Coldplay played the third night of four Sydney concerts as they continue through their Australian Viva La Vida tour. Setlist changes: Speed Of Sound, Death Will Never Conquer and Glass Of Water were all skipped. Cricketer Shane Warne was a guest star during the acoustic set on the C-Stage!

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

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow

Speed Of Sound

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)

Picture: Daily Telegraph

We arrived around 3:20 (her older brother and little sister in tow, mother an hour or so behind) and waited patiently. Around 5pm we were told the news that they wouldn't be arriving until around 7pm. We decided to wait it out on the off chance that we would get to meet the band again. Storms threatened and eventually broke, but we held out and at 7:40pm the band arrived, saw the kids waiting (and shouting) and they stopped the cars. We got to have a few minute chat with Johnny and guy, Chris was chatting with some of the other fans on the other side of the car (I'll get to that soon). We managed to get the drum skin finished off so she now has the entire bands autographs on it :0 is very cool. Anyway (and I can't thanks the other fans enough) fate/luck reared it's head when Chris asked the other guys about the nights show and they mentioned that we didn't have tickets we were all just there to meet them. Chris said he would sort us out, and within a few minutes, Chris' security guard came up to speak with us all, and brought all 8 of us Gold reserve tickets for the nights show. Amazing!!!! We were all just happy to have had the chance to meet them, this was totally unexpected and so appreciated. The wait was already worth it, this was such a generous thing for Chris to have done, totally mad my families night. So any way, got to watch what was another great show totally out of the blue. Yes Warney made a strange appearance when the band played in the bleachers and no he can't play Maraccas at all. Was still good for a laugh though. [thanks littleedge]

Just got back. The show was incredible! I'm still in shock. Such an improvement! Was hoping for someone else instead of Shane Warne.

Full review in the morning. Just quickly, we were RIGHT NEXT TO the C-Stage! So awesome! [thanks anniea89]

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

Triple J (Australia) will be broadcasting both Sound Relief concerts this Saturday 14th March from midday until late in the night. They will be crossing between both the MCG and the SCG concerts, so you’ll hear the best bits from Coldplay's set. The listen live link is at the triplej.net.au website. Full discussion on Coldplay at the Sound Relief concert in Sydney is at the Coldplay Live forum here onwards.

UPDATE: Coldplay setlist - Sound Relief: 1) LiT 2) Yellow 3) Lost! 4) Clocks 5) Viva La Vida 6) You're The Voice (w/ John Farnham) 7) Fix You

Meanwhile, Coldplay have tonight announced that they'll be playing a second show in Vancouver for the Viva La Vida Tour. Another date at General Motors Place has been lined up for 21st June and tickets go on sale tomorrow [March 14] at 10am via Tickets go on sale tomorrow (14th March) at 10am local time from the Live Nation website.

Pre-sale tickets for their first show sold out in less than 10 minutes this morning. The new discussion thread for the second Vancouver show is here in the Coldplay Live forum here [thanks mimixxx]

Coldplay presale codes are now online ahead of today's presales for the following shows: New Orleans, San Antonio, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. All the details are in this post at the Coldplay Live forum (currently no registration required).

With the presale passwords, you can buy Coldplay tickets early (before the regular onsale). The free presale password for Coldplay's concert unlocks tickets for a short time for the following shows (please refer to the threads for changes of passwords and useful information):

9 June: New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena [discussion]

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

15 June: Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre [discussion]

17 June: Calgary, AB - Pengrowth Saddledone [discussion]

18 June: Edmonton, AB - Northlands [discussion]

20 June: Vancouver, BC - GM Place [discussion]

Would you believe it? Chris De Burgh, the Mr Nice of rock, is laying into Coldplay. “People say to me, ‘You should hear the new Coldplay record’. And I listen to it and I think I’ve heard it all before. It’s A B C D, it’s nothing new.”

De Burgh is unimpressed. Warming to his theme, he adds: “This business is based on chords and we are straight-jacketed by them. There’s only so far you can go. It’s the serious problem of today. I used to listen to music, to people like The Beatles, with awe. They were doing something new.”

Read the full article at the Express and Star here and discuss it at the Coldplay forum here onwards.

Chris De Burgh

As you know (or may not know if you've been off the planet) Coldplay has announced the next leg of its North American tour earlier than expected with a 24-city spring run.

