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April 19, 2010 - submitted by Hector, Mexico

Q. Dear Oracle who knows it all: I was wondering if this really is the one and only

The Oracle replies:

Yes that really is the ultra rare, hard to find aforementioned song; a very early demo post Safety EP but pre-Brothers & Sisters. It's terrible quality mind!

April 19, 2010 - submitted by Jack, United States of America

Q. Have you or the band ever heard of the Canadian band The Tragically Hip, and if so do you like them?

The Oracle replies:

Are you spying on me Jack? I swear I was listening to them on Friday! New Orleans Is Sinking is such a great song! Anyway, the band aren't familiar with your homeboys; even though they have been around for years and had many albums they just never broke through here at all.

April 19, 2010 - submitted by Jean, Canada

Q. Hi Oracle, Someone recently asked you if Coldplay played videogames and you replied that they did and that their favourite game was football. I found this so inspiring. As they are a a British band, one might be justified in thinking they preferred soccer. For me, it just goes to show how you can never judge a book by its cover; Stereotyping is bad. Once more Coldplay is changing the world, one little step at a time... how many Coldplay fans will now start watching football? I can only guess. I guess many will now experience the amazing final long-bomb, touchdown pass and they will have only Coldplay to thank. This isn't a question; this is a thank you. I guess while the rest of the world is watching the World Cup, Coldplay can over to my place and we will watch reruns of the Canadian Football League championship - The Grey Cup!

The Oracle replies:

Er sorry to burst your bubble there Jean but in the UK football is football; not soccer and therefore we'll be watching the World Cup (when not working of course)!

FYI: I must mention that there's not only the FIFA World Cup taking place soon but the Cricket T20 World Cup so just wanted to clear up that Silvana was definitely referring to football (or soccer if you prefer!)

April 16, 2010 - submitted by Baran, Germany

Q. Dear Oracle, The Blue Room ep there are 5,000 copies, I have a promo of The Blue Room and wanted to get you ep questions whether this is or whether it really is just a fake. The ep has no image and only in white above and below the name in blue Coldplay The Blue Room ep. Moreover, still stuck two stickers on it. In front the phone numbers of Kevin McCabe, Mike Walsh and Jackie Jenkins are on it. On the back side is a sticker on it on the band's history. One more quick question, I have a Brothers & Sisters Cd original unopened wrapped in foil, will you have this, perhaps, because it has all started with this CD, so to speak?

The Oracle replies:

The first run of the Blue Room EP was limited to 500 copies and what you have is a promo copy from EMI so is not a fake exactly although different of course from the released version in appearance only. Promos usually state "not for resale" on them. I have never seen a foil wrapped promo of Brothers & Sisters; it wasn't released in one and it would be unusual for it to be.

April 16, 2010 - submitted by Silvana, Italy

Q. Dear Oracle, I was just wondering if the guys are excited about the World Cup?Are they supporting any particular team? Thanks in advance. Hope you are all doing fine!!

The Oracle replies:

We're all fine thanks and very much looking forward to the FIFA World Cup� and will be predominantly cheering on our home team - England. It's always nice to have a back-up team in case your team gets knocked out so I am sure for example that Anchorman will be keeping an eye of interest on Greece.

At the time of writing we only have 55 days, 8 hours and 28 minutes to wait!

Hundreds more staff face the axe at Coldplay's label EMI as managers prepare to present a five-year plan to investors to persuade them to pour more money into the troubled music group, the Times Online are reporting today. More discussion on this is at the Coldplay forum here onwards.

Charles Allen, chairman of EMI Music, is this week expected to lay out his vision to Guy Hands, the financier whose Terra Firma investment vehicle owns the music group, home to Coldplay and the Beatles back catalogue. Allen is expected to say that profits at EMI Music could be close to £300m by 2015 in the best case, against less than £200m for the year to March 2010. To get there, the former ITV chief executive will need to wield the axe again, as well as make a fresh attempt to lease EMI’s American music catalogue to rival record groups.

Analysts said he could slice up to another £100m from EMI Music’s £500m cost base. Since it was acquired by Terra Firma in 2007, the recorded music arm has suffered £200m in cost cuts, resulting in the loss of 2,000 jobs.

Terra Firma needs approval from 75% of investors to draw down £120m in fresh funds by June 14 or risk its lender, Citigroup, seizing control of EMI. Most of the backers’ initial £1.8 billion investment has been wiped out. Citi will this week be handed the music group’s trading figures for the last quarter so that it can calculate how much cash Terra Firma must stump up to “cure” a breach in the terms of its £3.3 billion loan agreement.

Hands thinks he can raise enough cash from investors to give EMI two years of breathing space. At the same time, he is suing Citi for allegedly misleading him over the sale of EMI. Including the contribution of its publishing arm, EMI believes it can push its profits as high as £550m by 2015, although a group target of £400m is thought to be more realistic.

EMI’s performance is in part down to the state of the global music market, where sales have dropped 30% in the past five years, with digital income failing to offset falling CD sales. KKR and Warner Music are plotting a break-up bid for EMI if it falls into Citi’s hands this summer. EMI is faring better in the US charts with three albums in the top five, including the country act Lady Antebellum.

Pictures of Coldplay at Estadio Universitario, Monterrey, Mexico (11th March 2010):

Photos by Galo González

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: #42 has been peeping at potential song titles...

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

Well, folks, it's been a while and how things have changed! As is very often the case with Coldplay, what was initially thought to be a solid plan and a sturdy compass turns out to be yesterday's news and a spinning wheel. There was a lot of discussion in Latin America and the plan hasn't so much been tweaked as placed on a large pile of fireworks whilst the band retreat to a safe distance.

As I say, these seismic shifts in the planning landscape happen all the time here - it's one of the best things about working with these guys - never a dull moment. (Although in the heat of things it can occasionally feel more than slightly disturbing). It generally happens, though, because there is something so exciting that they can't resist throwing everything they have at it, regardless of what they said last week.

Now that the plan has been set (words to tempt fate...), there are some pretty wide open possibilities to be waded through and made sense of. Before we left for the Latin American shows, work in progress was represented by an audio file of songs in their present state. Now we’re back in the studio and following a new star, everything is once again up on the walls. In another effort to clarify and simplify all the possibilities, the names of every idea in the running for the record have been written down, each on their own piece of card.

Inevitably, there’s a huge number of song cards. From tiny moments that were played only once to things that the fellas have been playing for months now, they’re all up there. This helps clear people’s heads and relax the panic that ideas which once excited will be left forgotten. It does however produce a new problem. There’s millions of them.

In an effort to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed by options, the cards are first arranged on the wall in terms of A, B and C. The A list is songs that *have* to go on the record. The B list are songs that might or might not. The C list contains things that are being left - not forgotten, but that are unlikely to be worked on immediately - they'll either find a home or they won't. Phil Harvey, ever the sportsman, suggests that every song on the A list should have a song on the B list which will step in if its counterpart is deemed “not match-fit”.

There’s still too many cards. It’s messy and too chaotic. Bravely and decisively, things are stripped to only the A-list songs. So here is the album in its current form:

It's decided that the C-list too, should be out of sight and out of mind. It prevents constant attention to things that aren't a priority. They’ll not be forgotten and they could be pulled out again at any time. Having them off the wall, though, means things are much more manageable. Rather than an explosion of more ideas than could ever possibly be finished, this now looks like a plan for how to move forward.

Much to Phil Harvey’s amusement, Chris has hidden the C-list up on a high shelf in the corner of the control room. When he refers to one of these songs for consideration, he has to stand on a chair in order to get to them. Phil dubs it “Chris’s secret stash of spare songs”.

It gets me thinking about all the things I’ve heard along the way that never found their way onto a record. I’d say Gravity is my favourite of the shelved tracks (although that did make it as a B-side). There’s so many songs that had a moment in the sun being played live: Moses, Ladder To The Sun, Animals, Idiot, Will’s Sweet Marianne - and the list goes on.

These are just the ones that I heard them play. Many made it to the demo stage and no further, meaning that the band heard them and nobody else. There’s enough in the unreleased vaults to outfit an entire career for a pretty successful band. It’d be an interesting project to one day pull out “all the songs that fell off along the way” - like rummaging through Coldplay’s attic.

All of this talk of abandoned objects and pieces from the past though, makes it sound as if there is nothing new to report, which genuinely couldn’t be further from the truth. The current project is easily the most ambitious thing I've ever seen the band undertake. Somehow though, the scale hasn't been intimidating as much as inspiring. Things are focused now and can be thought of in terms of the finished work.

