 festivals that Coldplay will play thus far to FIFTEEN. The confirmed festivals are spread over three continents and fourteen countries (Germany, Italy, Netherlands, England, Sweden, Poland, Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, Japan and Brazil!)

Coldplay will be making their first ever appearance at the Oxegen festival, which takes place from July 8th to 10th in its usual environs of Punchestown Racecourse. Tickets go on sale at 8pm on Friday 8th March with weekend tickets costing between €199.50 for three days, no camping and €244.50 for four-day camping tickets and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Day tickets are will also be available and cost €99.50.

Coldplay will join Arctic Monkeys and Foo Fighters in headlining both the Oxegen and T In The Park festivals on the same weekend

And how we expect the Fuji Rock festival to look...

A Coldplay 'spokesperson' has rubbished the recent news that the fifth album was set for an October release, after the summer festival headline performances, according to MTV on Monday. They allege that the spokesperson has emailed them directly, saying there is no actual release date at all. Here is their article...

You may already have an idea about what Coldplay's upcoming album is about — namely "love, addiction, OCD, escape and working for someone you don't like" — but up until now, you probably had no idea when the still-untitled disc would be hitting stores. But when the band began lining up headlining dates on summer festivals (Glastonbury, T in the Park, etc.), fans interpreted that to mean that Coldplay were also readying their fifth full-length for release, meaning that a brand-new album should be only a few months away...

Of course, that optimism was dashed when a well-informed member of Coldplay fansite Coldplaying.com posted that the album had been pushed back until October, writing, "I can confirm the change of plans in the Coldplay camp regarding the schedule[d] release of LP5, originally before summer. Hope people can wait until October."

Given that this particular member had, in the past, seemed to have been privy to some top-secret Coldplay information (he/she claimed to have heard "Violet Hill," the first single off the band's Viva la Vida album, two weeks before the song premiered, and wrote about it in shockingly accurate terms to prove it), word of the October release quickly began spreading as chapter and verse amongst Coldplay fans. The only problem? According to a spokesperson for the band, there is no release date for Coldplay's new album, nor has there ever been one. "A release date has not yet been set for Coldplay's next studio album," that spokesperson wrote in an e-mail to MTV News.

This doesn't tell us that the album won't be released in October - it merely states that is has not yet been officially announced. Let us know your immediate thoughts to this latest article at the Coldplay forum now. We'll publish some of the best comments here shortly...

Recent pictures of Coldplay with fans at the Beehive (31st January - 3rd February 2011): [thanks to bRITAnka & fauo_1995]

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

March 7, 2011 - submitted by RaisinBran, United States of America

Q. I LOVE this band and I have been known to form many a theory about their foreseeable future; however, I only ask about this one (theory) which you probably wont even get a chance to read but, meh a boy can dream. Will the new album's artwork be designed by Sr. Berryman? Is that what the old pictures were for? I know they were looking for a more intimate sound this time and, to me, old pictures make people feel happier in a nostalgic type way. Best wishes, many thanks. The Bran

The Oracle replies:

You are way off with that theory. As we mentioned at the time, Guy's request for photos was a non-band related personal project and so they will have absolutely nothing to do with the album at all.

March 7, 2011 - submitted by Arthur, Paraguay

Q. Why aren't any questions/answers on February 19th and 20th? Thanks a lot

The Oracle replies:

Eh? I don't work any weekend Arthur. Yesterday was an exception due to the explanation given on Friday's answers. Oh and there was one time on the Latin American tour where I just forgot it was the weekend...

March 4, 2011 - submitted by thenowhereman, United Kingdom

Q. Dear Oracle, I am a huge Coldplay fan. Not size-wise, but I truly love this band and their current output. I was even on the boat in the Christmas Lights video. Yet I am peeved. Peeved and annoyed. Testy, you might say. Why, I don't hear you ask? How can a band headline, like, fifteen or sixteen major festivals with no new stuff. It's insane. Apart from myself and other huge fans, some may be big size-wise, no one cares. Seriously. Please tell me what I'm hearing about the next albums release date is false and that it's actually coming before the festivals. Otherwise this group is gonna go down like a lead balloon.

The Oracle replies:

Well nowhereman... I can see how a fan of a band waiting for a new album can feel frustrated at not hearing new material at festivals but I passionately disagree.

