Joe Satriani can't talk about his case against Coldplay, but he'll glady talk about being left off Rolling Stone's list of top 100 guitarists. In his latest interview he dodges questions on Coldplay but confirms that it's not 100% settled yet. Not quite sure who is Joe's worst enemy now, our favourite band or the magazine... anyway read the relevant parts to his latest interview, with Dallas Observer...

When Rolling Stone published its list of the best 100 guitar players of all time, your name was seen by many as one of the major omissions. Have you ever wondered why you were not on that list?

Everyone knows that Rolling Stone is shit. That list was made to be provocative, to get attention. And to Rolling Stone's credit, the list has gotten that attention.

Where were you when you heard the Coldplay song "Viva La Vida"? Did you immediately think they ripped off your "If I Could Fly" song?

I think I heard it in the mall. But I can't talk about that. There are legal issues that still have to be worked out. I really can't talk about that.

Joe Satriani is considered by many to be one of the best guitar players in the world. Although excluded from Rolling Stone's list of the top 100 guitar players of all time, Satriani has taught such legendary string benders as Steve Vai and Mettalica's Kirk Hammett. And, besides doing the solo thing, Satriani has also found time to play with Mick Jagger, Deep Purple and the Sammy Hagar-led supergroup Chickenfoot. Though known primarily for his super-speedy technique, Satriani is actually a skilled composer who brings a lot more to his music than just shredding.

You can read the full interview article on Joe Satriani here at the Dallas Observer blogs website.

Coldplaying TV is now live!

Since the news late last week that Coldplay were quoted by the NME as trying to achieve an album masterpiece for their fifth album, we have been digging around the internet to find out what a masterpiece is actually defined as, how it is derived and how long it takes for an album to achieve 'masterpiece status'. Maybe Coldplay have already written it, who knows. Chris Martin recently told NME that Coldplay is still hungry for a masterpiece. "We still don’t think we’ve delivered our masterpiece, so we’re still trying to do it. As long as we feel like that and we’re hungry… that’s all that matters," he said.

The blog "Death and Taxes" wrote that it’s a funny thing about masterpieces these days—they’re usually better defined as such in retrospect. Arcade Fire’s Funeral was beloved instantly, but more than anything the record heralded the arrival of a band that was sure to change the future landscape of indie rock. It wasn’t until Neon Bible and The Suburbs came out that Funeral really started getting revered as a "masterpiece," per se...

They continue: It's the same thing with Radiohead - Ok Computer rocked the music world as soon as it came out, but as I recall the excitement was at least as much about the future revolution the band was sure to unleash as it was about Ok Computer itself. And yes, there are Kid A loyalists and Amnesiac diehards out there, but when you test the waters for the last couple decades' "masterpieces," Ok Computer probably beats out almost any other record.

On the other hand, albums that are foretold and heralded as masterpieces immediately upon their release, like Green Day’s American Idiot, often end up, well…on Broadway. Not that American Idiot isn’t a great record—it is. But the reverence reserved for records like Funeral and Ok Computer — the thing that makes them real masterpieces—is probably the same thing that precludes "Ok Computer: The Musical" from coming to Broadway.

It may be true that Green Day’s new live DVD "Awesome as Fuck" will indeed be awesome as fuck. But my sense is that real masterpieces aren’t predicted or foretold, but rather earned over time, the same way you recognize your favorite movie by what you want to watch when you’re so sick you can barely think. Based on the trajectory of their recent material and what kinds of career arcs bands tend to follow, I think it’s actually quite likely that Coldplay has already written their masterpiece: 2002's A Rush Of Blood to the Head [pictured]. It’s their masterpiece the same way Siamese Dream is Smashing Pumpkins’ masterpiece. And they should be proud of it—it’s a pretty great record.

If Coldplay do, in fact, put out a new masterpiece, we’ll probably know in about 8-10 years.

Source: Death and Taxes

Coldplaying TV is now live!

This weekend marked the airing of the first video episode proper of the brand new fan-created ColdplayingTV™ channel. You can watch the first episode at the Coldplay forum here alongside an introductory video featuring out-takes. If you are on YouTube don't forget to subscribe to the channel to be the first to get all the latest updates.

This week's episode features some Willuv, the champion of Champions, and a discussion on the latest LP5 interview from the BBC. The 'Bucklannnd' makes an entrance and talks about Jonny. Chris Martin features with his usual fagueness on the new album. What do you think of the new album track titles? Fancy being part of the next episode? Discuss the latest here onwards [thanks Bonus_mosher]

ColdplayingTV™ Press Release Exclusively for Coldplaying.com:

Greetings to everybody at Coldplaying.com,

Creating a News & Entertainments show exclusively on YouTube is an idea that has been floating around in my head for quite some time, but I could never quite get the right balance between format and a niche market that would appeal to a large audience; fortunately I have been floating around Coldplay fan-sites in some capacity for about six years. I started out on the old Coldplay.com forum in 2005 and eventually found my way to Coldplaying through word of mouth. What continues to impress is the glowing reputation and ever-growing-fanbase that I have seen before my own eyes for years, and I think it can only get bigger and better. ColdplayHQ have on numerous occasions presented members and staff of this wonderful forum with incredible experiences directly communicating with the band, from the 'Postcards From Far Away' project to most recently the chance to appear in the 'Christmas Lights' video after embarking on an illuminating cruise along the Thames.

All of this went some way into forming the idea for ColdplayingTV, and it seemed to just make sense, Creating a News & Entertainments show about Coldplay for Coldplay fans. So far we have racked up 70+ subscribers and almost 200 views for the introduction video alone that we uploaded two days ago. The response has been incredible and we hope that in time we will learn to make the show the best that it can be on it's way to bringing you the news that you won't want to miss out on during the months leading up to and after the release of the as-yet unnamed 'LP5'.

If you're new to Coldplaying.com and you have not witnessed the traffic that it gets during such an occasion, We feel that you will be able to benefit massively from what we have to offer and we promise to strive to make the show the best that it can be in terms of the news we deliver, the entertainment value of the show, and the large percentage of your own input - because as fans, you should be able to have a say on what you want to see on ColdplayingTV.

On this weeks show we have some WillLuv, the mystery of those tiny letters on coldplay.com is solved, the results of this weeks poll are announced and discussed by fans on the show and much much more, so get involved today! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube and we will see you this Saturday and every saturday leading up to LP5. Kind Regards,

The ColdplayingTV™HQ Team: Jamie, Chelsea, Tomas, Brooke, Andy & Everybody else contributing ideas and thoughts.

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1700 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

January 13, 2011 - submitted by Shelby, United States of America

Q. Hello oh mighty Oracle! My question regards the song X & Y. I was looking for the song on YouTube and clicked the first link when I searched. The lyrics went something like this "X & Y sun, trees, earth & sky", or something along those lines. A few weeks later, I bought the X&Y album, to discover the song I 1st heard was not X&Y! I was wondering if that song was/is a Coldplay song, and if so, what is it called? Thank you so much!

The Oracle replies:

Ah yes, an understandable mistake given the mention of X&Y in the opening line. The song was written during that album's sessions but ended up as a b-side to Fix You; it's The World Turned Upside Down.

January 13, 2011 - submitted by Nathalie, Brazil

Q. Hi Oracle, Too cold in England? I love Will's voice in Death Will Never Conquer. He is very talented! Tell me, what is the possibility of Will Champion singing on the next album? I know, there's nothing wrong with Chris. He's absolutely fantastic. =) Thanks! Nathalie

The Oracle replies:

I would say that as with Viva all four members will be singing but I can't see anyone other than Chris taking lead vocals but hey, who knows? Death Will Never Conquer was brilliant by both!

January 13, 2011 - submitted by Isabella, United States of America

Q. I was wondering... in order to join the Oracle do you have to be a certain age?

The Oracle replies:

I think you mean you mean Team Oracle. There is no age limit to submit your answers to the email address given or to submit a question via the website. Feel free to put your age in with your reply by the way. The same applies when submitting anything to this section.

January 12, 2011 - submitted by Mirko, Germany

Q. Hey best Oracle in the world!! Have you ever noticed, that 2 of the band members of Coldplay appear in the Christmas Lights lyrics? You don't have a real silvester in England do you? Happy new year!

The Oracle replies:

Ha ha! Well, given that will is a word as well as a name and I assume you're taking Chris from Christmas there's only Jonny that's never likely to appear as part of a lyric unless it's the use of the name itself as guy is also a word! No I hadn't noticed that 2 band members names are in the lyrics because er, they're technically not but I see your point. Silvester as in your New Year's Eve? No, Scotland has its Hogmanay but ours is just a plain and simple NYE. Happy new year to one and all, we're officially well in now.

January 12, 2011 - submitted by Alexandre Rocato, Brazil

Q. I saw a DVD on a music store named: Coldplay - The early days... is it official ? Is it a new release ?

The Oracle replies:

No! There's only ever been the one official "Live 2003" DVD.

January 12, 2011 - submitted by Emily, Canada

Q. Hey Oracle! Hope everything is good with you! My question is about the ezines, I clicked on the link you posted and have been scrolling through them but what exactly are they? Were they something that the website crew made and put online? Or was it an actual print thing? Looking forward to an answer! I've been reading through them all and they are awesome!! Thanks for all the wonderful answers, this kind of effort to reach the fans is what make Coldplay such an awesome band! :D

The Oracle replies:

Thanks! The ezine was a monthly, later every two months, newsletter not a physical periodical; it was emailed to the mailing list and later archived on the website. Basically it was a mix of news and interviews about Coldplay with exclusive photos and the occasional fan story. It certainly served a purpose at the time but came to the end of its shelf life when we replaced the old website with the shiny new one.

Coldplaying TV is now live!

Warm up this weekend in New Jersey to Laser Coldplay! A reminder that you can see the next of RVCC Planetarium's colorful Coldplay laser lights show choreographed with music and the starry planetarium sky this Saturday 15th January and Saturday 29th January at the planetarium at 8pm local time - previously featuring Coldplay tracks For You, Brothers and Sisters, Yellow, Lovers in Japan, In My Place, Viva La Vida, Clocks, Trouble and other remixes . Please attend if you can, as the show is imminent! (If you know of anyone in the area who would be interested please let them know asap!)

Admission is only $6 for all ages and if you mention the 'Coldplaying forums' you can get a $1 discount off ticket prices for the Coldplay show (not to be combined with any other offer). Their system produces 16 million color graphics and patterns and is well worth the money. Reservations are recommended for all shows but turn up to the show early (at least 15 minutes before the show) if you want to get in. More information on the hotline by calling the Planetarium @ 908-231-8805. Click here for directions to the Planetarium.

