Here is a selection of some more of the fan reviews and pictures from the second Coldplay concert at GM Place in Vancouver (21st June 2009):

I went by myself last night, but I didn't let that stop me from having a lot of fun. I was on the floor, row 11, seat 8 - right at the corner of the Jonny ramp. So every time Chris or Jonny walked down the ramp, I was able to just step out a bit to take a photo. A few times however, I was tripping over when other people in my row wanted to get to the stage.

I was the tall woman in the blue t-shirt. This time, I arrived just as Howling bells were starting. They did a good job with the energy, considering there were still a lot of empty seats at this point. Then snow patrol - awesome - the guitarist kept smiling at the audience. The people arriving next to me said they just bought their tickets that morning on ticket master. I was having problems with my camera, but got a few good shots.

The security guard near me was very strict about not letting people take videos. I think it was during VivaLaVida when I was within a few feet of Chris. When yellow came on, I was having more fun playing with the balloons than watching the band. When LIT II came on, It was like heaven having all of those butterflies fall on me But I think my favourite parts where when Chris was at the piano. I saw one person getting a set list, so I immediately went over and asked for one too. It is from Winnepeg. What a truly amazing night - set list, butterflies, CD, program, Oxfam flyer, inches away from Chris and Jonny, balloon popping near me - and to make it a perfect night, got home quickly over the new Golden Ears Bridge!! [thanks BCfan]

Just got back right now. Amazing concert. Setlist was same as last nights. We had pretty good seats, but when they came down to the B-stage, we were able to move right up to the stage and stand there so that was pretty cool. I was able to see Chris' beads of sweat all over his face. It was amazing .Got some very good shots of the boys. I think I saw Roadie#42, but he ignored me when I called him. Chris put on a chinese dragon costume during Lovers in Japan and then whipped out the umbrella near the end. All of them seemed very energetic. Guy looked at me for about 5-7 seconds and I nearly fainted. I got a video from about every song. The cell phone wave was really cool. Crowd was really loud. Chris ran straight to his car with his sweaty clothes on and everything. ( the security guard told me ). We were waiting outside for Will and Guy for a long time. I saw them quickly rush to their car while everyone was standing on the opposite side. [thanks Shaftell]

Coldplay at GM Place, Vancouver (20th June 2009):

Pictures by by jelee unleashed @ flickr

Excellent review of Coldplay's shows in Vancouver has emerged online, courtesy of Eat.Sleep.Celebrity:

I took the time to check out the Coldplay concert at GM Place in Vancouver, Canada yesterday and despite what I thought I was getting myself in to I was up for a surprise. The surprise was I actually enjoyed the concert more then I would have expected. The band started the set off with 4 oldies but goodies including every one's favorite song Yellow which during that time giant yellow bouncy balloons where thrown amongst the crowed. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin bursts a giant yellow balloon, then grins as confetti falls over his face.

The sold out crowd at GM Place lets out a roar. Balloons bounce from person to person around the stadium and the sweeping melody of the British megaband’s hit song Yellow, ends after wrapping itself around the audience. I have been though my share of concerts this year and last and all I can say is even if you’re not a fan of the group’s softer edged stadium rock even if you agree clean-living Martin is the so-called “Jesus of Uncool,” as per Rolling Stone just try not to get swept away by their live show.

Immediately, the opening notes to Violet Hill sparked howls from the scream-happy crowd a mixed bag of old, young, hip and square, peppered with plenty of couples holding hands. “If we made it to Vancouver,” Martin sang, to the lilting melody of Violet Hill. “If the rumours about you being the best crowd in the world are true.”

Pause. That’s when he sang to the crowd that of all the cities to choose from on their world tour they had chosen to film Vancouver, Saturday and tonight. Well, you can imagine how the screamers responded. The DVD of there "Final" tour will be the Vancouver concert. I know I will be picking up the copy so I can say to my grandchildren someday "grandpa was there".

Around the gig's halfway mark, the entire band walked through the crowd to a smaller stage perched among the rows in the back of the GM Place high in to the bleachers. There they played the pretty Green Eyes and a laid-back, funny version of Neil Diamond's I'm A Believer. During Believer, they led us through a cellphone wave. “Is everything okay so far?” Martin asked. “I know you had to go through a lot to go to our concert.” He went on to list obstacles the crowd faced, from parking and traffic to missing television. Later, seated alone at a piano situated on a side stage, Martin quipped: “I get to live out my Michael Bolton fantasies.” Then he paused, adding: “Not fantasies about Michael Bolton, you understand.”

He then moved into a stripped down and pretty version of The Hardest Part.

Other highlights of the night included the groove-heavy song, Lost, showcasing the group’s edges. An encore was demanded by the Vancouver audience and the got one, part of the encore was second-last song of the night Scientist which is a personal favorite of mine. During the evening of course they did a nicely ramped up Viva La Vida — the opening chords of last year’s hit so familiar to the audience that two notes in, the crowd lost it.

Martin told the audience Colplay couldn’t ask for a better “supporting cast” in their concert film. He thanked everyone and reminded fans of their live album, LeftRightLeftRightLeft, handed out at the end of the night. (And available to download free for everyone — even if you didn't make the show — on Coldplay.com.)

Conclusion, As for the band members them selves they where just as emotionally involved as the audience Squeaky-clean, yoga-practitioner Chris Martin, 32, the band's vocalist, demonstrated all the emotion and range Coldplay's sensitive, hyper-romantic power balladry demands, while his bandmates -- Jonny Buckland on guitar, Guy Berryman on bass and Will Champion on drums --played with impressive energy and torque performance. All of this was further illuminated by a spectacular laser light show.

Source: eatsleepcelebrity.com

Coldplay at GM Place, Vancouver (20th June 2009):

Pictures by lira8 @flickr

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

June 22, 2009 - submitted by Andrew, United States of America

Q. Oh ever-knowing Oracle, Is it true Coldplay are releasing a Viva La Vida Tour DVD? I heard Chris was talking about it then I heard that Coldplay's Video Manager said that the filming in Vancouver was "for the archive." Oh please answer, Oracle. Thanks a billion -Andrew

The Oracle replies:

It's usual to document the live shows for archive but there are no further plans for the footage as yet.

