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February 10, 2010 - submitted by Mat, United States of America

Q. In one of the Coldplay posters featured during the Viva tour there is a globe that is above Chris' and Guy's head. Is this the same globe pictured on the Parachutes album?

The Oracle replies:

It isn't the same globe. Up until the recent Kids Company auction the original globe was in storage; now it belongs to Carrie in Michigan.

February 10, 2010 - submitted by Layla, United States of America

Q. Why is my boyfriend such a douche bag?

The Oracle replies:

I will answer your question with another question rather than the answer. If he's such a douche bag why is he your boyfriend? Maybe it's time to move on...

February 10, 2010 - submitted by Livvi, United States of America

Q. Dearest Oracle, Can you read Piglaten? It is quite easy and if you don't know how this is how: write a word and put the last letter on the end and add ay. If you understand you should have no difficulty reading this question. Siay llaay hetay andhaywrittenhay ordways noay histay ebwaysiteway rittenway ybay hrisCay artinMay?? So sorry if you don't understand, <3 -Livvi

The Oracle replies:

Good grief I wouldn't say that was quite easy. Also known as Pig Latin I can't say I see the point in it if I'm being truthful. I did understand and the answer to your question is no, Chris did not write the hand-written parts of the website; Prospekt did.

Pictures of the original Coldplay Parachutes globe by winning auctioneer, NumbersGirl:

According to a famous Argentine entertainment journalist, Bebe Contepomi, who posted a video on a well-known news channel's blog (called TN), the show taking place on February 26th will not be cancelled.

In the video he says he spoke to a TimeForFun (the guys who are bringing Coldplay to Argentina) representative and told him that they're doing all they can to play in the River Stadium, but that even if they can't, the concert would be made somewhere else, in another venue. It was also confirmed by The Oracle that the show goes ahead as planned:

February 9, 2010 - submitted by Ana, Argentina

Q. Dear Oracle, I come to you today with a matter of life and death (not literally, but it might turn out that way) right now I am freaking out!! I just heard on the news that all shows on the River Plate Stadium are suspended until further notice, what will happen with the Coldplay show on February 26th? Please, don't leave us without the show there has to be something that can be done.

The Oracle replies:

I checked with management as a few fans had heard similar news and was assured that as far as we are aware the show is going ahead as planned.

Pictures of the original Coldplay Parachutes globe by winning auctioneer, NumbersGirl:

No rational person should want nuclear weapons in the world, Phil Harvey writes on the official Coldplay site, Coldplay.com in the last 24 hours. Here was the message that was posted, signed 'pH':

No rational person should want nuclear weapons in the world. As long as they exist, the destruction of the human race (and all life on Earth) is only a few button-pushes away. Today, there are still 23,000 nuclear weapons in the world (enough to destroy all life on Earth several times over). It is far from impossible that one of these weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists.

The International Atomic Energy Agency predicts that, by 2030, 60 countries may have acquired nuclear weapons. President Obama is an active supporter of nuclear disarmament. If the US and Russia commit to reducing their nuclear arsenals, this will pave the way for eventual global disarmament. The Non Proliferation Treaty will be reviewed in May 2010. Get involved: www.basicint.org

Pictures of the original Coldplay Parachutes globe by winning auctioneer, NumbersGirl:

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February 9, 2010 - submitted by Ana, Argentina

Q. Dear Oracle, I come to you today with a matter of life and death (not literally, but it might turn out that way) right now I am freaking out!! I just heard on the news that all shows on the River Plate Stadium are suspended until further notice, what will happen with the Coldplay show on February 26th? Please, don't leave us without the show there has to be something that can be done.

The Oracle replies:

I checked with management as a few fans had heard similar news and was assured that as far as we are aware the show is going ahead as planned.

February 9, 2010 - submitted by Dan, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, As a guitarist, I'd love to know what kind of microphone Jonny is using to mic his amp. Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

Indeed, the Small one is a Shure sm57 and the big one is a Neumann TLM 103.

February 8, 2010 - submitted by Belinda, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, did you ever notice think that some of Coldplay's b-sides should've been on an LP? They're so good! so why aren't they?

The Oracle replies:

I did notice but isn't that the beauty of b-sides? The band take a lot of time choosing the right songs for their album and they can't put every single one on so they're left with some great songs; makes sense for them to be used somewhere even though some are discarded completely. I love that the flip side of a single (in the old days of vinyl 7") can be every bit as good if not better than the single. It shows how great a band are plus the fan gets an awesome catalogue instead of a throwaway track or live version or even worse, an instrumental version! Oh my, I need a lie down, the memories of yesteryear have come flooding back and they're not all good!

February 8, 2010 - submitted by Sam, New Zealand

Q. Dear Oracle, Don't you think that Guy looks a lot like Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas?

The Oracle replies:

No I don't actually. I think Cesc looks more like Cesc!

February 8, 2010 - submitted by Sarah, Malta

Q. On a scale of 1 to 10 how's your day so far? =)

The Oracle replies:

After a very shaky start - abrupt awakening from nightmare followed by fainting after a blood test (don't think of me as a wimp, apparently it's quite common) - the day picked up somewhat. It's about to get better with a trip to see Un prophète later. Hope you've had a good day...

Pictures of the original Coldplay Parachutes globe by winning auctioneer, NumbersGirl:

Coldplay's forthcoming show at the River Plate Stadium in Argentina is in doubt due to neighbourhood complaints, according to various sources in the Argentinian media. More discussion on this is at the Coldplay forums here and here [thanks cele & chrisprm]

The show, due to take place on 26th February is the first show of the highly anticipated Latin America tour of 2010. Coldplay's concert is not the only show in doubt - Guns n Roses' concert on 20 March may also be affected.