The show is about an hour long and the song list above is the majority of the show, but there are a few extras. The show is running this Saturday (Jan 15) and also in a fortnight (January 29). All shows are at 8 pm.

The Raritan Valley Community College campus lies at the crossroads of Central New Jersey, with Routes 22, 202 and 206 and Interstates 287 and 78 just minutes away. The College is situated on the north side of Route 28 in North Branch, New Jersey.

Two more festival dates have been announced for Coldplay this summer, the official site has published. On Wednesday 6th July, Coldplay will be headlining the Optimus Alive Festival in Oeiras, Portugal. The following day, Thursday 7th July, they'll be crossing the Spanish border to top the bill at the BBK Festival in Bilbao. This brings the total number of 2011 festivals that Coldplay will play thus far to eight, spread over seven countries and two continents.

The BBK Live festival is a 40,000 capacity festival which has two main stages, guaranteeing that acts won't overlap, there are two dance tents, a pop tent, a chillout area, food stalls and a campsite. Doors open at 4pm every day, and close at 3am every night. The festival is running a promotion on the first 1,000 three day tickets for £75 including camping.

Full information on the latest two new dates is below:

6th July - Optimus Alive Festival, Oeiras, Portugal; day ticket 50 euros, weekend ticket 140 euros; Tickets on sale now from www.optimusalive.com

7th July - BBK Festival, Bilbao, Spain; Weekend ticket 90 euros; Tickets on sale now from www.generaltickets.com

Coldplaying TV is now live!

Coldplay's Chris Martin has told NME that the band are striving to write their "masterpiece" with the follow-up to 2008's 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends'. More discussion on this is at the Coldplay forum now [thanks Jady]

The frontman, speaking in the new issue of NME, on UK newsstands today (January 12), or available digitally, spoke about new songs including 'Princess Of China' and 'Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall', before admitting that he thinks the band can better their previous albums with the new effort. "We still don't think we've delivered our masterpiece, so we're still trying to do it," Martin said. "As long as we feel like that and we're hungry… that's all that matters."

The band have again been working with Brian Eno and Marcus Dravs on the album. "We were with Brian Eno for a long period just messing around," the singer said. "Now we're with Marcus, trying to turn that into something cohesive and under seven hours long. The worst mistake we could make, when we're the most Marmite-y of bands, would be to make a super-long thing".

Coldplay are in the new issue of NME, on UK newsstands now, or available digitally. The issue previews the 60 most exciting albums of 2011, also featuring The Strokes, Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys, Beady Eye, La Roux, Bombay Bicycle Club, Wild Beasts and 52 other acts, with in-the-studio reports and photos.

Coldplaying TV is now live!

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1700 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

January 11, 2011 - submitted by Suzana, Brazil

Q. Hello, Oracle! How has 2011 been so far? Do you have any idea if Matt McGinn's book is the process of being translated into other languages? It'd be great to read it in our languages. One more question (two, actually): is it possible to get, through Coldplay's website, the good old e-zines? Is is possible that anything similar will done again (this would be beyond great)? Thanks in advance!

The Oracle replies:

As far as I know Matt's book is not currently being translated into other languages but I do hear that there are plans for a paperback release. The ezines are actually accessible via the Internet as pdf files rather than through our site (old or new). They pop up for me every so often on Google. I also stumbled across this site so they are definitely out there. They're part of the old site so we don't have them archived on the current one. As we have our wonderful Roadie #42 blogs, Anchorman's newsreels and regular Messengers sent out there's no need for an ezine.

January 11, 2011 - submitted by Lukas, New Zealand

Q. Hey Oracle, I'm in a band and we've come up with about six catchy songs, but the other two guys in the band have a completely different taste in music to me. They only listen to Train and Jason Mraz and Dane Rumble, and other pop music like that. I'm more into stuff like Coldplay, Radiohead, U2, The XX; bands that have ambition. Except, because my band mates haven't heard of these artists or any music outside of the mainstream, they aren't open to any strange/weird ideas that I like coming up with. How do I bring ambition into a band that doesn't know what ambition is? Musically and lyrically?

The Oracle replies:

You know your band members better than I do of course but I am about to challenge almost everything you have said! Firstly you said "we" have come up with 6 songs which implies together as a band you have created something you all like therefore your tastes are irrelevant and have only served to bring different influences in which is never a bad thing. Secondly you say that your friends haven't heard of any music outside the mainstream and I'd say that both Coldplay & U2 ARE mainstream! There's nothing wrong with liking Jason Mraz etc. by the way... A band is ultimately made up of a friends who have shared interests otherwise they probably wouldn't be friends. Even if that shared interest is actually just being in that band you don't have to all like the same music outside of the band as long as the music you make within the band is something you all love that's all that matters. That is why I dispute your argument as 6 catchy songs is more than many bands I know can come up with! If you like weird/ strange ideas and they don't, maybe you're just with the wrong people or actually - maybe they are. The songwriting shouldn't be contrived or forced into a genre so perhaps look at those 6 songs you wrote as your starting point. I'm not entirely sure it's ambition that your band mates lack, after all they are in the band so they've given some commitment. You can't bring ambition but you can all get excited by the music you are making. If you want to make a career from it you have to realize it's very difficult and it's not just motivation and belief that drives the band, you need talent and a lot of luck.

January 10, 2011 - submitted by Nick, United States of America

Q. What is limestone rock? I've heard Chris mention that somewhere before but I've never heard of it before.

The Oracle replies:

Basically Chris has used the term when making a joke about where Coldplay fit into the musical term rock. Coldplay are often described as soft rock as oppose to hard rock. They do however have a heavier side that sometimes goes unnoticed. Chris therefore describes the band as limestone rock which usually refers to a geological term rather than the aforementioned musical one.

January 10, 2011 - submitted by Julie, United States of America

Q. Honest Oracle, did Coldplay perform in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve? I had a friend tell me this, but I don't really believe her. She said that Jay-Z and Beyonce were there too. Is this true?

The Oracle replies:

Yes it's true. You can find plenty stories about the Cosmopolitan show on the Internet. It wasn't like a normal gig or part of any touring schedule; just a one-off so we didn't cover it.

January 6, 2011 - submitted by Colin, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, Will people in the U.S.A. be able to watch the Zane Lowe interview tomorrow morning? Colin

The Oracle replies:

Given it's on the radio, no and neither will people in the U.K. Sorry for being facetious Colin. Although Radio 1 is part of the BBC it's available globally live and via listen again after the event. Head over to their site to catch up now. TV/video stuff (think TOTP) has restrictions so not every territory will have access to them.

January 6, 2011 - submitted by Monica, United States of America

Q. Who is your favorite Doctor from Doctor Who?

The Oracle replies:

Tom Baker.

January 6, 2011 - submitted by Anush, India

Q. Dear Oracle, Why don't Will, Guy, Jonny & Chris have their own social networking ID's for interacting with their fans, apart from bands website? Anush.

The Oracle replies:

I promise I'm not trying to be funny Anush but what with having families and being incredibly busy in the studio they don't really have time. I'd also add in my own general view... just because Facebook & Twitter etc. exist doesn't mean to say that everyone must have one and share in their channels. It's great in our case that we have collective pages for the band because should the mood take them, they do have the access to interact and indeed Guy has. I know many high profile people do tweet; I see it as a platform to say what's on their mind rather than interaction per se.

Tim McGraw has sparked rumours that Chris Martin has been taking influence from country music, after revealing that his wife Faith Hill recently wrote a number of songs with the Coldplay frontman, claim DigitalSpy today.

The two families are known to have become close after McGraw starred opposite Martin's wife Gwyneth Paltrow in the recently-released film Country Strong. "My wife is a huge Coldplay fan, and they spent a lot of time writing songs," McGraw told a surprised Chelsea Handler during E!. "I don't want to start any rumours or anything, but I ain't heard any songs yet!"

Martin has previously collaborated with a number of artists outside of the rock genre, including rapper Jay-Z and pop singer Nelly Furtado. Coldplay have spent the past two years working on their currently-untitled fifth studio album.

Meanwhile, Glee star Matthew Morrison has revealed that Coldplay only allowed their songs to be performed on the show after it became a success, again reported by DigitalSpy this weekend.

Morrison made the claim after admitting that Coldplay had initially denied show creator Ryan Murphy use of the band's back catalogue. "In the pilot I was meant to sing 'Viva La Vida' by Coldplay but they wouldn't give us the rights," Morrison explained to Contactmusic. "Then, once the show got started Chris Martin called Ryan [Murphy] to apologise and say we could use whichever song we wanted," Morrison continued. "So I hope we'll tackle that one."

Murphy has yet to use any Coldplay songs in the series, despite receiving the band's approval. Glee continues with its second season on February 6 on Fox.

Both Chris Martin and Will Champion were featured on the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show this morning (Friday 7th January), and gave us an insight into what the fifth album is all about. If you were expecting release dates, album or track titles then you were disappointed. You can already download the interview in MP3 format at the multimedia forum and all this morning's discussion on the interview is at the Coldplay forum now [thanks fsa & Iriden]

Chris Martin has said Coldplay's forthcoming fifth album is about "love, addiction, OCD, escape and working for someone you don't like". He added that it was a "thinly veiled account of what happens within the group".

Speaking to Radio 1's Zane Lowe he denied the album would be a "concept record" after reports in the press that it could be. The band say the album is yet to get a release date. Chris added that theme-wise the follow-up to 2008's Viva La Vida And Death And All His Friends, "also has a lot of uplifting stuff. It's supposed to be about life, the good stuff and the bad stuff. Everything."

Drummer Will Champion said: "There's a phrase which my wife told me from a book, I can't remember which book, but a man is asked, 'Are you married?' And he says, 'Yes, of course I'm married. I have a wife, kids, the whole catastrophe. 'Catastrophe' just means something big and seismic but not necessarily bad. It's all about embracing the whole thing. Appreciating the good and bad and realising it's all part of life."

Back in December Chris Martin told the BBC that the album, produced by Brian Eno and Markus Dravs, was about "two like-minded outsiders who meet in a very difficult environment and therefore have a journey together".

Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland with Zane Lowe of Radio 1 (back on 1st December 2010):

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1700 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

January 5, 2011 - submitted by Madeline, United States of America

Q. Dear All-Mighty Oracle, On the back of the Parachutes album, there are four people. Which one is which band member? Thanks, Mad :)

The Oracle replies:

I'm sure there are people who have a different back cover to the album, but the photo on the back of Parachutes shows the band from left to right: Guy, Will, Chris & Jonny. There were photos in the NME on July 8th 2000 with photos from the same shoot. There's also one of the back of their heads; that's trickier to see who's who but not impossible as I have already answered that.

