You can now bid online for signed Coldplay goodies (t-shirts and CDs) via the official War Child auctions. Here is Coldplay's Anchorman with more details:

Following February’s storming gig from Coldplay and The Killers in support of War Child, the charity has set up an eBay shop hosting exclusive items, including several T-shirts and copies of War Child's new Heroes album which have been signed by Coldplay. Click here to bid now on these unique items and help support children affected by war. You can also buy special Coldplay/Killers gig T-shirts which were sold on the night, for 15 pounds from here. War Child’s work with former child soldiers, children in prison and children living and working on the streets in Iraq, Afghanistan, Uganda and The Democratic Republic of Congo gives them support, protection and opportunities.

Read more for a review of the War Child gig featuring Coldplay that took place last month...

Wednesday's War Child gig, celebrating 15 years of the rock-affiliated charity, makes no secret of its allegiances, reports The Guardian Online. The audience is packed in long beforehand but proceedings don't start until 11pm, giving joint headliners Coldplay and The Killers plenty of time to digest their ceremony dinner across town before heading for Shepherds Bush.

The pay-off is the gig's status as the unofficial Brits aftershow, and a rumour mill buzzing with speculation about who else will appear onstage tonight - a "special guests" slot is scheduled. The chatter on the venue's bush telegraph has Brits presenter Kylie reprising "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" with Coldplay - the British four-piece covered it during their Glastonbury headlining slot in 2005 - and more far-fetched speculation involves a Chris Martin/Iron Maiden hook-up.

But besides these fantasy collaboration pub games, much of the evening's fun involves gawping down at the venue's VIP-only first floor to see which stars are in attendance. Before the fun of the guest section can begin - a quick scan downstairs reveals that Richard Ashcroft, Courtney Love and Neil Tennant are all present and possible contenders (though unlikely in Love's case) - there's the small matter of the two scheduled gigs.

A concise hour-long performance suits co-headliners the Killers well, allowing them to deliver a terrific Noughties jukebox of a set without delving into the dustier corners of their so-so second album. "Mr Brightside", "Human" and "When You Were Young" are present and correct, but the conspiracy theorists among us take note that their barnstorming usual closer "All These Things That I've Done" is suspiciously absent.

Almost 10 years in a rock-star bubble have done nothing to diminish Chris Martin's populist touch or his heroic levels of uncool. Skipping across the stage at the start of Coldplay's set, fidgeting and chattering excitedly, he might have been custom-built for a feelgood occasion like this, the idea that nice guys win and Hollywood actresses dig nerdy dancing made flesh. Coldplay focus on their notionally conflicted (though really very accessible) latest album Viva La Vida, and also lay on a generous smattering of past hits while various audience members leave their seats and slip backstage for the encore.

Iron Maiden, heart-breakingly, aren't among them, nor is Kylie, but the appearance of Gary Barlow alongside Coldplay for the first of two collaborations makes better musical sense. Take That's mid-Nineties songs provided an early template for some of the piano-led sob stories on Coldplay's 2000 debut; Coldplay returned the favour by inspiring the stadium sound which has driven Take That's hugely successful comeback.

"Back For Good" is an obvious choice and as wonderful as ever, though neither Martin's nor Barlow's vocals are particularly audible above the communal singalong. But they call in back-up for the final salvo, a rousing version of "All These Things That I've Done" with the Killers lending the song and some extra heft, and a messianic Bono pacing in midway through to consecrate the group jam. "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier," sing representatives of four of the world's biggest acts, as 2,000 cameraphones are held aloft to capture the moment. In the early hours of Thursday morning, Brandon Flowers's famously nonsensical lyric feels like the most affirming sentiment in the world.

This is how every major charity gig since time immemorial has ended of course; everyone onstage, hugs all round and Bono having the last word. But whatever your musical allegiance or feelings about celebrity charity fests, it's impossible not to marvel at the sight of a stadium supergroup gracing a stage more used to hosting indie mid-leaguers. Only a committed cynic would wish they'd stayed at home to watch the Brits.

See more exclusive pictures and videos from those who managed to get lucky tickets here onwards, and visit the full War Child photo album at the Coldplaying Gallery here

Coldplay played the Singapore Indoor Stadium this evening as their Viva La Vida tour continues into the Middle East. No setlist surprises... but a lot of reviews, photos and goodies thanks to the Coldplayers that went, including entry to the soundchecks, and free tickets from Chris Martin.