Ideas are once again firing off like a Catherine wheel (we're back to fireworks again). Things are moving at great pace and what's coming out of the speakers has everyone beaming and fired up. I'm thinking to myself how disciplined Chris has been in restricting himself to the few core songs on the A-list, thinking that normally he'd be fretting and fiddling with every tiny idea, ensuring that everything has been squeezed hard for every drop of potential magic.

Later, I give Anchorman a tour of the Beehive. We make it to the very top floor and he's seen the whole place. There is one more door before we retire to the kitchen and get the kettle on. I tell him it's just a tiny room that can only fit one person. "It's good for making private phone calls," I say, "Or if you want to be left alone to work on something". I swing the door open and find that there wasn't in fact only one set of "song cards". There were two.

Looks like squeezing for drops of magic hasn't been left behind. It now has its very own workshop....

R#42

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April 15, 2010 - submitted by Frank, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle: Do any of the band members play Videogames, If so which console do they play on and what type of games?

The Oracle replies:

Yes they do and their preferred console is Playstation 3. Will is the keenest gamer in the band and game of choice? Football - not always the same football game, just generally football.

April 15, 2010 - submitted by Sean, Canada

Q. Hey Oracle! I really enjoyed your album, and I have two questions. Being a football fan, I was pleasantly surprised to see Ronaldo with the band! Is he a fan of Coldplay's music? And my second question is, when you said the ants were made of skulls, did you mean actual human skulls? That's a little disturbing. Thanks in advance!

The Oracle replies:

Yes he is, he really enjoyed the show and spent time chatting with them after the show; particularly Will & Chris. The skulls on the side of Plaza Bolivar (Bogota) were actually moulded from human skulls.

April 15, 2010 - submitted by Luke, Canada

Q. Would the band mind if I used the title "Viva la Vida" for the title of a book I am writing, since its inspired by the song?

The Oracle replies:

It wouldn't be up to the band as to whether you could have the same title because Viva la Vida is a commonly used phrase; as you may know the band took the name for their 4th album from a Frida Khalo painting. I'm confident you could use it as you can't exactly copyright a phrase.

April 14, 2010 - submitted by Gemma, United Kingdom

Q. I have a rare copy of Coldplay's Safety ep. What makes it even rarer is it comes enclosed with a signed letter to Jo Whiley begging her to play the CD - then a demo of sorts - on her radio show. I read a couple of years ago that the Safety ep could make around £2,000 and wondered if you had any idea how much my copy, complete with letter, would be worth? Am open to offers - even from Chris and co if they want to retrieve their letter for old time's sake!

The Oracle replies:

Well the band won't be buying that back seeing as though erm, it was theirs in the first place! Anyway, the Safety EP usually fetches around the £1,000 mark rather than double that amount. Your signed letter does make the item more desirable but it would depend on whether it was signed by the whole band and I guess who wrote it. At the time it would have been either Phil or Chris and of course Chris would be of more value in that scenario. Or you could always auction it for charity presuming that particular CD was intended to - and yet didn't - reach Jo Whiley?

April 14, 2010 - submitted by Brigette, United States of America

Q. Oh wise Oracle!! I really need your help! I'm so confused! So I have been going out with this guy for two months and he never talks to me. There was just recently a period of time when he said to his friend that he was gonna break up with me. In that period of time when I was waiting for him to break up with me I started to fall for his friend, and he started to fall for me. But the thing is, is that I already went out with his friend. His friend is so nice and makes me happy and my boyfriend never talks to me and doesn't know what he is doing. What do I do? Do I break up with my boyfriend and be with his friend again or do I try to work things out with my boyfriend... I'm so confused! Please help me! Thank you Oracle! You always know the answer!

The Oracle replies:

Ditch the boyfriend! Do it now! You have already dated his friend and both like each other so you know exactly what you're getting into. As for your boyfriend... as he does not talk to you it seems like a waste of time. I am sure his friend wouldn't make up the fact that your boyfriend was considering breaking-up with you so I am wondering why you waited until he did it. My advice to you and anyone else out there; if you know someone doesn't want to be with you and they're considering breaking-up with you - do the ditching and kick them to the kerb (though not literally of course!)

April 14, 2010 - submitted by Katia, Mexico

Q. Dear Oracle: I just want to know if the staff puppet that appears in the Life in Technicolor ii video is actually inspired in someone of the Coldplay's crew. Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

No it's not based on one of their Roadies but I would say the creators have made a stereotypical puppet. Donning all black, often seen sporting a cap and the possible sighting of bottom cleavage are all traits found on most!

In a move that would undoubtedly make Queen guitarist Brian May blush with pride, it’s been reported that Coldplay have now also becoming space fanciers. The band are going cosmic during their latest album recording sessions, says The Sun today, following Roadie #42's last blog. Frontman Chris Martin stunned his crew this week by asking them to build him a model solar system in the band's new studio.

I wonder if he's been enjoying TV starman Doctor Brian Cox's recent series as much as I have? A source said: "Chris likes to create a certain mood when he's in full creative flow. He had a real interest in 18th Century revolutionary politics when he was piecing together Viva La Vida. Now he's really got into the universe. The crew scratched their heads a little when he first came up with the request but they're cracking away now."

Sounds intergalactic. More discussion on this cosmic news is at the Coldplay forum here onwards.

Pictures of Coldplay at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO (24th July 2009):

Pictures courtesy of rknphoto.com

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April 13, 2010 - submitted by Tania, Mexico

Q. Hi Oracle! I went to last gig from the band in Mexico and I thought really funny the dancer who show up at the beginning of the gig and I was wondering, who's was the idea? Great show! Haha another thing, I know that yesterday was Guy's birthday, would you say happy birthday to Guy for me? That's all thanks a lot.

The Oracle replies:

I have mentioned Wayne before as many people were curious to who he was but while I was in Latin America I got to meet the man in question and learn a little bit more. Wayne Kwiat had been break-dancing for a laugh in the wings before Coldplay took to the stage. The crew would shine their lights on him and it was all a bit of fun before the show started. However, one night Chris's dad saw him and the next thing you know Wayne is performing onstage almost every night in front of very large crowds! FYI: During the Latin American tour Wayne only appeared in Argentina, one night in Mexico City and the final night in Monterrey.

April 13, 2010 - submitted by Steve, United States of America

Q. Kind regards, I am an 18 year old male in question of the meaning of the album artwork for X&Y. Does it mean anything? To any of you gentlemen? I wonder this because I have a desire to get this tattooed on myself. I love your music, view of the world and outlook on politics. I share you inspiration as a fellow musician to change the world for the better. May there be no war. Peace and love. Steve.

The Oracle replies:

It's based on the Baudot Code representing each character of the alphabet. You can search online for more about the code (as I have already answered that question) but there is an amazing X&Y code generator that you might like. Maybe you could type in whatever you want and use that for your tattoo?

April 12, 2010 - submitted by Steven, United States of America

Q. What happened to the band who beat Coldplay in the radio contest? Did they become famous too?

The Oracle replies:

Gary Crowley, a DJ at Xfm radio station back in 1998, dedicated a segment of his show to host a demo clash. Coldplay entered several times and when finally selected weren't successful in winning; they were beaten by

They went on to procure a record deal; firstly with Simon William's label Fierce Panda in 1998 (as did Coldplay the following year) and then Beggars Banquet. It appears they split up in 2001.

April 12, 2010 - submitted by Becky, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle =-D. I was just wondering this after I watched an interview with Coldplay in The Bakery. Do they actually all sleep together in one bed like Chris said? It's really sweet!!! =-D

The Oracle replies:

Ha, no! There is a bed in the Bakery that is rarely used but certainly not by the band; they've never actually slept together in one bed, Chris was just making a joke.

April 9, 2010 - submitted by Lucas, Canada

Q. Dear Oracle, what exactly is the screen-looking thing that the band used in their music video for "Speed of Sound"? Thx in advance!

The Oracle replies:

It's actually a wall of LED lights. It's all quite technical but of course very effective!

April 9, 2010 - submitted by Bill, United Kingdom

Q. Sometimes waiting for a coffee seems like a lifetime... How long should the perfect coffee take to arrive (from ordering, to arrival...)?

The Oracle replies:

I know what you mean Bill! Quite frankly it should only take as long as the kettle almost reaching boiling point plus around 4 minutes of brewing (before depressing the plunger). As fresh coffee is supposed to be served immediately we should say no longer than 6 or 7 minutes surely?