January 5, 2011 - submitted by Yelva, United States of America

Q. Hi Oracle! Do you believe in new years resolutions?

The Oracle replies:

I'd rather resolutions take place as and when necessary. I find it quite strange that the 1st January generates a mild panic in people to make resolutions. If you want to lose weight, quit smoking, get fit, stop drinking or get a new job... why wait? Do it anytime!

January 5, 2011 - submitted by N, United States of America

Q. I was wondering, if Coldplay was so big on Fairtrade, why are their tickets so expensive? Broke college students still deserve to soak in some of their magic live, no? And please don't quote supply and demand, I am merely asking this to ensure my affordability for their next concert as true fans surely do.

The Oracle replies:

I don't want to appear as a rich, arrogant or rude Oracle here but I get a little cross when this subject is brought up... A tour happens every 2 or 3 years, so if for example a ticket costs £65, I think that is plenty time to budget to pay for it don't you? I'd grumble at a premier league football match that happens every week (for a season) at around £45 per ticket. You do the math as they say in your part of the world. Not sure why you think it would have anything to do with supply & demand. That's the way that scalpers/touts do business. The prices are in line with all other tours on the same scale. There, rant over. And breathe... Tours are part of the business and are supposed to generate income for all involved (and a profit of course) but you have to realize that taking a show on the road is a very costly thing to do. At this level there are at least 2 stage sets to transport and so two crews to build it/take it down. There is a huge staff on board as well as the actual cost of the lights, screens, effects etc. Fairtrade is a totally different thing by the way. In my experience broke college students seem to have more money than me! I always see them out drinking, partying and gigging round my way. Anyway 'N', as it's been a while since the last tour, maybe you could start putting a little aside from now, I'm sure that even $2 a week will help the gig fund. Hmmm I might start doing it too just in case Prince is due back in the U.K...

January 4, 2011 - submitted by Pranav, India

Q. Dear Oracle, Can you help me find a picture of the band standing in a railway track if it exists...I can't find it anywhere!!! Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

*Edited - see below... It's funny because when I read your question an image popped into my mind; it's not of a railway but for some reason I felt it was the photo you are looking for. If this isn't it, I'm sure that if there is a railway photo, we'll find it for you! * The photo was taken by a lovely guy called Matt Jones in Palm Springs around the time of their Coachella appearance in 2005. Thanks to Anna (amongst others) for showing me the photos you are DEFINITELY looking for! I had never seen them before. Shame on me!

January 4, 2011 - submitted by Daria, Lithuania

Q. So, yeah it's new year, new promises, new things I'm going to do but I don't know what I really need this year. What I really want from my life. It's the hardest part of growing up, yeah to try find yourself. How to do that easier?

The Oracle replies:

Today there were rather more questions about life and ways out of situations than usual. I'm assuming that some new year blues have taken hold or it's the time of year where people look at their life and assess where it's going. If you don't yet know what you need this year, I'm sure it will reveal itself at some point. Maybe write a list of everything you'd like your life to look like and be; see where changes could be made to get you on that track. I did that and have an action plan of what I will need to do and when. I am scheduling it in so that it will become part of my every day rather than a separate entity. It's not easy to find yourself when growing up but all you need to do is be true to yourself rather than be what you think is expected of you. Don't concern yourself too much with what others are doing but also don't worry.

December 30, 2010 - submitted by Blake, United States of America

Q. Dearest Oracle, Is the video performance of Christmas Lights from the Live Lounge available online? I've looked everywhere with no luck. Thank you!

The Oracle replies:

Everywhere Blake? Are you sure about that? Here it is! Enjoy...

December 30, 2010 - submitted by Vicky, Argentina

Q. Dear Oracle, have you ever felt that you couldn't be more happy but depressed at the same moment because u know that that happiness is just going to fade out?

The Oracle replies:

I remember a Buddhist meditation mantra that was given to me many years ago during a very bleak period and I thought it was amazing until I realized the reverse was also true; "and this too shall pass". I started to think the bad times will pass as will the good but quite quickly thought about how negative I was taking the mantra instead of keeping my outlook positive. I confess that these days I pretty much see the best in things and accept the bad knowing the good will soon come. I truly believe life is too short to sit in black moods contemplating about happiness fading. To me it's worth the energy to keep the happy light burning for as long as possible. That's a nice thought to end the year on eh?

December 29, 2010 - submitted by Helmut, Austria

Q. Do you know the prename of Mr.Bean?? ;-)

The Oracle replies:

Well his name hasn't ever really been confirmed as he refers to himself as Bean to others. There were two episodes where it seemed his name was revealed - the first name field of his passport was shown; in one episode it was "Mr." in the other Rowan which is of course the actor who plays Bean's first name. However, Rowan Atkinson has been quoted as saying he imagined Mr.Bean's name to be Julian.

December 29, 2010 - submitted by Adrian, United Kingdom

Q. Dear Oracle, Is it true that Glee will do an episode of Coldplay? If so I would like to know any Coldplay member would be star guest/s ?? Thanks

The Oracle replies:

I have it on good authority that Viva la Vida will feature in an episode; but not the band.

December 29, 2010 - submitted by Imrano, Singapore

Q. Hey Oracle! Is the piano in the Christmas Lights video hand painted by the crew making the video or was it already painted when it arrived on set? It is stunning!

The Oracle replies:

Beautiful isn't it? It was hand painted by an artist prior to the video shoot.

December 28, 2010 - submitted by Aimee, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, I hope you are well, yes? I've watched the Christmas Lights video numerous times, and I just love it. How on earth did the fans on the boat find out about it?! And why wasn't I invited? Ok, so I live far off on the other side of the pond . . . Thanks and Merry Christmas! : )

The Oracle replies:

Once the idea for the video was confirmed we called on coldplaying.com for help to recruit fans to be part of the boat scene. In fact there were fans who travelled from the 'other side of the pond' as it wasn't restricted to U.K residents.

December 28, 2010 - submitted by Jenny, United States of America

Q. What does the pH at the end of Coldplay's tweets mean?

The Oracle replies:

It's Phil's sign-off so it stands for Phil Harvey or rather, phil Harvey.

December 27, 2010 - submitted by Thibault, France

Q. Hi dearest Oracle, Browsing the website of The Museum of Everything, I found a name Peter Blake. I think I know this name, did you ever speak of him in Coldplay.com? Thank you!

The Oracle replies:

Peter Blake is the curator of The Museum of Everything and I am not surprised you recognize his name; he designed the sleeve for the Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. He's a famous artist well worth looking up.

Both Chris Martin and Will Champion will be heading for the BBC Radio 1 studios this coming Friday (7th January) for the second time in just over a month, and it is believed they will be "talking us through the fifth album". More discussion and speculation about Friday's interview is at the Coldplay forum now and you can download the snippet of Zane Lowe confirming the interview in the multimedia forum [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite & Iriden]

They will be appearing on the Zane Lowe breakfast show on Friday sometime between 7-10am (GMT) and speculation is growing about what new information we will find out about LP5. Here is a selection of comments from the messageboard about what we hope will happen...

I'm hoping for potential release date-- or at least a vague indication of where in the process they are... And maybe even a hint of a tour. But that's just being very, very optimistic about it. [thanks Nattatouille]

My prediction on the conversation: discuss the Christmas Lights video shoot briefly; - review the Crisis gigs in Liverpool and Newcastle; talk about their time in the studio, there's a few different "directions" they can take it; mention the numerous festivals they are scheduled to perform at this year; they'll try out some of their new material, see what "works" and what doesn't so they can figure out which "direction" to take LP5; blindly say it might be released sometime this year or next year; or they'll go ahead and say they're done (based on what somebody apparently was told by Jonny in Newcastle) and will release it by summer. [thanks NumbersGirl]

I hope he [Chris] says more than what he said in the last couple of interviews. Actually just don't talk Chris. Let Will do all the talking. [thanks howyousawtheworld]

I think there might be a tiny nugget of hope/news or something embedded in there, but we also know how often they change their minds . Chris even admitted it on Fearne Cotton last month. I guess it's just interesting that they're going back on radio so soon for a chat for seemingly no concrete reason. My optimistic side thinks they must have decided/agreed to go on for a reason, even if it's just to say "yeah, it'll be out this summer" vaguely... [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]

Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland with Zane Lowe of Radio 1 (back on 1st December 2010):

Coldplay last night played at the new $3.9 billion Cosmopolitan complex in Las Vegas in support of Jay-Z as they counted down the year's final moments for a black-tie ballroom crowd filled with celebrities and thousands watching on the Las Vegas strip. Jay-Z also joined them on stage for performances of Lost and Heart of the City and then Kanye West joined them for a performance of Coming Home. Chris Martin also played the piano for Beyonce during a performance of 'Halo'.

Some sets of excellent photos of the show can be found courtesy of Jimmy Dushku at Flickr (JimmyD at Coldplaying) and also some more courtesy of Life magazine. Full live discussion on this show is at the Coldplay Live forum including the latest new photos and videos. Thanks to everyone who has contributed on the forums, wiki and twitters, we'll have more on this show over the next few hours/days!