The complaints are not new. The judiciary decision is in response to complaints of the neighbours of the stadium who for several years have been concerned by the noise, the traffic chaos, the rubbish and vibrations from the music and crowd movement during concerts. For that reason, the public prosecutor of the area, Gallant Mario, has displayed a public 'shelter resource' notice and requesting for the closing of River for such events. notice and asked for the closing of River for recitales.

These actions are part of a sequence of judicial decisions and the Buenosairean Government to regulate the concerts in River and the surrounding areas. The closing may be in force until it is proved by environmental study that such concerts do not harm the area and its residents, through landslides and vibrations of the nearby buildings. The failure corresponds to a series of judicial decisions and the Buenosairean Government that is regulating the recitales in the north of the Federal Capital, which includes the recitales in River Plate, the club City of Buenos Aires and the club Gymnastics and Fenc of Buenos Aires (GEBA).

Photos of Coldplay's last stadium concert: Wembley stadium, London (19th September 2009):

Photos by TheAngie

Bookmakers have stopped taking bets on who'll take the Brit for Best Album Of 30 Years after a run of big money on Oasis, report The Sun this morning. They look dead certs to win it for (What's The Story) Morning Glory? - their second album released in 1995.

The band, who split last year, are up against Coldplay, Dido, Dire Straits, Duffy, Keane, Phil Collins, Sade, The Verve and Travis. However, the prospect of Oasis landing the gong has put organisers under pressure in case warring brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher both want to attend. They will have to be seated well apart and you know there's a chance of trouble.

The lads have not spoken since the huge bust-up backstage in Paris in August when Noel quit the band for good. Liam has already shaken things up nicely - slating Florence and The Machine. He said: "I'm not having anyone with ginger hair making music. I can't go down that road. I'm sure she's a nice girl but she sounds like someone has stood on her fucking foot."

You can still vote for Coldplay at this year's Brit Awards via the banners below...

What do you get when you combine Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman, Magne Furuholmen from a-ha, Jonas Bjerre from Mew and producer Martin Terefe? Why, a new supergroup with a Swedish name, of course. Apparatjik, which is a Swedish term for people who create bottlenecks in otherwise efficient organizations (!), first formed to provide music for a BBC show called Amazon Tribe: Songs for Survival.

Apparatjik played their first concert at the WMF Club in Berlin recently, as part of the music and art festival "Club Transmediale". You can see some short videos of the performance here and here at the World of Music forum.

The concert lasted around 40 minutes, with the band members playing inside a specially constructed cube. "This concert is as much an art performance, as a concert", Jonas Bjerre told NRK's Lydverket, which will have a TV-report about the concert next Wednesday. The Berlin concert is the only Apparatjik performance that has been planned. "We would like to continue our collaboration, but if that will result in more music or something completely different, who knows", the band says.

Magne was not the only a-ha member in Berlin that night, as Morten Harket had also come to witness the event. "[This was] refreshing, and even though Magne doesn't really have time to do this right before our own tour starts, I think this is the best preparation he could have done", Morten tells Lydverket. The Apparatjik album was also released last week. It's called We Are Here and can now be purchased as an MP3 album or pre-ordered as a CD/DVD set here.

[thanks SueDeNimes, LittleMissMessy, guyluvsliz, Arantza, romanglass, BerrymanGirl1 & a-ha-live.com]

Apparatjik's first live performance at the WMF Club in Berlin (1st February 2010):

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February 5, 2010 - submitted by Sven, Sweden

Q. Oracle, What is the new for Roadie : My Life With Coldplay by Matt McGinn? Thank You

The Oracle replies:

I'll have more news about dates from the publisher soon but they told me it's all going ahead, so that's good isn't it?

February 5, 2010 - submitted by benjamin, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, Why is Coldplay's Hope for Haiti performance being called A Message 2010? Instead of A Message?

The Oracle replies:

If you listen carefully there are subtle differences to the lyrics as some were rewritten for the occasion. How You See The World is another example of a song being lyrically changed and renamed How You See The World No.2 for War Child.

February 5, 2010 - submitted by Whitney, United States of America

Q. Hey there, Oracle! In the video that Anchorman posted of Chris practicing Halo on the piano for the Haiti telethon, near the end he stops playing and says what sounds like, "Cool, hi B". Was he talking about a note that he hit, or was he saying hi to an off camera Beyonce? (and are they friendly enough that he would call her B?) Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

He wasn't referring to a note "high B". Yes he does know Beyonce well enough to call her B; that's what he was saying.

February 5, 2010 - submitted by Cris, United States of America

Q. Sexy oracle! There's this older man at work I just want to kiss! We've flirted for a couple months now... but I think he's quitting... and I think he might be married :/! What do I do!??

The Oracle replies:

What do you do? You find out if he is married or not and if he is you stay away from him. I hate to appear judgemental and so hope you see this purely as my opinion on such things - since you asked for it... I don't believe there is such a thing as innocent flirting and from experience it usually ends up with someone getting hurt. This man is not available so do not pursue your feelings. I value trust, honesty and loyalty and think that if you do too you will have your self-respect intact no matter what. If it's meant to be it will be but that doesn't mean you have to get involved with anyone who is already involved with someone else. That said seeing as thought you started with "sexy oracle", what you doing later? ;)

February 5, 2010 - submitted by Sara, United Kingdom

Q. Okay, so I really like this guy that is shorter than me but has a fantastic personality. since there is some height difference, and could make it possibly awkward, should I just drop it, or go after him?

The Oracle replies:

Isn't it strange how it doesn't matter at all the other way around? It's expected that the guy will be taller but you know what? If you like this guy, who cares? Go for it, height shouldn't be an issue at all and if anyone has a problem with it, it's exactly that; their problem!

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February 4, 2010 - submitted by Matthew, United Kingdom

Q. What's a great song for inspiring me... suggest something new I'm feeling down!

The Oracle replies:

I can only recommend Brendan Benson's latest album as that's the album that lifts me. I've long been a fan of Brendan's before The Raconteurs but this is one of those albums that stands alone or makes a great link to his previous solo or Raconteurs albums. Seriously, check out his back catalogue you won't be disappointed.