Starting off on off May 15 at Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, FL, and finally breaking on June 20 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, BC. Highlights for the spring run include a May 17 gig at Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta, GA, a May 26 event at Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ and a June 6 concert at Sommet Center in Nashville, TN. The media have been busy writing articles across the world; here are a few choice selections that may be of interest if you are going to the shows:

Coldplay returning to Omaha for 'Viva La Vida' tour

Coldplay coming to Riverbend

Coldplay to perform at DTE

Coldplay books show at Wells Fargo Arena

Coldplay coming to Virginia Beach Amphitheater

Coldplay coming to Sommet in June

Darien Lake on Coldplay's Itinerary

Coldplay to launch tour at Cruzan May 15

Coldplay North American tour triples in size

Coldplay had previously announced a quick summer 2009 tour that will visit cities across the US and Canada. That portion of tour starts up on July 10 at the Amphitheater at Clark Cty in Ridgefield, WA, and closes August 9 at Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa, FL.

As a "breather" between spring and summer North American tours, they'll perform a few European music festivals, followed by a European tour through the late summer. Coldplay is now on a month-long tour of the Asia-Pacific region, with upcoming stops in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore to promote its 4th studio album, 2008's "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends".

In addition to all their gigging, Coldplay has also booked some studio time, though drummer Will Champion noted that a follow-up to "Viva La Vida" (buy copy here) isn't likely soon. "It's a very strange time for the way people listen to music. It's getting more and more fragmented, with people buying single songs rather than albums," he noted in an interview on their site, Coldplay.com.

"In many ways, it's going back to the way it was originally, where people would release singles and then an album was a collection of singles." Champion added, "We want to do something totally revolutionary, that hasn't been done before. We're writing with a view towards that. But what that is, we don't yet know."

Discussion threads:

MAY

15 West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre [discussion] (on sale 10am, 23rd March)

17 Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheatre [discussion] (on sale 12noon, 21st March)

18 Birmingham, AL - Verizon Wireless Center [discussion] (on sale 10am, 16th March)

20 Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre [discussion] (on sale 11am, 20th March)

21 Washington, DC - Nissan Pavilion [discussion] (on sale 12noon, 20th March)

23 Hartford, CT - Meadows [discussion] (on sale 11am, 20th March)

24 Hershey, PA - Hershey Stadium [discussion] (on sale 11am, 20th March)

26 Philadelphia, PA - Susquhana Center [discussion] (on sale 11am, 20th March)

27 Saratoga Springs, NY - SPAC [discussion] (on sale 10am, 23rd March)

29 Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion [discussion] (on sale 11am, 20th March)

30 Pittsburgh, PA - Post Gazette Pavilion [discussion] (on sale 12noon, 21st March)

JUNE

1 Buffalo, NY - Darien Lakes [discussion] (on sale 10am, 23rd March)

2 Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre [discussion] (on sale 10am, 23rd March)

4 Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center [discussion] (on sale 10am, 20th March)

5 Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center [discussion] (on sale 10am, 23rd March)

6 Nashville, TN - Sommet Center [discussion] (on sale 10am, 21st March)

9 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena [discussion] (onsale 10am, 21st March)

10 San Antonio, TX - AT& T Center [discussion] (on sale 10am, 21st March)

12 Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena [discussion] (on sale 10am, 21st March)

13 Omaha, NE - Qwest Center [discussion] (on sale 11am, 21st March)

15 Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre [discussion] (on sale 10am, 14th March)

17 Calgary, AB - Pengrowth Saddledone [discussion] (on sale 10am, 14th March)

18 Edmonton, AB - Northlands [discussion] (on sale 10am, 14th March)

20 Vancouver, BC - GM Place [discussion] (on sale 10am, 14th March)

All on sale times are in local time. Tickets will be available from the Live Nation website.

Coldplay drummer Will Champion has spoken about the band's new recording sessions without lead singer Chris Martin. Coldplay are currently touring Australia but have recently been working on new material with producer Brian Eno.

Some of the sessions involved 'banning' frontman Chris Martin from the studio. Eno is renowned for his unique working methods in a recording studio, including his well-known Oblique Strategies. MusicRadar is guessing that the band working without Martin was a result of Oblique Strategies' dictat: 'Only a part, not the whole'.