Setlist:

Politik

Yellow

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

In My Place

Lovers in Japan

Strawberry Swing

Fix You

Lost+ (feat. Jay-Z

Heart Of The City (feat. Jay-Z)

Homecoming (feat. Jay-Z & Kanye West)

Viva La Vida

I met Will yesterday before the show. It was actually pretty funny. I was with a couple of friends debating on what to eat. In the middle of the conversation, my friend says he could see my face and attention all change and I saw Will coming up with some friends in the distance. I immediately b-lined over to him and asked him for a pic. He was super nice and said absolutely. We talked for a few moments about how much I enjoyed seeing them a couple of weeks ago and that they were the only reason I was in Vegas. Just when we started to pose for the camera, my friend noticed he had been taking a video so Will laughed and said to take our time to get the shot, so we did it again and I told him I'd see him later tonight and they walked away. Everyone else on the entire second floor of the hotel was looking at me like I was crazy because they could see my excitement. After he walked away, no one bothered him. I couldn't believe other people didn't care haha. That was my run in. My friend Tucker met Chris while lost around the hotel. Apparently Chris jokingly said he was betting on horses and my friend didn't get that he was joking and started giving him tips. My friend's aunt was also in the elevator with GP and Apple. No one really bothered any of them. [thanks JimmyD]

So I got to the strip around 10pm and I was walking around for a while and waiting for the concert to start until like 11pm. I started to get disappointed that maybe they weren't going to show it afterall so I got sad and we started walking away from the Cosmopolitan. But then I hear a familiar voice asking if everyone was ready. So I turn around and see Chris on the bigscreen and hear the beginning of Politik playing now. So I hurried back to a better area with good sound and good view, and I was all happy again. The boys were full of energy and they looked very happy to be there. They were all dressed in what seemed like the Christmas Lights video attire. Chris said they even shaved because they wanted to look good in front of the bessed dressed crowd they've ever played for. And for those who heard that Chris was drunk. HE WAS NOT. He was just his usual energetic self. So the concert was fantastic, they really performed well and I wish I could have been inside to sing along with them. I was singing along outside anyways but I felt like I was the only one that knew every song. Although there was a lady standing behind me who knew a few. The crowd outside seemed to be into it a bit as well though cause they'd cheer at the end of the song. I really had a fun time, I just missed the singalongs that came with Yellow, Fix You, and Viva La Vida, and the other songs where the crowd ALL chimes in. Chris sang everything this time. At midnight Jay-Z came out with Coldplay and they had a clock to do a countdown, I think they were a bit early but it was great timing cause right after it was officially 2011, Coldplay performed their final song, Viva La Vida, and it went well with the celebrations going all around me. It was also my first song of the New Year. There were like 10minutes of fireworks and they started when Viva La Vida was playing. It was great! I had a fantastic time bringing in the new year with Coldplay!! [thanks iduran20]

While others stars got wasted at parties on New Year’s Eve, Jay-Z and Coldplay brought in the new year in Las Vegas by hosting a joint concert. The two artists rocked their separate sets, but Jay invited his good pal Coldplay frontman Chris Martin to join him during his set. But Martin wasn’t the only guest. Jay surprised the crowd by bringing out a shaggy-haired John Mayer and a leather pants-wearing Kanye West. [via wowhollywood.us]

Viva the New Year! In what was sure to be one of the most star-studded concerts of the year, Jay-Z and Coldplay rocked Las Vegas on New Year's Eve, performing at the grand opening of The Cosmopolitan, a $3.9 billion hotel on the famous Strip. But those two acts weren't the only ones to take the stage: Beyoncé, Kanye West and John Mayer all made surprise appearances during Jay-Z's performance. eyoncé joined her husband for "Forever Young" and sang "Halo" with Chris Martin. Mayer played guitar with Jay-Z on his hit song "99 Problems." "All the problems you were going through have been kicked out the door," Jay-Z told the crowd before a collaborative performance of West's "Homecoming," which featured Jay-Z, West and Martin. Gwyneth Paltrow was also on hand to watch the show – and ring in the 2011 with her husband and close friends. The intimate crowd was littered with celebrities to witness the show that Jay-Z called "once in a lifetime." Following their Mexican vacation, Cameron Diaz and Alex Rodriguez were spotted in the audience. Diaz spent some of the evening chatting with Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, not far from Ellen Pompeo and Blake Lively. Following the concert, the stars headed to Marquee Las Vegas where famed DJ Eric Morrillo entertained the concert crowd. [via people.com]

Pictures courtesy of Jimmy Dushku on Coldplaying/Facebook (Click for more photos)

The Las Vegas New Year's Eve party used to be inside, and then it moved outdoors. Now technology and the dawn of a new decade bring the inside out, with a new sense of equality, writes Las Vegas Review-Journal today. For all the discussion on the latest pictures, interviews, videos and updates from the event go to the Coldplay Live forum now. Read on for the full preview...

If you didn't pony up $5,600 per couple to see Coldplay and Jay-Z when you still could buy in, clip a six-pack to your belt. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will use its 65-foot digital sign to broadcast the night's biggest show to the crowds who gather outdoors on the Strip. "This is a really special moment for The Cosmopolitan, and I think we really want to celebrate that," says Lisa Marchese, who oversees brand marketing for the freshly minted hotel. "I think we have one opportunity to really introduce ourselves to Las Vegas."

This technological bridge is a fitting cap to a decade that charted the rise of the nightclubs in direct correlation to the fall of ticketed concerts and ballroom dinner-dance affairs, which were the Strip's main attraction to the very end of the 1990s. Today's countdown also marks a full decade of the free fireworks that began in 2000, after Las Vegas came off as a big fizzle in worldwide coverage of the "millennium" celebrations of 1999. It seemed to help. About 310,000 are expected this year, compared with 260,000 for the 1999 party (which, it must be noted, also was hampered by price gouging and "Y2K bug" concerns).

Once the free fireworks took over, concert headliners accustomed to being the center of attention for midnight countdowns were surprised to see people head for the exits as the midnight hour approached. Even big stars who just might be in the neighborhood and willing to risk rejection -- say, Jay-Z's spouse Beyonce -- have learned they're more appreciated other times of the year. "We didn't need her New Year's," Wynn Las Vegas chairman Steve Wynn says of his declining an offer by Beyonce's management to perform today. "I want Beyonce at an off-peak time, so I can make an event out of it," Wynn says. "When we had her in the summer (of 2009), I picked the worst week of the summer, and she blew the lid off the place. All my customers came, and we had huge casino activity."

Today, they are here anyway. And they always have been on Dec. 31, whatever the year. In the pre-fireworks era, Las Vegas specialized in arena concerts (including, presciently, both Cher and Bette Midler in 1999) and dinner-show combos for older customers: As late as 1999, it was Wayne Newton in the Stardust showroom and the Guy Lombardo Orchestra in the ballroom. In the past decade, players club marketing has become so refined that shows in that realm mostly have become parties for invited customers.

Nightclubs still were an emerging force in 2000. Now they rule the roost and offer their own star power. Rihanna may or may not actually sing at Pure -- club officials are giving her the option -- while Kim Kardashian probably should be encouraged not to croon at Tao (see Sounds for a rundown on nightclub attractions). Here's how more of the madness breaks down:

Pyrotechnics

"America's Party 2011" is again a synchronized show by Fireworks By Grucci, offering 50,000 effects in eight minutes. The launch points are the rooftops of the same casinos as last year: MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood Resort, Aria, Caesars Palace, The Venetian, Treasure Island and Stratosphere. Las Vegas police announced Tuesday that the Strip, between Sahara Avenue and Russell Road, will close to vehicular traffic at 6:30 p.m. today.

Coldplay and Jay-Z

It seems an unlikely alliance, the American hip-hop mogul and the British soft-rock heartthrobs of suburban soccer moms. But these two have a history. Coldplay singer Chris Martin guested on "Beach Chair" on Jay-Z's "Kingdom Come" album. The band in turn hosted him on an alternate version of the song "Lost" in 2008, and they performed it together on the Grammy Awards the next year. "Launching a new brand, opening a new property at the center of the Strip is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I think John (Unwin, the hotel's CEO) treats it as such," The Cosmopolitan's Marchese said of an event mostly for invited guests, and therefore not expected to pencil out beyond its publicity value. However, showing the concert to the huddled masses on the casino's 65-foot digital marquee is something "I think you'll see over the next year we're going to do a lot. As much as possible really," she added.

Oddly enough, of the two celebrity spouses, it's Martin's wife, Gwyneth Paltrow -- not Beyonce -- who is rumored on the ever-reliable Internet to be joining the show. Specifics were vague on the concert's start time -- maybe 10 p.m., maybe 10:30 p.m. -- and whether it will include a New Year's countdown from the Chelsea ballroom, which occasionally will be converted into a concert venue during the new year.

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Voting is closed but you can keep track of the countdown to your favourite albums of 2010:

As part of Coldplaying's Erasmus boat trip excursion for Coldplay's Christmas Lights video last month, Coldplay roadies Matt McGinn and Miller, along with fifth member Phil Harvey were able to provide some excellent online Q&A to Coldplayers who were on the boat (and some who weren't). Second up to answer our questions, is Coldplay's 'fifth member, Phil Harvey, who talks about LP5 & the recording process, memorable Coldplay moments, song archives... and more! You can discuss the Q&A here at the Coldplay forum. Read on for Phil Harvey's answers... [thanks Debs Wild]

Q. What things you've done, in your opinion, probably had the biggest influence on the band?

A. My first act as manager was to book out Dingwalls (venue in North London) and put on our own show. We made 1500 pounds and used the money to record and manufacture our first CD, the Safety EP. That gave Coldplay a bit of momentum – after that, they were too good not to succeed...

Q. Chris told us they nearly cancelled the Rock am Ring/Rock im Park shows and said it was "a long story". Could you give us a hint? If it's more of a secret that shouldn't be on the Internet, then of course you don't have to react to the question

A. There was an unexpected family issue. Nothing bad. It just gave us a bit of surprise.

Q. What was the most memorable/pleasant/enjoyable moment for you, concerning Coldplay? Phil, Germany

A. The whole of the last South America tour was amazing. The Grammys in 2009 was a big high.. Or supporting U2 at Slane Castle in 2001.

Q. Will LP5's tour be themed, like VLV's military jackets? - Christina

A. Hmmm im not sure if it’ll be ‘themed’… but I hope we succeed in creating a bit of a different world so that it doesn’t feel like just another concert.

Q. There have been lots of different dates quoted for the release of the next album. The most recent is 'late 2011' from the Jan 2011 Q mag article - since this is based on a very recent interview with you guys, are we able to assume that this date is correct?

A. I really woudn’t believe anything that the band say about the new album yet. The songs, title, potential release date change from day to day. I’d be disappointed if we don’t release it by the end of next year though

Q. Chris has previously mentioned that the new album has a different feel to VLV and will be better suited to smaller live venues. Given the popularity of the band this would seem to = a very long tour of small venues or a lot of disappointed people due to small venue capacities! Has a plan for the tour been developed further (obviously we have just seen a number of festival shows announced)?

A. I think what chris meant by that was that he was trying not to think about playing gigs in enormous stadiums – a) because we don’t take it for granted that we can sell tickets for big venues like that b) because it can be artistically restrictive if you start thinking about what will sound good in front of 100,000 people.

Q. Is the song writing / recording process for the new album different to that for VLV?

A. Brian Eno was more involved in the songwriting for this album.

Q. Can we expect to hear any new songs at the upcoming Crisis gigs? - Ian Richardson.

A. We’ll be playing Christmas Lights tonight for sure. You might even see my debut performance onstage – as a violin-playing Elvis… no songs from new album though.