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

Setlist: [thanks RYKO]

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, Will)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Speed Of Sound (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

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

Viva La Vida (remix interlude including Coldwave)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

Picture: joshuachan28

Saw Chris, Jonny, Guy and Will. I was holding on to my insane Jonny banner so Jonny smiled at me before he ducked under the door. Chris, however, recognised me from the Sydney shows and approached me He said 'Nice to see you again! and gave me a tiny hug He asked whether I had flown from Australia to Singapore, but I told him that I'm actually from here, and I had flown TO Australia instead. He then asked if I'm watching the show tonight. I said I had a ticket for myself, but my friends didn't have because they couldn't afford the money. He then said, 'OK I'll see what I can do, stay right here.' as he turned to leave. [thanks but a dream]

eeeeeeeeeeeeeps! i got a setlist! one bagful of confetti, some merch, vids and bloody awesome time! the crowd was cool yeah? [thanks Fika]

uploading my photos now. my seats were quite high up so the pictures will all be from the same angle. will update soon! but first i must say the concert WAS BLOODY AWESOME! just mind blowing. i dare say even better than the last time they were here! [thanks joshuachan28]

Have to give it to Chris being so energetic and being able to go on just non-stop throughout the whole concert. At the point in time when Mercury Rev was performing the tour tees were already sold out at the merchandise booths. Was hoping to even just buy the display one but they didn't want to sell it. They only had the programs left. Forget about the seats stood throughout the whole thing, left my seat the moment they started.The only thing throughout the whole night that i felt was quite irritating was when i was asked to go back to my seat twice by an usher during "Life in Technicolor" kinda spoiled it while i was enjoying the song. I was like "Please , come on i'm not gonna create trouble i just want to have fun". She went but you're not allowed to stand. Didn't bother and just continued standing, the usher buzzed off after that. [thanks zempt]

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

This Saturday’s Coldplay concert will be carbon neutral, with organisers helping to fund a wind farm in New Zealand to offset all energy consumed in putting on the event.

The show is being held at the Emirates Palace hotel on the same night as Earth Hour, when lights will be turned off in buildings around the world, including the UAE, to promote energy conservation. The organisers estimate that the show will generate around 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Because of the practical difficulty of pulling the plug on a stadium full of people during a concert, the promoters will buy wind farm energy credits to show their support. In addition there will be recycling bins on site, an Earth Hour video will be shown before the band come on stage and leaflets will be handed out to those attending.

Read the full story in the Abu Dhabi thread at the Coldplay Live forum here [thanks mimixxx]

Dubai – MTV Arabia, the Middle East''s leading music and entertainment channel, today announced its sponsorship of Coldplay in the group’s first performance in the Middle East as part of its ‘Viva La Vida Tour’ in Abu Dhabi on 28 March, reports the Eye of Dubai.

The band’s current album ’Viva La Vida‘ has been depicted as one of the most commercially successful rock album released this decade and has earned the band seven nominations at this year’s Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. MTV Arabia is running a competition on their website for fans who want to win free tickets and cool mtv goodies – log on to mtva.com and participate to win.

MTV Arabia is a gateway for international artists to the UAE and to the Middle East in particular,” commented Samr Al Marzouqi, Channel Manager of MTV Arabia. “Following on the successful tours of Kylie Minogue, Fatboy Slim and Maroon 5, MTV Arabia is excited to be involved in the first ever Coldplay concert in the region.

“We are committed to giving our audiences an opportunity to get up close and personal with their favourite international artists, complementing our programming strategy to be the first destination for youth culture and entertainment in the region,” he added.

Coldplay has sold more than 30 million records worldwide and has been reveared as one of the most famous rock bands of the new millennium, rocketing to success in 2000 with the single ‘Yellow’ from their debut album ''Parachutes''. Coldplay’s hits include: ‘Viva La Vida’, ‘Violet Hill’, ‘Lost’, ‘Fix You’, ‘Clocks’, ‘The Scientist’, and ‘Lovers in Japan’.

A joint venture between MTV Networks International and Arabian Television Network, part of Arab Media Group, the largest media group in the UAE, MTV Arabia aims to reach out to young audiences through its unique programming that remains sensitive to local cultural value while offering world class entertainment.