More of your thoughts on a possible forthcoming DVD release can be found in the Coldplay forum here onwards [thanks The Escapist]

June 22, 2009 - submitted by Mike, United States of America

Q. Oracle, you never answered the question users have asked about why Chicago was filmed and for what. You answered the Question about the Vancouver show pretty quickly though, what gives? Thanks

The Oracle replies:

Hmm, maybe I had a dream about answering, as I am sure I pointed out that you will always see cameras at all the concerts. They have to have some way of getting the images on to the screens for the people at the back to see!

June 22, 2009 - submitted by Kara, Malaysia

Q. Hello, I hope you have a good day. The Bakery was a new building? And how much cost were taken to built it? And how many floor, 3? Is the Bakery like a bungalow house? Hmm..I think I ask you too much but that's all. I hope you can answer it, thank you very much.

The Oracle replies:

Greetings Malaysia. The band didn't build it so no, it wasn't new when they moved in. It was once a real bakery and that's why they refer to it as The Bakery. As you walk in, the ground floor is the studio area. There are stairs leading to the first floor and a spiral staircase up to a mezzanine floor.

June 22, 2009 - submitted by Eva, Israel

Q. Dear Oracle You told Lynn that there is no etiquette at the band's concerts.

I only have a fig-leaf. Is it OK? E V A

The Oracle replies:

Well I didn't want to list unwritten rules about respecting your fellow audience members as I have faith that everyone knows that already. This also answers Siobhain from Australia who asked about standing up in the seated area. That may be a venue rule rather than obscuring the view of the person behind. Some people want to stand and dance and some don't. Trying to compromise would be a good idea. There's usually some standard rules printed on the back of the ticket or on the venues' websites. I would hope people don't need me to tell them how not to behave, hence me telling Lynn to let her hair down and have fun. Wearing a fig leaf is probably breaching some indecency laws so clothes are the best option!

June 19, 2009 - submitted by Rie, Japan

Q. Dear Oracle, It has been a hectic week and I am exhausted. Please, please say something funny that makes my day. Thank you!

The Oracle replies:

I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, "Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?" To which I replied, "If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?" He smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."

June 19, 2009 - submitted by Lynn, United States of America

Q. What should one expect at a Coldplay concert? Lighting of the candles? Replay of song lyrics by the audience? ??? Dancing in the aisles? What? Obviously I'm a newbie!!!

The Oracle replies:

July 13th right? I hope this means you've now found someone to go with Lynn! You can expect a fantastic show, great lights, visuals, balloons and butterflies. There'll be singing and dancing for sure. Hopefully no candles as that would be a health and safety issue. There's no official gig etiquette, you just let your hair down and enjoy yourself.

June 19, 2009 - submitted by Angela, United Kingdom

Q. I was watching an episode of the BBC tv series The Tudors the other day on dvd. One of the characters who is a good friend of Henry the King, but I can't find his real name or character name, is a double for Chris, and this guy gets up to all sorts! Then again maybe he's not a double, maybe Chris took some time out to do a bit of acting!

The Oracle replies:

This will hopefully help you find the actor but I assure you it isn't Chris!

Coldplay at GM Place, Vancouver (20th June 2009):

Pictures by lira8 @flickr

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

June 11, 2009 - submitted by Anggita, Indonesia

Q. Dear, my lovely Oracle. I read that it took a month for Chris Martin to learn how to sang backward for The Scientist video. So here's my question. What does the "backward" means? Well, my sister and I has been argue about these for a few days and its start to annoying me. She said that Chris only need to read the syllable backward when I said he need to read the lyric backward for every single letter. Example: no-bo-dy = dy-bo-no (her opinion) n-o-b-o-d-y = y-d-o-b-o-n (mine)

Which one of us is right and please give the explanation also cos we both really need to know before we start to kill each other because of this. Huge thanks and love for you. Salam

The Oracle replies:

You're more right than your friend who didn't actually change the order of letters in the above case. When you say/sing anything backwards it still has to be phonetically the same but broken down into new syllables of sorts. When you play the reversed version backwards it has to sound as the forward version does. That would only work if reversed in the correct sequence: no-bod-y would be y-dob-on (but the no would be pronounced as oan).

June 11, 2009 - submitted by Janet, Mexico

Q. Oooh dear Oracle! can you tell me which songs are the best to make the love with my boyfriend and made it unforgiven? Thanks

The Oracle replies:

You mean unforgettable rather than unforgiven...I'm not entirely sure it's appropriate to recommend any songs, as that's a very intimate, personal part of your life. I can think of plenty but think it may be best for you to find your own!

June 11, 2009 - submitted by Cody, United States of America

Q. Guten Tag Frau oder Herr Oracle, I was wondering if Coldplay's fifth album would contain all new material, or withhold tracks previously unheard like Famous Old Painters, Lukas, or Blasphemy? I don't know whether or not this question has been answered, and if so please tell me so. Haha Wie immer ein riesiger Fan von Coldplay, Cody P.S. The Boys were terrific in ATL

The Oracle replies:

It's not very usual for such old tracks to appear as new material. As ideas develop for a new album, many tracks are discarded. In My Place is a rare exception. That song was played on the Parachutes tour and survived demo and recording sessions to end up on A Rush of Blood. Other songs that had been considered initially were either used as b-sides to singles or abandoned completely.

Leona Lewis has reportedly found inspiration for her second album by listening to Coldplay. The singer, who has been recording the follow-up to Spirit in Los Angeles, is said to have been drawn to a soft-rock sound after the success of 'Run'. Last year, the 'Bleeding Love' singer admitted that she was eager to record a duet with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in the future.

"Leona was really happy with the success of her cover of Snow Patrol's 'Run', so she thought it logical to try her hand at a more rock-based sound," a source told The Sun. "She's a huge Coldplay fan and their influence is strong on a number of demos."

Meanwhile, Pet Shop Boys played a hit-packed set in London this past weekend (June 19) that saw them cover Coldplay. The band had a surprise up their sleeves towards the encore. 'Domino Dancing' morphed into a club mix, with Neil Tennant leaving the stage then returning wearing a crown and cloak, with the duo playing a disco version of Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida'.