Using his Oblique Strategies cue-cards and tactics in the past, Eno has made the members of U2 record simultaneously without being able to see each other, and asked them to 'emphasise the flaws'. Speaking to Coldplay.com, drummer Will Champion was asked about the new Coldplay recording sessions.

How did your time in the studio without Chris work out?

"Well, it was a Brian [Eno] thing. He said he felt like if you're always starting a song from the same point, there's only so much variation you can get. So, I think he wanted the three of us to explore things without really having a song to work to; maybe just a lyric or a fragment of a demo that Chris had done. "And even if those experiments were totally useless, some little aspect of it might fit when the time comes to really start recording properly. I think it was just an exercise in trying to push us into doing new things, which we mightn't do if we had a fully-fledged song on our hands."

Were the results good?

"Yeah, it was actually very fruitful. We started off making rules for creating songs, forcing ourselves to think about the process of making music. They made you make decisions that you would never normally make. I don't think anyone has done more work or research on the process of making music than Brian. Trying to actually impose structure and process on songs yields very interesting and different results."

Is there some sort of plan about releasing something?

"No, that's one thing that there isn't. There's no imposing of any deadline or anything like that. We don't even know what it is that we want to make. It's a very strange time for the way people listen to music. It's getting more and more fragmented, with people buying single songs rather than albums. In many ways, it's going back to the way it was originally, where people would release singles and then an album was a collection of singles. We want to do something totally revolutionary, that hasn't been done before. We're writing with a view towards that. But what that is, we don't yet know."

So there you go. New Coldplay want to be "revolutionary". They're just not sure how yet. Read everything Will Champion has to say on the Coldplay website.

Coldplay played the second night of four Sydney concerts as they continue through their Australian Viva La Vida tour. One minor change to the setlist: Green Eyes was played instead of last night's Speed Of Sound in the acoustic set.

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

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow / You're The Voice (John Farnham cover)

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)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

Picture: Daily Telegraph

went to coldplay just a few hours ago, was pretty good. i was seated a bit away but had a good view... (once again) taped the show (just audio). this time the quality is much nicer and clearer ill be splitting that and uploading it 2moro. judging by the lack of any checks for cameras etc hopefully a video of thw whole thing will surface, but my audio should do for now... [thanks monkeyman]

Ugh, okay so I ended up lining up for about 2 and a half hours and then have to stand through the support acts only to be miserable because I was squished so bad, the girl in front kept putting her hair in my face, her bf felt it necessary to have his arm around her the whole time and completely get in my space and touch my boobs and tall guys (who should totally be banned from the front) were in my way and I couldn't see a thing. So, after the pleasure of them being directly to the right of me when they played the few songs on the runway, my friend and I slowly made our way through the sea of people (when they play the Viva La Vida remix and everyone lights up their phones in the dark) where there was SPACE to move and breath! Sooo much better. I was dancing and I could even see way better. Anyways, can't complain but I must admit, I didn't enjoy the show before I moved to the back which gives me that awful feeling of regret. As my friend said though, if I had been at the back the whole time, I would have been saying "I could have been up there so close to them", not knowing how awful it was. You live and learn. I forgot to mention, one girl fainted before the show even started. How bad would that suck!! I was on the verge on a panic attack, I must admit. I hate crowds and I think I have a mild case of claustrophobia. Oh, and I think the setlist was the same as last nights, except they played Green Eyes instead of Speed of Sound. Oh, and Chris' dad was on the other side of the runway to me in the front row of seats. He got up in Viva La Vida and Lost I think. I wonder what he thinks of the music. [thanks razors_girl23]

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

As was predicted by Coldplaying yesterday, Coldplay have announced another North American tour in addition to the already confirmed Canadian dates. Here's Anchorman with more details:

We're pleased to announce that Coldplay will be heading to North America in May/June for a full tour. Below is a list of the shows, including the previously-announced Canadian and Birmingham, AL dates.