In response to the recent interview Chris Martin gave to Q Magazine this month (May 2010 edition), the media have picked up mainly on the parts where Chris Martin talks about what it would be like if he went solo.

Say the Metro and Monsters & Critics - Chris Martin said he has no plans to release a solo album and thinks the idea would be 'cringeworthy'. Chris said he had been chatting to Natasha Khan from band Bat For Lashes about the thought of a solo album and decided that he is nothing without the band behind him. He said to UK's Q magazine: "This is going to sound cheesy, but what makes a great frontman is the great people behind him. I had this conversation yesterday with Natasha from Bat For Lashes, who's on tour with us, and we were talking about how if Bono or I were to release solo albums, they'd be cringeworthy."

Chris went on to say, "It's still the same person singing, but the gang aspect makes you acceptable. If you take me out of the band, I can't dance, I can't do what Beyonce can do. I'm only surviving on enthusiasm and collective chemistry. All frontmen become shit as soon as the perceived least important member of their band leaves."

New pictures: Chris Martin takes a stroll in London (24 March 2010):

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April 7, 2010 - submitted by Dennis, United States of America

Q. In the Prospekt's March booklet, there is a picture of the band running uphill with one person almost directly behind them and a lot of people way down the hill. Who are those extra people? Thank you, Oracle.

The Oracle replies:

All the 'people' in that photograph are actually the band members.

April 7, 2010 - submitted by Kyle, United States of America

Q. To Mr./ Mrs. Oracle, To say the least, I'm way behind. What is the message that appears in text at the bottom to the music video Talk?

The Oracle replies:

The text is the lyrics reversed. Starting at 2:23, "Well I feel like they're talking in a language I don't speak and they're talking it to me".

April 7, 2010 - submitted by Raquel, Mexico

Q. Dear Oracle, What does lol and lmao means? Thanks in advance :)

The Oracle replies:

Oooh there are my pet hates right there! In the good old days LOL used to mean lots of love but now it means laugh out loud. LMAO is short for laugh my ass off. Text speak, as I call it, has crept into society at an alarming rate whereas such abbreviations were once most commonly seen in adverts; particularly dating ones. GSOH being one of the most frequently used - good sense of humour.

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April 6, 2010 - submitted by Penny, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle, How many people are responsible for releasing the butterflies during Lovers in Japan? Do you know how many butterflies there are each night? I really liked the butterflies! All the best. Penny

The Oracle replies:

It's almost impossible to say how many butterflies were released each night but would you believe that a total of 19 people were responsible for their release? Amazing isn't it? That said, there were a couple of nights where that number grew to 20 and 21 with family members helping and between you and I, I have it on good authority that Phil's Mum was the best helper!

April 6, 2010 - submitted by Madi, United States of America

Q. Hi Oracle, Is the new Coldplay Fragrance a perfume, cologne or both?

The Oracle replies:

It's neither; Angst was totally made up as an April Fool's Day joke and not only has it not SOLD OUT as the shop stated, it does not exist at all!

April 6, 2010 - submitted by Julie, United States of America

Q. I write to offer my deepest thanks to Coldplay and the wonderful support family that surrounds them for making a dream come true. During the final days of the Viva La Vida tour in Latin America, Angie, a fellow Coldplay friend, made it a personal mission to have the members of Coldplay photographed with my daughter's favorite toy; a red MINI Cooper. My daughter and I shared countless moments together enjoying Coldplay's music. Even when her vocabulary was in its infancy, Ryan had the ability to refer to each band member by name and instrument. I looked forward to the day when I could take her to her first Coldplay concert. Without warning, at the age of three, our lives changed forever when she fell ill and passed away very quickly. Following her loss, Coldplay's music took on a much more powerful meaning in my life. A few notes of a song could ignite wonderful joyful memories of moments that we shared. In the wake of her loss and in an attempt to continue her life by keeping her memory alive, my family started a website, Ryan's MINI Adventure. We invite people from all around the world to take her favorite toy, her red MINI Cooper on adventures to experience all of the wonderful and unique opportunities that this world has to offer. All adventures are documented with photos. I've taken Ryan's MINI to several Coldplay shows, but it's been my greatest hope to have Ryan's MINI meet the band in person. It's something I know she would have enjoyed. I have created a special page on Ryan's website to commemorate the day her MINI met Coldplay and I hope you may find the time to visit - www.ryansminiadventure.com/COLDPLAY.html

Thank you to Chris, Guy, Will, Jonny and Phil, and to all that took a moment to participate in Ryan's MINI Adventure. We also give great thanks to Angie for making it all come to life. The Coldplay fan community has offered our family so much support and we are forever grateful for their kindness. With deepest gratitude, Julie. Ryan's Mom - www.ryansminiadventure.com

The Oracle replies:

Aw what a lovely start to the week yet so poignant! I already knew about this and thought it would be a fitting tribute to Ryan to publish this letter so that people could click on the link. Much love...

Pictures of winning auction items (Chris Martin's Fender Rhodes piano) in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (by lo&loud):

Sony Music is ready to strike a deal with EMI to win the distribution rights to the British music company's back catalogue in North and South America, according to industry executives, say the Guardian today.

Talks between Sony's finance director, Kevin Kelleher, and EMI's executive chairman, Charles Allen, could begin in May if advisers working for the two firms can stitch together an outline agreement over the next few weeks. The disclosure comes after last week's failure by EMI to forge an accord with Universal that could have raised vitally needed funds as a June deadline approaches when the company must plug a £100m-plus funding gap. Owned by Guy Hands's Terra Firma private equity group, EMI owes £3bn to Citigroup, the US investment bank that bankrolled the EMI acquisition by Hands on the eve of the credit crunch.Although EMI has already talked to Sony about a distribution deal, negotiations were terminated after a few days as Allen concentrated on a similar transaction with Universal. But those talks broke down after disagreement over price, timing and a fear that Citigroup could block a transaction that would have involved Universal paying EMI an upfront fee of £200m.

Allen must present Hands with a detailed plan about how EMI can raise additional funds from outsourcing agreements such as the one suggested to Sony, and from cost-cutting and asset sales, well before 14 June. That is the date by which Hands must have raised £120m from Terra Firma investors to make good the terms of covenants on its debt obligations to Citigroup.

Unless the cash is forthcoming, Citigroup will be within its rights to seize control of EMI, whose artists include Robbie Williams and Coldplay. But Hands is eager to demonstrate to investors ahead of the deadline that the company can further boost above-the-line operating profit despite hefty interest payments on its borrowings which pushed the group into a £1.7bn loss last year. To that end, he has mandated Allen to bring in hundreds of millions of new money via another radical reshaping of EMI, which has shed 20% of its workforce since the Terra Firma takeover in 2007. Hands reckons he needs to illustrate how EMI can generate more cash if he is to have any chance of persuading his investors to pump in new money to save the company from ruin.

But analysts said it is by no means certain that Hands can secure investors' agreement and rumours are circulating in the City that Citigroup is lining up a sale of EMI to Warner Music and private equity rival KKR if it is forced to take control of the firm.

Relations between Terra Firma and Citigroup are poor after the two sides fell out over the terms of a debt-for-equity swap last year and since Hands announced that he was taking the bank to court in New York, alleging it made him pay an artificially inflated price for EMI (£4bn) because its bankers failed to tell him that a rival bidder had pulled out. Citigroup denies the claims and intends to fight the allegations.

More on this is at the Coldplay forum here now.

Pictures of Coldplay at Estadio Universitario, Monterrey, Mexico (11th March 2010):

Photos by Galo González

EMI's attempts to secure a licensing deal with rivals fell apart yesterday, heaping pressure on the struggling label as it seeks to raise £120m in less than two months or face being seized by its creditors. More on this is at the Coldplay forum here [thanks coldplayisawesome]

The music group, whose artists include Coldplay, Lily Allen and Robbie Williams, had been locked in separate negotiations over the past week to offer Universal Music Group and Sony Music distribution rights for its artists in the US and Canada.

Talks with Universal were understood to be the furthest advanced, but fell apart at the 11th hour as the two sides failed to reach terms over price. Charles Allen, who took over as the head of EMI last month, called off the talks yesterday. Negotiations with Sony have also come to nothing.

None of the companies would comment yesterday, but sources close to the deal said both the rival labels had approached EMI with proposals. The discussions were understood to have focused on a five-year deal for the rival labels to secure the rights to sell EMI artists in North American stores as well as digitally. Such distribution deals are relatively common, one insider said. EMI had hoped to raise £200m from the deal.