It was not the first time the duo have subverted a mainstream rock standard, having covered U2's 'Where The Streets Have No Name' in 1991.

Coldplay at GM Place, Vancouver (20th June 2009):

Pictures by lira8 @flickr

Coldplay's Viva La Vida tour continued in Canada last night as they played at General Motors Place, Vancouver, Canada in the second of two consecutive nights. Once again the big announcement from tonight's concert is that Chris Martin told the crowd that Coldplay is shooting the Vancouver concerts for a live DVD release. However, malcolm42 tweeted that they were informed by video manager that filming for archives not a DVD or video. No changes to the normal setlist.

[discussion] [photos] [videos] [wiki reviews/setlist] (updated over the next 24-48 hours)

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow

Glass Of Water

Cemeteries Of London

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris piano)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Green Eyes (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - acoustic)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

Picture by mcourchesne

Just got back. Chris mentioned specifically that the filming was for a concert DVD several times tonight, last night I wasn't so sure I heard the word 'DVD' but tonight I definitely did. Who knows if it's for release or not. It could be that they don't want to announce a DVD that will be for purchase in the future? Or perhaps it really is just something for the bunch of them to watch in the future. But, he definitely called it a concert DVD whether that means it will be released...who knows. Another fantastic show, I'm just terribly sad now that it's all over. Back to reality...*sigh* The energy in the floor area looked amazing, so good job folks seated there. My row in 106 were a bunch of fuckin' lamos though(not all of 106). They didn't know songs other than the hits, and even sat down INBETWEEN songs. So, they had to be CONVINCED to stand again, ugh. Most of the time they did end up standing again, but it was irritating to watch. One guy near me kept getting up and leaving and coming back to do I don't know what, since he never came back with anything (beer, food, etc). Having him walk infront of me constantly while I was into some moment and having a blast was just irritating. But other than the few lame people who were around me the crowd looked energetic like last night, and maybe even more so in certain parts. [thanks Krystyna]

Just got back. Best Concert of my life! Me and the girlfriend decided to go early. She was pouting before the Howling Bells, jokingly of course! Then a guy in a Viva Golf shirt comes up and talks to us. Gives her a Viva La Vida pick. I talked to him, I asked if he was Roadie 42 and he said no. He then told us he was the video manager, his name was Andy! Said they were just filming for Archives, but Chris said a lot that they were filming for a DVD. I asked him if Phil was here and unfortunately he went home a day ago.So we sit through Howling Bells and afterward I look over, and Andy is on his way, says "Chris just sent me with these. His thanks to you guys for being such great fans have fun!" He handed us two tickets Row 4 right on Jonnys ramp! Life could not get any better. Then Coldplay come on. Blast through there set which was better then Last night, better audience! A few point i am inches from Martin and Jonny. All night though they just ignored us fans at the side. Until Lovers In Japan, having fun with the butterflies then Chris gets his good old Parisol, dances with it and when he is done, looks right at me smiles hands it to me! I turn and give it to my girlfriend, every girl just started screaming. She was so happy! To top it all off, the security guard gave me a setlist. Its a photocopy from Winnipeg, and really worn, but I got everything I could ever hope for. Coldplaying karma does pay off. This has been the best experience of my life! [thanks Malcolm-Edge]

More on this concert including reviews, videos, pictures and tweets here onwards.

Coldplay's Viva La Vida tour continued through Canada last night as they played at General Motors Place, Vancouver, Canada in the first of two consecutive nights. Surprisingly, no tweets from either Guy Berryman or Roadie #42. However the big news from tonight's concert is that Chris Martin announced that Coldplay is shooting the Vancouver concerts for a live DVD release. No changes to the normal setlist.

[discussion] [photos] [videos] [wiki reviews/setlist] (updated over the next 24-48 hours)

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow

Glass Of Water

Cemeteries Of London

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris piano)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Green Eyes (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - acoustic)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

Picture by alexis_barrie

HOLY SHIT, just got home, that was freaking AMAZING! Never have I seen a Vancouver crowd so enthusiastic and into the show!! Chris had the crowd in the palm of his hand. EVERYONE stood up for the entire show, there was tons of cheering and singing. My boyfriend, who isn't really a fan of their recorded music had tons of fun and said that the show was so much more lively than he expected from a Coldplay show. And oh boy was it ever lively!! I'm just so impressed and SO glad I get to see them again tomorrow!! For whoever said Chris had scary clown hair - I thought he looked delicious. LOL. Sadly, you wont see any pics from me, since as it turns out, my camera is a total peice of crap or I accidentally messed up the settings on it. Even when the lights were up I couldnt get an in focus picture of myself. There were a few references to the filming, saying of all the places where they could film a concert, they decided to pick Canada again ... so who knows what it'll be for, but it seemed the way he was talking it would be released. I'm not sure where they were handing out the free CD's but me and my bf didn't get one... how were those handed out? we saw people holding them, but never saw anyone giving any out! Oh well, hopefully I can get one tomorrow! Oh and I think someone mentioned, but the dancing roadie, is freakin brilliant. He got everyone laughing and cheering and pumped up for the show. During the classical peice that came next, people were dancing ballet-style, gesturing like they were in an orchestra, etc, really letting loose, not worried about looking silly at all. Too often I get the feeling during shows in Vancouver that the crowd is just too self conscious to participate and let loose. Not here at all, and I think some of the credit goes to the fabulous break dancing skills of that sexy roadie. [thanks Krystyna]

Just got back. They did film, but they used some new type of filming. There were no cranes tonight they had remote cameras in the light racks and also remote ones at the side. I did see full cameras on the floor too. Vancouver makes perfect sense. Most bands film both Vancouver and Chicago, and release one. U2 chose Chicago. GM Place is a big small venue. Near perfect sound with Coldplays high tech equipment. They won't film Wembley for a release, simply cause of Jay-Z. I had amazing seats! Row 1 section 324, Side Stage amazing view. It was the most energy I've ever felt GM Place have. Louder then the Police Reunion, louder then U2. Snow Patrol kicked ass, best opener ever. Most of the audience came to watch them and everyone was standing! Exact same setlist. I loved it though, I thought I would be disappointed, but I wasnt. Chris had fun with the crowd tonight. Told the crowd right at the end of Violet Hill "What if I told you we are filming the next two nights" then rocked into Clocks. He mentioned it again before the Hardest Part "of the 90 countries we could have filmed in, we chose Canada." I did not see signs posted outside of the venue informing of filming. I will look tomorrow. I;ll post a detailed review of both shows Monday though. Quite easily the best concert Ive ever been to in my life! [thanks Malcolm-Edge]

More on this concert including reviews, videos, pictures and tweets here onwards.