February 4, 2010 - submitted by Benjamin, United States of America

Q. Dear someone who thinks they know everything, have you ever been sky diving?

The Oracle replies:

No, I am a total wuss. I have however done a 500ft indoor zip wire plus abseiling 150ft into The Abyss and a 150ft Parachute Descender. I didn't do the indoor bungee though!

February 2, 2010 - submitted by Sarah, United Kingdom

Q. Hello, was just wondering if u could clear up an argument going on in our house at the mo, was For You ever used in a TV ad and if so which one? Hopefully then I might get some peace and quiet! Thankyou

The Oracle replies:

Peace and quiet? Well that would depend on what you think the answer is because if you're wrong I doubt you'll get any! Drum roll... No, For You was never used in a TV advert. Don't confuse commercials for trailers though as they are completely different.

February 2, 2010 - submitted by Gabriela, Paraguay

Q. Hey Oracle! I guess this is kinda important because there's no going back. The thing is I'm going to the Coldplay concert in Buenos Aires. It says it starts at 7 pm, but Bat for Lashes play first?? I already bought my airplane ticket and I'll be at the apartment HOPEFULLY at 5 pm if there's no delays, do you think I'll make it? I'm super scared!!

The Oracle replies:

If there are no delays you should be fine. There are 2 bands on before Coldplay and so if you get to the venue as quickly yet safely as you can, there's no reason for you to miss it.

February 2, 2010 - submitted by Callum, United Kingdom

Q. Hello oracle, This is my first Question to you and I was hoping you could answer it. My question is When will The Simpsons episode starring Coldplay be broadcast in the UK?

The Oracle replies:

It will air in May but Anchorman will let you nearer the time.

February 2, 2010 - submitted by Madyson, United States of America

Q. I think I am a lesbian but my parents are straight Catholics and I don't know how they would take the news. What do I do?! I don't want to break their hearts but it will drive me crazy if I keep this in any longer. I am 18 and I think they should finally know the truth. I am so scared. What should I do Oracle?!

The Oracle replies:

Having been brought up a Catholic I do understand the dilemma that you face but I have to say that I think the first thing is to work out whether you KNOW you're a lesbian. It's no good just thinking and then putting yourself and your family through the mill if it turns out you're not. So... if you are a lesbian - and for anyone who is having trouble with coming out to their parents - here's what I think. In this life we need to do as best we can whilst staying true to ourselves. Don't drive yourself crazy. You are an adult but you are also their Catholic daughter so choose how you tell them carefully. Give them time to adjust and try to have some patience during that time. I'm sure you will feel a sense of relief when the burden is lifted. It may well be fraught with new difficulties and obstacles to face but at least you won't be living a lie.

The future of EMI, the British record label behind Coldplay, Robbie Williams, Madonna and Lily Allen, was plunged into doubt today when it admitted to making massive losses.

The 113-year-old company slumped to a pre-tax loss of £1.75 billion in the last financial year and is struggling to repay bank loans. Its private equity owner, Terra Firma, has been forced to demand extra money, at least £105 million, from its investors to meet terms of the deal set by lender Citicorp. If it fails to, the US bank could seize control of EMI.

EMI, also home to Kylie Minogue, David Bowie and Katy Perry, has disclosed pre-tax losses of £1.75 billion in annual accounts for the year to 31 March 2009. They were filed by its parent company Maltby Capital today.

Terra Firma, headed by financier Guy Hands, bought EMI for £4.2 billion in 2007. It has been forced to disclose the losses as it prepares to sue Citigroup in a dispute about how much the US bank knew about the state of the record label's finances before the deal. Terra Firma has already had to inject more than £100 million over the past two-and-a-half years as it struggled to meet the bankers' terms. EMI's chief executive Elio Leoni-Sceti is working on a new business plan that will be submitted to Terra Firma investors within weeks.

The losses have been caused mainly by financial write-offs, and the underlying day-to-day performance of EMI has been relatively successful. The accounts showed the group made an operating profit of £293 million. This week EMI has four albums in the US top 10, and an 18 per cent share of the market. Like other record labels it has been fighting a battle against illegal downloading.

Over the past five years the recorded music industry's global revenues have fallen 30 per cent, and in 2009 they dropped by 10 per cent to $15.8 billion. It is estimated that 95 per cent of music downloads worldwide are illegal, according to trade body the IFPI.

EMI has also been weakened by its heavy debt burden following the takeover by Terra Firma. Since the deal it has undergone a dramatic change, with the “rock n roll” culture clashing unhappily with the “suits” from private equity. Insiders and some artists complain Terra Firma has no feel for the “music biz”.

In December 2007 Radiohead quit the label, guitarist Ed O'Brien complaining: “It's been taken over by somebody who's never owned a record company before, and they don't realise what they're dealing with.”

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February 1, 2010 - submitted by Sophia, Spain

Q. Hey Oracle, On the cover of Moby's album Play in the bottom left hand corner someone's holding something up - can you tell me what this is and what it's for? I've always seen it when they make movies etc but no one I've asked knows! Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

It's a camera lighting meter. It's used to work out the correct exposure for the photograph. As you say, it's used in movie making too to measure light levels.

February 1, 2010 - submitted by Mark, United Kingdom

Q. I had the pleasure of seeing the band perform at Sheffield Arena on Sunday 7 December 2008. However, I have forgotten the name of the special support guest that night. I think it was Tiesto - can you please confirm that my memory is still working OK? Thanks. Mark

The Oracle replies:

Although Tiesto is a DJ so the set-up might look the same you are mistaken with the identity of the support. Viva collaborator Jon Hopkins was first on during all the UK shows around that time. FYI: There was a second act after Jon and on that occasion it was Eugene Francis Jnr and the Juniors.