Q. How would you describe each band member using 5 adjectives for each? Doesn't have to be all the positive ones - Milan from Nis,Serbia

A. Jonny – wise, kind, gentle, magical, fragrant; Will – strong, loving, dapper, bearded, witty; Chris – loyal, mercurial, hyper-energised, passionate, agile; Guy – handsome, mysterious, hospitable, busy, buff

Q. Well I was curious if any of the guys keep their own personal tour diary? We get perspectives from Roadie 42, the oracle, and anchorman, but I wanted to know if they ever wrote down their own memories just for themselves not to be shared with the public. Do ya'll do the same? Maybe not necessarily a tour diary but when something momentous happens, do you write it down? – Kimberly

A. Not that I know of…they’re always thinking of the next thing

Q. Who was Prospekt? Always thought it was you, Phil. - Jack Zoldos

A. Now that would be telling…

Q. How’s the work with Upbeat coming along, and are you achieving what you hoped from working with them?

A. Upbeat is a great charity and I’m very proud of the work they do. It’s very small and modest in scale but I think it makes a big difference to the people who use the service (it’s for people with mental illness who want to make music).

Q. "Violet Hill" was apparently named after a road which happens to be very close to Abbey Road. Many Coldplayers (including myself) have now visited the little park there as a kind of Coldplay 'pilgrimage', passing the Abbey Road studios on the way. Is there any significance other than Violet Hill's proximity to Abbey Road, and have any members of the band actually been there for any reason? – Mark Cox

A. I think that's where Chris was when the song came to him

Q. My question is a bit selfish, but I was wondering if you'd be able to give any advice to someone looking to work in the music industry, particularly in the more administrative/managerial side of things, in the coming years. I'm just about to graduate university, and I'm deciding what steps to take next in order to get closer to my dream of working for a band much as you all do, and was wondering if you had any advice. Thanks! - Chelsea Gilchrist

A. I honestly don’t know what to say. I’ve been friends with Chris since we were 13 years old and we always planned to be in a band together. I’ve got no idea how we actually got to where we are today…

Q. When you and the band first started out all those years ago, did you have any indication that they were destined for very, very big things? Was it purely four guys making some music and having a bit of fun, or did you yourself 'feel' that something else really amazing was brewing under the surface at that time?- Kara Thomas

A. I always believed in them. From the very first rehearsal.

Q. What is your most memorable experience working with Coldplay so far? - Deshani

A. That’s tricky… maybe meeting Debs Wild for the first time in 1998. That’s when I had the first glimpse that we might actually get a record deal. It was very very exciting… we owe her everything.

Q. Amsterdam is my favourite ever Coldplay song. It has great personal meaning for me and I wonder why the band never performs it live anymore? I know it is many fans favourite song. Is the rumour true that Chris can’t quite hit the really high notes after the surgery he had on his throat? Or are they just over it and have therefore retired it? Sorry if it’s a silly question, but I have always wondered. – Lucy Bellamy

A. Hahaha I hadn’t heard that about chris’ voice. I think his range is actually better than ever. I reckon there’s a good chance Amsterdam will be in set lists on the next tour.

Q. Are the clothes of the boys in the Christmas lights video going to be used in the next era/tour?

A. No, they were a one off

Q. Will all the latin american fans have to wait 2 years after touring is done ( as in 2007 and 2010) to Coldplay coming back to Latin America in tour? - Juan Manuel Fontes

A. We haven’t made any firm plans for touring yet. But personally speaking… I’d like to get back to Latin America asap

Q. What is the inspiration behind the ‘Christmas Lights’ video and is this theme central to the new album? - Marcus J.D. Lambert

A. We wanted to create a sort of magical theatre. Influences were Terry Gilliam, George Melieres, London

Q. What kinda things do you still have in the Coldplay archives. Like recordings of early unreleased songs and various pieces of band history. And do you think it will ever see the light of day? - mitchel johns

A. There must be dozens of unfinished songs. I remember a lovely song called Famous Old Painters from Viva recording sessions. We finished the mix and I loved it but it still hasn’t seen the light of day.

Q. What would Phil, Miller and Matt each like for christmas? - emily parker

A. I would like loads of snow on the ground at my parents’ farm in Devon (where I’ll be for Christmas)

[thanks to Coldplay's fifth member Phil Harvey for answering our questions!]

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Don't forget... Not long to go to submit your favourite albums of 2010 lists:

As part of Coldplaying's Erasmus boat trip excursion for Coldplay's Christmas Lights video last month, Coldplay roadies Matt McGinn and Miller, along with fifth member Phil Harvey were able to provide some excellent online Q&A to Coldplayers who were on the boat (and some who weren't). First up to answer our questions, is long-time roadie Matt McGinn, who answers questions on Pretty Woman, the music industry, guitar strings, new instruments for LP5 to name but a few. You can discuss the Q&A here at the Coldplay forum. Phil Harvey's answers will be published on Wednesday at 3pm GMT in that thread first. Read on for Matt McGinn's answers. [thanks Debs Wild]

Q. I really enjoyed Matt's book Roadie: My Life On the Road With Coldplay. I was intrigued when he talked about the riff he invented while talking to Chris, that eventually landed on the cut "Square One" from X&Y. That is one of my favorite Coldplay songs (and favorite album) and I was wondering which riff in the song was Matt's? - Jill Finan

A. Thanks, I'm chuffed you liked the book, it really means a lot that people are digging it. The riff is the quiet three-noter in the choruses. We actually had a lively debate in the studio recently about favourite riffs we'd all had a hand in; Jonny mentioned the one at the end of 'The Scientist' while Brian Eno cited Carlos Alomar's Bendy Beauty from David Bowie's 'Heroes'. My personal favourite though is from 'Adhesive' by The Duty Prefects, my school band circa 1981, which definately takes the cake!

Q. Well I was curious if any of the guys keep their own personal tour diary? We get perspectives from Roadie 42, the oracle, and anchorman, but I wanted to know if they ever wrote down their own memories just for themselves not to be shared with the public. Do ya'll do the same? Maybe not necessarily a tour diary but when something momentous happens, do you write it down? – Kimberly

A. Not sure about the band but when I was writing the book (see above) I had loads of scribbles on gaffer tape and airline napkins - you never know when an idea will strike, do you?

Q. I bought one of Jonny's thin lines in the auction and want to know what brand of strings he uses - Angie Castille

A. Well done, which one did you get? Forty, blacky or cheapy? They're all lovely in different ways and we do miss them! Jonny uses D'Addarios, but I hear guitar strings grow on the same trees these days. We'd happily use Ernie Ball, for instance, if we had to.

Q. How many times have you seen Pretty Woman, to be using that quote in your book?

A. At least twenty-three. I like the bit where he snaps her fingers in the jewellery box. I honestly don't think she knew he was going to do it.

Q. My question is a bit selfish, but I was wondering if you'd be able to give any advice to someone looking to work in the music industry, particularly in the more administrative/managerial side of things, in the coming years. I'm just about to graduate university, and I'm deciding what steps to take next in order to get closer to my dream of working for a band much as you all do, and was wondering if you had any advice. Thanks! - Chelsea Gilchrist

A. No, not selfish Chelsea, just tough to answer. Personally, I just blindly kept going with music, because I didn't know what else to do. Then I got lucky, met Coldplay and held on for dear life! Seriously though, if you're off to college, why not get to know the Ents people and dive into putting on shows and stuff while you're there? Lots of music business people get going like that, it's a great way to cut your teeth and make contacts. Good luck.

Q. Some of the instruments used in Viva La Vida sound distorted, or a combination of instruments that the band don't always play. The piano throughout the song sounds either treated or an earlier version of the instrument, and the extended instrumental section between the chorus and verse (1:38 onwards) sounds like a combination of electric guitar with distortion pedal, steel guitar or distorted/treated harpsichord? What instruments were used / treated for Viva La Vida? - Phil Stewart

A. This is one for Rik Simpson really, though I think an Eventide H8000 was used a fair bit. It's not your run-of-the-mill piece of recording, that's for sure. All I remember is it nearly didn't make the record. Amazing, eh?

Q. What is your most memorable experience working with Coldplay so far? – Deshani

A. Getting drenched in Abu Dhabi. The wettest gig of my life. I had local crew with umbrellas all around me at stageside and had to give Jonny a massive towel to dry the guitars as I passed them to him. We then flew out through the storm, the same night. Ghastly. It's either that or dressing as Elvis and miming violin on Top Of The Pops!

Q. For this album, are you using new instruments on this record? Has one or more instruments influenced this album's sound? I'm asking this because, I liked how you used new instruments on the last album such as the violin, tabla and Middle Eastern sounds on Yes! - marie lamensch

A. Jonny's really got into playing stratocasters lately, a big departure for us both, having favoured telecasters for years. Also there's an amazing acoustic instrument Guy really likes playing called the Epiphone Inspiration. It's a four-stringed sort of tenor axe the size of a banjo from who knows where or when. We seem to have the only one anyone's ever seen.

Q. What would you like for christmas? - emily parker

A. Just a huge cuddle from my little daughter. And some big fat Norwegian socks!

[thanks to Coldplay Roadie Matt McGinn for answering our questions!]

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Don't forget... Not long to go to submit your favourite albums of 2010 lists:

Long-time Coldplay roadie Matt McGinn was exclusively interviewed by Coldplayzone.it this week, in which he answers questions on working with Coldplay on their new album. Matt also talks about his 2010 book, touring intensely and his favourite Coldplay songs. You can discuss this latest interview here at the Coldplay forum [thanks coldpatrix]

Hello Matt! It's a real pleasure and a great honour to interview a key person like you, so involved in Coldplay's universe. How're things going?

Great thanks, just enjoying some time at home for Christmas.

The most devoted fans of the band acknowledge you to be a constant presence in the staff of an English band, born a long time ago, that actually hit it big in the music scene. Music lovers, on the other hand, could learn more about you reading the book 'Roadie - My Life On The Road With Coldplay'. It is indeed a good way to introduce yourself, so how do you feel about that? And again, how hard is to stop and start writing a book, being used to work at such a frenetic pace?

I can't really believe I managed to write a book and go on tour at the same time. It wasn't easy - a lot of it was written on gaffer tape and airplane napkins!

How do you evaluate your book, as your first writing experience? It is believed that debuting as a writer can lead to write tons of word, without following any logic. However, it doesn't seem to be the case, the text is so nicely fluent.

Thanks man, I'm pleased. Having great editors really made a difference. I'm thinking of writing another, maybe.

Did you expect that your literary production could have such a huge success among Coldplay fans? After all, you've limited yourself to relate 'only' about your world, ruled by music, but obviously mentioning many things about them...

I thought Coldplay fans would probably hear about the book and maybe check it out, but didn't realise how much they'd love it. I'm very lucky.

Honestly, how did you feel when you "dropped some glue on that vital part" of Jonny? We think it all ended up laughing, without any bad consequence...

I felt terrified. And very stupid! I was trying to be clever, which is usually when things go wrong.

To us, devoted fans of Coldplay, the delay of the release of 'Roadie - My Life On The Road With Coldplay' sounded like the project would have been then discarded. Do you know why the release date was postponed from May to August 2010?