More on this news at the Abu Dhabi thread in the Coldplay Live forum here onwards.

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

March 20, 2009 - submitted by Duncan, Australia

Q. Dear all knowing Oracle. In the photos from Auckland it looks like the puppet of Chris has some extra loops or something attached to his feet, what are they? Also, did they pay adult or childs prices to get the puppets up the tower?

The Oracle replies:

There are some small rods attached to his feet to help manoeuvre the puppet during the video shoot. The adult who accompanied the puppets was the only paying customer because, er, they're not real. In the words of Brian Conley; "It's a puppet!"

March 20, 2009 - submitted by JP, United Arab Emirates

Q. Dear Oracle,I bet my friend a hundred dollars that you would answer me by tomorrow. I'll split it with you.

The Oracle replies:

Did you take the time difference into account? I hope so. You can donate my half to charity but technically I haven't answered, as there was no question!

March 20, 2009 - submitted by laurie, Hungary

Q. hi oracle lets talk about numbers could you give me an aproximate of how many people ask you questions are they millions or thousands hope you may answer me xoxo

The Oracle replies:

We're up to 33,732 submissions now. I'll let you into a secret; I still have questions sent in the first week that I intend to publish answers for at some point.

The presale continues today at 10am (local times) via Live Nation for more of Coldplay's 24-date North America tour in May/June, which will begin in West Palm Beach on May 15th and will conclude on 20th June in Vancouver.

Today's presale involves the shows at West Palm Beach, Atlanta, Detroit, Nashville, New Orleans, San Antonio, Des Moines and Omaha. To check on all the dates, go to the Live Nation site and if you're struggling for pre-sale passwords or just want general help please visit our pre-sale thread in the Coldplay Live forum here, and then click on one of the discussion links below:

MAY

15 West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre [discussion] [presale]

17 Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheatre [discussion] [presale]

JUNE

2 Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre [discussion] [presale]

6 Nashville, TN - Sommet Center [discussion] [presale]

9 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena [discussion] [presale]

10 San Antonio, TX - AT& T Center [discussion] [presale]

12 Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena [discussion] [presale]

13 Omaha, NE - Qwest Center [discussion] [presale]

All on sale times are in local time. More dates also begin their general sale today - check the listings at Live Nation. Tickets will be available from the Live Nation website later today.

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

March 18, 2009 - submitted by Lisa, Australia

Q. My dear sweet Oracle, pleeeeease find time to reply.........Does Chris have an autobiography out, or if not, are there plans for one soon? Hope you are well my dear ;)

The Oracle replies:

He doesn't, no and there aren't any plans in the pipeline.

March 18, 2009 - submitted by Oracle, United Kingdom

Q. Remember Lynn? The 67 year old fan who wanted someone to go to a concert with her? July 13 concert at Shoreline in Mountain View California is her preference. Any takers?

The Oracle replies:

Email me at theoracle@coldplay.com if you're planning on attending and I will hook you up.

March 18, 2009 - submitted by stephanie, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, If you were accepted into Hogwarts what house would the talking hat place you in?

The Oracle replies:

Well it just so happens that the sorting hat placed me in Ravenclaw.

FYI: All members of the band and myself met Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) back in 2002.

March 19, 2009 - submitted by Emmanuel Z, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, lately I've grown a little bored of the same old songs on my mp3, so could you help me out? What do you recommend?

The Oracle replies:

Here are a few things to keep you going:

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Josh Rouse - 1972

Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker

The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

Scott Matthews - Passing Stranger

The MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2009 nominations have been announced, with Coldplay, Ne-Yo and Japanese pop singer Namie Amuro landing three apiece.

With domestic and overseas artists nominated in all 15 categories, the awards on May 30 will be something of a test for the international sector, which has been losing market share in recent years.

Franz Ferdinand, Britney Spears and Katy Perry are up for two awards, as is local hip-hop artist Kreva. Perry will be making the trip to perform at the ceremony at the 12,000-capacity Saitama Super Arena, just north of Tokyo, along with Black Eyed Peas, Green Day and local artists Exile and 9mm Parabellum Bullet. More acts will be added to the line-up in the weeks ahead.