An eBay auction of pop memorabilia from some of Britain's biggest acts has raised around £50,000 ($80,000) so far for survivors of the Haiti earthquake, organizers Oxfam said on Monday. Among the top lots sold so far is Chris Martin's "Viva La Vida" tour jacket, which fetched £9,600, and three pairs of VIP tickets to the Glastonbury festival which raised around £7,000 each.

The Fender Stratocaster guitar played by Alex Turner in the Arctic Monkeys' "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" video made £4,600. The eBay auction total is set to rise significantly, with a Damien Hirst print already bid up to £12,100 and a Rolf Harris oil painting at £7,650.

The auction is one of several initiatives by celebrities to raise funds for Haiti. Last month, MTV hosted a telethon featuring George Clooney and U2's Bono among others, which raised more than $61 million, and the "Hope For Haiti Now" charity album debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. pop chart last week.

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January 29, 2010 - submitted by Katie, United States of America

Q. Hullo dear Oracley, what's up with Guy's signatures on the End of Decade certificates of authenticity? A bit tired there, eh? :)

The Oracle replies:

Ha! I know what you mean, wasn't the clearest one of the bunch was it? That said you are right in fact, Guy was a little tired that day.

January 29, 2010 - submitted by Aimee, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, I've been listening to H4HN's A Message 2010. It's wonderful! I love that the whole band is playing strings. Who's the artist playing the violin? I didn't recognize him on the telecast. Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

It's the same talented guy who collaborated with the band on Viva and Prospekt's March; Davide Rossi.

January 29, 2010 - submitted by Deshani, United Kingdom

Q. I'm still a little confused, is Apparatjik pronounced a-para-teak or apa-rat-chik? Everyone's saying it's the latter. Thank you :)

The Oracle replies:

Yes it seems I was confused too as I made a boo boo. It is in fact the latter as you say. I stand corrected... with a red face.

January 29, 2010 - submitted by Florian, Germany

Q. Dear Oracle, why is Jonny called "Jonny Buckley" in Guitar Hero 5? Thanks, Flo

The Oracle replies:

That's a mistake! Not much the company could do once it was out there but they are aware of it.

January 28, 2010 - submitted by Sean, United States of America

Q. What kind of bass was Guy playing at Hope for Haiti? It looks like a Rickenbacker to me but I can't be sure.

The Oracle replies:

You can be sure now because it was indeed a Rickenbacker.

January 28, 2010 - submitted by Amber, United Kingdom

Q. I'm picking a French name to go by in my French class and I'm wondering....is Nico French?

The Oracle replies:

Nico is not of French origin; it's Greek. Solange is a name that doesn't have a translation so maybe you could go for that one?

January 28, 2010 - submitted by Lara, Germany

Q. Oracle, please help. I'm in tears. My parents have always been a happy couple, and they've never had a fight. Right now I'm listening to them scream and throw things. I'm scared because its really serious. I don't want anything to change. Please tell me something to make me feel better.

The Oracle replies:

I hope I replied soon enough as this came through recently but it's a tough one. You are very lucky not to have experienced this before but... parents argue and sometimes it elevates to screaming and throwing things but if as you say this is the first time, there's a chance it'll all be ok. If this becomes more frequent then you are entitled to sit them down and explain how you feel but remember, this is their relationship and they may not want to discuss it with you. Change is scary but sometimes it's for the best. Try not to worry and have faith that your parents will do right by you and themselves. However to make you feel better I can only suggest you DO something to make yourself feel better. Maybe put on some of your favourite music loud enough for your parents to perhaps see you are drowning them out or with headphones so you can't hear them?

Each year as part of the Grammy Awards tradition, a compilation album featuring the top nominees is released for music fans to savour. This year's 52nd annual edition of the big awards show is now different, as the 2010 Grammy nominees CD features some of the top 2010 Grammy nominated artists in the business.

The 2010 Grammy Nominees CD album features a who's who of top musical acts including Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, Green Day, U2 and Coldplay. It's 20 tracks deep and sure to offer the best of the best in music for avid fans!

The 52nd annual Grammy Awards show will air later tonight - Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 8PM EST on CBS. Last year Coldplay were nominated for seven awards and this year the band make the shortlist again with nods for best rock performance for Life In Technicolor ii, while the same track wins them a nomination for best short form video. Full discussion on tonight's awards ceremony and the nominations is at the Coldplay forum now.

2010 Grammy Nominees CD tracklist:

1. I Gotta Feeling (Edit) The Black Eyed Peas

2. Poker Face Lady Gaga

3. Use Somebody Kings Of Leon

4. You & Me Dave Matthews Band

5. You Belong With Me Taylor Swift

6. Fallin' For You Colbie Caillat

7. You Found Me The Fray

8. Sober (Main Version) P!nk

9. My Life Would Suck Without You Kelly Clarkson

10. Hot N Cold Katy Perry

11. Halo Beyoncé

12. Hometown Glory (Radio Edit) Adele

13. Chicken Fried Zac Brown Band

14. It Happens Sugarland

15. I Run To You Lady Antebellum

16. Here Comes Goodbye Rascal Flatts

17. 21 Guns Green Day

18. Life In Technicolor II (Radio Edit) Coldplay

19. I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight U2

20. Can't Find My Way Home Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood

Having dominated proceedings when the Grammy nominations for 2009 were announced a year ago, British acts are hard to find for next month’s ceremony in Los Angeles. Here's the confirmation from Anchorman about Coldplay's nominations: Good morning. We're pleased to report that, last night, Coldplay were nominated for two awards at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. The Coldplay-shaped puppets have been up all night celebrating. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Jan 31, 2010. The band are shortlisted for the following:

- Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (for Life In Technicolor ii)

- Best Short Form Music Video (for Life In Technicolor ii)

Coldplay at the Grammy Awards 2009:

He's more used to gracing the stage and singing the lyrics to his band's hit track Yellow. But here's a reminder that Chris Martin will be performing in a very different kind of yellow, when he makes a guest appearance on the global phenomena The Simpsons. The official Coldplay site has a new behind-the-scenes video of Chris Martin recording his appearance here and there is also a new video interview with Chris at the Coldplay forum, where he talks about how they came to be in Springfield.