MAY

15 West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre [discussion] (on sale 10am, 23rd March)

17 Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheatre [discussion] (on sale 12noon, 21st March)

18 Birmingham, AL - Verizon Wireless Center [discussion] (on sale 10am, 16th March)

20 Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre [discussion] (on sale 11am, 20th March)

21 Washington, DC - Nissan Pavilion [discussion] (on sale 12noon, 20th March)

23 Hartford, CT - Meadows [discussion] (on sale 11am, 20th March)

24 Hershey, PA - Hershey Stadium [discussion] (on sale 11am, 20th March)

26 Philadelphia, PA - Susquhana Center [discussion] (on sale 11am, 20th March)

27 Saratoga Springs, NY - SPAC [discussion] (on sale 10am, 23rd March)

29 Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion [discussion] (on sale 11am, 20th March)

30 Pittsburgh, PA - Post Gazette Pavilion [discussion] (on sale 12noon, 21st March)

JUNE

1 Buffalo, NY - Darien Lakes [discussion] (on sale 10am, 23rd March)

2 Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre [discussion] (on sale 10am, 23rd March)

4 Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center [discussion] (on sale 10am, 20th March)

5 Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center [discussion] (on sale 10am, 23rd March)

6 Nashville, TN - Sommet Center [discussion] (on sale 10am, 21st March)

9 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena [discussion] (onsale 10am, 21st March)

10 San Antonio, TX - AT& T Center [discussion] (on sale 10am, 21st March)

12 Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena [discussion] (on sale 10am, 21st March)

13 Omaha, NE - Qwest Center [discussion] (on sale 11am, 21st March)

15 Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre [discussion] (on sale 10am, 14th March)

17 Calgary, AB - Pengrowth Saddledone [discussion] (on sale 10am, 14th March)

18 Edmonton, AB - Northlands [discussion] (on sale 10am, 14th March)

20 Vancouver, BC - GM Place [discussion] (on sale 10am, 14th March)

All on sale times are in local time. Tickets will be available from the Live Nation website.

Coldplay played the first night of four Sydney concerts as they continue through their Australian Viva La Vida tour.

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

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow / You're The Voice (John Farnham cover)

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)

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

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

A-fucking-mazing. They played Glasses Of Water and I almost had a heart attack. They played every single song I wanted them to. Now to do it all again tomorrow. Had to plan my attack for GA. I'm going to get there around 4:30 to line up and then if I can't get to the very front before other people when we're let in, I will head to the right of the stage where they play a few songs on the little runway type thing. My hope is many people won't have been tonight and won't realise to stand there. [thanks razors_girl23]

Please forgive me again for my incohesiveness after a gig. I was sitting this time, on Jonny's side I was at the end of the ramp so I had a good view of him during IMP. He saw my banner again, and gave me a smile The concert was great, they played GOW and I'm a Believer, the energy was amazing!!! I got told off by the people behind to sit down because I got excited and started dancing I was kinda disappointed that I was probably the only person in my block singing GOW. And something else really FAIL. I was in the queue for the merch and there was this girl behind me who told her friend, 'I really like the blue butterfly tee, but butterflies have NOTHING to do with Coldplay!' And we met Will and Chris... We were waiting outside the loading bay trying our luck. Will came out in a van and was very patient and gracious He told us both Guy and Jonny had left before him, but Chris was still around. So we waited... and waited... Then this van with tinted windows came out. It didn't stop, although the person inside was waving at us. Some of us thought it was Chris, but the others weren't convinced, so we continued waiting until this nice security guard informed us that Chris was INDEED coming out, although we were to wait quietly and not mob his car. So we stood at a respectful distance before Kelly came out and opened the door for Chris. He signed everything we threw at him , and took a couple of pictures. [thanks but a dream]

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

Coldplay weren't giving away much yesterday about their performance at the Sound Relief bushfire and floods benefit concert scheduled for Saturday but do know John Farnham's hit You're the Voice all the way through, however, and has been having secret rehearsals with an unknown artist during its Australian tour, report The Australian.

The band played a snippet of the song at one of its Melbourne shows on their Australia tour. "Even doing a snippet of that song ... everyone goes with it," Chris Martin said prior to Coldplay's first Sydney show last night. Coldplay is the opening act at the Sydney arm of Sound Relief. A similar concert will play simultaneously at Melbourne's MCG. Farnham will join the band on stage.

Martin said he was delighted the band could take part in the concert for such a worthy cause. "Before we got here, we didn't really understand the extent of the fires," he said. "It was only when we arrived in Perth that we realised, and from then we wanted to do it 150 per cent. We're just thrilled to be asked."

Martin and his colleagues Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Guy Berryman are in good spirits for this tour to promote their album Viva La Vida, which earned them three awards at the Grammys last month. Their mood is in sharp contrast with the tension that existed between them before they made the album after a lengthy, exhausting world tour.