More on this at the Coldplay forum here [thanks mimixxx]

Coldplay last week announced details of a 24-date tour of North America in May/June, which will begin in West Palm Beach on May 15th and will conclude on 20th June in Vancouver. The presale begins today at 10am (local times) via Live Nation for some of the shows, namely Washington, Hartford, Hershey, Philadelphia, Saratoga Springs, Scranton, Pittsburgh, Darien Lakes, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. To check on all the dates, go to the Live Nation site and if you're struggling for pre-sale passwords or just want general help please visit our pre-sale thread in the Coldplay Live forum here, and then click on one of the discussion links below:

MAY

20 Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre [discussion] [presale]

21 Washington, DC - Nissan Pavilion [discussion] [presale]

23 Hartford, CT - Meadows [discussion] [presale]

24 Hershey, PA - Hershey Stadium [discussion] [presale]

26 Philadelphia, PA - Susquhana Center [discussion] [presale]

27 Saratoga Springs, NY - SPAC [discussion] [presale]

29 Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion [discussion] [presale]

30 Pittsburgh, PA - Post Gazette Pavilion [discussion] [presale]

JUNE

1 Buffalo, NY - Darien Lakes [discussion] [presale]

4 Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center [discussion] [presale]

5 Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center [discussion] [presale]

Coldplay played the second of two consecutive concerts in Auckland as they completed the New Zealand leg of their Viva La Vida tour. Setlist to be confirmed soon.

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

Setlist [unconfirmed]:

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, Will) | Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental) | Viva La Vida | Lost! | Green Eyes (acoustic) | 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)

Early Reviews:

Just got back now, awesome concert!!! Roger Dawltrey from the Who in attendance, Chris stuffed up during Postcards from Far Away - apparently put off by Roger being there so started again! A couple of lines from Behind Blue Eyes was included in one of the songs (The Scientist perhaps?). No major surprises to the setlist - Glass of Water, I'm a Believer included and also a few bars of "Four Seasons in One Day". Also whilst up the back after doing Green Eyes and Will's song, they got the crowd to perfom the first mobile phone mexican wave ever (supposedly) and exclaimed it was for YouTube. Great concert! [thanks chaden]

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

It is hard to say a bad word about the British band that rules the planet right now, especially if you saw them play the first of their two New Zealand concerts last night. Close Up (TVNZ) had the pleasure of spending some time with them, and experienced no superstar antics or inflated egos.

Nothing has changed since the four university mates started out as Starfish. Close Up caught up with front man Chris Martin and lead guitarist Johnny Buckland, and asked if the fame and fortune of Coldplay ever put the friendship under pressure.

You can watch the new Coldplay video here at the TVNZ website and discuss this interview at the Coldplay forum here [thanks mimixxx]

Coldplay played the first of two consecutive concerts in Auckland as they moved to New Zealand on their Viva La Vida tour. Setlist to be confirmed soon.

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

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor | Violet Hill | Clocks | In My Place | Yellow | Cemeteries Of London | Glass Of Water | 42 | Fix You | Strawberry Swing | God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version) | Talk (techno version) | The Hardest Part (Chris piano, Will) | Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental) | Viva La Vida | Lost! | Green Eyes (acoustic) | I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond Cover - acoustic) | Death Will Never Conquer (Acoustic, sung by Will) | Viva La Vida (remix interlude) | ---- | Politik | Lovers In Japan | Death And All His Friends | ---- | The Scientist | Life in Technicolor ii | The Escapist (outro)

Early Reviews:

well the concert was great!!! The boys were great! (loved the part when Chris asked Jonny if he was in love, and he replied YEAH! And Chris was like, "you are f***ing awesome!". The crowd.. oh boy, nz crowds need to work on being.. a crowd. I was really excited about the viva la vida mix where everyone waves their phones and sings along... yeah... didn't quite happen. I think chris kinda thought the same.. when he wasn't expecting a yes when he asked how the crowd was.. still, a great concert!! got some good videos [thanks laurazstar]

Oh man words cannot describe that! Best concert I've been to easily. Loads of photos so I'll sort through them tomorrow and post the good ones. Couple of videos although not too many as one of the stewards came and told me off so I stuck to photos after that. Didn't want to film too much anyway as it stops you enjoying it properly. [thanks invisibleman18]

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

Guy Hands will step down as chief executive officer of Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd., two weeks after the leveraged buyout firm reported a 1.39 billion- euro ($1.8 billion) loss for 2008.