I know that back in 2002 they played new songs at Glastonbury after a mini UK tour showcasing AROBTTH but that's because when they booked to play there originally, the album release date had been scheduled for before the event but was put back. You have to remember that festivals are not usual concerts in that not everyone is there to see Coldplay. It's great to go to a festival and see a band you've never seen before. You may know all the songs but wouldn't necessarily be a fan. I love having a great time courtesy of a band that I'm not that familiar with. Given that not everyone there is a fan, it's different "rules". I contest what you say about the band going down like a lead balloon; you may as well be saying that every band who is appearing at every festival better be playing new songs or not bother and I have a strong feeling that you're not saying that at all as that's utter nonsense, sorry.

March 4, 2011 - submitted by Justin, Australia

Q. Dear Oracle, are there any plans to release a Greatest Hits?

The Oracle replies:

No there aren't. The band aren't madly keen on the idea; they don't like fans paying extra for things they already have. Not sure where EMI stand on the idea at some later stage in the future. Speaking of EMI, you may have noticed their server went down and unfortunately it wiped this week's Team Oracle responses from our system. They will now appear on Sunday as I'm afraid commitments mean I cannot address the problem until then. Sorry folks!

March 3, 2011 - submitted by Phyllis, United States of America

Q. Oh Oracle, Do you know what song was played to wake the shuttle astronauts on March 2, 2011? Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

I sure do, Speed of Sound! Very appropriate eh? And on Chris' birthday too.

You can follow NASA's latest mission updates via Twitter where they posted:

"Mission Control woke up the crews at 5:24 am EST to begin Flight Day 7. "Speed of Sound" by Coldplay was played for shuttle Pilot Eric Boe".

March 3, 2011 - submitted by Ignacio, Argentina

Q. Hi dear Oracle! I was wondering if Chris has something to do with this new aspect of Gwyneth, her singing... and what does he think about it? Thank you! Please answer me.

The Oracle replies:

As regular readers will know I don't answer questions about the band members' personal lives but I decided to pick up on an aspect of this one. Singing is far from being a "new aspect of Gwyneth". The year that Coldplay released their debut album (2000), Gwyneth had appeared singing in the film Duets and three singles were lifted from the movie. She in fact (together with Huey Lewis) scored a number one with one of those singles - Bette Davis Eyes - in Australia; the song was a hit in other territories too.

March 2, 2011 - submitted by Heather, United States of America

Q. Hello wonderful Oracle! I have noticed a lot of entries in the Exhibition Room lately have to do with eyes. Is this just a coincidence, or perhaps some sort of clue about the new album?? Thanks!!

The Oracle replies:

The Exhibition Room is YOUR space so apart from the odd submission from the band/Phil there is absolutely no correlation between what goes up there and what is going on in the studio. I hadn't noticed the eye thing myself...

March 2, 2011 - submitted by Henriette, Denmark

Q. Dear Oracle! Happy birthday to Chris today! Is it a working birthday for Chris? If so are you planning any surprises for him today? Maybe someone have baked him a double chocolate cake?? :-) I know he would enjoy that! I wish him all the best for his birthday - will you say hi to him from me? Thanks!! Have a great day dear Oracle. Love, Henriette

The Oracle replies:

If you remember, last year Coldplay performed in Brazil on his birthday and this year is no different in terms of it's a working day for Chris. The guys don't tend to take a day off for a birthday. It won't spoil any surprise as everyone at the studio who has a birthday gets a cake and all congregate together for a piece. Sadly I shan't be there in body, only in spirit. Thanks to everyone for their birthday wishes by the way. It's much appreciated.

Coldplaying TV is now live!

Liam Gallagher has taken a pop at Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin after being advised to change his singing voice by The Who frontman Roger Daltrey. Liam Gallagher’s dig at Chris came after Daltrey told him he should change his famous gravelly voice.

Gallagher told Absolute Radio: ‘I remember Roger telling me, “Look, you’ve got to warm up”. I was like that, “Warming up, man, are you mental?”. I don’t want to sound like Chris Martin.’

Meanwhile we're sure Chris Martin will have a Friday chuckle to himself when he reads the news that Liam's new single with band Beady Eye, has failed in the charts. Liam said the Number 31 UK chart peak of Beady Eye's debut single 'The Roller' was a 'reality check' for the band. Must be that voice, Liam!

The song, released in January, entered the chart at 31 and dropped to Number 68 the following week. Asked by Spinner how he felt about the track's failure to sell more, Gallagher replied: "It was a reality check. But that's the way it is."

Liam Gallagher’s comments come just 24 hours after he criticised Radiohead's new album 'The King Of Limbs'. The singer took aim over the title and lyrics on the band's new album 'The King Of Limbs', which was inspired by a 1,000-year-old tree in Wiltshire's Savernake Forest. “I heard that f*cking Radiohead record and I just go, 'What?!' I like to think that what we do, we do f*cking well. Them writing a song about a f*cking tree? Give me a f*cking break! A thousand year old tree? Go f*ck yourself!"