The singer will be playing himself in an episode entitled 'Million Dollar Maybe' due to air on Fox television in the U.S. on Sunday, January 31st. In the episode, Homer Simpson cancels a date with his wife Marge to go and buy a lottery ticket. When he wins a million-dollar jackpot, he is scared how Marge will react when she discovers his reasons for cancelling their date. He decides to keep his newly inherited fortune a secret, and instead spoils his family with 'anonymous' gifts.

But when Bart finds out, he shows Homer how to enjoy spending the money and the pair purchase front-row tickets at a Coldplay concert, where they are close enough to the stage to talk to Chris Martin.

It was announced online back in July that Coldplay (with Chris Martin vocals) had been lined up as special guests on the 20th anniversary episode of The Simpsons. To celebrate the show's 20th season, there was a contest to create a new character for The Simpsons alongside Chris. The winning character is Ricardo Bomba, who is quite the ladies' man. Bomba will be introduced in the episode featuring guest star Chris Martin.

Martin joins a long list of famous musicians who have voiced yellow Simpsons-ized versions of themselves through the years, including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, Sting, Bono, Tom Jones, Linda Ronstadt and Little Richard, among many others.

Coldplay as they will appear in the Simpsons episode, to air on 31st January in the US

After the success of the Hope for Haiti Now telethon, the digital album "Hope for Haiti Now," including live recordings of the night's performances from artists like Christina Aguilera, Coldplay, and Madonna, hit #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with 171,000 copies sold. The album was available for less than two full days when sales were tracked for this week's chart. The album is also the first ever album to hit #1 on the Billboard albums chart on digital sales alone.

Coldplay's "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" is the only other digital album to have sold more copies in one week. It's also the third charity album to hit #1 on the Billboard charts, following 1985's "We Are the World" and 2001's "God Bless America," following the September 11th attacks. The biggest selling track from the album is Justin Timberlake's cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," which is currently #1 on iTunes.

Susan Boyle spends another week at #2 with "I Dreamed a Dream," selling 86,000 copies this week. Following at #3 is Lady Gaga with "The Fame," which sells 62,000 of the combined deluxe version. Rockers Spoon earn their second top 10 debut this week with "Transference" selling 53,000 copies.

The "2010 Grammy Nominees" compilation, which includes music from Kings of Leon, Kelly Clarkson, and U2, lands at #5 and moves 49,000 copies in its first week. It's also the ninth "Grammy Nominees" album to make the top 10 on Billboard. Last week's #1, "Contra" from Vampire Weekend, moves down to #6, selling 43,000 copies.

Pictures of winning auction items in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (bonedaddy):

Apparatjik's as-yet-untitled debut album will be released on the same day as their first ever live performance, 1st February 2010, says the wesbite of producer Martin Terife. According to his official site, martinterefe.com, the latest information is:

"Martin will be in Berlin next week for the international debut of his band Apparatjik. Apparatjik is a music and art project fusing scientific interest and artistic effort and consists of Guy Berryman, Jonas Bjerre, Magne F and Martin. Their debut album is released on the same day as their first show. 01022010. If you want to find out more about it check out: apparatjik.com

Apparatjik (pronounced Apa-rat-chik) is a supergroup that consists of Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman, singer/guitarist Jonas Bjerre of Mew, guitarist/keyboardist Magne Furuholmen from a-ha, and producer Martin Terefe. The band's name literal translation is 'agent of the apparatus'. Apparatjik is the Swedish word for apparatchik, which is a word of Russian origin and is used to describe 'people who cause bureaucratic bottlenecks in otherwise efficient organizations'.

Additionally, Apparatjik will make their very first live performance at next year's Club Transmediale, an annual festival in Berlin, due to take place between 28th January and 7th February 2010.

Inspired by the Bauhaus movement, the 'Bauhaus Bühne', and Lazlo Moholy-Nagy's work 'Light-Space-Modulator' from 1930 in particular, the first ever performance of Apparatjik will take place inside a specially constructed cube at the WMF Club Berlin on Monday, February 1st, 2010. More on the festival is available at the Club Transmediale website now.

More discussion on this debut performance is currently underway at the World Of Music forum here onwards [thanks DISK_CTM]

The official online Club Transmediale festival banner

For Coldplay.com's latest competition announced through the latest edition of The Messenger released this week, they're offering you the chance to win an artist pass from Friday's Haiti telethon, signed by all four members of Coldplay To be in with a chance of winning it simply send your name and address to competitions@coldplay.com before Wednesday February 10th. One entry per person please. (By the way, the winner of the signed Exeter setlist from TCM2.3 was Abi from Colchester, UK.)

In other Messenger news, there is a reminder that recordings from Friday's Hope For Haiti Now TV special - which featured Coldplay's terrific performance of A Message 2010 and Chris playing piano for Beyoncé - are now available from iTunes stores worldwide. Click here to download Coldplay's song or the whole album, with all proceeds going towards the Haiti emergency effort. You can also click here to bid for Chris's Viva jacket, signed by all of Coldplay, in aid of Oxfam's Haiti work.

Also, voting is now open for both of the special 30th anniversary awards which Coldplay are nominated for at this year's Brit Awards. As ever, we'd be really grateful if you'd take the time to vote for the band.