Coldplay at General Motors Place, Vancouver (20th June 2009):

Pictures: Vancouver Sun

Flaming Lips and Bat For Lashes are just two groups who join a stellar cast as support acts for Coldplay for the upcoming European stadium tour. Here's Anchorman with full details:

Good morning. We're very pleased to announce the stellar roster of opening acts who'll be joining Coldplay for their European stadium dates this summer. As well as the previously-announced Jay-Z, Girls Aloud and White Lies, the band will also be supported by Flaming Lips, Bat For Lashes, Datarock, Killians, Howling Bells, Ministri, The Sunday Drivers, Moi Caprice, Miss Montreal and Pegasus.

The full support bills for the band's 17 European dates across 12 countries are as follows...

AUGUST

16: Herning, MCN Arena (White Lies & Moi Caprice)

19: Bergen, Koengen (White Lies & Datarock)

22: Stockholm, Olympic Stadium (White Lies)

25: Hannover, Hannover Stadium (White Lies & Killians)

27: Dusseldorf, LTU Arena (Howling Bells & Killians)

29: Munich, Reistadiun Rien (Howling Bells & Killians)

31: Udine, Stadio Friuli (White Lies & Ministri)

SEPTEMBER

2: Bern, Stade de Suisse (Howling Bells & Pegasus)

4: Barcelona, Estadi Olimpic (Flaming Lips & The Sunday Drivers)

7: Paris, Parc de Princes (Flaming Lips & Bat For Lashes)

9: Nijmegen, Goffertpark (Flaming Lips & Bat For Lashes)

10: Nijmegen, Goffertpark (White Lies & Miss Montreal)

12: Manchester, Lancs Cricket Ground (Jay-Z & White Lies)

14: Dublin, Pheonix Park (White Lies & TBA)

16: Glasgow, Hampden Park (Jay-Z & White Lies)

18: Wembley Stadium (Jay-Z, Girls Aloud & White Lies)

19: Wembley Stadium (Jay-Z, Girls Aloud & White Lies)

Coldplay's Viva La Vida tour continued through Canada last night as they played at the Rexall Place, Edmonton, Canada. Guy posted a picture of some clouds before the show which you can view after the jump (if you so wish!). No changes to the normal setlist.

[discussion] [photos] [videos] [wiki reviews/setlist] (updated over the next 24-48 hours)

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow

Glass Of Water

Cemeteries Of London

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris piano)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Green Eyes (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - acoustic)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

Picture by burgessjackie

Review excerpts to follow...

More on this concert including reviews, videos, pictures and tweets here onwards.

Tweets:

Sorry, been offline for a while...anyway, here's some clouds...Guy

CALGARY - When Coldplay released its debut album Parachutes in 2000, critics shrugged the band off as yet another poor man's U2. Even with the ridiculously huge sales of its 2002 follow-up A Rush of Blood to the Head, Coldplay was derided by many as wussy pop music for girls, writes the Calgary Sun.

But almost a decade after its breakthrough, the British four-piece has proven itself as a credible U2 contemporary. In fact, with its fourth and latest release, Viva La Vida, the group inches even closer to snatching the biggest band in the world crown away from the Irish legends.

Last night at the Saddledome, Chris Martin and Co. proved they are worthy successors to that crown with a spectacular two-hour show. Coldplay has been blasted for being boring and pompous. But that certainly wasn't the impression the 14,000-strong audience got as the group tore through their biggest hits and more memorable album tracks. Confident? Yes. Pompous? Definitely not.

The live version of Coldplay isn't altogether different from the recorded one, but there is a distinctively muscular quality about the band in a concert setting that is often missing from its albums. Guitarist Jonny Buckland's already beefy hooks sounded absolutely massive and surprisingly aggressive while drummer Will Champion pounded the skins with rhythmic ferocity.

Bassist Guy Berryman kept the band grounded with his seamless bass playing and singer Martin lifted them up with his emotive melodies and towering falsetto. Coldplay's sonic intensity was matched by a playful demeanour. Martin can sometimes come across as pretentious and ill-humoured, particularly when confronted by unwanted media. But last night, the singer was charming, funny and genial.

The concert wouldn't have been nearly as good if Martin didn't put his entire body and soul into it. Clad in a sort of hand-made Les Mis revolutionary military jacket and black pants, Martin made his hard work look effortless, regularly switching from sensitive piano man to all-out strutting rock star.

There were several sublime moments during Coldplay's gig but an early highlight was the fiery Viva La Vida single Violet Hill, which kicked off the evening with a bang. Nothing beats a good sing-along chorus and Coldplay doesn't disappoint. When they weren't cheering, Coldplay's legion of fans piped up to join Martin during In My Place, Fix You and Yellow among many others.

The concert was a long time coming for local fans as Coldplay postponed its original Calgary date more than a year ago citing production problems. Whether that was the real reason behind rescheduling the concert, who knows. It doesn't matter now because the show's production quality was simply fantastic.

A huge coloured ball hung from the rafters near the back of the 'Dome, projecting images from the stage and a spectacular laser show was unleashed during the band's Grammy-winning song, Clocks. With all its artsy flourishes, passionate lyricism and subtle arrangements, Coldplay proves arena rock can be a sophisticated affair. The same attention Coldplay gives to its live performance is also given to its opening bands. You couldn't have asked for two better, or more fitting, support acts than Howling Bells and Snow Patrol.

Howling Bells were first up and even though the venue wasn't even half full yet, singer Juanita Stein worked the stage as if she was in front of 50,000 people. Her sweet vocals were reminiscent of Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval if she had smoked and drank since the age of 15. The Australian group's hypnotic and atmospheric tunes brought back memories of English shoegazing bands such as Curve and to a lesser extent My Bloody Valentine.