Gallagher added: "You’d have thought he’d have written a song about a modern tree or one that was planted last week. You know what I mean?"

Beaten by Adele in the UK charts: Liam Gallagher (but at least his hair is longer)

Could Japan's Fuji Rock Festival 2011 be the another confirmed festival to see Coldplay headlining later this year? Well according to the official Fuji Rock Festival website and its English counterpart, Coldplay WILL be among the performers. No official coldplay.com announcement has been made yet, but the number of festivals to see Coldplay may soon rise to 14...

But hang on... it may be 15 (even 16 if Oxegen is confirmed). Last year Fuji Rock and Australia's Splendour in the Grass festivals shared a fleet of acts, so the announcement of the Fuji lineup provides excellent fodder for the favourite late Summer game: Guess The Splendour Lineup.

Fuji Rock will be held from Friday 29th July to Sunday 31st July, and Splendour will be on during the same weekend, held at south-east Queensland’s Woodfordia site. Coldplay will play T in the Park festival in Scotland on July 9th which would give them a 3 week break ahead of Fuji and Splendour. More on the as-yet-unconfirmed Fuji date is at the Coldplay Live forum now [thanks iriden & mimixxx]

26 artists announced for the Fuji Rock festival in Japan (taken from their website):

ARCTIC MONKEYS / ATARI TEENAGE RIOT / THE AVETT BROTHERS BIG AUDIO DYNAMITE / BUDDY GUY / CAKE / THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS / COLDPLAY / CONGOTRONICS vs ROCKERS / CORNERSHOP / CSS / DEERHOOF / digitalism / FOUR TET / FUNERAL PARTY / G.LOVE&SPECIAL SAUCE / INCUBUS / MOGWAI / THE NAKED AND FAMOUS / THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART / THE SISTERS OF MERCY / TODD RUNDGREN / WARPAINT / WILCO / WU LYF / YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA

And how we expect it to look...

Coldplay won't play any new material at their summer headline festival slots, reports are suggesting today. The band are booked to headline 15 major events including Glastonbury and T In The Park, but it’s all come too soon to promote their long-awaited fifth album. You can discuss this latest news now at the Coldplay forum [thanks coldplayisawesome]

Coldplay, who are due to put out their long-awaited fifth studio album later this year, are said to be holding off on performing any new material until the record's release in autumn. "There definitely won't be anything new before Glastonbury and their summer dates," a source told the Daily Star.

As we reported two weeks ago, Parlophone president Miles Leonard also confirmed that the label is gearing up to release the record "towards the autumn".

Below are some of your latest comments...

If I'm honest, if Coldplay were doing their own shows in the summer (like Kings of Leon did) I would expect some new material. However festivals anyway are places to exhibit the 'best of' back catalogue-- so playing new material doesn't fit that mould. All I want is the album if I'm honest. I was hoping for it to be my summer anthem-- I guess it will have to be my autumn album now (I don't know how to handle it... They've always released albums around my birthday before). [thanks Nattatouille]

I really can't foresee them playing more than a couple new songs, anyway. If your entire audience is unfamiliar with much of your material, they won't be into your show very much. I remember they played "Glass of Water" a few times before PM's release, but that was just one new song, which was perfectly okay in my mind since it doesn't break up the flow or audience connection too much. Say what you want about Coldplay playing a bunch of AROBTTH before its release, but that was before Coldplay really had a large and established backlog of material. But at the same time, I would hope that they don't merely repeat the Viva setlists. Tracks like Trouble and Shiver were played again at the intimate December gigs, and they can probably incorporate some other oldies that were dropped during the Viva tour (all of which would make me insanely jealous of everyone there, of course). As for the Oracle reaffirming the pushed-back release, I sort of accepted this earlier with locust's post, but I guess this is another nudge for those who were holding out on more official word. I think what some of you guys are upset about is the fact that we've gotten so many different answers on when the thing will finally be released, even from the band members themselves, that it's become a huge tease game. That's perfectly understandable to maybe be a little frustrated about, but with the band coming out of the woodwork for these festivals, at least you know they're not just dawdling around. It takes a bit for bands to get "back in the swing" of touring, anyway, so hopefully their performance can be in tip-top shape once they're ready to debut the new material live (though I'm sure the festivals will still be quite dandy with the old material, too!). [thanks Corkus]

If this is true, I will be extremely dissapointed and saddened. That would just be the lamest move of their career so far. [thanks a2iel]