Hands, 49, will remain chairman and chief investment officer, the London-based firm said in a statement today. Tim Pryce, 43, the firm’s lawyer, will replace Hands as CEO. Terra Firma raised 5.4 billion euros for its latest fund in 2007, and invested about 30 percent of it in EMI, the record label of Coldplay and Katy Perry.

Hands has changed EMI’s managers and is cutting costs to revive profit. EMI’s net loss in the six months ended Sept. 30 shrank by 52 percent to 155 million pounds, the company said in January. Sales rose by 10 percent to 737 million pounds.

Read the full article here at the Bloomberg website.

Sound Relief was a stunning concert for Australian music-lovers but if you weren't at the gigs or tuned in on the day, then bad luck - it won't be shown again (unless you want to download the audio and/or video here, of course).

Organisers yesterday revealed there was a no-repeat clause in the contracts of the 30-plus acts who took to stages in Melbourne and Sydney. It means there will be no future replays or even condensed specials on the bushfire and floods charity to be broadcast on TV or radio.

Footage not to be broadcast again includes John Farnham performing with Cold Play, Hunters and Collectors and Midnight Oil re-forming and The Presets' performance in a torrential downpour with natural lightning effects. Event producer Mark Pope - who also staged 2005's Wave-AID concert which inspired Saturday's shows - said repeats were normally included in festival contracts.

"The problem was we had to cram 12 months of work into five weeks and we were making decisions on the fly," he told Confidential yesterday. "There were too many legal complexities and interests at every level to go into future broadcasts - so what we've seen is what we've seen."

The concerts were aired on FM networks and pay TV's Max and V channels after "nibbles" of interest from free-to-air networks went nowhere. Pope said he wanted both concerts fully covered live, and Max and V - owned by XYZ Networks - were the only broadcasters able to do it. "With all the business and commerce angles to it, we wanted to keep politics out of it - and imagine if the concerts hadn't been broadcast," he said.

But there is long term hope. A future DVD has not been ruled out, pending future complex legal negotiations with all parties involved.

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

March 17, 2009 - submitted by Nadia, Australia

Q. Hello! At the Sydney concert I went to there was a dancer before Coldplay came on. He danced to the Jay Z song and the classical piece (he was really good at both!). He came on stage sweeping, with the spot light on him and I was wondering if he was a hired dancer or a roadie who can dance? Also, was he at all the concert dates? P.S. I was at Sound Relief yesterday: Coldplay + John Farnham = absolutely amazing!! What a great day!

The Oracle replies:

The dancing roadie is called Wayne and he's a lampie, which is a term used for the lighting staff. He's become a regular feature at the current shows.

March 17, 2009 - submitted by Mahdi, Morocco

Q. What did Chris sing at the end of the live version Square One in Brixton Academy?

The Oracle replies:

He sang a tiny refrain of Call the Shots by Girls Aloud, who will be the special guests at Wembley on September 18th.

March 17, 2009 - submitted by Harriet, United Kingdom

Q. Please could you, Mr. Oracle, answer my question!!? The supporting act at the o2 on the 15th december, (The Domino State) has a guitarist called Tim Buckland. Is there any relation between Jonny and Tim??

Thankyou Mr. Oracle

The Oracle replies:

Indeed they are brothers.

March 17, 2009 - submitted by Christian, Denmark

Q. I found this song called Your Love Means Everything on youtube, but I can't seem to find the album it's on. Can you help me?

The Oracle replies:

You'll find it on an album of the same name but that's not a Coldplay album; it's a collaboration with Faultline.

The overwhelming response to John Farnham’s Sound Relief performance with Coldplay has sparked talk of a new album from the iconic singer, which could be released by the end of the year. His rendition of You’re The Voice at the successful bushfire relief concert left the 40,000 strong throng ecstatic, and heralded a new generation of Farnham fans.

Now, it has been revealed Farnham, along with manager Glenn Wheatley and Sony boss Denis Handlin, were at dinner together to discuss the future of Farnham’s career on the eve of the event.

Mr Handlin hinted that Wheatley and Farnham might approach Coldplay about writing a song. "We are now talking about the record, tossing around ideas for songs, writers and producers," he said. "I am pretty confident we will have a new studio album out from John Farnham this year. He is in a very positive frame of mind and definitely wants to get back into it."