"We play soccer a lot and table tennis," Martin said. "Our backstage area is like a fitness club. It's important not to become too fat on your fourth album."

The singer would not be drawn into a slanging match with Bono, who described the Coldplay frontman as a wanker on BBC Radio One two weeks ago. Martin preferred to sing the praises of Bono's outfit, U2. "They are the Manchester United of rock, so they must be doing something right," he said.

Coldplay was enjoying a less frenetic touring schedule and it would not be rushing into releasing a follow-up to Viva La Vida. "To me, a big band is like a relation at Christmas," Martin said. "You're pleased to see them for a bit, but then you really want them to f..k off. We are really grateful for what has happened to us for the last year or so, and we're going to keep touring for a bit, but to make people buy records we should probably disappear for awhile."

More on Coldplay at the Sound Relief concert in the Coldplay Live forum here

Coldplay in Sydney - 10th March 2009

Coldplay have hinted at a surprise for fans during their set at this weekend's Sydney Sound Relief concert, and are rumoured to be joined on stage by John Farnham to perform his iconic hit You're The Voice when they open the bushfire and flood benefit concert on Saturday.

Chris Martin played coy when asked about it ahead of the first Sydney concert of their Australian tour tonight. "Nothing particularly special is happening, probably at the end of the set," the singer said with a knowing smile. And because we're not doing anything special for it, we've had to do extra rehearsals."

The band played part of You're The Voice at one of their Melbourne shows last week, and admit they used to listen to it growing up in England. "It's hard to not be aware of it when you grew up in the time period we did," drummer Will Champion said. "(It was) absolutely everywhere, it was huge." Martin added, "It's funny, even when you play the smallest snippet of that, the whole place just goes with it, straight away."

More on Coldplay at the Sound Relief concert in the Coldplay Live forum here

Another full summer Coldplay US arena tour annoucement may be round the corner as Live Nation has listed a second US date at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tennessee on 6th June (screenshot taken in case it disappears!). This follows just hours after a new date in Birmingham, Alabama was confirmed for 18th May.

The two dates, almost three weeks apart, look to be joined by further shows in between, with more in early-mid May and mid June also a possibility. Four June Canadian shows were announced yesterday in Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. This comes as Chris Martin explains Coldplay's ambitions, comparing them to triple Olympic record holder Usain Bolt.

He admitted that the band are constantly striving to be the best in their field. "I know we're not shit," he told the Herald Sun. "We want to be like Usain Bolt, we don't want to be the guy who came fifth. It's not enough to get into the Olympic finals, you've got to win it."

Chris Martin added that there is more pressure on recording artists than ever before. "We're on our fourth album, we're doing about as well as you can ask to do, but there's a blessing and a curse to being in a band in 2009," he said. "The curse is there's so many things that have gone before you it's difficult to be original and also you're competing against all those things in history from Beethoven to Sigur Ros to Gabriella Cilmi.

More on that interview with the Herald Sun at the Coldplay forum here onwards.

Coldplay will return to the Birmingham area for a May 18 concert at the Verizon Wireless Music Center, promoter Live Nation announced today.

Tickets for the date in Pelham, priced at $35-$97.50, will go on sale at 10 a.m. March 16 at 877-598-8698 or www.livenation.com. The show time and opening act haven't been confirmed. Coldplay last performed here in January 2003 at the BJCC Concert Hall. In September 2005, Coldplay canceled a show at the Verizon Center, blaming a virus that had sickened lead singer Chris Martin. Here's Anchorman with details:

We're pleased to announce that Coldplay will be heading to Birmingham, Alabama on May 18th for a show at the Verizon Wirelesss Music Center. Tickets go on sale from here on Monday 16th March. We're told that this is the band's first show in Birmingham, AL since January 2003 (a September 2005 show was cancelled when Chris had a virus).

The discussion thread for this new show is at the Coldplay Live forum here [thanks mimixxx]

Coldplay were in Brisbane on Monday night and the Gold Coast's SEA FM crew of Paul, Moyra and Baggsy were lucky (or respected) enough to be the only Queensland radio station to interview them backstage.

"We were there for the sound check and (lead singer) Chris Martin and Guy Berryman are the most down to earth people you could wish to meet," said Paul.

Martin said he hoped to head to the Gold Coast for downtime after the show. Keep your eyes peeled boys and girls because the cool looking dude sipping on a macchiato beside you just may be from Coldplay.