Click here to vote for the Best Brits Performance of 30 Years

Click here to vote for the Best British Album of 30 Years

Pictures of winning auction items in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (bonedaddy):

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1000 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

January 27, 2010 - submitted by Deshani, United Kingdom

Q. Does Guy know he is on the voting list for NME Awards 2010 Hottest Male?

The Oracle replies:

Well I'll be sure to tell him! He's not the only member on the list but thought there'd be quite a few of you who'd want to Vote for Guy. Here's a clip that might have led to his inclusion on the list though we have all of course known for a while about Guy being "the very handsome one" in the band. FYI: That's a quotation from Chris.

January 27, 2010 - submitted by Allegra, United States of America

Q. Hello Oracle. At the end of Coldplay's performance of A Message for Hope for Haiti, Chris pulls off his (awesome) cap and reveals his missing curly locks. Is there a particular significance behind this?

The Oracle replies:

Do you mean a significance of removing his hat or him having no curls?

Either way there wasn't anything behind that gesture other than Chris had a very hot head after the performance! He had his hair cut a while ago so the curls haven't been around lately.

January 27, 2010 - submitted by tom, United Kingdom

Q. Dear O, Good evening.. I can't even believe I am actually writing to you about this, but I have come to a state that most people call ...'desperation'. I am a boy, almost 16 years old and right now quite embarrassed because I am talking about this. So, I think we should get the things right from the beginning. They say that the stories about the greatest disasters in history and also the most incredible things, start with the same phrase. "There was a girl...". And that's also my story's beginning. So... there is a girl. She is my best friend. I've known her for almost 3 years now and she is one of the very few people I am comfortable with. She is beautiful, smart and kind with incredible wit. And... I... think... that I might have some feelings about her. From the very beginning when we first met I really liked her but I did not do anything because we were young and I did not want relationship and stuff. But the past few months or maybe year or even more, I don't remember, I think I 'love' her and I think that she feels quite the same way. The problem is that I don't know exactly how I feel and how she feels and whether I love her... I mean I am only 16!! It is not really love right?? And that is why I don't want to do something with her. Because it will end someday and maybe in a very bad way, and I will lose a best friend. I mean I don't know many relationships from 15 year old kids that lasted for years, but I do know many strong friendships that lasted forever. And on top of everything I am scared! Because I don't have much experience with stuff like this. Maybe I should do something. But I just can't. Maybe because she is my friend or maybe because I do not have the guts. I really don't know. Please help...

The Oracle replies:

Tom I think you are amazing. The trouble with older people like me is that we can sometimes patronize younger people as I am quite possibly about to do without meaning to. You are so wise for your 16 years and how I only wish I could have had those feelings at that age. You are right in a lot of what you say but maybe you don't need to think too hard about some of it just yet. Young love is just as valid as any other kind and again adults can be very dismissive passing it off as a crush or saying it won't last. To be honest the odds are that it won't but that doesn't mean you should avoid it or resist it. I look back at some of the times I thought I was in love and say so easily now that I wasn't but you know what? Maybe (and most likely) I was but because it didn't last, neither did the memory of what it was; maybe it has been distorted. Yes you're at an age where your hormones are all over the place and it's normal to have a crush on your best friend especially if she's a girl but again, this might be the real thing for you so this may be the girl to take a risk on. It could be an emotional rollercoaster but this is how we all start with relationship as it's all a whole new learning curve. Not all failed relationships have to end badly; some don't even hurt that much and you may remain friends. You sound mature enough to talk to this girl about your feelings and if she feels the same, why not take it real slow and don't rush into anything, especially anything physical. You may have all the time in the world but if not, just enjoy the feelings you have for her and however long it lasts look at this as the first of many loves in your life. It's natural to be scared and as you say you have no experience of this sort of thing so look at it this way, you will if you pursue your feelings. Unfortunately I cannot guarantee that any other time you won't feel just as scared because love can do that to you! One last thing because hey, it wouldn't feel right if I didn't say it, if you do start dating don't forget to stay safe. Good luck!

Pictures of winning auction items in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (sabesie):

Alan McGee called yesterday for the Brit Awards to be abolished - and branded this year's nominees "an embarrassment" to music-lovers. The outspoken Scots music mogul unleashed a volley of insults towards artists from Coldplay to Paul McCartney, insisting rockers should retire at 40.

Few of this year's nominees escape McGee's wrath as he casts an eye over the various categories. He is particularly venomous about mega-selling Coldplay, whose A Rush Of Blood To The Head is up for best album of the last 30 years. He said: "Coldplay are a dilution of a dilution of a dilution. Chris Martin makes me want to eat someone else's earwax rather than listen to his records."

And he accused the Brits of being nothing more than a marketing exercise for the big record labels. McGee, 49, said: "I saw the Brit Awards nominations and I mean, God, is it that bad? "They should get rid of the Brits and start again with 20 music journalists who actually care about music getting together, instead of a bunch of self-interested record company people who just vote for their own acts."

Read and discuss the full article at the Coldplay forum now.

Coldplay play at the London studios of the 'Help For Haiti Now' telethon (22nd January 2010):

More questions answered by The Oracle... (over 1000 questions now answered - submit yours now!)

January 26, 2010 - submitted by Zeashan, United States of America

Q. Hey did Chris burn his arm or something? In the Hope for Haiti now photos with Beyonce, he has two red spots on his arm.

The Oracle replies:

No worries, Chris is fine it's only marker pen!

January 26, 2010 - submitted by Andrew, United States of America

Q. Was A Message (2010) for Hope for Haiti Now recorded in the Beehive?

The Oracle replies:

No, the London leg of the fundraising performances took place at the Hospital Studio.

January 25, 2010 - submitted by Mitchell J, United States of America

Q. I recently got the album Viva la Hova (the best music I have ever heard in my entire life) and the song Beach Chair has a tag that says Produced by Coldplay. You said Chris hasn't heard this album. How could Coldplay have produced that song?

The Oracle replies:

Well what you have to remember is Viva la Hova is not an official Jay Z or Coldplay project so the information you have may not be correct depending on where you got the music from. However, Beach Chair is collaboration from Jay's Kingdom Come album and that track was produced with Chris.