You can now download the HD airing and also the audio of Coldplay's Sound Benefit set from Sydney which featured the on-stage collaboration with John Farnham. Click here for download links [thanks SueDeNimes, Jizo & redwax]

Coldplay's just-wrapped Australian tour has broken records at one venue and created a halo effect for half-a-dozen recordings.

With their fourth and final concert at Sydney's Acer Arena on Sunday, the group clocked-up nearly 60,000 ticket sales at the site, setting a new venue record for the most tickets shifted by an artist on a single tour.

On this occasion, the band shifted 58,943 tickets at Acer, outpacing Justin Timberlake's 57,788 ticket sales set back in November 2007. It means Coldplay reclaimed a record they had earlier owned with their 2006 "Twisted Logic" tour, in support of the album "X&Y" (Parlophone).

The band's 11-date national headlining tour, which also visited arenas in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane, was the catalyst for a sales push behind six Coldplay tracks. "Viva La Vida" is at No. 30 on the current ARIA singles chart, up from No.38 last week, while "Clocks" is now at No. 72, "Fix You" is at No. 79, "Life In Technicolour II" is at No. 81, "The Scientist" is at No. 90 and "Violet Hill" is at No. 95.

The group will no doubt have won new fans with a rousing performance to open the Sydney leg of the Sound Relief concert last Saturday, just hours before turning out for an Acer concert across town.

Coldplay's multiple Grammy-winning album "Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends" has reached quadruple platinum certification down under (280,000 units).

Coldplay, have touched down in Auckland ahead of their two New Zealand shows. They flew in on Tuesday night from Sydney, after playing 11 concerts in Australia, as well as performing a set at one of two Australian Sound Relief concerts, to aid Victorian bushfire and Queensland flood victims.

The last time Coldplay were in New Zealand was at the Big Day Out in 2001. They are in the middle of a world tour for their latest album Viva La Vida. They play at Auckland's Vector Arena on Wednesday and Thursday night. Discussion threads for the New Zealand shows are here (18th) and here (19th).

Make sure you're following the Coldplaying Twitter to receive the latest Coldplay news as it happens, all day every day...

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

March 16, 2009 - submitted by imelda, Indonesia

Q. Hi Oracle, this is my third questions :) although none of it has been answered hohoho... do Coldplay have their own choreographer? and do you think Mercury Rev vocalist stole Chris' style a bit? ;)

The Oracle replies:

The band doesn't have a choreographer no. During the filming of the Speed of Sound video, director Mark Romanek did encourage Guy to move more but they are not told how to move around. During the shows they decide who goes where and when. Mercury Rev have been around for a lot longer than Coldplay so Jonathan Donahue has his own style in my humble opinion.

March 16, 2009 - submitted by Eric, Puerto Rico

Q. I just heard yesterday a great Christian song. I called the radio station and they told me that that was an Coldplay "spanish" song. Where I can find it if it is true?

The Oracle replies:

There aren't really any "Christian" songs but due to the fact Viva la Vida has a Spanish title and has religious references that could lead the listener to believe it is a Christian song.

March 16, 2009 - submitted by Catalina, Chile

Q. Dear Oracle, A friend of mine sent me a song with the title "Swallowed in the Sea" so I assumed it was it, but when I came to hear it, it wasn't Swallowed in the Sea at all, my friend had clearly made a mistake. I really loved this "mysterious song" and I would love to know the title and what album it's on. The lyrics go like this:

"Well I had a girl, she was the best around,

I was in love, now I'm just hanging out.

Burning in the sun, losing my mind,

Hearts break in the summer time..."

Please I'd love to know

The Oracle replies:

This has been doing the rounds for years wrongly credited as a Coldplay track. It is in fact Burning in the Sun by Blue Merle and not in fact by Coldplay at all.

Coldplay have today announced another show to add to the forthcoming summer US tour, this time in Irvine, CA on 15th July. Tickets will be available next week though official outlet Live Nation. Here's Anchorman with more details:

Good afternoon. We're pleased to announce that Coldplay will be playing at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, California on July 15th. Tickets will go on sale on March 23rd at 10am PST from here.

The discussion thread for this new show is here in the Coldplay Live forum.

Shane Warne took Coldplay frontman Chris Martin on a secret visit to Flowerdale last week. The singer and the spinner spent a day visiting bushfire relief centres in the area.