Something to do with the overseas deals - it came out in England a few weeks before everywhere else, including America. Nothing personal!

Unfortunately there are no plans of an Italian edition of 'Roadie - My Life On The Road With Coldplay' (or any other language, according to the editors). Is there any chance they can reconsider that?

Well, I have been asking. Let's hope.

Your relationship with Coldplay has become stronger, thanks to this book too. Do you think you are going to be in the future Coldplay's projects or, maybe someday (as much far as you can, please!), you could think about quitting them for another artist or band if they were imploring you to be their official roadie?

I hope to be with Coldplay for as long as they are around and need roadies. It's always a joy to go to work.

As the guys said, 'You're part of the Coldplay family since day 1'. You saw them, changing themselves so quickly and radically from kids full of hopes to grown men with children. How have 'your' Coldplay changed over time?

They are the same as when I first met them, except they all wear nicer clothes! (I'm still wearing the same outfit as ten years ago, I'm afraid. I can't stop with the denim)

Have you ever think of knowing more about the magic formula that brought the band (and thus, indirectly, you and your work) to this huge success?

It's amazing, but I can't explain it. Just like a great football team... some sort of magic between the people, plus talent, good fortune, great support and hard work.

Let's talk about what we think you're now experiencing very intensely in your life: live concerts! In your book you describe Glastonbury 2002 as the most exciting and exhilarating live show in your life of roadie. So, we can say that the A Rush Of Blood To The Head Tour was the best tour from all points of view in your opinion?

Not really... all the tours have a different, special meaning for me. Viva was probably the toughest and most rewarding to date though, just for the sheer scale of it.

Given the impressive amount of work during live performances of 2008, 2009 and 2010, carried out by you, the entourage and the live organization, do you agree that 'Viva La Vida Tour' was the most challenging tour of all time? I bet the hours you slept over the legs of the tour can be counted on one hand...

Yeah, you get used to it though. Average around four hours a night, but there are days off, long flights or bus journeys to catch up on the sleeping so it's not too bad.

In your book you also talk about the worst gig you've ever experienced (and here we're talking about the technical difficulties for those that must work at the speed of light, extricating from instruments, pedals, amplifiers, cables and wires everywhere). Is there a concert, a show, or a festival where it was extremely hard to make everything fit?

There have been a few but I will never forget Abu Dhabi, when a storm hit us and the show was drenched. I had five guys with umbrellas and tarpaulins over me, plus Jonny had to have a towel and dry the guitars himself as I gave them to him. I fell over in the water as well, carrying a guitar. About as challenging as concerts ever get!

Some artists, when asked about the best tour of their careers, usually answer, gritting their teeth (and lessening the discomfort of the situation): 'The next one'. Have you already discussed about the next tour with Chris and the guys? Is there something that you can reveal us about it? At least, could you tell us if the idea of coming back to their intimacy with the audience, like in the early days, is still the path they want to pursue?

I can't say too much. But I know they are planning something special!

I can't believe that a primary character in the world of Coldplay like you hasn't listened to the new record yet . What do you think about the sound? And, above all, are you already considering and studying the best ways to make the new sound of Coldplay perfect, from the first performances?

I'm in the studio most days with them and hear all the stuff but the album isn't finished yet. We are thinking about how to reproduce it live, but not too much. Just concentrating on the recording.

Now a straight answer please: your three favourite Coldplay' songs!

OK: Clocks, Viva, Christmas Lights.

Please give us an adjective for each one of the guys. Please note: you can't express your affection for Jonny!

Er...can I skip this? It's too weird!

Thanks for the chat, Matt! It was really funny to know more about your world and Coldplay's too. Here in Italy there are so many people who constantly follow you guys in the news, interviews, reviews and much more. Would you like to tell them something, maybe in Italian?

I don't know any Italian but would like to thank everyone for their support, through the years. See you down the road!

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Don't forget... Not long to go to submit your favourite albums of 2010 lists:

Gwyneth Paltrow has rubbished rumours suggesting she would perform with Coldplay at a lavish New Year's Eve event in Las Vegas. The band are reputed to have been paid $1 million to play at the Cosmopolitan hotel's end of year celebrations.

A report in a US newspaper suggested the luxury hotel's guests may be treated to an added bonus in the form of an appearance onstage by Gwyneth. However, her spokesman has now said: "There's absolutely no truth (to the rumour)."

Gwyneth has made a move into the music world during 2010, recording tracks with the cast of Glee and for the soundtrack album of her movie Country Strong. Fans who had hoped to get a rare glimpse of Gwyneth and Chris performing together will be disappointed, although the rest of the Cosmopolitan's bill should more than compensate for that.

Jay-Z is scheduled to play a solo set and then perform alongside Coldplay in front of 2,500 guests at the New Year's Eve party, which is rumoured to be costing the hotel $25 million to stage.

The event is being organised by celebrity party planner Colin Cowie and will be invite only with no tickets being put on general sale to the public. Guests will be treated to separate sets from Coldplay and Jay-Z before the two acts take to the stage together. Beyonce Knowles is also said to be planning to perform in Las Vegas on the same night so she can be with her husband to celebrate the landmark date.

Chris Martin and Will Champion confirmed the show during the interview with Radio 1's Fearne Cotton in the Live Lounge last week. You can discuss this event at the Coldplay Live forum now.

Photos of Coldplay's meet and greet session in Liverpool (19th December 2010):

Pictures by Fran_Rey @ Flickr

Two years ago this week, Coldplay's Chris Martin, gave "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Kroft a tour of the band's recording studio in London. In a new video aired this week, Kroft revisits the scene with Ann Silvio, editor of "60 Minutes Overtime," recalling how Chris scribbled the name of a new song, called "Christmas Lights," on his piano. You can watch the new video at the Coldplay forum now (and it includes previously unseen footage).

Chris Martin had only written the song the night before and was still working on the lyrics. Seeming almost giddy, he played the beginnings of "Christmas Lights," for Steve, who left the studio humming the melody. That was December 2008 and, finally, this month, the song was released. In the spirit of the holiday, "60 Minutes Overtime" brings you "Christmas Lights - Unplugged."

(CBS) The following story was first published on February 8, 2009. It was updated on August 13, 2009.

The small, exclusive club of rock musicians that can legitimately claim to be among the very best in the world got four new members this past year - the British rock quartet Coldplay, led by singer Chris Martin, writes CBS News in a recap of February's 60 Minutes interview with Coldplay. If you haven't yet seen Coldplay's '60 Minutes' slot that aired just before February's Grammy Awards, you can see it again via YouTube in two parts at the Coldplay forum here [thanks Christa1 & NiteOwl51762]

In the midst of a recession, in a music industry fighting for survival, the group's fourth straight multi-platinum album "Viva La Vida" has sold an astounding eight and a half million copies and the bands current world tour is virtually sold out, as 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft first reported in February after following the band from Orlando and Chicago to London and Belfast.

London just before Christmas - the soaring melodies, the thumping beat of the music, and the quirky charisma of lead singer Chris Martin had the crowd on its feet. "We rely more on enthusiasm than actual skill," he told Kroft. "Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically and people will like it more. I can't dance like Usher. I can't sing like Beyonce. I can't write songs like Elton John," he said. "But, we can do the best we can with what we've got. …. And so that's what we do. We just go for it."

They're all barely 30, but they have already been together for 12 years; Martin and guitarist Jonny Buckland, bass player Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion. By the time this tour ends they will have played before three million people, but you wouldn't know it from talking to them. When Kroft first met Martin and Buckland at a pub in northwest London, which served as their first office, we found them modest and self-effacing. "Look, you guys are one of the biggest groups in the world right now. How did that happen?" Kroft asked. "There's a lot of people asking the same question," Martin said. "All we do is, we try really, really hard," Buckland said, laughing. "And the other reason why we do well is because U2 is still on holiday. So…they're back in March. So, you know, as soon as they come back, we drop down the ladder a bit," Martin joked. "So, we're in our last week of substitute teaching."

The band's life still revolves around the neighborhood where they first met. Four middle class college boys, all sons of teachers, who shared a love of music and a $100 a week flat on Camden Road. They signed a record deal upon graduation, and most of the songs written there ended up on their debut album, which shot to number one on the British charts. "Your very first album…you had a world wide hit, in 'Yellow,'" Kroft noted. "What's it about? F… knows," Martin replied. "I've got no idea. I still think about that every day. I love playing it. I love the tune. I love the chords. I love the balloons that we use live. But I still can't quite work out what it's about," he said, laughing. "Even if I don't really feel like playing it, those guys have paid their ticket money. They wanted to see us play 'Yellow,' so we'll play it," he said.

"You wanta give 'em what they came for," Kroft said. "And something extra, because when we look from the stage, you can't really see people so much, but you can see the light of the doorway of all the exits so the way to tell at the beginning of a tour, which songs are working, and which ones aren't, is if you see people it - people's silhouettes in the exits, then it means you're probably not playin' the right song, 'cause a lot of people are goin' to get a hot dog, or whatever. So I know we're doing okay, when all the exits are clear. That's my way of judge it. The silhouette factor," Martin said.

There was certainly no one leaving after the first few notes of "Clocks," their Grammy winning record of the year for 2003 and one of the hits off their second album. All exceptional musicians, their distinctive, alternative rock sound has found a huge mainstream audience that spans several generations of fans. Not even Chris Martin quite knows how to classify the music, the band or himself as we found out. "And you decided to be a rock star, when?" Kroft asked. "Well, I don't like the word 'rock star,' the two words, 'rock star.' Not even 'soft rock star,'" Martin replied, laughing. "Not even limestone star. I don't like those words."

Asked why, Martin told Kroft, "Because I don't wear the right pants for that. You gotta wear the right trousers if you're gonna be a rock star."

You won't catch the band in tight leather pants or snorting drugs of the back of a stripper. The British press often rags on them for being too earnest and boring. They are extremely conscientious, dedicated to their music and leave a small carbon footprint. They all share equally in the profits and Will Champion and Guy Berryman are thrilled that Chris Martin gets all the attention. "I couldn't imagine coming out of my house and there being photographers out there. I wouldn't be able to just walk away from that," Berryman explained. "It’s a blessing to be in this band and to not be the singer," Champion added.

"They seem perfectly happy to let you have…the spotlight," Kroft noted. "I know, and that annoys me. My dream is that Will suddenly says, 'I'm gonna be a flamboyant, homosexual, drummer, wear outrageous clothes, and say outrageous things,'" Martin said. "I would love nothing more, partly just to see how it looked, but also, because, you know, sometimes, you want a bit of help."