Facing the prospect of a Rock Band title arriving on the PlayStation Portable, the publisher has released information on Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits, which is the third installment of the series to make its way to the Nintendo DS handheld.

The publisher has also released information regarding the tracks that would be featured in the game, saying that the following songs would certainly make it into Guitar Hero On Tour:

Modern Hit: Wolfmother - “Dimension;” Coldplay - “Violet Hill;” Lenny Kravitz - “Where Are We Runnin'” Evanescence - “Sweet Sacrifice;” The Strokes - “Reptilia;” The Bravery - “Unconditional;” Fall Out Boy - “This Ain't a Scene;” Weezer - “Everybody Get Dangerous;” The Kaiser Chiefs - “Ruby;” 12 Stones - “Adrenaline;” Tenacious D - “The Metal;” Atreyu - “Falling Down.”

The Sound Relief concert to be held in Melbourne for Victorian bushfire victims has sold out, becoming the largest paid concert event ever held in Australia.

Several international acts will perform and some legendary Australian bands have re-formed for two benefit concerts to be held simultaneously at the Melbourne and Sydney cricket grounds on Saturday. More than 78,000 tickets have been sold for the Melbourne event, which will feature the likes of Kings of Leon and Kylie Minogue.

Extra tickets have been added for the Sydney concert, which will be headlined by Coldplay and The Presets. More than 100,000 tickets, at $75 each, have been sold across both cities. The profits will add to the more than $100 million raised so far for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. Half of the profits from the Sydney event will go towards helping Queensland flood victims.

More on this article at the Sound Relief concerts at the Coldplay Live forum here onwards.

Coldplay played the second night of two Brisbane concerts as they continue through their Australian Viva La Vida tour. More slight changes to the generic setlist - Glass of Water replaced Chinese Sleep Chant again, Speed Of Sound was re-added to the acoustic set in place of I'm A Believer, and John Farnham's 'You're The Voice' was once again covered after Yellow...

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

Setlist: [thanks I_saw_sparks_87]

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow / You're The Voice (John Farnham cover)

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)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

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

As was hinted at yesterday via Sonic 102.9FM, Coldplay have announced new tour dates in Canada for this June. Tickets for all four dates will go on sale on Saturday, March 14th at 10am MST via Live Nation. Here's Anchorman with full details:

Good afternoon. We're pleased to confirm four more Canadian shows for Coldplay, to add to the previously-announced Toronto Rogers Centre gig on 30th July. The dates are as follows:

June 15 - MTS Centre, Winnipeg

June 17 - Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary

June 18 - Rexall Place, Edmonton

June 20 - General Motors Place, Vancouver

Coldplay have delivered a deadly blow to Bono’s U2 after first week sales in Australia revealed that Viva La Viva figures had romped in over No Line On The Horizon sales.

The U2 album debuted at number one in Australia today with a not too shabby showing of 29,963 sales in the past week. Coldplay Viva La Vida sold 41,041 units in week one in Australia. That is a major gap between the two in-battle superacts.

Bono brought the Coldplay vs U2 battle into the public arena when he called Chris Martin a wanker and a cretin a few weeks ago on the BBC. Martin responded to Bono’s poorly chosen comments via the Australian stage in Melbourne earlier this week when he said, “I have been putting up with shit from Bono for years”.

Bono is obviously nervous that the U2 torch may be about to pass to Coldplay before he wants to let it go. Based on sales out of Australia and projected sales for later this week in the USA, Coldplay is now more popular than U2. No Line On The Horizon is expected to sell around 400k-450k this week in America according to Hitsdailydouble.com. Viva La Vida sold more than 700k in the first week in America.

Given the Australian ratios, the predicted U2 figure for the US looks spot on, and the world would have voted. And let the battle continue!

SOurce: undercover.com.au

Coldplay played the first night of two Brisbane concerts as they continue through their Australian Viva La Vida tour. Three changes to the generic setlist - Glass of Water replaced Chinese Sleep Chant again, Green Eyes AND Neil Diamond's I'm A Believer were played in the acoustic set, and John Farnham's 'You're The Voice' was covered after Yellow...