Martin asked to be taken into the fire zone as he wanted to get a greater insight into the disaster, and the relief and rebuilding plans. "Chris basically wanted to know what he was singing for," a source said. Warne and Martin are great mates, and the spinner offered to take him. Warne has visited several relief centres since Black Saturday.

Coldplay starred at the Sydney section of Saturday's massive Sound Relief bushfire concert. Part of the Sydney funds is for Queensland flood victims. Martin teamed with John Farnham on You're The Voice and Warne played percussion.

More on this article in the Coldplay forum here and see some previously unseen photos of Coldplay and the other acts at the Sound Relief concert here onwards [thanks mimixxx & jenjie]

Coldplay played the fourth and final Sydney concert as they continue through their Australian Viva La Vida tour. Setlist changes: Glass Of Water returned to the set, and Speed Of Sound was moved back to the acoustic set. 'The Wiggles song' was played near the end of the night and Death Will Never Conquer was once again skipped. Chris Martin played with a tape on his eyebrow, wonder if he got a gash while being mauled by the crowd in SCG yesterday?!

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

Setlist: [thanks but a dream]

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, Will)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Speed Of Sound (acoustic)

Green Eyes (acoustic)

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

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

'The Wiggles song'

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

Picture: Daily Telegraph

first time poster, but just got back from the show. i went thurs night as well, and it was pretty much the same set. differences i noticed were they played "speed of sound" and "green eyes" during the acoustic set (then "i'm a believer" - "death will never conquer" got left off). apparently chris had promised will's brother he would let will sing a song, but will didn't seem to want to. and just after the scientist chris played a tribute to the wiggles (two of whom i'd seen walking to their seats at the start of the night) with a bit of "fruit salad, yummy yummy"! all in all a very similar show, but still fantastic. chris battled on despite having his eyebrow taped up - he must have got a nasty cut! [thanks such_a_rush]

I woke up @ 5.30am for 2 days straight to queue up for the gigs on the 14th and 15th Surviving on 2 hours' sleep today, I reached the place @ 7am, with 2 other people in front of me. Skip the 12 hours of waiting in queue... I managed to be front row centre This was probably the craziest, most energetic show I've gone to so far. Being the last show in Sydney and Australia, I would presume it would be so since it would be long time till Coldplay visit Down Under again. Personally it was a treat hearing BOTH Speed of Sound AND Green Eyes being played on the C-stage. So far it has been either/or at the gigs. Although for the 2nd night running, Will did not sing DWNC. [thanks but a dream]

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

Let the scramble begin. This morning at 10, when tickets go on sale for a June 17 concert at Pengrowth Saddledome featuring the popular rock band Cold-play, thousands of fans are expected to flood ticket sellers. Many of them may be disappointed, reports the Calgary Herald.

The Internet age was supposed to make ticket-buying an easier, more efficient process than it had been in the past, when folks used to line up overnight, or longer, in the desperate hope of getting decent seats for major concert events.

But these days, securing a ticket for a show seems more complicated than ever, unless you've got some sort of inside track. And the ins and outs of the game are leaving a lot of music fans with a bitter taste.

Read the full article at the Calgary thread in the Coldplay Live forum here

Software gets past Ticketmaster security, making it difficult for ordinary buyers to get through

If you're hoping to score tickets to Coldplay's Vancouver concerts when they go on sale Saturday, you could find yourself up against computer hackers who can order up hundreds and even thousands of tickets in the time it would take you to punch in a single order.

Scalpers looking to jump the online queue can program a computer to circumvent Ticketmaster's website security and automatically order tickets at speeds far beyond ones the ordinary buyer could hope to match.

Read the full article at the Vancouver Sun here

Tickets to see Coldplay's much-anticipated Vancouver shows were not impossible to buy online this morning. You just might be sitting alone, reports the Vancouver Sun today.

Despite concerns that the tickets could sell out in minutes, snagged by online hackers, a Vancouver Sun reporter was able to get single tickets to the June 20 and 21 show within minutes of online availability at 10 am.

Although multiple tickets were more difficult to find, at 10:15 it was still possible to reserve at least two seats for the June 21 show. The Vancouver Sun reported today that hackers are able to program a computer to circumvent Ticketmaster's website security and automatically buy tickets.

Read the full article at the Vancouver threads for the 20th and 21st June respectively here and here in the Coldplay Live forum.