January 25, 2010 - submitted by John, United States of America

Q. Is it true Coldplay has their own jet with the Viva logo on it?

The Oracle replies:

No they don't have their own jet. When they charter planes for touring purposes the company do tend to put the album logo on the side so that's what that is.

January 22, 2010 - submitted by Noemie, Belgium

Q. Hello Oracle! I'd like to know if you are nominated for a Brit award ( as a band ) do you have to go to the event? Or can you just stay home? Because I was wondering if Oasis will attend would it be with or without Noel? Thanks in advance mate ! :)

The Oracle replies:

Cynical folk used to think that if you didn't turn up for the show you would have zero chance of winning but that has proved to be false. Anyway, no, you don't HAVE to attend and in light of the Oasis split the brothers certainly wouldn't sit at the same table and I very much doubt they'd agree to accept an award together at the podium!

January 22, 2010 - submitted by Lauren, United States of America

Q. When I try out for American Idol next year, I want to sing a Coldplay song. Which song has the most range and would impress the judges the most? I'm pretty good at singing most of their songs, except Yes that is way too low. Thanks for the help! -Lauren D.

The Oracle replies:

Firstly I would say keep an eye out for X Factor auditions as it was reported that the current season of American Idol is Simon Cowell's last and he will be judging on the American X Factor. Secondly I would choose a song that is known to the judges rather than an obscure album track; that will also be better for the audience at home if you get as far as that process! Lastly, just pick the song that you are most comfortable with from the above criteria that you know you can give the best vocal performance of. Or maybe you could put your own twist on Viva la Vida...

Pictures of winning auction items in the Coldplay end of decade clearout sale (sabesie):

Coldplay performed an unplugged version of "A Message" and duet with Beyonce at the London studios of the Haiti telethon in Covent Garden last night. "A Message" heated up the emotions enough that Chris Martin doffed his hat by the end. Chris returned on piano to accompany Beyonce Knowles, singing "Halo." You can relive the performances via YouTube at the Coldplay forum now, and find new video download links over the next 24 hours at the Multimedia forum here (please note that audio links are not permitted, they are available via iTunes only.)

There were some 50 people in the room - producers, directors, camera operators, lighting techs, publicists, makeup artists, recording engineers, mysterious men in headsets; but you could hear a pin drop. That's not hyperbole, either. Seconds before Beyonce's; and Chris Martin were set to record their version of Beyonce's "Halo," for Friday night's Hope for Haiti Now telethon, and as tension filled the room and the floor producer counted down from 10, someone actually dropped a pin, and it hit the floor with a clatter...

Everyone stopped and looked around for the offending party. They had watched the duo run through the song in rehearsals, had seen Martin bend down close to the piano keys, like a kid in a recital, terrified of screwing up.

To his credit, Martin tried to diffuse the situation, looking up from his piano, joking he was about to have “a Christian Bale moment.” The room laughed nervously, then stiffened again. The floor producer started her countdown once more, Martin looked up at Beyoncé, nodded and asked her, simply, sweetly: “Are you ready?”

Then Martin began playing, his fingers pulling quiet, controlled notes out of the keys. Beyoncé closed her eyes tightly, started singing nearly as quietly as Martin played. Then, over the course of the next three minutes, she let her voice get progressively bigger, until it filled the room — not just with tone, but with real emotion, pain, sorrow and grief. She added “Haiti” to the song’s chorus, bent deep to bring the notes out and, at the end, put her arm on Martin’s shoulder — not just for solidarity, but for support. People in the room — hardened professionals, TV vets, journalists — wept. They cried genuine tears for the people of Haiti. So did Beyoncé. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment — a reminder to everyone in the room of why they chose to do this and of the real power of music, played simply, sung emotionally.

The thing was, there were plenty of moments like that Friday, as some of the biggest stars in the world converged on London’s Hospital Club to show their support to the victims of last week’s Haitian earthquake, to lend a hand to the recovery process and to urge the world to do the same.

There was Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and The Edge, backed by Jay’s band, aided by a full gospel choir, about to perform “Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)” — the song they had recorded in different studios around the globe — together for the first time, with the whole world watching. As Jay spat lines about the sky falling and the earth quaking, you could see the genuine pain in his eyes. When he added the traditional Haitian greeting of “sak pasé” (literally “what’s up”) to the hook, you could tell he didn’t do it to be clever. It was because, as Rihanna would later tell MTV News, he knew people there and had friends who lost loved ones in the wreckage. And as Bono and Rihanna traded verses, there was a tremble in their throats. It wasn’t because of nerves, either.

You could see the heartbreak in Robert Pattinson’s eyes as he read the story of a Haitian girl stuck beneath the rubble for days, and as he spoke, the room got densely quiet. And Coldplay, playing with a pair of acoustics and a winsome violinist, brought real heart and soul to their song “A Message.” When Martin sang, “My song is love,” you believed him.

It was a real once-in-a-lifetime night. And, really, you’d expect nothing less — especially when the stakes are this high, the tragedy this immense, the emotions so powerful. Hopefully you were moved. And hopefully, you helped.

LONDON — In 2002, Chris Martin [pictured] went to Haiti. What he saw there — proud-yet-poor people facing overwhelming odds — has remained with him ever since. And it's made watching the footage streaming out of the earthquake-ravaged nation over the past few days even more difficult.

"I went there to do a project with Fair Trade, so I was on about 15 farms in Haiti, and Port-au-Prince, these places you're seeing on the news," Martin said. "Sometimes when you see things like this on the news, there's an easy disconnect, because you think 'Well, I've never been there, I'm never going there, someone else will sort it out.' But when you've been there, it's a little bit more real."

So, when the organizers of tonight's "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon reached out to Martin and his Coldplay bandmates, they were more than ready to help out.