Someone wrote that Chris Martin "is like watching an unsteady trapeze act" - one moment brimming with self confidence, anxious and angst ridden the next. We saw some of it at the band's Camden recording studio, where he was both structured and random, a bundle of kinetic energy always on the move. "One of the things that surprises me, you're out on tour. You're not even finished with this tour, and you're already workin' on the next album?" Kroft asked. "Take a break?"

"No. Take a break when I'm 40, or 35," Martin said. "Not now. I've gotta keep writin' songs as long as I've got hair, 'cause once it goes, then I won't be able to go on stage."

He is a compulsive worrier and list-maker. He sends himself electronic messages, and scrawls notes on scraps of paper, on his hands, and anything else that's available, lest he forget some brilliant idea. "And you have notes written on the piano," Kroft pointed out. "Yeah a little, but this is just the beginning, so, in six months, this will all be covered, I think," Martin explained. "Then you have to repaint the piano?" Kroft asked. "Yeah. So when we finish something, we repaint, you know?" Martin said.

Like many artists, he is openly, gloriously neurotic. "Then we have all our rules here. We've got our rules, so you can't have more than 42 minutes. These are just things you just have to remind yourselves of all the time. The rules are important," Martin told Kroft, showing him a list of rules pinned on a wall. "See, look at rule number six, not many interviews. That's a rule."

"Always keep mystery," Kroft read from rule number six. "Always, always keep mystery," Martin said, laughing. "This is private stuff."

With the band in the middle of a tour, most of the new music is being worked on during sound checks before concerts. It is a collaborative effort with Martin and Jonny Buckland leading the way, but everyone has a say. "The song Viva la Vida, the one we just did last year. I said, listen man, I got this and it goes something like that, I always say something like that… and it drives him crazy," Martin said, playing the piano and singing. "And Jonny says what?" Kroft asked. "And if Jonny says he likes it then I have to show it to Will, which is one of the things I fear most in my life," Martin said. "So this is like the UN Security Council, one veto and its…," Kroft said. "One veto and it goes on your solo," Martin explained.

Given their professed history with Viva La Vida and their past track record writing songs, the band was stunned when not one but two different artists claimed that Coldplay had plagiarized part of the melody. The band says any similarities are a coincidence and they have refused to settle out of court. "I think that the way to deal with these things, if you know it's not true then you just have to say, 'I'm really sorry, but it isn't true.' That's it," Martin told Kroft. "The other alternative is give like a seven hour rant about why it isn't true, and how it's just not possible. And I think for the purposes of this interview its best to say we would never do that."

Martin is used to some unwanted attention. Besides being rich and famous, he is also married to one of the most beautiful women in the world, Academy Award winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow. It has made them prey for the paparazzi, with whom Martin has frequently clashed, and fodder for the tabloids, which regularly run stories that the marriage and the band are on the verge of breaking up. Asked what it's like living in a tabloid world, Martin said, "One week you're divorced, the next week your band's broken up. It's terrible."

"That's what they're sayin' now," Kroft pointed out. "I'm glad I'm not me," Martin said, laughing. "That, by the way, is a Bob Dylan quote, in case you thought I thought it up". "Right. And we shouldn't we shouldn't take these articles about the band breaking up and you and your wife breaking up," Kroft said. "All I can tell you is, I mean it's news to me," Martin replied, laughing.

The couple seemed perfectly happy when we were around at this concert in London, but they don't like cameras present when they are together, refuse to sit for joint interviews and insist on keeping their careers separate and their private lives private. Asked why their public lives are completely separate, Martin said, "Well, it's just the way it feels best." "Is this the one thing that you hate talking about the most?" Kroft asked. "Well, you can see from my body language that it makes me really uncomfortable," Martin acknowledged. "Okay, we'll stop now," Kroft said. "This is the bit which in an outtakes where people storm out. I'm not storming out, Steve," Martin said, laughing. "I like you very much. But, I don't know how to talk about this stuff, to be honest. I don't know how to deal with it."

As they head out on the next leg of the tour, there is no road weariness or talk of exhaustion. In fact they have been thinking about a song for next Christmas. They are all still young enough to find this fun, enthusiastic about what lies ahead, and confident that they are not yet as good as they are going to be. Martin sang a bit of a Christmas tune. "The goal is to try and make the perfect song. Which of course will never happen," Martin acknowledged. He had written the tune the day before. "That's gonna be good, though. …I can feel it."

Pictures of Coldplay filming Christmas Lights on 25th November 2010 (courtesy of Daily Mail article)

Gwyneth Paltrow is reportedly set to join her husband Chris Martin on stage for a lavish New Year’s Eve party, according to MusicRooms today. The actress has been showing off her vocal skills recently after playing a singer in new movie Country Strong and has revealed she would consider releasing an album.

It has been claimed Gwyneth and Coldplay will perform at the launch of new hotel The Cosmopolitan, in Las Vegas, on December 31, and could be paid up to $1 million each. "To my knowledge, this is the biggest spend on New Year's Eve - $25 million over the weekend for 4,000 guests," Andrew Fox, CEO of newyearseve.com, which sells event tickets, told New York Post.

It appears Gwyneth and Coldplay won’t be the only high-profile acts on the bill. Hip-hop star Jay-Z and his wife Beyoncé Knowles – who are close friends with Gwyneth and Chris – are also rumoured to be performing a duet at the extravagant opening. Each act will also play solo sets, with performances broadcast on the hotel’s 65-foot marquee overlooking the Strip.

However, a spokesperson for the hotel insists the acts are yet to be announced and has denied the concert is set to break records. "Gwyneth and Beyoncé are not confirmed for any kind of performance at this point. It would be incorrect to use the number $25 million," The Cosmopolitan representative added.

The event is being organised by celebrity party planner Colin Cowie and will be invite only with no tickets being put on general sale to the public. Guests will be treated to separate sets from Coldplay and Jay-Z before the two acts take to the stage together. Beyonce Knowles is also said to be planning to perform in Las Vegas on the same night so she can be with her husband to celebrate the landmark date.

Chris Martin and Will Champion confirmed the show during the interview with Radio 1's Fearne Cotton in the Live Lounge last week. You can discuss this event at the Coldplay Live forum now.

Photos of Coldplay's meet and greet session in Liverpool (19th December 2010):

Pictures by Fran_Rey @ Flickr

Chris Martin snubbed an aftershow party following a Coldplay charity gig on Monday night, instead choosing to dine with a group of homeless singers, it has been revealed. The band played the show at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool last Sunday to raise awareness of men and women living on the streets in Britain.

They performed with a choir made up of the homeless - and Chris chose to eat with them after the concert rather than attend the official aftershow meal. A source tells Britain's Daily Star, "Chris had a load of homeless people singing in a choir for his gig and he thought they were so amazing he wanted to hang out with them after. He went backstage, snubbed his celeb dinner and ordered 12 giant pizzas and 25 bags of chips for them all to eat. His security were desperately trying to get him to leave and go back to his dressing room, but he was having none of it."

Discussion on this news is at the Coldplay forum here now [thanks Open, Politik]

Photos of Coldplay's meet and greet session in Liverpool (19th December 2010):

Pictures by Fran_Rey @ Flickr

Ticket sales for Coldplays December charity gigs during December raised nearly £250,000 for the homelessness charity Crisis, it has been announced today. Coldplay played two Crisis Hidden Gigs earlier this week on December 19 and 20 and tickets for the concerts in Liverpool and Newcastle sold out within eight minutes.

Coldplay agreed to play their only live British performances of 2010 in aid of Crisis, as a step to raising awareness of the situation facing thousands of homeless people hidden out of sight on floors or sofas, in substandard bed and breakfasts, and hostels. Leslie Morphy, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: "The incredible £238,645 raised by Coldplay fans will help us to support the thousands of hidden homeless people, who are all too often forgotten, especially at Christmas which can be a particularly lonely and isolating time."

The Coldplay hidden gigs took place on December 19 and 20 respectively. The band’s appearances at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre and The Journal Tyne Arena in Newcastle, included special guest appearances from Peter Kay, Gary Barlow and Ant and Dec. The gigs also featured Coldplay’s first live performance of their Christmas single, Christmas Lights.

More photos of Coldplay's Crisis gig at Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool (19th December 2010):

Pictures by Fullerman @ Flickr

Gwyneth Paltrow has described husband Chris Martin as a 'genius' actor. The actress, 38, raved about his skills to MTV when asked if they matched up to her talent for singing. "Definitely. I don't think he would ever do it, but he's genius. Did you ever see him in

This comes days after Chris Martin was given an early nod for the 2011 Oscars. Chris was included in this year’s longlist for the ‘Best Original Song’ category, meaning that they he be eligible for selection in the final Oscar nominations on January 25th next year. He is in contention with ‘Me and Tennessee’, a song which he wrote for Gwyneth Paltrow to sing in the film Country Strong.

The Coldplay singer had a cameo as himself in the Ricky Gervais' TV comedy in 2006. Paltrow's next big screen appearance is in Country Strong, where she plays a singer whose fame is declining. Gwyneth sings the movie's theme tune and there has even been talk of releasing an album. But she drew the line at covering Coldplay songs. "God no,' she added. "No we just can't, like, merge. His career is there and mine is there."

Paltrow previously sung in 2000 musical film Duets. The movie Country Strong will be released in the US on January 7 next year. Having won acclaim for her vocal skills in Glee and Country Strong, she has given thought to releasing an album. "I think if I was going to make a country record, it would be a super-bare, kind of stripped-back kind of country," she revealed. "Like a little bit of bluegrass-influenced kind of thing. I also love singing 1940s standards and stuff like that."

More photos of Coldplay's Crisis gig at Tyne Theatre, Newcastle (20th December 2010):

Pictures by D Nuttell @ Flickr

Coldplay last night played in Newcastle for the second of two intimate 'hidden gigs' that they are performing over Christmas to raise money for homeless charity Crisis and highlight the plight of homeless people especially at Christmas. No new songs were played (except for Christmas Lights again) - you can see the setlist below. Coldplay added Lovers In Japan to the setlist and removed the previous night's Back For Good (since Gary Barlow wasn't there).

Coldplay's website once again blogged superbly throughout the day and you can read all the photoblog discussions including your views on the latest pictures, interviews, videos and updates at the Coldplay forum (warning: nearly 300 pages now and counting!). More live discussion on this show is at the Coldplay Live forum. Thanks to everyone who has contributed on the forums, wiki and twitters, we'll have more on this show over the next few hours/days!

Setlist:

Yellow

Lost!