Snow Patrol has also had a tough time gaining critical respect. Sure, the band has written its fair share of sappy rock ballads -- Chasing Cars and Run come to mind -- but last night the Belfast band showed it could give Coldplay a serious run for its money. Like Coldplay, Snow Patrol is louder and more dynamic on stage than on CD and they were in top form last night. In many ways Snow Patrol was just as entertaining as Coldplay. Nathan Connolly's soaring guitar riffs filled the venue while singer Gary Lightbody filled the stage with his flailing body parts and enormous charisma.

Source: calgarysun.com

Coldplay at Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, Canada (17th June 2009):

Pictures: steamen genius

Coldplay-shaped puppets in Calgary:

LONDON: Amazon has been left ruing the cost of a pricing malfunction that allowed consumers to buy album downloads for 29p.

About 30 albums, normally priced around £7.99, were on offer for 29p for four hours last night. It is believed the sales resulting from the malfunction could affect the charts after bloggers and tech sites alerted consumers to the low prices.

T3 informed its readers of what it described as a "major pricing cockup". It added: "Over 30 albums from artists including Metallica, MGMT, Abba, Coldplay, Madness, Fleetwood Mac, Placebo, Bruce Springsteen, Massive Attack and a load more are now selling on the store for just 29p each."

In response, Amazon insisted the number of albums sold during the four-hour period was small but refused to go into details about how the glitch occurred. However, coincidentally Amazon ran a promotion earlier this year offering tracks for 29p each.

Separately Amazon has announced it is releasing the source code for its e-book reader the Kindle DX. The move opens the way for iPhone-style applications released by third-party software developers. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said he plans to split the e-book part of the business into software and hardware divisions. This will allow Amazon to continue developing ebooks for other hardware.

Meanwhile a reminder that Coldplay will be playing at Capitol Studios in Hollywood on 19th July it has been revealed by Amazon, who are holding a competition (until 2nd July) to win two VIP tickets, accommodation and travel expenses to the exclusive session (US entrants only). This session comes the same day as Coldplay play at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, CA that evening. To enter click here and for full official rules click here. So, the grand prize winner will receive:

A trip for Winner and guest to Coldplay Capitol Records Studio Performance in Hollywood, CA. Trip includes round trip coach airfare from a major airport near Winner’s residence for Winner and one guest to Hollywood, CA (approximate retail value $1,900.00); ground transportation to and from the airport and hotel (approximate retail value $200.00); two (2) nights standard hotel accommodations (one room, double occupancy) (approximate retail value $600.00); (2) two reserved spots for a Coldplay Performance in the Capitol Records Studio in Hollywood, CA on July 19, 2009; and ground transportation to and from the concert and hotel (approximate retail value $150.00). The total approximate retail value (ARV) for this sweepstakes is $2,850.00.

Have you entered? Full discussion on this new date and the competition is at the Coldplay forum here onwards. Good luck!

Coldplay's Viva La Vida tour continued through Canada last night as they played at the Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, Canada, Jonny Buckland's 'second home'. Roadie #42 posted several pictures/tweets before, during and after the show which you can view after the jump. The setlist remained largely the same as previous nights.

[discussion] [photos] [videos] [wiki reviews/setlist] (updated over the next 24-48 hours)

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow

Glass Of Water

Cemeteries Of London

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris piano)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Green Eyes (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - acoustic)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

It was S-I-C-K. I'm hooked. It was the hottest, most fabulous concert I have ever been too. The band was genuine and gracious and full of energy. I did not stop jumping around. I was 3 rows back from Stage left catwalk and had a wicked view. Listening to the free live CD right now. I'll be on a Coldplay high for a least a week. [thanks Ang]

More on this concert including reviews, videos, pictures and tweets here onwards.

Tweets:

Pretty safe to say they won't be coming back on for another. R#42.

A sweaty drummer before the encores. R#42.

And here they are on the C-stage. R#42

Bit of B-Stage action for y'all. R#42

Showtime in ten minutes. What have I forgotten? R#42

A man has been arrested in connection with a robbery last Friday at Wells Fargo Arena and two other hold-ups. Darnell Ramey, 24, is charged with three counts of first-degree robbery and a probation violation. He's being held in the Polk County Jail on $125,000 bond. [thanks @bfreese]

Police reported last week that two unidentified men who appeared to be wearing concession-worker work clothes robbed Wells Fargo Arena concession employees at gunpoint. The Des Moines arena was staging a concert by rock band Coldplay. Witnesses told police one of the men worked a different concession stand earlier in the evening. No arrests were made after the men left the area with an undisclosed amount of cash. Ramey was booked in at the Polk County Jail Tuesday night, according to jail records.

Witnesses said the men, wearing clothes labeled with the name of Wells Fargo concession company Ovations Food Service approached workers at a concession stand about 9:30 p.m. One pulled a small-caliber handgun and pointed it at workers.

He demanded money, which he put in a backpack. The robbers left through side door of the arena. Police said Ramey also is charged with a pair of convenience store hold-ups.

The felon: Darnell Ramey is charged with three counts of robbery:

Coldplay at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA (12th June 2009)

Pictures: desmoinesregister.com

Hello world! I’m writing this as I look over the view in my room of a very quaint Calgary, Alberta in Canada. We crossed the border into Canada on a 16-hour bus ride a few days ago after a string of amazing shows in San Antonio, Des Moines, and Omaha. The ride was the much-needed opportunity for my bus-mates and I to lounge in our pajamas all day and watch television. It also marked the end of the first leg of the US portion of the tour. I bet you’re wondering how Oxfam America did in terms of sign-ups…

Well, I work very hard to resist the impulse to follow our sign-up numbers because they are never a measure of success for me. Team sizes, weather, and venue type/capacity almost always factor into the total number of sign-ups. Also, the goal of Oxfam’s being on tour with Coldplay is to use the access to millions of people all over the world that the tour provides us in order to have conversations with people about how they can fight poverty at the local, national, and global level.

Read the full blog entry with pictures at the Oxfam Blog website here onwards.

For Coldplay's Jonny Buckland, the future is unwritten. "If we achieved all our goals, we might as well hang it up," he says. So Coldplay keeps striving, looking past one accomplishment to the next one, whatever that might be, writes canada.com.