Are you kidding me about the fact they are going to play only old material (again)? C'mon man, I want to some new stuff.... If this is for real than I guess that we can expect a very boring setlist only to their biggest hits like clocks, fix you, viva etc..... AGAIN. [thanks AerodynamiX]

...If the album's as far from being completed as it sounds, they wouldn't mix it in March. If they mixed it so soon, it would almost definitely be out around May, and she said it wouldn't be. I think we kind of have to take her word for it, since it's official, and stop trying to find loopholes. Not to be a Debbie Downer or anything! [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]

Jay-Z better not be on this new album. [thanks Coldplay3277]

Or Gwyneth for that matter. [thanks woohoo37]

With Tim Wheeler in the studio and such a few weeks ago it was clear the album was certainly not finished. 90% sure it's a late September/October release date. They'll have recording finished in June and then mixing of the album throughout the summer while Coldplay are on the road across the European festivals to be released in probably October. Much prefer an October release date than a May/June one. [thanks howyousawtheworld]

Recent pictures of Coldplay with fans at the Beehive (31st January - 3rd February 2011): [thanks to bRITAnka & fauo_1995]

We recently reported that Ash frontman Tim Wheeler had been working with Coldplay on their long-awaited follow-up to Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, but speaking to BBC 6Music, Wheeler said he had only had very limited studio involvement with the band. [comments/discussion]

Wheeler admits he was in the studio with the band: "I showed up one day at the studio and they were starting to work on a song that, actually, I think had a bit of an influence from one of our recent singles. So, they said 'here take up the guitar' and the next thing I know I'm jamming along with them and Eno. I was really buzzed 'coz I'm such a big Eno fan as well."

It hasn't been confirmed whether or not this jam session will be used on the Coldplay album, as Wheeler explained: "I don’t know if it's going to be on the record. It's almost like a pre-rehearsal. They were figuring out the arrangement and I was jamming along. They were actually recording it but I think they were going to go start from scratch again. There was one little guitar lick I was playing that I think Chris was quite excited about. I think they can slot that in. There's got to be a chance!"

Catherine and Allison from The Pierces also gave 6 Music News some inside information about Coldplay's movements and it turns out they too have been getting in on the LP5 album action: "We sang on a song but I think it got scrapped. They started a record and then they scrapped it and then they were going to start over. Then I heard they pulled the first, initially scrapped, record back out and that’s the one that we were on. So, I don’t know if we're still on there or not. We won't know until it comes out."

Recent pictures of Coldplay with fans at the Beehive (31st January - 3rd February 2011): [thanks to bRITAnka & fauo_1995]

Could Oxegen be the FOURTEENTH festival to see Coldplay headlining later this year? If the rumours are to be believed, yes. Irish sources are getting excited that several acts, including Foo Fighters and Arctic Monkeys have confirmed themselves for both festivals, and they expect Coldplay to follow suit. [thanks squibby92]

Oxegen, generally regarded as Ireland's version of the Glastonbury Festival, is taking place on the weekend of 7th-10th July in Punchestown, Ireland, coincidentally on the same weekend as T in the Park just up the road in Scotland (in worldwide festival terms, at least). Oxegen was originally a three-day festival but was expanded to four days in 2008, so there is room for one more headliner to be announced. It takes place at the Punchestown Racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland and has an average attendance of around 90,000 a day.

Keep an eye on the official site and also the Oxegen line-up page for latest confirmation. Meanwhile, speaking of festival headlining, we wonder what the appearance record is for an artist in a single summer? Hmmm...

Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys and Foo Fighters to headline the same two festivals on the same weekend?

Coldplay have today announced yet another festival headline slot of 2011 with the news that they are to play this year's T in the Park festival in Scotland on 9th July. Catch all the latest discussion and previews to this new festival date at the Coldplay Live forum now. [thanks mimixxx]

This brings the total number of 2011 festivals that Coldplay will play thus far to THIRTEEN. The confirmed festivals are spread two continents and twelve countries (Germany, Italy, Netherlands, England, Sweden, Poland, Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain, Scotland and Brazil!)

Coldplay previously headlined the T in the Park festival in 2003. This year's early bird T In The Park tickets have already sold out but the next batch of tickets go on sale on Friday February 25 at 9am. This year's T in the Park is heing held on Friday July 8 to Sunday July 10.

Here's what Anchorman had to say earlier: Good afternoon. We're very pleased to report that Coldplay will headline this year's T In The Park festival. The band will close the Saturday night of this year's event, on July 9th. The festival takes place in Kinross, Scotland. Tickets, costing £190 weekend / £75 day, go on sale on Friday 25th February at 9am, from www.ticketmaster.co.uk.