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

Cemeteries of London

Trouble

Glass Of Water

Til Kingdom Come

Shiver

In My Place

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

Clocks

Viva La Vida

Fix You

------------

Politik

The Scientist

Christmas Lights

It started (these things always start with 'it started...' or 'it was a cold october morning...) when I received my ticket from the box office at the MetroRadio Arena. Naturally like most others I figured having bought the ticket from the general allocation that I would be up in the rafters or at least in the upper tier; but for some reason unbeknownst to me, my coldplay karma was about to strike. I tore open the envelope that the ticket had been handed to me in and quickly read where I was.... 'Stalls, Row A, Seat 10' and perhaps out of a lack of expectation I thought 'oh, so in the upper circle, not too shabby and at least I'm in the front row of THAT' but it wasn't until Natascha kindly sent on a link of the floorchart that I realised that the stalls were infact the grounded seating area, and I was in row A, I.WAS.IN.ROW.A' - well, this was brilliant!! off I set to the Theatre itself...

A few of us stood around exchanging pleasantries and generally chatting about Coldplay, there were people who had travelled from Italy, Florence & Sicily to be precise (ps. Girl in red coat from Florence... call me! /sleaze/hadacrushonher/shedoesntposthereitsokay). So while this was going on, there wasn't a lot of movement band-wise, though we did manage to spot the mole-like-in-aapearance-Miller and caught up with him to say hey, he seemed in a rush so a quick greeting was only apt, still though, you could feel that there was Coldplaying Karma in the air (though I doubt you could cut through it with a knife.... some floss maybe? no...). The Coldplaying Karma was about to kick in anyyyyyy minuuuuuuteeeeeeeeeee......now! - I walked to the stage door to get a glance inside past the security guard and weirdly I see a man that I recognise running frantically down the coridoor... I raise my arm and point at him as if to say 'I KNOW YOU!' - and Phil Harvey peeks his head out of the door. We shake hands and talk about how we met on the Christmas Lights set, then he bursts out 'Has Will came out here? I've lost him and I need to find him immediately!' - to which I was a little taken a-back... 'No, he hasn't been out' I said, before adding 'Miller came out before though', Phil looked puzzled then smiled and said, 'I need to find Will, if he comes out let him know I'm looking for him!' and he darted off. Anyyywhooo, after about 30minutes of nothingness, my feet being numb and chatting to two lovely guys who it transpired were still at my old school (turns out my old form tutor Ms. Garside is now a whore and has two kids to the science teacher Mr. Craggs, you can't write this shit...) we saw a burly african security guard making his way from the room in front of us (inside the building) and behind him being led out toward us was a sheepish Jonny Buckland. SHIT! HOLY SHIT! I was probably thinking as I dashed to the entrance and was the first to greet him! 'Jonny! pleasure to meet you!' I said, extending my hand to vigorously shake his, surprisingly not pulling it off. He said hello very politely and nodded as he said 'of course, absolutely' to me asking if I could have a photo with him, I fumbled around to pass my phone to a lovely poster here from South korea (I don't know her name, sorry, but she was on the boat too! and recognised me as the winner of the signed mince spies... ha) and she took an excellent photo of me and the man himself! photo in the doobly-doo down below...

Read the rest of this mammoth review at the Coldplay Live forum [thanks Bonus_mosher]

Pictures courtesy of caledonianpark on Flickr.

Coldplay last night played Liverpool in the first of two intimate 'hidden gigs' that they are performing over Christmas to raise money for homeless charity Crisis and highlight the plight of homeless people especially at Christmas. The second gig will be in Newcastle tonight!

No new songs were played (except for Christmas Lights) - you can see the setlist below. Gary Barlow (Take That) and Peter Kay joined Coldplay on the stage for a rendition of Back For Good. Some sets of excellent photos of the show can be found courtesy of Filippo L'Astorina and also at Flickr.

Coldplay's website blogged throughout the day and you can read all the photoblog discussions including your views on the latest pictures, interviews, videos and updates at the Coldplay forum (warning: nearly 200 pages and counting!). More live discussion on this show is at the Coldplay Live forum. Thanks to everyone who has contributed on the forums, wiki and twitters, we'll have more on this show over the next few hours/days!

Setlist:

In My Place

Glass Of Water

Yellow

Lost!

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

Cemeteries Of London

Trouble

Till Kingdom Come

Shiver

Death and All His Friends

Clocks

Viva La Vida

Fix You

-------------

Politik

The Scientist

Back For Good

Christmas Lights

So I got there initially at 10am, some of the Italian guys were there axe, etc. But it seemed quiet so I went shopping for a bit (well attempted to....since when do shops not open until 11 on a Sunday?!) anyway trusty Primarni was open so I was able to get a blanket and some extra socks. I was browsing Twitter in the queue in Primarni and saw that Chelsea (who had been umming and ahhhing about attending the Newcastle gig since her flight home got cancelled due to the snow) had mentioned that there were 200 extra ticketsgoing on sale at both venues but you had to go there in person to get them, so I offered to get her one and at first she was like "noooo way, is too short notice" then it was "oh let me just look at the train prices" and then "omg they're cheap let me just look at hotels"...Whilst this was going on I had wandered back towards the queue where Craig, Roos and Wisna had joined. Craig was meant to be buying my seated tickets from me but had a standing ticket and just needed another - it turns out I knew someone with a standing ticket so my two seated tickets became available, I immediately told Chelsea who very excited decided she was going to come...

So anyway we stood around chatting for a while, more people joined us Als, Anna it was unbearably cold, we were all taking it in turns to get inside for a while. It seems to really drag in the afternoon, it was so cold and I think we were all trying to over compensate for the fact that we were miserable. It was in fact just as Alison went inside for coffees that the boys turned up at the venue.

Jonny was first, he had a big smile as he went in, everyone else stuck their hand out, which he shook, but I was too shy and didn't Was annoyed with myself afterwards. Next was Will with one of his daughters and his wife, he just walked in quickly with a smile since he was with family. Then it was Phil he chatted a bit before going in (sorry I don't have any pictures of this - we all sort of ran over there and I was unprepared )

Once they were all in, we wandered back over to our queuing spot and sort of loitered for a bit hoping Chris would show up (we saw Vicki and Debs having a cigarette outside too) the others guys had arrived in big blacked out silver cars so it was obvious they were coming, but we looked over and suddenly there was a huge swarm of people around Chris who had seemingly appeared from nowhere! I think he must have walked. I only got a chance to take his picture before he went inside.

We made our way back to the queue and were talking about how few people were in the queue and how it was quite possibly the most pointless all day queue ever when what should happen? The secuirty guy on the door pops his head outside and tells us to all make our way into the foyer he had something tell us! We did, grateful to be out of the horrible cold, I must admit I had a sneaking suspicion it was going to be something good and I wasn't wrong! Chris had heard how long we had been queuing in the cold (did someone in our group tell him?) and had invited us to watch the soundcheck!!! I let out an almight squeee I must admit

So we all get AC/DC at Wembly wristband (because why wouldn't we?! ) and make our way in. Jonny and Guy are on stage noodling, Jonny sort of shyly waves at us and we all very enthusiasticly start waving back People are shouting out song requests to play that night, which he declines very politely...although when someone asks for High Speed Jonny starts playing the riff

Chris bounds on stage not long afterwards in an absolutely fantastic mood and immidiately comes over to chat to us Says hi, thanks us for waiting for so long and then he says "is anyone English?" those of us who are raise our hands and he asks "okay do you think we should play on the X Factor?" and I, at the very horror of that actually occuring, am like "NO!!!!" haha So he turns to me and ask why not. Now there are a million and one reasons why Coldplay should not play the X Factor but could I form a coheriant reason as to they shouldn't? No. And he's looking at me waiting for an answer! I babbed something about how Matt Cardle could actually have a career of worth if it wasn't for the X Factor and how instead he's going to be screwed by Cowell and how that's not what music is about. He seems to accept that as a good reason and says "yeah, yeah that's what a few people think", although argues that we all watch it to which I reply "yes because it's good Saturday night entertainment if you're not going out, not because we believe in it" he chats for a bit longer about the gig and stuff but as he turns to walk back on stage he thanks me for my advice

Although Alison says I didn't so much advise him as order him not to. So they run through a few songs, GoW was first if I'm not mistaken, Chris isn't really singing properly as he's saving his voice but it sounds good, afterwards he asks for his piano to be moved further back so Guy is more visible They also run through CoL, as Guy walks over to play Chris' piano at the start of it, he looks at the keys and laughs and says "they're all different colours I can't play this" and Chris agrees and says that they need to get rid of them before next year. They also perform half of VLV before Chris forgets the lyrics, he's asking Will what they are and running through the verse quickly and Will mimes a puppet on a string to him I think it was during VLV that Chris got out a pocket camera and filmed the band and then us! :cheesey:

The also attempted Christmas Lights, Chris kept messing up during the middle, he did it twice and Will was cracking up at him, in the end Chris had to look at Will who mock baby stepped him through it by counting him in with his drumsticks in a exagerated fashion

Oh also Will's daughter was there, she must have loved Christmas Lights cos she was dancing around for all of it And Chris sang her a song and was waving at her.

After about 45 minutes they decided they needed to get into the soundcheck properly so we were to leave, Chris (and Phil) came to talk to us again People were asking him things I think someone mentioned Life is for Living which Phil said they'd have to bring back next year He was saying goodbye to us all and said "I'm sure I'll see you in the exact same position later" and touched my arm!! I am ashamed to admit I died a little! [thanks mimixxx]

Will try and put some thoughts together later, for now I will just agree with Mich (the Coldplaying Fairy Godmother ) that it was the best I've ever seen them: happy, confident, goofy, yet with rockstar swagger. The mistakes were dealt with in the sweetest, most charming manner and just added to the whole thing. I think they all, but Chris in particular thrive off a small, intimate crowd, but perhaps Exeter was a little too small. I guess the audience was about double the size last night and it made all the difference. But also it seemed they seemed really refreshed - the shackles of touring are off, there was no pressure to deliver new material - Chris announced early on that it would be "the greatest hits" last night, then joked "We've only got three so we'll be off in 10 minutes."

I feel so lucky to have been there - and actually glad that I'm an idiot who left her camera at work, it left me free to just enjoy. Although I'm aware that I enjoy other peoples posts from concerts so I tried to tweet during the show, I hope they somehow caught the atmosphere of the night. When I came out, my initial reaction was "I might never go and see them again" It was so perfect, I doubt it could ever be topped. Of course, when the next tour comes round I'll forget about that. Then Mich will tell me what ridiculous time we're queuing and I'll forget that this morning my feet are still throbbing from yesterday. She's such a bad influence, that girl. Ok, that's enough from my tired brain now. Need food, painkillers, then more sleep... [thanks RedGirl76]

Pictures courtesy of Filippo L'Astorina on Facebook.