Since the quartet of Buckland, Chris Martin, Guy Berryman and Will Champion formed in London in 1998, it has sold more than 50 million albums, won numerous Grammy and Brit Awards, and had its latest album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, named the most downloaded record in history. There aren't many goals left, except musical ones. That's still comparatively uncharted territory for a band as ambitious and apparently as broad-minded as Coldplay.

"We wanted to incorporate as many ideas as we could," notes Buckland of Viva La Vida. "In some ways, we did. At the same time, we didn't break free from ourself. We only knew that we wanted to do something different."

Almost a year after the album's release, the guitarist still is having trouble assessing it. "I don't think I have that objectivity, to tell you the truth. I'm not objective about any of our albums."

If Buckland seems reserved, it might be because Viva La Vida appears loftier on paper than it sounds on record. The album was intended to mash together a bunch of contemporary musical styles and production touches, including hip hop. Helping Coldplay to make all of this coherent on a few tracks was Brian Eno, who has done the same for U2, to which Coldplay often is compared. "They have a more objective view than you do," is Buckland's opinion of the role of producer. "You bring in a producer to help you sift through ideas."

Eno produced a much more dense sounding Coldplay and at the same time broadened its scope. However, the album is a ground-rule double rather than a home run. There is a feeling that Coldplay's reach exceeds its grasp, and that keeps Buckland and the band going. It's always been that way. The first album, Parachutes, was pleasant enough but hardly a portent of the future. Second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, was a giant leap forward that included the Grammy winning song "Clocks" and sent the band on its way. Third album, X and Y, consolidated Coldplay's success and was 2005's bestselling LP.

Viva La Vida was supposed to be another giant leap but it is more an untying of the straightjacket, which would have grown tighter if Coldplay had made another X and Y. Through it all, Buckland and his mates have continued to push and challenge each other, once in a while examining their role within the band, often swapping instruments in rehearsal to experience the strange or unfamiliar.

"I've got more into keyboards, soundscapes and such," he explains. "What changes from day to day is that you can be the peacemaker one day, the arguer the next. You have to work in ways to surprise each other," Buckland continues. "I think it's really important to do that, to expand your palette. It would be really dull for us, otherwise."

Thus, there is no looking back. Though Coldplay has many imitators, Buckland can't say there is a Coldplay signature. "No!" he says. "There's maybe a couple of songs where you say, 'That was Coldplay.' We want to get on to the next thing."

Coldplay's Canadian tour dates include:

June 17 -- Calgary (Pengrowth Saddledome)

June 18 -- Edmonton (Rexall Place)

June 20-21 -- Vancouver (GM Place)

July 30 -- Toronto (Rogers Centre)

Aug. 1 -- Montreal (Osheaga Festival, Parc Jean Drapeau)

Coldplay at the MTS Centre, Winnipeg (15th June 2009):

Pictures by jiggajayd @ Flickr

Coldplay will be playing at Capitol Studios in Hollywood on 19th July it has been revealed by Amazon, who are holding a competition (until 2nd July) to win two VIP tickets, accommodation and travel expenses to the exclusive session (US entrants only). This session comes the same day as Coldplay play at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, CA that evening. To enter click here and for full official rules click here. So, the grand prize winner will receive:

A trip for Winner and guest to Coldplay Capitol Records Studio Performance in Hollywood, CA. Trip includes round trip coach airfare from a major airport near Winner’s residence for Winner and one guest to Hollywood, CA (approximate retail value $1,900.00); ground transportation to and from the airport and hotel (approximate retail value $200.00); two (2) nights standard hotel accommodations (one room, double occupancy) (approximate retail value $600.00); (2) two reserved spots for a Coldplay Performance in the Capitol Records Studio in Hollywood, CA on July 19, 2009; and ground transportation to and from the concert and hotel (approximate retail value $150.00). The total approximate retail value (ARV) for this sweepstakes is $2,850.00.

Have you entered? Full discussion on this new date and the competition is at the Coldplay forum here onwards. Good luck!

Meanwhile, there is a new Coldplay video interview online with Will Champion at Des Moines, Glastra is asking the questions! Watch it here

Coldplay at the MTS Centre, Winnipeg (15th June 2009):

Pictures by jiggajayd @ Flickr

Coldplay's Viva La Vida tour continued in Canada last night as they played at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg. Earlier in the day, the pictures of the Coldplay-shaped puppets were shown in Chicago - you can see the pictures after the jump. The setlist remained largely the same as previous nights.

[discussion] [photos] [videos] [wiki reviews/setlist] (updated over the next 24-48 hours)

Setlist: [thanks talkshowhost]

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow

Glass Of Water

Cemeteries Of London

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris piano)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Green Eyes (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - acoustic)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

Oh my god. Coldplay, in Winnipeg. It finally happened! Whoa. Awesome show, loved when they went to the back of the crowd and sang songs. The stage/set/fun stuff/confetti/ yellow balloons/ hanging globes/ and strobe lights - incredible. I loose my breathe thinking about the show - Chris Johnny Will Guy - all in Winnipeg - and I was there! Also - did anyone catch that guy synchronizing cheers at the very beginning? Typical Winnipegger in a crowd of people. (It was after the break dancing stage hand, but before the show) [thanks lucky]

More on this concert including reviews, videos, pictures and tweets here onwards.

Coldplay puppets in Chicago, posted 15th June 2009:

Friday night, ONE volunteers in Des Moines joined Oxfam at a Coldplay concert to create lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice around the world, writes one.org. Volunteers talked to over 1,000 people to encourage them to tell President Obama the make a fair deal when the global climate conference occurs in December.

Natural disasters are known to hit the poorest populations the hardest, but this can be prevented by building stronger foundations and infrastructure. ONE members gave the volunteer coordinator for Oxfam on the Coldplay tour, Soha Yassine, a ONE pin that she now always wears with her backstage pass. The partnership shows that when we come together to raise awareness we can truly help the world’s poorest people.

-Abbey Moffitt, ONE Member

Coldplay's Viva La Vida tour continued on last night as they played at the Qwest Center, Omaha, NE. Guy posted another on-stage picture on Twitter of Chris Martin during the show... how many of you who went saw him taking it? The setlist remained largely the same as previous nights.