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

Setlist: [thanks I_saw_sparks_87]

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Yellow / You're The Voice (John Farnham cover)

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 (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will vocals)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

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Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

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The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

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

It doesn't look like Chris Martin and Coldplay are trying too hard to make up for cancelling last summer's dates in Edmonton and Calgary, writes the Edmonton Journal. Coldplay have just announced another North American tour -- and surprise, surprise -- neither Alberta city is on the list. Only Toronto (July 29) and a bunch of U.S. cities are included.

In an interview last year, guitarist Jonny Buckland said the band would reschedule the missed shows. "I think we'll definitely be replacing those in the new year," he says. "I'm not sure exactly when, to be honest; we've got it planned all the way up until the end of December. But the only plans we have for the new year are playing those ones in Western Canada and in Calgary. I've got quite a lot of family in Calgary and they would be very disappointed if we didn't play there."

Coldplay was scheduled to perform July 29, 2008 at Rexall Place. The rockers were forced to cancel due to production delays.

Sonic 102.9 FM will announce two concerts on Monday morning — at 7 and 7:30 a.m. But, according to a hint on Sonic's Twitter, Coldplay might be one of the announcements. "Could they be headed to E-town? http://tinyurl.com/8wq9dw" reads the post - directing readers to the LiTii video.

In an interview last year, guitarist Jonny Buckland said the band would reschedule the missed shows. "I think we'll definitely be replacing those in the new year," he says. "I'm not sure exactly when, to be honest; we've got it planned all the way up until the end of December. But the only plans we have for the new year are playing those ones in Western Canada and in Calgary. I've got quite a lot of family in Calgary and they would be very disappointed if we didn't play there."

Coldplay was scheduled to perform July 29, 2008 at Rexall Place, but were forced to cancel due to production delays.

More on this news at the Coldplay Live forum here onwards.

Last year when interviewing Chris Martin, Merrick, Kate & Rosso from Nova 96.9FM (Sydney) decided to throw him a birthday party when Coldplay were in town. After extensive preparations they did just that earlier this week!

What did the band think of their ingenious gifts and did Chris like the cake Kate baked? Check out the photos here and watch three videos of Merrick, Rosso & Kate revealing gifts they got for the rest of Coldplay here. You can also listen to here to hear what Chris thinks of his present, as Kate unveils her homemade cake, and as the exchanging of gifts begins. As well as having a BBQ for Chris Martin the guys went to see them play live in Melbourne - listen to the review by Merrik & Rosso & Kate Ritiche. There are also podcasts available of the audio clips online for a short time.

More discussion on all these new audio & video clips and pictures at the Coldplay forum here [thanks anniea89, mimixxx & pink_elephant]

Coldplay may have staged a coup for their performance at Sound Relief - coaxing John Farnham out of retirement to perform his signature hit You're The Voice. Organisers were quiet yesterday about the collaboration to open the concert at the SCG next Saturday.

Rumours of Whispering Jack's cameo at the Sydney event began midweek when Coldplay drummer Will Champion said he had been learning John Farnham songs. Coldplay appeared to confirm the rumour when Chris Martin segued from one of their songs into You're The Voice during the band's Melbourne concert on Thursday night.

Read the full exclusive story in the Coldplay Live forum here

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

March 5, 2009 - submitted by javier, Mexico

Q. hello... i was wondering what brand of piano did chris use in the grammys (or who did the painting on it) thank you

The Oracle replies:

It was once again the band's talented personal assistant Vicki who painted this piano. It was finished just in time for the Grammys.

March 5, 2009 - submitted by Rob, Germany

Q. Dearest Oracle, in Roadie #42's new report there is a word I don't know and which any online translators can't guess: 'I shall leave you with a portrait of a couple of jetlagged mates.' - What does 'jetlagged' mean? Big thank you, best wishes, Robert

The Oracle replies:

Jet lagged refers to the shift in the body clock from travelling through different time zones. It usually happens during long haul flights east to west and vice versa. It doesn't usually effect long journeys north to south. It is common for a traveller to feel extremely tired and it may take a day to regain a normal feeling.

March 5, 2009 - submitted by Arion Xenos, United Kingdom

Q. Hey Oracle, me again. Look, I wanted to get tickets for coldplay in september in Hampden Park. Can You give me a link that shows me exactly what seats are available so I can see if I won't just be watching coldplay from a screen (as i did last night). Thanks a billion oracle, I really want to go.

The Oracle replies:

If you click here there is a drop down 'view a seating plan' menu; select Coldplay and it will show you the layout.