The company's holding vehicle had revealed in annual results published earlier this year that the business was in danger of breaching its banking covenants. Yesterday's failure to secure a distribution deal means the company is likely to have breached its covenants for the quarter. Mr Allen now has until 14 June to come up with a plan to raise £120m, to avoid the company defaulting on its loans.

One insider said the company was not in talks with any other companies over alternate deals, adding: "Plan A is still the focus." This involves the company's senior management putting together a business plan to secure the future of the group to take to parent company Terra Firma.

Should the private equity group, fronted by the industry tycoon Guy Hands, back the plan, it will call on investors to put up the cash needed to avoid debt holders Citigroup from taking control.

Terra Firma bought EMI at the height of the private equity leverage bubble in the summer of 2007 for £4.2bn. The takeover saddled the company with huge debts, which had been provided by Citigroup.

The company was almost immediately hit by the onset of the credit crunch. This also came at a time when the music industry was undergoing profound change in the shift to digital, and EMI suffered from the rise in illegal downloading of artists over the internet. Its catalogue also suffered the defection of several high-profile artists shortly after the deal, including the Rolling Stones and Radiohead.

Terra Firma's relationship with EMI's principal debtholder has become strained to breaking point. The buyout firm has launched a lawsuit against Citigroup, which provided £2.5bn of the company's £3.2bn debt for the deal, over its role as defence adviser to EMI. Mr Hands alleges that the bank led Terra Firma to believe that other bidders were interested, which pushed up the price of the acquisition.

EMI's former chief executive Elio Leoni-Sceti admitted that the legal wranglings had made it harder to sign new acts. Earlier this month, Mr Leoni-Sceti made the surprise announcement that he was to quit the group. Charles Allen, the former chief executive of ITV, who was EMI's non-executive chairman, filled the vacancy by taking over as executive chairman.

Several EMI artists are doing well in the UK charts. Gorillaz' new album, Plastic Beach, is No 12 in the charts, with Laura Marling and Goldfrapp in the Top 10. The label remastered albums by Kraftwerk and the Beatles last year, with the Beatles' release selling 10 million copies in just four months. It is also set to release new albums from Chemical Brothers and LCD Soundsystem.

Pictures of Coldplay at Estadio Universitario, Monterrey, Mexico (11th March 2010):

Photos by Galo González

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1200 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

March 29, 2010 - submitted by Max, United Kingdom

Q. Dear Oracle, Will Prospekt be returning to give the inside scoop while the band are back in the studio for the next album? Thank you

The Oracle replies:

No, Prospekt is no longer; as with most things on the Viva campaign we won't be seeing him again, or rather, hearing from him...

March 31, 2010 - submitted by mar, Mexico

Q. Hi Oracle, I wanna tell you that I love the song Sweet Marianne and I wish know where I can get it.

Thank you. I love Coldplay you're the best :)

The Oracle replies:

Sweet Marianne has never been officially released on any recording. There isn't even a studio version floating around just a

March 31, 2010 - submitted by Eliana, Colombia

Q. Hi dear Oracle! Looking at the photos of Latin America tour, there is one of a wall in Bogota in the oldest part ... my question is: was the hotel at which they lodged in the older part of Bogota? Or they gave a walk along this city? In respect to the transport strike, thanks to you we could forget what happened out there, as shouting and crying in his songs, it was a magic moment!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please return on your next trip...PLEEASEEEEE!!

The Oracle replies:

The band did not go on that little tour to the oldest part of the city. That particular wall was a fair car ride from the hotel which was in the newer financial centre.

March 31, 2010 - submitted by Mark, United States of America

Q. Did Coldplay perform a private party in Cabo on Monday night at Hilton Los Cabos?

The Oracle replies:

No they didn't; I saw both Guy and Chris the following day so it wasn't physically possible. They don't tend to play private parties anyway.

March 31, 2010 - submitted by Alejandra, Argentina

Q. Dear Oracle, the night of your concert in Buenos Aires I met a guy while I was in the line, the thing is that we've been talking since that day and I really like him (not only because he likes Coldplay as well :D) the problem is that I am very confused because I don't know if he likes me, he is VERY shy so I wanted your advice so I can decide if I should do something (call him, or ask him out) or just wait. HELP ME PLEASE! Thanks a lot. Love you come back to argentina!!

The Oracle replies:

Well he can't be THAT shy if he was talking to you in the line so I would call him up and ask if he'd like to meet you. If he says yes, take it from there and see how you get on face to face without the excitement of the Coldplay show; though I am sure you will of course mention the gig you both attended! You have nothing to lose but if you wait, it could take a while if he really is as shy as you think. There's nothing wrong with being shy of course but it might be nice for him if you ask just in case he is too nervous to. Good luck!

March 31, 2010 - submitted by Manuel, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, a week ago a friend of mine told me the band had stayed in Monterrey in the hotel next to mine, Quinta Real, I honestly couldn't believe it. Ever since I've been regretting not going next door to try get an autograph. I'm just wondering, If I had gone outside Coldplay's hotel in Monterrey would Ive had good chances of getting an autograph from the band?

The Oracle replies:

Hmmm I always say better to regret what you did than what you did not so in this case don't torture yourself with what ifs. So rather than add to your misery I shall just say... you didn't try so you'll never know. Oh dear, seem to be quoting Coldplay songs in my answer...

March 30, 2010 - submitted by Carrie, United States of America

Q. Hey there! In the interview with the founder of Fierce Panda he referred to "A&R" a few times. I have no idea what A&R is. Could you clarify for me? Many thanks!

The Oracle replies:

Well Carrie, literally A&R stands for Artists & Repertoire. That once meant something quite different to what it does now. Many years ago A&R people would choose material (repertoire) for their acts (artists) to record. There were still obviously songwriters who were also performers but that's where the term originated from; it has stuck through the generations. I guess that it does still stand today with many pop acts as they don't always (erm ,dare I say rarely) write their own songs but mainly today A&R people are responsible for scouting the talent and getting them signed up as well as making decisions/advising during the recording process.

March 30, 2010 - submitted by Alejandra, Colombia

Q. Q, Last Friday I went to a club here in Bogota called "ANDRES CARNE DE RES" and there, someone told me that after the concert you guys went there!! I couldn't believe it!!.. So, my question is: What was your first impression of the place? Did you like it???... Thanks for answering and thanks for coming!! Everyone is waiting for your next concert!!

The Oracle replies:

The first night in Colombia the band did various things for dinner but there were no club visits. The night of the show, as previously reported, Chris & Will went to the bar Mai Lirol Darlin. Andres Carne de Res sounds like a restaurant to me... I know that Franksy (tour manager) went to an excellent meat place the first night so maybe that's the connection.

March 30, 2010 - submitted by Isabell, United States of America

Q. El Caro! I hope you are well! I was looking though some of the older news posts, and I came across the post from way back in April 1 2009, which talks about the band recording in zero gravity (too cool)! I just remembered that post when I saw it today. My question is, have they done it yet?

The Oracle replies:

Wow as we almost swing past 12 months since that news post it seems weird to report so long after that the band were never intending to record in zero gravity as the date might suggest; it was an April Fool's prank!

March 30, 2010 - submitted by Simon, United Kingdom

Q. Have any of the band had the pleasure of meeting the legend that is Paul McCartney?

The Oracle replies:

Yeah apart from the fact that Coldplay were onstage shortly after Paul at Live 8, they have met a few times.

March 30, 2010 - submitted by Cristina, Mexico

Q. Dear Oracle, when Coldplay came to Guadalajara I was the first in line waiting for the gate to be opened in order to be the closest to the stage. I waited in line since 4pm from the previous day of the concert just so I could see Chris really really close, other people came to join me during the night and we camped outside the stadium. Of course it was totally worth it and was so much fun! My question is did the band know there were people already waiting outside the stadium since the night before? Haha luv u, thanks a lot!

The Oracle replies:

Wow! I was telling everyone how people had been at most venues from 5 a.m but I had no idea that die-hard fans like yourself were there overnight! That's pretty incredible. Thumbs up to you guys for that.

Pictures of winning auction items (Chris Martin's Fender Rhodes piano) in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (by lo&loud):

Well things on the LP5 front are hotting up already, just weeks after the band returned from their Latin America tour. No sooner than they close the door on Viva la Vida, another one opens with hope that 2010 will see new material being released.

In this month's Q magazine, the '10 seconds with Chris Martin' snippet hinted that there may well be some new music to listen to before the year is out. Chris Martin once again intimated: "We've been in the studio for six months now. Brian Eno is with us, but he's got a kind of catflap, so he can come and go as he pleases. We might get a couple of songs out before Christmas...It sounds a bit like jazz fusion...That might be a lie, but I don't mind another lie in the list of fucking lies!" [thanks mimixxx]

Read on for the article in which Chris Martin is voted as one of Q's Greatest Frontmen Ever...

Though Chris Martin may complain he doesn't mind "not being cool" the readers of Q beg to differ as he has made it on the list of the 100 Greatest Frontmen. He may not know he's "More than just rock’s Mr Nice Guy," but he was still able to share his thoughts with Q on being one of the greatest. Here is the article in which he talks about Radiohead, Michael Stipe, Bono, and that awful Chinese dragon head...

More than just rock's Mr Nice Guy, Chris Martin is possessed of a Bono-sized charisma and a feel for grand musical drama. With his public school education and love of yoga, Martin may lack rebel credentials. But in just a decade he's grown from heart-on-sleeve balladeer to an international rock ambassador able to command the largest arena - despite spending much of his time onstage behind a piano. Fact: he attributes his enthusiasm for performing falsetto to an unflinching love of Michael Jackson.

What makes a great frontman?

"This is going to sound cheesy, but what makes a great frontman is the great people behind him. I had this conversation yesterday with Natasha [Khan] from Bat For Lashes, who's on tour with us, and we were talking about how if Bono or I were to release solo albums they'd be cringeworthy. It's still the same person singing but the gang aspect makes you acceptable. If you take me out of the band, I can't dance, I can't do what Beyonce can do. I'm only surviving on enthusiasm and collective chemistry. All frontmen become shit as soon as the perceived least important member of their band leaves."

What's been your greatest moment as a frontman?

"I'm hoping it might be in about two hours. We're playing in Brazil and it's my birthday, too. It's a fucking awesome way to spend a birthday. But Glastonbury's hard to beat. There are people in the world who don't like Glastonbury, but they tend to be cunts. The first time we played it was the best. The year before, I was on a train, I'd just had a brace fitted and I felt like a tosser. I was coming back from Exeter to London, when 6000 Radiohead fans got on the train from Glastonbury. I felt like hiding in the bathroom. The next year we were playing there, so it was a big turnaround. And I finally had good teeth."

And your most embarrassing?

"Ninety percent of the day is embarrassing. But the most embarrassing for a performer is when you doubt yourself. The worst I can remember is in Sheffield in 2008. I was onstage and I suddenly felt about 12 years old. I thought, what the hell am I doing? I wanted to leave the stage but I turned around and looked at Will [Champion, drummer of Coldplay] and he did something with his face that made me feel OK. That's why no frontman is worth anything without the rest of the gang."

What's the best bit of advice you've received from another frontman?

"Michael Stipe told me to wear tight trousers. We did and we had a number 1 in America."

Has Bono ever given you any advice?

"The best advice U2 gave us was, sound a bit like us for a bit. We tried it with X&Y. It worked out OK but we had to move off it pretty fast."

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

"We have nothing but pre-show rituals. I turned 33 today, which is now old for a singer, so I have to work against the fat. Today I had to go on a treadmill, not turn it on and run on it using leg power alone. The nearest thing I can equate it to is helping an old lady push-start a car."

What's the most ridiculous stage prop you've had?

"We had a Chinese dragon's head last year. I came offstage and said, God, that dragon bit was good wasn't it? The rest of the band just stayed quiet."

Have you ever worn anything onstage you've later regretted?

"Other than the dragon's head? No. Quite the opposite: the skinny trousers worked."

Is image important for a frontman?

"It's important, but you can get away with not having one [laughs]."

Who's your greatest frontman?

"It's not my job to make these lists, it's your job. Fucking hell: Wayne Coyne! He's number one. He gets to the essence of what a concert is: it's people who've come from work and want to have a good time. It's not about reviews or sales or who's the biggest; its about making them feel they couldn't have been anywhere better for that hour and a half. Wayne is the master of that."

The future of Robbie Williams, Katy Perry and Coldplay record label EMI was on a knife-edge, as its private equity owner Terra Firma scrambled to meet a deadline today to raise around £120 million and avoid breaching banking covenants on £3 billion of loans. Sources suggested the chances were “about 50-50”.

New EMI boss Charles Allen was trying to seal a $300 million (£200 million) deal which would allow the record label to “outsource” its sales catalogue of albums in North America. Allen was pinning hopes on bigger rival Universal Music which would take over responsibility for selling and marketing the sales catalogue. EMI has also been talking to Sony Music about the deal.

Allies of EMI claimed “outsourcing” the catalogue would enable the label to cut overheads, increase profits and generate an upfront cash windfall, which would mean it avoids breaching its covenants with lender Citigroup.

It is essential that EMI concludes the deal today so that the benefits can be included in the balance sheet of parent company Maltby Capital. Citigroup tests the covenants on the basis of EMI's profits relative to the size of its debt on 31 March. Maltby has already warned it is in danger of breaching covenants after recording a £1.75 billion pre-tax loss in February.

If Maltby misses today's deadline or Citigroup blocks a deal, Terra Firma chief executive Guy Hands must ask his investors to inject the extra cash by 12 June or else the bank could seize control of the record label.

Pictures of Coldplay at Estadio Universitario, Monterrey, Mexico (11th March 2010):

Photos by Galo González

Tonight (Saturday 27th March), WWF is hoping a billion people around the world will switch off their lights for one hour on behalf of Earth Hour, to show their support of climate change. Just turn off the lights, and you're in. We'd love to see your city's photos of Earth Hour in whichever city you're in - simply post photos to the Coldplay forum or just join in the discussion so far.

Coldplay's Fix You is the featured music track behind the official video for Earth Hour and you can watch the trailer again at the forum now. [thanks In a telescope lens]

Landmarks like the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Empire State Building in New York, St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Sydney's Opera House, and the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens will go dark for one hour. New monuments turning off the lights this time include Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Toronto's CN Tower, the Burj Khalifa (world's tallest building) in Dubai, and the Bosphorus Bridge that links Asia to Europe in Turkey.

Countries like the Czech Republic, Madagascar, Nepal, Panama, Saudi, Arabia, Lithuania, and the Cook Islands will participate in the light's out demonstration for their first time in 2010. They're joining Earth Hour originator Australia and past participants such as Brazil, Hong Kong, Egypt, Great Britain, Switzerland, and Japan.

Why? The power bills won't go down dramatically with the lights dimmed for just one hour. (And don't worry, there won't be a power surge from people turning lights off and then back on all at once.) The goal of the World Wildlife Fund-sponsored event isn't to save energy on this one day -- it's to raise awareness of climate change and energy conservation all year round.

Earth Hour is only 60 minutes. It's a start, maybe a wake-up call for some when they see landmarks and cities go dark. What we do the rest of the day and the rest of the year is what counts in the long run. So use this hour in the dark to plan what you're really going to do to help the planet. There are lots of things that take less than one hour but add up to a lot of conservation. For example, you could start doing any of these things:

•Turn off lights when you leave a room for 15 minutes or longer.

•Drink tap water instead of bottled water.

•Put your computer in power-save mode.

•Turn off video game consoles when not in use.

•Seal air leaks, adjust your water heater, and control your thermostat to lower energy usage and waste.

•Go meatless on Mondays.

•Watch out for energy vampires around the house and unplug the biggies.

•Swap out all your light bulbs for CFLs.

•Stop catalogs and junk mail from piling up in your mailbox.

•Reduce the brightness of your TV set to the "home" mode.

•Use up leftovers, compost, and avoid wasting food.

•Find out how walkable your hometown is and try walking to your weekend errands.

•Fix a leaky faucet or toilet.

•Use the low-water and low-heat settings on your dishwasher, and don't pre-rinse dishes.

•Hang your clothes to dry on a clothesline in spring and summer.

•Take public transit to work or school.

•Install dimmer switches on your lights and plug appliances into smart power switches.

Last year's Earth Hour dimmed important landmarks all over the world (2009):

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1200 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

March 26, 2010 - submitted by Alex, United States of America

Q. I went to a concert at the Superpages Center in Dallas some time ago, and Chris sang Billie Jean (this not long after MJ's death) when the guys moved to a smaller mini sort of stage just a few feet from me on the lawn. Did he sing it at every show, or was it spur-of-the-moment? Also... He played Green Eyes while on the smaller stage. That concert was the first date my girlfriend of a full year now and I went on, and I'm sure I wouldn't be half so lucky if it hadn't been played, so give my thanks to everyone.

The Oracle replies:

Billie Jean was introduced to the C-Stage as you say, shortly after Michael Jackson's death. It remained for almost every show and proved to be a popular addition. Green Eyes didn't last quite so long.. On the recent tour Billie Jean was played on the first night in Argentina; it was replaced with Shiver for the remaining dates.

March 26, 2010 - submitted by Carol, Argentina

Q. Oracle, before the concert started in Buenos Aires, someone took a picture of me, someone from Coldplay's crew. I was wearing an emerald green shirt, my hair is straight brown and long, my smile is the best... and maybe I was also wearing a hat. I thought I was going to find it here but it didn't happen... Also, I went to the hotel to see Coldplay. I went inside to have some drinks, a gave a letter to a guy called James. I'm sure that Coldplay never received my letter. Maybe I was in the same room as you and didn't know that. At "The Library Lounge". Just to tell you!! Bye. If you ever find that picture and wanna send it to me :)- Now, I remember, maybe I saw you. You were sitting in a table with another man at "The Library Lounge" and looked deeply in my eyes.I passed by your side cause I wanted to talk to the body-guard of Coldplay. Whatever it was, it was really fun.

The Oracle replies:

Hey Carol, James remembers you and tells me that yes, he gave the letter to the band. I was indeed in the Library Lounge and in fact was stood next to Geoff - band's security - so you probably did see me without knowing. I have some photos of fans outside the hotel and you're probably in one of those but they weren't the best quality so I didn't include them in my album, sorry!

March 26, 2010 - submitted by Christina, United States of America

Q. Hello Oracle! Quick question. What kind of camera does Anchorman use for the photoblogs? Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

Quick answer: Nikon D40.

March 26, 2010 - submitted by Benjamin, United States of America

Q. Dear Senor Oracle, I was enjoying the wonderful Latin America pics when I noticed that one of the captions refers to the people of Guadalajara as "cabrones", I was just wondering if you realize this is indeed a Mexican curse word and insult?

The Oracle replies:

Yup I knew that but I also know that it's a term of endearment and that's the context I used it in. It's the same in English; we have some swear words that if said aggressively are very bad but are also used affectionately with friends. Isn't language strange sometimes?? Hope no offence was taken by the way...

March 26, 2010 - submitted by Angela, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, it comes to my attention that every time I look at ur pictures I can not find any of Monterrey, and I wonder why are you leaving Monterrey behind??? There was not a single after show article and not puppet picture and not a single picture is your album!! I'm a little sad because me and friends from the US travel all the way to Monterrey to see the show and yet it looks like it wasn't that important to you like it was for us!! Anyway, still love you!!!! Good day!!

The Oracle replies:

I always notice that wherever the last date of the tour, the less is shown or written. Try and take it as pure exhaustion. Sometimes Roadie #42 reports back or we will have photos but at the moment it's all very spontaneous... The photos of Bat for Lashes in my 'album' were taken in Monterrey. I love the fact that you aren't actually from there but feel hard done by! It was very important and we had a great time; I did report back that I think the crowd was the loudest of the tour...

March 26, 2010 - submitted by Rosie, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, I was wondering, Does Guy pronounce his name like "look at that guy" or like gee? just wondering! Thanks

The Oracle replies:

Wonder no more Rosie because his name is pronounced Guy (as in look at that guy over there) but I confess to calling him Guy (Gee)_ when on tour. I have no idea why but it felt right to call him an intercontinental name during the tour.

Pictures of winning auction items (Chris Martin's Fender Rhodes piano) in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (by lo&loud):

Here's an interesting little article courtesy of AOL Radio Blog previewing Coldplay's next album, expected to drop at the end of the year at the earliest. The article, which doesn't feature anything you didn't already know of LP5 (in case you were wondering), focuses on the anticipated contrast between the hispanic Viva la Vida to the church recordings and the stripped-down acoustic sound expected in next release...

Back in April 2009, while still on the road for their 'Viva La Vida' world tour, Coldplay began laying the groundwork for their upcoming release, which is scheduled to come out sometime this year. Coldplay's 2010 new album, which has yet to be titled, will certainly have big shoes to fill following in the wake of 'Viva la Vida.'

Released on June 11, 2008 to massive critical and popular acclaim, the album dominated charts around the globe, and eventually earned the group a 2009 Grammy for Best Rock Album. While the British alt-rock quartet will still be squeezing out a few more South American concerts in the early part of 2010, they've somehow managed to find a few moments to convene in a North London church, where, according to The Sun, they've decided to record their next CD.

The decision to relocate their recording studio from their longtime base in London's Primrose Hill to an older, dilapidated church marks a major shift in Coldplay's approach to their style -- and may foreshadow an entirely different sound on their new 2010 album. While lead singer Chris Martin has enlisted soundscape wizard Brian Eno to once again produce their next album, sources close to the band say that Martin's made a conscious decision to develop a more acoustic, "stripped down" sound on their next album, and move away from the grandiose and big budget sound that characterized 'Viva la Vida.' Speaking to the Herald Sun, an anonymous source said that Martin's "determined not to be seen as a huge commercial rock juggernaut, filling stadiums and cashing in." In opting for a more acoustic, modest sound, then, the band hopes to keep themselves "as close to their fans as possible."

As part of their attempt to give fans greater access, Coldplay has begun a blog on their website, documenting the recording process on a regular basis. And, in a further twist to their traditional routine, the band has reportedly been going into the studio in separate pairs, a technique devised by Brian Eno, who told BBC Radio that he was trying different pair combinations in attempt to explore "other possibilities" that lay dormant within the foursome.

While no specific date has been set for the release, MTV reports that the new 2010 album may drop sometime around Christmas. Until then, fans will likely have to await and speculate as to what this newer, more austere Coldplay record may sound like. According to Eno, though, "It's quite different from anything they've done before."

Source: AOL Radio Blog

Pictures of Coldplay at Estadio Universitario, Monterrey, Mexico (11th March 2010):

Pictures courtesy of Andrés Alonso at Flickr (click for more).

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1200 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

March 24, 2010 - submitted by Thomas, Netherlands

Q. Dear Oracle, I just wanted to say that the new album by Goldheart Assembly is really good. How do you think about this Folk-rocky band???? Cheers

The Oracle replies:

Oooh this and the last question answered arrived at the same time so we must be hungry for new bands eh? I have to say that I really like the band and am glad our friend Simon is involved. They remind me of Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons; that's a good thing.

March 24, 2010 - submitted by Carolyn, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle. Do you and the boys like the band The XX? Thanks in advance.

The Oracle replies:

I recommended The XX to Guy during the tour so hopefully he will have had a listen. I saw them support Florence & The Machine during their last tour and bought the album as I think they're great. Dunno if the rest of the guys have heard it yet but am sure they will...

March 24, 2010 - submitted by Mile, Colombia

Q. Dear Oracle, I was wondering, were the members of the band aware of the chaotic situation in Bogota because of the transport strike? They can�t imagine all the obstacles most of the fans had to pass to get to the line (at least in my case), I don't know what they saw, but in Bogota we do use public transportation usually :) Pls say that they are going to come back to Colombia soon. Thanks

The Oracle replies:

Chris was told about the strike whilst having his breakfast on the day of the show; he was very worried about how fans would get to the concert. I myself saw the protests in the square but was assured by Miguel - our very hospitable guide - that the fans had waited such a long time to see Coldplay that they would literally walk miles to get there if they had to. Judging from the crowds it would seem he was correct. It was such a shame that fans had a struggle to get there and hopefully it was well worth the effort! I can't lie and say the band will be back soon because you know how long it took for that visit!

Pictures of winning auction items (Chris Martin's Fender Rhodes piano) in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (by lo&loud):

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1200 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

March 23, 2010 - submitted by Makayla, United States of America

Q. Dear lovely Oracle, Myself along with many other Coldplayers at coldplaying.com have been wondering whether or not the butterflies will stick around for the next tour. I don't think Lovers in Japan will ever be the same without butterflies!

The Oracle replies:

I would doubt it to be honest. I know the Yellow balloons made it to another tour but as Yellow is the first single it feels different to have them continue; it became quite iconic to have those big balloons bouncing around while everyone tried to hit one, pop one or collect one! I'm sure the guys will want to try new things for the next tour.

March 23, 2010 - submitted by Roberto, Mexico

Q. I know is quite late for my any comment about it... anyways I must say that, no matter it's already been almost 2 weeks, Coldplay's concert in Monterrey still taking my breath away every time I remember it... Txs you guys(all of you) for that. The question is...Where can I get the leftrightleftrightleft of: FORO SOL 1&2, GUADALAJARA and Bogota? I've got Monterrey's, of course...Cheers Oracle.

The Oracle replies:

All the cds that were handed out are exactly the same so there is no difference between the one you got at your Monterrey show and ones at the previous shows.

March 23, 2010 - submitted by Belinda, United States of America

Q. Do you ever want to cry when you think about how far you and the boys have come since their first LP? I kinda do!

The Oracle replies:

There were tears on the Latin American tour for that very reason. There really was an overwhelming sense of amazement, pride and joy at looking out every night and seeing and hearing so many people. It's ten years since Parachutes was released and that did indeed make it all the more emotional.

March 22, 2010 - submitted by Noemie, Belgium

Q. Hello Oracle! A very short question! Do you like the band Mumford & Sons? :) Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

Yes we all like Mumford & Sons so check them out if you haven't had the chance to hear them yet. FYI: Will had tickets for their recent London show - the day after landing back from the Latin American tour.

March 22, 2010 - submitted by Bart, Netherlands

Q. Dear Oracle, I have got a girlfriend since two months. She is really sweet and all but we have only hold hands. All my friends say that I must kiss her as soon as possible (and as long as possible). But my problem is that I am rather afraid of doing that. Is that weird? Do you have any tips for me?

The Oracle replies:

No it's not weird but you should only kiss someone when it feels right for you both and the right time will probably become pretty obvious to you when it arrives.

Friends will have their view of you and your situation and maybe they're all doing other stuff but there's no rush you just do what you want and my tip is - don't give into peer pressure.

March 22, 2010 - submitted by Evelien, Belgium

Q. Dear Oracle, I was wondering the other day: was Ode to Deodorant ever burnt on a cd and given away or something? I know they made a cassette and sent it to a radio station for a competition, but a cassette seems very 'old school', even for those days. ( + saw one pass on ebay several months ago and I was wondering if it was a genuine copy). Thanks in advance !

The Oracle replies:

Well the master copy of the track was certainly burned onto a cd. Cassettes were still circulating in the demo world but they were on their way out. It was more to send to Radio Stations to play although there was an Xfm competition they entered too. (The Safety EP -on cd- had been sent to Steve Lamacq at Radio 1 earlier than this though). If the copy you saw was the same one that I also saw it was indeed an original.

Pictures of winning auction items (Chris Martin's Fender Rhodes piano) in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (by lo&loud):

The latest piece of news in EMI's much-publicized struggle against corporate takeover is perhaps the most ominous development yet.

According to various sources, EMI is currently in talks to license its back catalogue to competing labels. This means that the rights to artists such as the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen and Coldplay could soon belong to another record company. In other words, this is like that point near to the end of a Monopoly game when you start mortgaging all of your properties to keep from going bankrupt. (And as we all know, that never works.)

As the Wall Street Journal reports, EMI believes that such a deal could fetch the label as much as $150 million per year. This could be enough to keep the label afloat, at least for the time being. The company is currently in danger of being taken over by Citigroup, who lent Terra Firma (EMI's parent group) the money to buy the label back in 2007.

According to UK newspaper the Times, talks began with Universal a few weeks ago, while Sony and Warner more recently joined the discussions. Even if these talks are successful and EMI manages to stave off the repo men for another few months, the label will need to turn its luck around to survive in the long run. Billboard reports that Terra Firma's is currently in debt for nearly $4 billion.

More discussioin on the latest EMI situation is at the Coldplay forum now.

Pictures of Coldplay at Estadio Universitario, Monterrey, Mexico (11th March 2010):

Photos by Galo González

The abridged Fantastico interview that was aired last month for TV Globo in Brazil has been released in full online, and in it Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland talked at length about the new record due in December, and how previous album reviews have shaped the way they go about the recording process. Watch (in English) the full 20 minute Fantastico interview with Chris and Jonny in the first post of the thread here at the Coldplay forum. You can also find links to download the full interview in the Multimedia forum here [thanks SueDeNimes, iriden & mimixxx]

Coldplay are currently working on new material for their next album in their studio in London after arriving back from their Latin America tour last week. So what of the new record? Chris Martin seems convinced that it will be a success, but the band won't be releasing anything until they're ready. He said, "We'll make sure now we don't release anything until we're 100% convinced by it. Why do we sell records? I don't know but we try as hard as we can to make them good. The one we're making now is really good - it probably won't sell a lot because people don't buy records any more, but it's got good songs on it."

Talking specifically about the New York Times review of X&Y back in 2005, Chris Martin said, "We decided not to read reviews of the Viva la Vida album, because we reached a point where whatever we do someone will like it and someone will hate it. You can't change that. We'll do a show and however good that show is, someone will say it's too big, or whatever. And we started working [again] with Brian Eno, and we have our fifth member Phil [Harvey] and we trust their opinions so much that if something is geniunely bad we'll trust them they'll tell us before we release it. At the time when we had the New York Times thing we didn't have those two people to give us that feedback, so we were a little lost at that time. That's why those reviews were depressing but ultimately they were very constructive and useful. I agreed with a lot of it [NYT review] but we're better now than we were then."

Talking further about their EMI record contract, Chris Martin stressed the importance of having the support of the label. "What success lets you do is have complete freedom when we go back into the studio. We feel more excited about making music than ever because we know that if we do something good some people will enjoy it. It's a great thing to have a record contract, it's what every band dreams about. But ours does last until we die, basically. I wouldn't change it because we're having a great time. I would maybe change some of the figures! Artistically, they give us total freedom."

The band also took a rare opportunity to speak out about the whole Joe Satriani plagiarism affair, that was settled out of court, insisting that it has made the band stronger. Chris told the interviewer: "That thing is painful for us, because it's just something that is not true and it's happened to us five times now on the same song - where someone says that 'you took their song' - five different people with the same song. And it also happens to be our most successful song... no-one ever says we stole our unsuccessful songs! But the good side of that was that after that whole embarassment we thought we'd better write some even better songs. So in two years time if anyone looks at that information and say, 'this band have got 57 great songs, and these people who say they wrote Coldplay songs haven't. So it becomes very inspiring."

Coldplay are currently working on new material for their next album in their studio in London after arriving back from their Latin America tour last week. Although no exact date yet has been given, nor has it been given a title, lead singer Chris Martin confirmed that they hope to release the next Coldplay album at the end of 2010. "Hopefully this Christmas", Chris Martin said in the interview, when asked about releasing Coldplay's fifth album. It seems the band are progressing much quicker with the recording process that first anticipated by fans. It was also confirmed in the interview that Coldplay's next record would not be the last with ailing record label, EMI, and they wouldn't be doing a 'Radiohead'. "We signed for a lot [of records], it won't be the last one. We're 'owned', we can't do anything without asking someone's permission."

He stressed that extra measures have been taken to make sure no songs leak online before the intended release date: "There are only two people in the whole building who know how to open all the recording files. Even we (Coldplay) don't know how to do it. We couldn't even steal our own music at the moment. You would have to be a computer genius and a great burglar to get into the building, and download it, and mix it, and possibly record some vocals. You need to be a very advanced thief at the moment to get to our music," Chris said.

Guy Berryman is co-producing The Pierces' new album with Rick Simpson, according to Michael Brauer, the man who mixed Coldplay's last album, Viva la Vida. Brauer was the one to reveal Guy's involvement with a tweet yesterday, and will also be involved in mixing The Pierces' effort. The Pierces are two sisters from Alabama, and the new album will be their fourth. More on this news is at the Coldplay forum here [thanks iriden]

Meanwhile, Liam Gallagher has attacked Coldplay's and U2's dress sense, according to the NME today. The former Oasis singer said he hates what the bands wear onstage, and the fact they've been styled. "I can tell bands who've been styled a mile off. U2?" he explained, adding: "There's no way you bought that jacket is there, Bono? Coldplay, they're at it too." Pretty tame language for the Pretty Green clothing range founder. Join in the Liam bashing at the forum here [thanks Corkus]

Finally, Coldplay's Fix You is the featured music track behind the official video for Earth Hour 2010. You can watch the trailer at the forum now. Don't forget to turn off your lights on March 27th! [thanks In a telescope lens]

New photos of Coldplay at Foro Sol, Mexico City, Mexico (6th March 2010):

Pictures by Karmen Electric Co

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1200 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

March 18, 2010 - submitted by Lucas, United Kingdom

Q. Any news on Matt McGinn's Roadie book?

The Oracle replies:

Funny you should mention that because Matt sent me a photo yesterday of him with his very own copy of said book! The book is set to hit the shops on May 17th weather permitting.