[discussion] [photos] [videos] [wiki reviews/setlist] (updated over the next 24-48 hours)

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow

Glass Of Water

Cemeteries Of London

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris piano)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Green Eyes (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - acoustic)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

Picture by Coldplay @ Twitter (Here's Chris with the Great Choir of Omaha. - Guy.)

More on this concert including reviews, videos, pictures and tweets here onwards.

This was the second time I saw them. It was the time of my life. They came in 2006 to the Quest center but kept saying it was their first time here. I was screaming the lyrics out so I am horse today. I can finally rest peacfully. I had been waiting for this since January. I cannot say enough about the band what great gentlemen and charming as hell. With Oxfam in arm the truly will change the world. Love, Peace and Harmony Tiffany D [thanks Biffers11]

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

June 12, 2009 - submitted by Julie, United States of America

Q. Dear all-knowing Oracle, I heard a rumor that The Scientist by Coldplay (obviously) was going to be on the New Moon soundtrack. Is this true? Peace, luv, Julie <3

The Oracle replies:

It's very likely that a Coldplay song will end up on the soundtrack to the Twilight sequel given that Stephenie Meyer has credited Coldplay, amongst others, on the inner sleeve for "being instrumental in staving off the writer's block".

June 12, 2009 - submitted by julie, United States of America

Q. During the live version of Clocks on LEFTRIGHTLEFTRIGHTLEFT, Chris is heard repeating a phrase over and over after the verse "nothing else compares". Can you tell us what he is singing?

The Oracle replies:

"Home, home, where I wanted to go".

June 12, 2009 - submitted by Stefan, Germany

Q. Dear Oracle, I just found out that the Lovers in Japan video will be shown for the first time tonight on German TV. Will only the video be released or will it also be released as a single? Kind regards Stefan

The Oracle replies:

Back in November we showed the video here so it would seem there's no specific reason that German TV is airing it tonight.

Coldplay's Viva La Vida tour continued on last night as they played at the Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA. Chris Martin made several tributes to Des Moines throughout the show as this was the first time they had played here. Guy posted a picture of himself on Twitter just two minutes before the start of the show - which you can view after the jump. The setlist remained largely the same as previous nights.

[discussion] [photos] [videos] [wiki reviews/setlist] (updated over the next 24-48 hours)

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow

Glass Of Water

Cemeteries Of London

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris piano)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Green Eyes (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - acoustic)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

Picture by iowaradioguy

Hey guys, show just got over. Amazing show! I was really skeptical about an Iowan crowd but they were really into it! Snow Patrol was awesome as well. Howling Bells were pretty good. Got Guy's setlist. (Actually got two but felt greedy and gave one away) Same as all the nights before, although they added more than one tritube to Des Moines throughout the show ( I think they felt guilty for never playing here before). [thanks bearcat1229]

i was there tonight, and Coldplay totally rocked it. I was all the way back in the 200 sections, but it was still by far the best concert i've ever been to. They sounded fantastic live, and really really got into it with the audience. I was a little surprised that they played almost their whole new album, but then again it is the viva la vida tour. I think some people might have been unfamiliar with a few of the songs, and i thought they would have played a couple older ones (speed of sound, trouble, other random songs from their first 3 albums). But overall, definitely worth the expensive tickets! Great, great show. I would definitely see them again any day [thanks jabba5]

More on this concert including reviews, videos, pictures and tweets here onwards.

Tweets:

Guy - two minutes before show in Des Moines

The show: Grammy-winning Coldplay made its San Antonio debut at the AT&T Center on Wednesday with Snow Patrol and Howling Bells. The acclaimed British band is touring behind its album 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends,' writes my SA blogs (San Antonio Express News).

Attendance: About 12,500 people, mostly older teens and twenty-somethings.

First take: Sure, they've got the album of the year and are unquestionably at the height of their creative power, but Coldplay also showed that their creativity doesn't stop at the studio's door. They came onstage to entertain, waving sparklers, and they dazzled from that moment on, with everyone on their feet. The complex opener "Violet Hill" gave way to the smash hit "Clocks," with kinetic singer Chris Martin bouncing on his piano throne.

High-tech moments with split-screen video globes and dreamy symphonic modern rock resided easily next to the unplugged moments such as the Monkees' "I'm A Believer" at the back of the arena, off the main stage. "Fix You," beautiful and hopeless, may have been the most powerful moment of the night. Dozens of confetti-filled giant balloons during "Yellow" were quite fun.

Ice age: Opening act Snow Patrol delivered a 45-minute set of gorgeous electronic guitar pop, which pulsated under Gary Lightbody's warm vocals. While the slow-building "Run" seemed especially heartbreaking, tinged with a raw Kurt Cobain melancholy, "Shut Your Eyes" bubbled with its off-kilter chording. There is no denying Lightbody's love song mastery on "Chasing Cars," a stunning track live. Also on the bill was Howling Bells, another young band that can thaw cold hearts.

Coldplay at the AT& T Center, San Antonio, TX (10th June 2009):

Pictures by sa_spurs_tx

Coldplay will perform its first arena show in Iowa Friday at Wells Fargo Arena, in support of its latest studio album, 'Viva la Vida or Death and All Its Friends.' The album marks a different sound for the band, said guitarist Jonny Buckland, writes Metromix Des Moines.

"The process of it sounds like a new start," Buckland said during a phone interview from his London home last month. "Obviously, there's going to be lots of links to previous music, but working with Brian (Eno), it was a fresh start for us." Coldplay's collaboration with Eno, a famed music producer (U2, David Bowie, the Talking Heads), has led to a more experimental, creative sound for the band. "We've tried things we've never tried on our own," Buckland said, such as "taking ideas from hip-hop."

Even with all its superstar status, a major alternative act like Coldplay (one of the top-grossing acts in the world in 2008) might not have booked an arena show a few years ago in Des Moines. In fact, Buckland seemed a little surprised about the venue. "Iowa? We actually haven't been to Iowa," he said.

Des Moines now consistently draws big-name music headliners - mostly country and rock bands. Several years ago, before Wells Fargo Arena opened and when 80/35 Music Festival was little more than a pipe dream, bands as big and relevant as Coldplay skipped Des Moines for Minneapolis, Omaha and Kansas City.