"When something that terrible and tragic happens, you have to play to your strengths, to do anything you can to help," Martin said. "We're useless on the ground, as it were. So the best thing we can do is what we do. It's the same as if you're a shop assistant: you go on the Internet and donate. Everyone's got their small part to play on this."

Which is why, as Martin and drummer Will Champion went to great lengths to point out, it doesn't matter if you've ever been to Haiti or not. Everyone can relate to the suffering and immense recovery facing the Haitian people. And everyone can do their part to help. "When someone mentions that there's been a disaster or something awful, your mind always downplays how bad it is, and it's not until you actually see images, desperate images, that you can understand," Champion said. "It's terrifying. And then it hits you. I have children, so to see pictures of the children, it's too much. It should be too much for anyone."

You can follow the benefit concert as it happens around the world Coldplay forum now. For more information on the telethon, and to donate, please see www.hopeforhaitinow.org - please give what you can. Thankyou.

Hype ahead of Coldplay's set in collaboration with Davide Rossi (Viva La Viva album collaborator and violinist) is gathering pace after a special message via the official site direct from the London studios. You can follow the benefit concert as it happens around the world Coldplay forum now. Here's Anchorman with the very latest from London:

Good evening. We're writing this from a studio in London, where Coldplay are recording their appearance on tonight's Haiti Now fundraiser (their song - an oldie and a goldie - sounded great in rehearsals, pictured). We wanted to let you know that the show will broadcast live on YouTube at 1am UK time / 8pm New York EST time at this link - www.youtube.com/hopeforhaitinow.

In the US, the two-hour telethon will airon ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, and CMT on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and 7:00 p.m. CT. “Hopefor Haiti Now” will also air on newly added networks including PBS,TNT, Showtime, COMEDY CENTRAL, Bravo, E! Entertainment, National Geographic Channel, Oxygen, G4, CENTRIC, Current TV, Fuse, MLB Network, EPIX, Palladia, SoapNet, Style, Discovery Health, Planet Green, and Canadian networks including CBC Television, CTV, Global Television, and Much Music.

"Hope for Haiti Now" will also air internationally on BET International, CNN International, National Geographic, and MTV Networks International, which is available in 640 million homes worldwide. For more information, or to donate, please see www.hopeforhaitinow.org. Anchorman

MTV has confirmed the lineup for the 'Hope For Haiti Now' earthquake benefit telethon. The event, which is hosted by George Clooney and Wyclef Jean, will be staged in New York City, Los Angeles and London tonight.

All musical performances will be available to purchase on iTunes from January 23, with proceeds donated to the Haiti earthquake relief funds. The two-hour telethon will air on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT on January 22, 2010 at 8pm ET/PT and 7pm CT. In the UK, 'Help For Haiti Now' will air on MTV from 1am on January 23rd. It will also be broadcast on further digital channels and online.

Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Jean, Shakira and Sting will perform in New York, whilst Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift will play in LA, as well as a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. Meanwhile, Coldplay and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna will take place in London.

MTV has confirmed the lineup for the 'Hope For Haiti Now' earthquake benefit telethon. The event, which is hosted by George Clooney and Wyclef Jean, will be staged in New York City, Los Angeles and London tonight. You can follow the benefit concert as it happens around the world Coldplay forum now.

Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Jean, Shakira and Sting will perform in New York, whilst Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift will play in LA, as well as a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. Meanwhile, Coldplay's set in collaboration with Davide Rossi (Viva violinist - see after the jump) and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna will take place in London.

All musical performances will be available to purchase on iTunes from January 23, with proceeds donated to the Haiti earthquake relief funds. The two-hour telethon will air on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT on January 22, 2010 at 8pm ET/PT and 7pm CT. In the UK, 'Help For Haiti Now' will air on MTV from 1am on January 23rd. It will also be broadcast on further digital channels and online.

A star-studded Haiti telethon is to add a UK leg after Rihanna, Jay-Z, Coldplay and Bono agreed to perform in the early hours of tomorrow morning to raise funds for the earthquake-stricken nation. The chart-topping musicians announced they will perform live from London for the transatlantic TV special as the hastily arranged MTV event attracted ever-growing numbers of A-list stars.

Expected to be the most widely viewed telethon in history, Hope For Haiti Now will see Oscar-winning actor George Clooney host the Los Angeles event and the Haitian-born hip-hop star Wyclef Jean present the New York leg. The London anchor is yet to be announced. Launching at 1am (GMT), the telethon will jump between the three cities, taking in performances from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Sting, while the CNN journalist Anderson Cooper reports live from the devastated Caribbean nation. Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, and Sheryl Crow will also sing.

Their performances will then be uploaded to Apple’s iTunes store and sold for $0.99 (61p) to raise funds for the victims of last Tuesday’s earthquake. Bono and Jay-Z are hoping to contribute further to the fundraising effort by marketing a duet about the impoverished nation’s plight. The pair are understood to have already written and produced the track and will give the song its debut, with the help of Rihanna and Bono’s U2 bandmate The Edge, during tomorrow morning’s telethon.

The music mogul Simon Cowell has also announced that he is working on a charity single. The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent judge is expected to use the voices of show winners Leona Lewis and Susan Boyle and his fellow X Factor judge Cheryl Cole on the track. The multi-platinum-selling artist Wyclef Jean has already raised $2 million since the 7.0-magnitude quake struck the capital of Port-au-Prince, killing an estimated 200,000 and leaving as many as 500,000 homeless. The former Fugees rapper, who emigrated from Haiti to the US as a teenager, has been digging bodies from the rubble in his home country while making emotional appeals to the public to donate to his Yele Haiti Foundation.

Almost 40 TV networks have agreed to screen the telethon, while an array of influential websites, including YouTube and MySpace, will stream the event in its entirety. Funds raised will be split evenly among a number of relief organisations, including The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, United Nations World Food Programme Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and the Yele Haiti Foundation.