March 18, 2010 - submitted by Nina, Netherlands

Q. Dear Oracle, How are you? I hope you're not too tired :) I was wondering will the timeline be updated soon? Lots of love, Nina

The Oracle replies:

I'm good thanks for asking but jet lag sucks! I am still incredibly tired - just can't seem to get the hang of the sleep thing. Anyway, we are certainly considering updating the timeline so hopefully we will get around to making it an active feature once more.

March 18, 2010 - submitted by Michael, United States of America

Q. I just wanted to know if there were any plans for Coldplay to start playing Shiver at stadium shows ever again? I hear that there are always signs for that song and that is probably their best song in all their catalogue ever of all time if you catch my drift...they are some of the best musicians I bet they could pull it off!! Thanks! Hope ur days are filled with much splish splashing cuz I know mine are.

The Oracle replies:

Didn't you hear? Shiver was played every night of the Latin American tour with the exception of the first show in Argentina. They performed it in C Stage as part of the acoustic set. If Guy gets his way they won't be playing it again as he didn't like doing it all that much!

March 18, 2010 - submitted by Ashley, United States of America

Q. Following the question about does the band look at the Exhibition Room, does the band look at the Oracle questions and answers? Thanks. :)

The Oracle replies:

Er, no. That may explain why there's some animosity between myself and the Curator...

Pictures of winning auction items (Chris Martin's Fender Rhodes piano) in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (by lo&loud):

Sorry it took so long as I have been away from home since 26th. We're just back It was surreal to see the last ever VIVA show on 11th as we were lucky to see them at first ever Viva show at Brixton Academy in London/UK way back in June, 2008 (which was pure luck as we discovered there was a concert while we were in London - D'OH) So we somehow managed to witness the opening and closing of an era It's amazing to see how things improved and changed inbetween these two dates! I have yet to take proper pics of rest of the items, but here is a small teaser of Chris's first piano - Fender Rhodes! I'm getting a glass display case made for this so wait for proper photos of it on display. I haven't cleaned anything on it and never will. It still has all the spiderwebs inside and dirt outside lol. It also has some handwritten stuff on it, on many places on both the piano, and the flight case. Some might even be lyrics, but I have yet to verify as it's mostly black on black and green on black with some of the writings wiped making it really difficult to read. Amazing piece of music history, as this is the piano that Chris has moved to London with way back when he started school. As Chris claims, when the band were first getting to know each other, it was only because he owned this that Guy wanted to speak to him at all. This piano witnessed the whole band history. Early school days, Starfish days, "the" Coldplay and finally Coldplay Some of the earliest Coldplay songs were written on it, and Parachutes album was also recorded with this piano. [thanks lo&loud]

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1200 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

March 17, 2010 - submitted by Pedro, Mexico

Q. Where was taken the photo appears in the Live section? P.S.: You guys are the best!

The Oracle replies:

Roadie #42 is busted! Yes it's a farewell photo but it was actually taken in Guadalajara!

March 17, 2010 - submitted by Katelynne, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, Do you have anything special planned for St. Patrick's Day? :) Love, Katie

The Oracle replies:

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I had half a pint of Guinness earlier but was frankly disappointed; just not as good as they brew in the Emerald Isle.

March 17, 2010 - submitted by Amanda, Australia

Q. Do the band hire translators when they tour countries where English is not the first language? Or are there enough bi-lingual members of staff to get them by?

The Oracle replies:

There was sort of a bit of both on the Latin American trip. There were representatives in each city who would meet us (Santiago, Miguel and Andrea amongst others) who would accompany the band and give local information, liaise with the tour manager as well as translate when necessary. We were also lucky in that Sylvia who was working as part of our crew is from Brazil and so translated for us too.

Pictures of winning auction items (Chris Martin's Fender Rhodes piano) in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (by lo&loud):

Sorry it took so long as I have been away from home since 26th. We're just back It was surreal to see the last ever VIVA show on 11th as we were lucky to see them at first ever Viva show at Brixton Academy in London/UK way back in June, 2008 (which was pure luck as we discovered there was a concert while we were in London - D'OH) So we somehow managed to witness the opening and closing of an era It's amazing to see how things improved and changed inbetween these two dates! I have yet to take proper pics of rest of the items, but here is a small teaser of Chris's first piano - Fender Rhodes! I'm getting a glass display case made for this so wait for proper photos of it on display. I haven't cleaned anything on it and never will. It still has all the spiderwebs inside and dirt outside lol. It also has some handwritten stuff on it, on many places on both the piano, and the flight case. Some might even be lyrics, but I have yet to verify as it's mostly black on black and green on black with some of the writings wiped making it really difficult to read. Amazing piece of music history, as this is the piano that Chris has moved to London with way back when he started school. As Chris claims, when the band were first getting to know each other, it was only because he owned this that Guy wanted to speak to him at all. This piano witnessed the whole band history. Early school days, Starfish days, "the" Coldplay and finally Coldplay Some of the earliest Coldplay songs were written on it, and Parachutes album was also recorded with this piano. [thanks lo&loud]

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1200 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

March 16, 2010 - submitted by Dean, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, Has Chris ever tried playing drums before? I'm just wondering because he's so multi-talented and I don't think I've ever seen him play them.

The Oracle replies:

I've seen him play the drums and he's pretty good. As it's not his instrument of choice we won't be seeing it in the future!

March 16, 2010 - submitted by Sally, United Kingdom

Q. Do you and the band look at the exhibits in the Exhibition Room?

The Oracle replies:

Phil and Chris definitely do and I know Guy, Will & Jonny do from time to time. I set Coldplay.com as my homepage so I see them everyday too. The strangest thing happened which I had to tell the Curator - I would have showed the evidence if it hadn't been stolen! There was a bootleg magazine for sale in Monterrey that had the lyrics to every Coldplay song in English & Spanish. There were many photos of the band from years gone by as well as up to date ones but there was also a picture of the exhibit from 6th March! I recognized it right away but didn't know whether the picture had been taken from this site or not. Given the creator of that art was Rodrigo from Mexico maybe it was pure coincidence. All the exhibits during the tour were from countries the band were visiting but it seems pretty quick to get the picture off here and into a magazine in the space of 4 or 5 days!

March 16, 2010 - submitted by Karen, Mexico

Q. Hello dear Oracle!! Well first of all thank you all for coming to Mexico! It meant a lot to all of us. My question is: you've been saying that even when the 3 de Marzo stadium was one of the smallest you've been playing on, would you daresay it was the loudest? Hope you come soon! :)

The Oracle replies:

Estadio Tres de Marzo was indeed the smallest and the penultimate show of the Latin American tour. Up to that night the crowd was the loudest in my opinion but the final night in Monterrey at Estadio Universitario were even louder! Granted there were more people there but still less than at Buenos Aires, Rio, Sao Paulo and Mexico City!

March 16, 2010 - submitted by Tamara, United Kingdom

Q. Dear Oracle, I want to show you a

The Oracle replies:

Seen? Well they definitely deserve to be heard but I have to say the visual made me queasy. Yes, the Oracle is not a fan of 'performing' children but I must confess... they're great! Also you may not believe this but the band were watching this clip in their dressing room before the show in Guadalajara last week! I kid you not - no pun intended.

Pictures of winning auction items (Chris Martin's Fender Rhodes piano) in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (by lo&loud):

Sorry it took so long as I have been away from home since 26th. We're just back It was surreal to see the last ever VIVA show on 11th as we were lucky to see them at first ever Viva show at Brixton Academy in London/UK way back in June, 2008 (which was pure luck as we discovered there was a concert while we were in London - D'OH) So we somehow managed to witness the opening and closing of an era It's amazing to see how things improved and changed inbetween these two dates! I have yet to take proper pics of rest of the items, but here is a small teaser of Chris's first piano - Fender Rhodes! I'm getting a glass display case made for this so wait for proper photos of it on display. I haven't cleaned anything on it and never will. It still has all the spiderwebs inside and dirt outside lol. It also has some handwritten stuff on it, on many places on both the piano, and the flight case. Some might even be lyrics, but I have yet to verify as it's mostly black on black and green on black with some of the writings wiped making it really difficult to read. Amazing piece of music history, as this is the piano that Chris has moved to London with way back when he started school. As Chris claims, when the band were first getting to know each other, it was only because he owned this that Guy wanted to speak to him at all. This piano witnessed the whole band history. Early school days, Starfish days, "the" Coldplay and finally Coldplay Some of the earliest Coldplay songs were written on it, and Parachutes album was also recorded with this piano. [thanks lo&loud]