Times have changed. As of last week, nearly 8,000 of the 10,000 available tickets to Coldplay had sold. Keith Urban and Taylor Swift's country show scheduled for June 27 was the first to sell out at Wells Fargo Arena so far this year. Lazerfest, with headliner Korn, drew a throng of 15,000 metalheads to a field in Indianola on the last day of May. And last year's inaugural 80/35 Music Festival, organized by the Greater Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC), attracted nearly 30,000 fans over two days, with about half that number paying to see headliners like The Flaming Lips and The Roots.

"Part of us booking 80/35 was to show agents and promoters that Des Moines could handle bigger shows - and bigger alternative shows," said Amedeo Rossi, project manager for the DMMC. Shows like Coldplay.

Coldplay fan Nicole Tortenson, 30, of West Des Moines, already snatched up her tickets. She normally travels beyond Iowa to attend big shows and has considered traveling to Kansas City with her husband to hear Jason Mraz on May 6. "I was really impressed we got Coldplay here," Tortenson said. "Usually we'd have to go to Chicago to see a show like this."

Coldplay at the AT& T Center, San Antonio, TX (10th June 2009):

Pictures by sa_spurs_tx

When Coldplay debuts its arena show on Friday in Iowa, the occasion will rate more than just a gig for one of the band members.

Jonny Buckland, 31, will be on something of a family vacation. Buckland tours not only with Chris Martin, Guy Berryman and Will Champion - but also with his 19-month-old daughter, Violet, and his fiance, Chloe Lee-Evans. "We travel a lot together," Buckland said over the phone last month from his home in London. "We're just a normal family, kind of. A normal traveling family."

Violet is already showing some "early signs" of rock-star tendencies, he added. "She definitely likes dancing," Buckland said. She especially likes "Viva la Vida," the title track of Coldplay's fourth studio album that has garnered major awards, including Best Rock Album at this year's Grammy Awards.

Buckland has previously referred to Coldplay's first three albums as a trilogy. "Viva la Vida or Death and All Its Friends," he said, treads on new sonic territory.

"Obviously, there's going to be lots of links to (our) previous music, but working with Brian (Eno), it was a fresh start for us," Buckland said of recording with famed producer Eno, who's credited with also helping to reinvigorate the careers of David Bowie, the Talking Heads and U2 (a band that Coldplay deeply admires). "He's so enthusiastic about trying new ideas."

Although Buckland is removed from many of the band's business concerns - he was unaware of the band's 987,000 (and counting) Twitter followers or the recent plagiarism allegations from Cat Stevens - Buckland is intensely focused on his music. He can also sense on stage when a certain tune fails to resonate with live audiences, based on the light that filters into the darkened arena from the surrounding hallways.

"When you play a big show like in an arena, all you can really see is the exit doors," Buckland said. "When you play a song that you know is done well ... those doors are clear and you hear everyone singing along ... Sometimes you play a song, there's queues all the way down the stairs and you see people taking their toilet breaks!"

So to the 8,000 or more fans expected to flock to Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, choose wisely when you take a beer (or loo) break. Jonny Buckland will be watching to see if you like that particular song.

Source: http://www.desmoinesregister.com

Coldplay at the AT& T Center, San Antonio, TX (10th June 2009):

Pictures by by sa_spurs_tx

Coldplay's Viva La Vida tour continued on last night as they played at the AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX. Roadie #42 made us aware they were definately in Texas by publishing a picture of the gents toilets on Twitter (by the way they've made 1,000,000 followers!!), and earlier the puppets were seen in New Orleans, pictures of which you can view after the jump. The setlist remained largely the same as previous nights.

[discussion] [photos] [videos] [wiki reviews/setlist] (updated over the next 24-48 hours)

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow

Glass Of Water

Cemeteries Of London

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris piano)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Green Eyes (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - acoustic)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

Picture by mmbrookalicious

Just got back, AMAZING show! Same set as before. I was seated right behind the B-stage platform so I got to be just inches away from the band!! I got plenty of pictures and videos but probably won't put them up til a while since I was using my friends camera. Chris Martin kept saying how noisy we were, he really appreciated it! Overall great show by the guys and can't wait to see them again in Houston next month!! [thanks sa_spurs_tx]

Hey everyone! Just back from the show. I can very happily report that I experienced Coldplaying Karma in action as wonderful Roadie Matt upgraded my sister and me front and center! It was absolutely incredible!!

Chris seemed in a really happy mood, and Jonny was also pretty smiley. Could barely see Will, but he looked fantastic as always, and Guy was cool and collected, with a few smiles thrown in, [thanks jenflor]

So we got to the venue, had a look around. Couldn't find where the band would be entering. We were at this gate but it was just for venue employees. Walked around back, almost had heat stroke in doing so, but only saw the red trucks. It was so damn hot we decided to just make our way up to the venue gates. They were playing a recording about no pro cameras, no banners this show may contain lasers and confetti. Finally doors opened at just past 6pm. On way tobathroom Lori laughed about women and men's signs having cowboy hats on.......looks like R#42 thought it was pretty funny too. Seats were on floor, center section, row 14....which turned out to be row 11 due to stage. On way to seats we walk right past Franksie. I stop and ask him if I can show him my banner. You see 6 years ago I went see Coldplay in Cleveland on the same date, June 10, and that night Chris faked coughing fit to get the band's PA Vicki to bring him something to drink. When she got out there, he told everyone it was her birthday and everyone sang happy birthday to her. Well since I knew it was her birthday, I decided to make a Happy Birthday Vicki banner. When I showe dit to Franksie he took our pic with it and said "this is going on the web site" We went to our seats giddy thinking maybe we would be on the bad's site. After about 20 minutes or so he comes back out and walks up to me and says he showed the pic to Chris and Chris wanted us to have signed copies of LRLRL for making that for Vicki. [thanks TheAngie]

More on this concert including reviews, videos, pictures and tweets here onwards.

Coldplay at the AT& T Center, San Antonio, TX (10th June 2009):

Pictures by sa_spurs_tx

Tweets:

Yep, definitely in Texas. R#42

The Coldplay-shaped puppets go for a wander in New Orleans: