MAX and Channel [V] are thrilled to present Coldplay's Viva La Vida Australian tour in 2009. On their last concert tour of Australia in June 2006, Coldplay sold out a total of ten arena shows, playing to more than 100,000 people, garnering rave reviews and leaving rapturous fans in their wake.

To celebrate Coldplay's return to Australia they're giving you the chance to catch them at one of their Aussie shows. All you've got to do is simply register to enter and tell them: In 25 words or less, Why you are Coldplay’s biggest Australian fan?

Full details on prizes, deadline date and how to enter at the Coldplay forum here [thanks anniea89]

Concerts where this prize will be facilitated are:

Fri 27 Feb Burswood Dome, Perth

Tue 3 Mar Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Sun 8 Mar Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Wed 11 Mar Acer Arena, Sydney

Coldplay recently brought the number of Australian shows to their itinery for 2009 to eleven, with the addition of a fourth Sydney show. The full list is:

Friday 27th February - Perth, Burswood Dome [discussion]

Saturday 28th February - Perth, Burswood Dome [discussion]

Tuesday 3rd March - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena [discussion]

Wednesday 4th March - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena [discussion]

Thursday 5th March – Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena [discussion]

Sunday 8th March - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre [discussion]

Monday 9th March - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre [discussion]

Wednesday 11th March - Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

Thursday 12th March - Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

Saturday 14th March - Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

Sunday 15th March – Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

New Zealand:

Wednesday 18th March - Auckland, Vector Arena [discussion]

Thursday 19th March - Auckland, Vector Arena [discussion]

It's been a few days now since Coldplay revealed that their new video for Life In Technicolor ii would feature the band as puppets, and finally this story has hit the media-waves. First up, here's Stereogum today:

All sorts of news out from Coldplay HQ today, starting with a preview of the "Life In Technicolor II" video, which premieres on 4Music in the UK Tuesday night. Like Kanye and Genesis before them, the band became puppets for the clip. The just-released stills show them performing for lil' Coldplay fans. I hope they release the puppets as toys so I can make Chris Martin fight with my Joe Satriani doll and make sweet love to my Jay-Z doll. As you might have guessed, the Prospekt's March tune is the official next single, to be released on 7" and digitally 2/2 with a new song, "The Goldrush," on the b-side.

Meanwhile if you haven't heard, there is a backstage Vlog flying about from Coldplay's recent European Tour with Albert Hammond Jnr. It features some Coldplay content including Chris Martin playing ping-pong after a show and Roadie 42's bubble wrapping of Marguerite's desk. There is also some roadie-in-action coverage, including Bash and the confetti man Brook Blomquist. Where can you watch it? In the Coldplay Live forum right here [thanks mimixxx]

Coldplay have opened up another competition following the release of the new Messenger edition, No.10 Vol.1. Here are the details:

Following our ridiculously popular Christmas competition (congrats to Lorenzo in Alessandria, Italy, who bagged the rare signed promo album), we've got another giveaway for you. We're going to get the band to sign a copy of the Life In Technicolor ii 7-inch. If you'd like to win it, then simply email your details to competitions@coldplay.com before January 27th. Just one entry per person, please.

They go on to say that in other LITii news, the video for the single will premiere on the 4Music channel in the UK at 7pm on Tuesday 20th January. Later that night, at 12.10am, the video will be shown on Channel 4. For those of you in the rest of the world, the video will pop up on Coldplay.com very shortly after its TV premiere. If you'd like a sneak preview of what looks like being one of Coldplay's best videos yet, then click here to see some stills at Coldplay.com. (Yes, puppets!)

If you missed the Messenger email and you would like to read the full edition online, head to the messageboard here [thanks mimixxx]

The Fray have revealed that Coldplay inspire them to "do better" as a band. The Colorado four-piece, who scored a top five hit with 'How To Save A Life' in 2006, were blown away by the English band's Viva La Vida album.

"Viva La Vida is amazing! Some of the sounds on that record are just incredible and that's what I find inspiring," drummer Ben Wysocki told DigitalSpy. "They're not just turning out melodies that you can sing to in the shower, they're progressing into different sonic landscapes and collaborating with different producers."

However, Wysocki insisted that The Fray, who release their second album next month, do not view Coldplay as chart competitors. "Whenever people compare us to Coldplay, we take it as a compliment because we're big fans of the band," he said. "But it's kind of selling yourself short to view your fellow artists as rivals, because you have to focus on being the best you can be. We don't see Coldplay as competition, but they do kinda inspire us to do better."

Full discussion on this story at the Coldplay forum here

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

January 14, 2009 - submitted by Sarah, United Kingdom

Q. Dearest Oracle, when I went to see Coldplay at Manchester on the 12th Dec, during Yellow I actually loved the balloons! but the security didnt seem keen on people trying to keep them, why was this?

The Oracle replies:

Firstly they were very large and as Yellow wasn't the last song it was a long time for people to cling on to the balloons rather than spread the love around. Also people were actually battling over them. Two women on the front row were practically fighting during the encore when trying to retrieve their balloons from security personnel, quite ugly I have to say! It would have been amusing to see people clutching balloons and then realizing they didn't fit into their car or mode of transport!

January 15, 2009 - submitted by Hillary, United States of America

Q. Is 42 the answer to everything?

The Oracle replies:

Well it's not the answer to how old I am or what number house I live in or how many people I have kissed... so I say no. Douglas Adams had a better theory I'm sure. The number 42 is The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything according to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and other works by Adams.

January 15, 2009 - submitted by Nick, United Kingdom

Q. Hello Oracle, I'm trying to decide what Coldplay song I could wake up to in the morning. Do you have any ideas on what song I could start my day off to?

The Oracle replies:

I have pondered upon this for a couple of days but still keep coming to the same response, which was my instinctive first thought. No More Keeping My Feet On The Ground because of the lyrics:

Sometimes I wake up and I'm falling asleep

I think that maybe the curtains are closing on me

But I wake up

Yes I wake up smiling

Sometimes I wake up and I'm falling asleep

But I've got to get going so much that I'm wanting to do

But I wake up smiling.

January 15, 2009 - submitted by Sean, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle: A couple of months ago, a friend giving me a hug goodbye commented to me, "You're hot." After I gave her a bizarre look, she realized what she'd said and corrected, "I mean tall! You're tall!" She then proceeded to explain that the sun was making her back hot, hence her mistake. My question is: In your omniscient opinion, do you think it was an honest mistake or a Freudian slip? Just curious. Thanks.

The Oracle replies:

Hmmm she could have easily said the sun had made your back hot and therefore she meant you were literally hot to touch but it seems she was caught out. As she didn't really give a feasible explanation for her choice of phrase it sounds like she is indeed hot but not due to the sun... she's hot for you!

January 15, 2009 - submitted by Michael, United States of America

Q. I thought it was interesting that Coldplay had grammy nominations for "seven Gongs" I am little perplexed as to which "grammy" award show this was? Or is this just a typo? If it is, my mistake.

The Oracle replies:

Seven Gongs isn't the name of a song it just means seven awards. In other words they have seven nominations.

January 15, 2009 - submitted by Frankie, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle. I heard this question from a friend who claims it was from a movie, and he wouldn't tell me what the answer is. "Which is heavier? All the trains that pass through the Grand Central Station in New York City in one year --or-- All the tress cut down to make US currency in one year."

The Oracle replies:

Yeah it's from Inside Man. It's a trick question, as Grand Central Station is the post office, and money is not made from paper. So the answer is that they weight the same, which is nothing. Trains pass through Grand Central Terminal not station, and money paper is made from cotton so no trees are cut down.

January 14, 2009 - submitted by Daniel, Sweden

Q. When Politik ends on the Viva la Vida tour, Chris plays a nice classic piece on the piano, and I wonder, is it "Le Moulin" by Yann Tiersen? couse parts of it sounds like that song. Thanks

The Oracle replies:

I actually answered this on the 7th Jan so as that was only last week it should be easy to find. I am a fan of Mr Tiersen and can be frequently found whistling his music from Amelie. Yann's music is typically French and so I can understand why you'd think it was a piece by him but as you will see when you look, it's not.

January 14, 2009 - submitted by Kunal, Canada

Q. I was watching a Much Music TV interview with Jonny & Chris a couple of days ago, & they said that they would perform at weddings for 4 Pounds an hour. I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday & my wife & my 3 year Anniversary on May 30th, 2009 & was wondering if they would perform for us? Who do I need to get in touch with, in order to make this happen?

The Oracle replies:

I'm afraid they were jesting; they're not available for hire. If they were at £4 and hour, they'd be the bargain of the century!

The results of Nielsen SoundScan’s ranking of the 10 biggest-selling performers of 2008 and Pollstar’s Top 10 highest-grossing North American concert tours are out, and Coldplay are in sixth place with a combined income in 2008 of $81.6 million:

6. Coldplay ($81.6 million). Although finishing sixth, Coldplay is in the enviable position of balancing its power in concert and at retail. About $40.8 million worth of concert tickets were bolstered with $35 million in CD sales and $6 million worth of 99-cent track downloads. Average ticket price: $79.87.

The road is still where artists tend to make the most money. Only three of the Nielsen SoundScan biggest-selling artists of 2008 — AC/DC, Coldplay and the Jonas Brothers — make the Ultimate Top 10, even folding in their revenue from digital track sales. That leaves the upper reaches of the Ultimate Top 10 to the veterans, and no one outperformed Madonna, whose combined income of $120 million is a drop from last year’s winner, the Police, which logged $140.7 million.

Read the full top ten list at the Coldplay forum here

The Coldplay official site have confirmed that the band will be among the acts performing at the ceremony. The awards take place live on Sunday February 8th at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. They will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8-11:30 pm (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide, and covered online at grammy.com, on Twitter, on Facebook, on YouTube and on Last.fm.

In other related news, the Grammys have revealed this special image of Coldplay, which is made up from the titles of songs which have inspired the band.

Let us know what you think of the exclusive image in the Grammy thread at the Coldplay forum here onwards [thanks BostonSportsTD]

Lil Wayne, Coldplay and the Jonas Brothers are confirmed to perform at the Feb. 8 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. The three will join the previously announced Katy Perry.

Lil Wayne and Coldplay are competing for album of the year, and the Jonas Brothers are in the running for best new artist. Both Coldplay and Lil Wayne are part of this year's Grammy ad campaign, and it's the norm for all artists nominated for album of the year to perform on the live telecast. Others nominated for album of the year include Radiohead, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant and Ne-Yo, although none have yet been announced as performers.

It also shouldn't come as a surprise that Lil Wayne, Coldplay and the JoBros have signed on, as all three were on the award show circuit in 2008. Lil Wayne went so far as to appear at the Country Music Assn. Awards, where he waved a guitar onstage with Kid Rock, and Coldplay appeared at everything from the American Music Awards to the MTV Movie Awards. The JoBros also appeared at the AMAs, as well as the MTV Video Music Awards.

More on this exclusive news in the Grammy thread at the Coldplay forum here onwards [thanks mimixxx]

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards take place on February 8 in Los Angeles and Radiohead's Thom Yorke is fronting a new advertisement campaign to promote this year's Grammy Awards, NME is reporting today.

Yorke, along with other stars including Stevie Wonder, Rihanna and Lenny Kravitz, is appearing on posters and in TV adverts in the run up to the ceremony, which takes place in February. Coldplay and Kanye West are also rumoured to be featured in the campaign.

Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' is nominated in the Album Of The Year category, alongside Coldplay ('Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends'), Robert Plant & Alison Krauss ('Raising Sand'), Ne-Yo ('Year Of The Gentleman') and Lil' Wayne ('Tha Carter III').Although Yorke's TV advert is yet to air, his poster has been made public. It features a mock-up of the Radiohead singer's face, shaped out of text featuring the names and lyrics of some of his favourite songs, albums and artists. A Grammy spokeswoman said that each musician taking part in the campaign was asked to name between 10 and 20 of their favourite artists. These names then formed the basis of the posters and TV adverts. Among the artists chosen by Yorke are Liars and Scott Walker.

The advertising campaign is rumoured to be the biggest in the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences history, reports LA Times. It comes a year after the Grammys suffered their lowest TV ratings since 1992.

More on Coldplay's possible inclusion in the Grammy 2008 thread at the Coldplay forum here

Chris Martin will perform solo at the forthcoming French NRJ Awards in Cannes this weekend. Here's Anchorman with more details:

Good morning. This coming Saturday night (17th Jan), Chris will be performing Lost? at the 2009 NRJ Awards in Cannes, France, where Coldplay are up for two awards (Best International Album and Best International Group). As he's playing the acoustic version of the track, it'll just be Chris and his trusty piano.

As previously announced, the awards celebrate the top music releases in France. Coldplay had been nominated in the categories International Album of the Year, International Song of the Year and International Band of the Year, following on from the success of their last album Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (which has sold over 500,000 copies in France and has been a top 5 best seller in 2008).

Full discussion on this at the Coldplay forum here [thanks a-chan, LoverInJapan74 & emilien]

MAX and Channel [V] are thrilled to present Coldplay's Viva La Vida Australian tour in 2009. On their last concert tour of Australia in June 2006, Coldplay sold out a total of ten arena shows, playing to more than 100,000 people, garnering rave reviews and leaving rapturous fans in their wake.

To celebrate Coldplay's return to Australia they're giving you the chance to catch them at one of their Aussie shows. All you've got to do is simply register to enter and tell them: In 25 words or less, Why you are Coldplay’s biggest Australian fan?

Full details on prizes, deadline date and how to enter at the Coldplay forum here [thanks anniea89]Concerts where this prize will be facilitated are:

Fri 27 Feb Burswood Dome, Perth

Tue 3 Mar Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Sun 8 Mar Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Wed 11 Mar Acer Arena, Sydney

Coldplay recently brought the number of Australian shows to their itinery for 2009 to eleven, with the addition of a fourth Sydney show. The full list is:

Friday 27th February - Perth, Burswood Dome [discussion]

Saturday 28th February - Perth, Burswood Dome [discussion]

Tuesday 3rd March - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena [discussion]

Wednesday 4th March - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena [discussion]

Thursday 5th March – Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena [discussion]

Sunday 8th March - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre [discussion]

Monday 9th March - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre [discussion]

Wednesday 11th March - Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

Thursday 12th March - Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

Saturday 14th March - Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

Sunday 15th March – Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

The official Coldplay site has confirmed that the new video for Life In Technicolor ii will make its debut on UK television next week... and what's more - the band members are puppets. Here's Anchorman with more details:

Good morning. We're pleased to announce that the video for Coldplay's new single, Life In Technicolor ii, will premiere on the 4Music channel in the UK at 7pm on Tuesday 20 January. Later that night, at 12.10am, the video will be shown on Channel 4. We thought you might like to see some stills from the video to whet your appetite... Looks pretty ace, doesn't it?

More on this at the Coldplay forum here onwards [thanks francois]. You can also now join the Coldplaying Facebook group where we hope to bring you the latest news by clicking here

Coldplay Roadie Matt McGinn's new book is due to be published on 1 May 2009 by Portico. Here is the product description for said item:

If it's true that behind every great man there is a great woman, then behind every great band, there's a similarly skilled road crew...This book is the backstage 'on the road' account of Matt McGinn's life as a roadie touring with a band at the pinnacle of their success. The book charts the life and duties of a rock and roll roadie for the band Coldplay, who has been with them right from the start of their career (as well as his).

"ROADIE" is stuffed with insightful and authoritative rock 'n' roll tour stories about daily roadie duties; the job; the road; the gigs, the band; the relationships; the fame; the failing equipment and the cold beers after a great show - as well as humorous and engaging anecdotes about Matt's relationship with Coldplay as they travel the world and become the biggest band on it.

The book will have mass appeal to young musicians and bands as well as the upcoming technical staff who want to read about the duties and life of a roadie for one of the biggest bands in the world. The book also promises a foreword by Chris Martin as well exclusive never-before-seen photography of the band. "ROADIE" will be the first, and only, biography and book of the band approved by Coldplay. It is an authoritative, engaging account of a roadie's life and duty to the biggest band in the world. It is an insightful and entertaining look at the rock and roll touring industry. This the first and only book blessed by Coldplay. It includes a foreword by Chris Martin (Coldplay), along with exclusive photography.

About the Author: Matt is the only full time backline technician employed by the band and the key member of its touring force. He was present during the recording of the last two albums, has circled the globe over a dozen times, and during the last six years, Matt has risen to the top of the roadie ranks. This is his first book.

Read more on this exclusive announcement in the Coldplay forum here [thanks a-chan, ColdplayBirdsFly & Jenjie]

According to online TV sources, Coldplay's new video for Life in Technicolor ii will premiere next week on 4Music and Channel 4 (UK). Coldplay earlier announced that the track would be Coldplay's next UK single, and it was rumoured that the video would premiere on Monday 11th Jan on the official site (which may still be the case).

The track will be released on 7-inch vinyl and digital bundle on Monday February 2nd. The B-side of the 7-inch will be The Goldrush, a song which is previously unheard, unreleased and unperformed. As well as that track, the digital bundle will contain Life In Technicolor ii (Live @ The O2, London). Here are the two station guides for the video showing:

Video Exclusive (Music)

Time - 19:00 - 19:05 (5 minutes long)

When - Tuesday 20th January on 4Music

Coldplay.

Exclusive first play of Coldplay's brand new video Life In Technicolour II.

4 Music: Coldplay: Video Exclusive - Wednesday 21 January

12:10am - 12:15am

Channel 4

Exclusive first UK play of the new Coldplay video Life in Technicolor II.

VIDEO Plus+: 3090686

More on this news at the Coldplay forum here [thanks DefDazz & RedGirl76]

A reminder if you haven't seen it already, Coldplay have spoken about their plans for 2009, and how the band plans to start work on the follow up to their best selling Viva la Vida album. Bass player Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion spoke to STV's John Kilbride shortly before they appeared at Glasgow's SECC in December. Asked about Coldplay's plans for 2009, Guy said: "We're going to start work on the new record next year (2009)."

As for when he expected anything to come out from this, he said: "When it's good, it could be a year, it could be two years. We'll just have to start work and see how it shapes up. There are a few ideas being thrown around but I can't tell you anything about it, not that it's secret...just because I don't know!"

Guy also spoke about his Scottish roots, the band's forthcoming arena tour in the UK in September, and the band's new EP Prospekt's March.

Read the discussion on this news at the Coldplay forum here [thanks mimixxx]

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

January 9, 2009 - submitted by Danny, United States of America

Q. Where can I find the free download of the remix of their smash hit Viva La Vida from their official website?

The Oracle replies:

As Anchorman announced, it was only available for a limited time and so you have missed it via the official route. I have no knowledge of any unofficial sources, as I am a law-abiding citizen. Honest guv.

January 9, 2009 - submitted by Eileen, United States of America

Q. Hope you and the band had a nice holiday. In reading the recent questions, I wondered what a "Twiglet" is? Apologies if it is something obvious to a non-chicagoan.

The Oracle replies:

Twiglets are a savoury snack food in a bag much like the potato crisp (chips to you) and depending who you ask are either gorgeous or disgusting. (FYI I say they are DISGUSTING!). They look a little like twigs (hence the name) but taste like Marmite (love it or hate it). Basically they are crunchy, knobbly and yeasty wheat sticks.January 9, 2009 - submitted by Lahine, Christmas Island

Q. Here's a quick conundrum for you to solve if you are as wise as you say you are.

There is this lady whose mother dies so she goes to the funeral and she meets this guy over there. Exactly 2 weeks later she kills her sister. WHY?!?!?

The Oracle replies:

Ooh ooh I know this! Before you accuse me of being a psychopath, I also know that this is a test devised to work out who has a thought process deemed dangerous! So I have no pathological tendencies. You missed an important part of the puzzle out though. The man she meets is a stranger to her and she doesn't know anything about him. She doesn't have his number or anything. 'Tis is a very sick response indeed but said lady (murdering witch) wants to see the man again and as she can't get in contact with him figures that as he was at a family member's funeral, he could show up again at another, so kills her sister in the hope the guy will be there! Nasty eh?

The 2009 Pemberton Music Festival has been cancelled, the mayor of Pemberton, B.C., confirmed Thursday. The fledgling summer event attracted thousands of music fans to the farming village near Mount Currie in 2008 for a weekend of music and camping. Last July, more than 120 artists, including Tom Petty, Jay-Z and Coldplay, performed over four days.

Mayor Jordan Sturdy told CBC News Thursday that this year's festival, slated for July, was cancelled by organizer Live Nation. There had been an ongoing dispute over the use of prime farmland as the site of the festival since last year's event, which delayed Live Nation getting the approvals required to go ahead with the 2009 festival.

In November, the province's Agricultural Land Commission concluded that the 40,000 people who attended the 2008 festival did not damage the land it was held on, and the organizer was given permission to use the site for another three years.

But Live Nation said the time it took to get the green light from the commission didn't allow time to line up talent and finalize logistical details. The company said it will focus on planning a 2010 festival.

The event's success was marred by massive traffic jams on the Sea to Sky Highway. Also, many fans waited for hours or slept in their cars on the tarmac of the local airport that was being used as a parking lot.

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

January 7, 2009 - submitted by Jason, United Kingdom

Q. I saw Coldplay in Birmingham on December 6th and during the concert Chris played a beautiful piece of classical music. It was piece I recognised but do not know the name of.......what was it? I would love to know cheers. Jason

The Oracle replies:

There were actually two classical/instrumental piano pieces played. One was after the stage b set and was an original composition Postcards From Far Away that is on Prospekt's March. As you say you recognised it, chances are that it was the equally beautiful yet haunting piece Chris plays at the end of Politik. It's the sublime Gnossienne No. 1 by Erik Satie.

January 7, 2009 - submitted by Daan, United Kingdom

Q. Happy New Year, Oracle!

I am embroiled in an imbroglio; exactly which version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" did Coldplay record for the limited edition EP Mince Spies, back in 2001? Was it the one that you have on the time line on this site, which is also the one that was recently (re-)aired, and put up for download, by Radio 1, who said Chris had come especially to record it in their studio, or is it the version where Chris says at the beginning of it "This is take 4 of Have yourself a merry christmas, just for *something sounding like "Kay"* Rock, Los Angeles. Ready?", which is also the version to be found on Youtube, adorned by a cover of the EP, when you search for "Coldplay have yourself a merry little christmas"?

I know I have a habit of writing criminally long sentences. Apologies.

The Oracle replies:

It was the former version you mention. Recorded for a radio 1 Christmas show session that appeared on the Mince Spies CD. The latter was a recording for an American radio station KROQ.

January 6, 2009 - submitted by Bonnie, United States of America

Q. Good to have you back Oracle! Can you please tell me if it is British custom to wear paper crowns at Christmas? I have seen this in multiple British films and have always been curious why! Thanks a bunch!

The Oracle replies:

The paper crowns are commonly found inside the Christmas cracker that is a Christmas tradition. Each person has a cracker to pull with someone and the contents are various items plus a joke and a paper hat. They're crown like in their appearance due to a Twelfth Night custom where kings and queens would oversee proceedings.

January 6, 2009 - submitted by kyra, United States of America

Q. dear Oracle please answer this question...i was just recently on youtube and i saw a video of Chris Martin saying" do you want a twiglet?" over and over again and it looked like it was a video shown on a tv show maybe..what was the tv show or whatever that the twiglet video was on?...if u know and also...wats the story behind that? why is Chris randomly saying "do you want a twiglet?" well whatever the reason..it cracked me up...i really really wanna know. thanks. <^.^>

The Oracle replies:

Basically there's a comedy show called The Sunday Night Project in the U.K, each week they have a guest host who joins Justin Collins and Alan Carr. Over Christmas their guest was Simon Pegg. One of the show's features is a Q&A segment where members of the audience ask the host any question they like. During the festive edition they showed a video clip of Chris repeatedly asking Simon if he'd like a twiglet. And that's that!

January 6, 2009 - submitted by Helmut, Austria

Q. Hi! Who is the "swedish friend" Johnny Cash is singing about in his song "Hurt" ?

Thanks

The Oracle replies:

Bless you Helmut, I guess it does sounds like he's singing "Swedish" but in fact the lyric is "sweetest friend"! It's not his song though, Hurt was written and originally recorded by Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails). FYI: Back in 2005 when Coldplay and Nine Inch Nails headlined Coachella festival, Chris sang a snippet of Hurt during their set on the first night in honour of NIN playing the following night.

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

January 8, 2009 - submitted by Conor Whelan, Ireland

Q. Hi, any chance of giving Roadie #42 a kick in the ass and get him to write about his experiences in Dublin and Belfast. I would particularly like to hear what he makes of the new O2 venue in Dublin. Cheers, Conor

The Oracle replies:

I should imagine he's still asleep! Roadie #42 doesn't write up every tour date and the very last ones usually don't appear due to the fact that he's absolutely exhausted and taking a very well earned break. I'd guess he feels that it was too long ago in the past to write about now.

January 8, 2009 - submitted by Sofie, Sweden

Q. I've been thinking, since the viva tour is over, does it mean that there isn't going to be any more of Roadie #42? Or will there be a new one to the next tour?

The Oracle replies:

Who said the tour is over? It's a lie! Roadie #42 will return when the band go back out on the road which isn't that long off.

January 8, 2009 - submitted by David, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle you didn't answer the question I sent to you on 05/01/09. I asked: "Is the B-side of Life in Tech ii, The Goldrush, just a new name for The Dubliners which was played live by Coldplay in Chicago? And if not, will The Dubliners ever be released in any way in the near future, perhaps as the B-side to Lovers in Japan?" Is it a case that the Oracle perhaps knows too much and doesn't want to give it away? Thank you.

The Oracle replies:

No, the reason is much simpler. On that very day Anchorman announced that The Goldrush was "previously unheard, unreleased and unperformed" so therefore it isn't a new name for The Dubliners! Lovers in Japan has already had a release (without b sides) so The Dubliners won't appear there. If it is to be released in the future that is not something I would give away as you say...

January 8, 2009 - submitted by Amy, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, I just watched a delightful little video on youtube in which Borat had stolen Chris Martin's trousers and given them to a little boy. What on earth is this video from?

The Oracle replies:

Ah yes, that was the 2005 MTV European Music Awards. A very amusing backstage sketch featuring Chris in his Y-fronts. Oh the memories! Coldplay's manager Dave is lurking in the background too.

The UK music industry is celebrating a double success today after it was revealed the world's top five biggest selling albums of last year were all by British acts. The British Phonographic Industry also announced a huge boost in music sales, despite two of the country's biggest music retailers falling victim to the credit crunch.

Coldplay's album Viva la Vida topped the official global chart with sales of 6.6million. And despite releasing her album in 2006, Amy Winehouse's Back to Black came second, recording sales of 5.1million worldwide. Rock band AC/DC, founded by Scottish brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, notched up sales of 5million with their album Black Ice, which was only released in October. Welsh singer Duffy managed 4.5million while Hackney-born X-Factor star Leona Lewis sold 4.3million copies of her debut album Spirit.

The figures were complied by Media Traffic, who collected data from more than 34 national charts as well as Russia, China and India, who do not have official sales charts. They beat a host of American-born artists including Madonna, Beyonce Knowles and Britney Spears. Last year, Amy Winehouse was the only home-grown artist to make the top ten.

The news comes as the BPI announced record sales last year, driven by a boom in digital downloads. The body, which represents the recorded music business, said sales of singles grew by a third to 115 million - the highest on record.

The UK albums market recorded a 3.2 per cent drop, although in total, ten million albums were downloaded digitally - a 65 per cent increase compared to 2007.

The figures were particularly encouraging following news that music retailers Woolworths and Zavvi and suppliers Entertainment UK have folded because of the current economic crises.

BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor said customers had simply switched from high street shops to supermarkets and digital retailers. He said: 'Every business and consumer in the UK is having a tough time, and these difficult trading conditions make the resilience of the UK's music market all the more notable.

You can now pre-order Life In Technicolor ii on 7-inch vinyl - reserve your copy new. Here's Anchorman at the official site with more information:

You can now pre-order your 7-inch vinyl copy of Coldplay's next single, Life In Technicolor ii, from HMV's website. Click here to pre-order it for £2.99 inc free UK delivery. You can get it from overseas too - it looks like delivery is £2.50 to Europe and £4.50 to America; just click on "Manually enter address" when you order.

Coldplay were earlier pleased to announce that Life In Technicolor ii would be Coldplay's next UK single. The track will be released on 7-inch vinyl and digital bundle on Monday February 2nd. The B-side of the 7-inch will be The Goldrush, a song which is previously unheard, unreleased and unperformed. As well as that track, the digital bundle will contain Life In Technicolor ii (Live @ The O2, London).

The expected release date for this is 2nd February 2009. Will Champion will apparently take lead vocals on The Goldrush, similar to Death Will Never Conquer. For a time, the two songs were mistakenly thought to be the same as each other, probably due to Will's vocal contribution.

The lyrics to the song are included in the programme for the Viva La Vida Tour alongside the rest of the album's songs, indicating that The Goldrush was expected to become a live staple at future concerts. The Goldrush was originally supposed to by given away during the recent UK tour, but this didn't materialise. Chris Martin said: "We're also hoping to do this thing where we give away a song with every ticket. We have this song called The Goldrush, which Will sings. We want to play it as part of the show, so we'd like to give it away with the ticket. That way the only people that know that song will be the people coming to the concerts."

More details on the pending release of 'The Goldrush' at the Coldplay forum here [thanks Fer_Hiperfine]

Here is the tracklisting:

Side 1:

1. Life In Technicolor ii

Side 2:

2. The Goldrush

The lyrics are:

I went digging for gold

Down by the river

Over by the mountain

Where the prospektor had been told

I'm marching through the cold

We're marching through the cold

I went digging for gold

I went down with my brother

A bucket and a shovel and a book about the colour of coal

I'm marching through the cold

We're marching through the cold

There's a tiny little crackle on the telephone line

Saying what use the metal if the metal don't shine?

She said bring me back a diamond/ring 'cause I really want one

Now I been digging so long that I never see the sun

In the wild world of autograph-seeking, there’s apparently good guys and bad guys, especially in Canada, where a recent poll named the best and worst rock stars to pester for a John Hancock. For a full list of the good and bad signers, you can check out the poll here.

According to a survey by HoundsTV.com, AC/DC came out on top as the nicest guys to ask for an autograph, with Coldplay and the Guess Who coming in second and third, respectively. As far as the not-so-nice stars went, the top jerks were former Led Zeppelin band-mates Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, who reportedly refused to give out a whole lotta love. "Page announced on arrival, regarding autograph requests, 'I'm kinda finished with that,'" HoundsTV.com quotes him as saying. Bon Jovi, the Eagles and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder also came in at the bottom of the list, with one autograph hound labelling Jon Bon Jovi “an asshole,” plain and simple.

Coldplay: Chris Martin and the boys spent a few days in Toronto during early August for two concerts and a few television and radio station appearances to talk up the new album. All the guys from the band were great about signing and always taking time to greets fans and pose for photos. There was especially a lot of attention on Chris Martin and he was a class act - always polite to fans and autograph collectors.

More on this news in the Coldplay forum here [thanks mimixxx]

Coldplay, Radiohead and Gnarls Barkley are among the artists featured on a forthcoming Grammy CD, which includes several musicians nominated for 2009 Grammy Awards.

The '2009 Grammy Nominees CD' is due out in the US on January 27. It also features tracks by Gnarls Barkley, MIA, Katy Perry, Robert Plant and Alison Kraus, Estelle featuring Kanye West, Duffy and The Eagles, among others. The 51st Annual Grammy Awards are set to take place on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, as previously reported.

Coldplay received an impressive seven nominations but rapper Lil' Wayne - with eight nods, including album of the year for Tha Carter III - is expected to be the big winner on the night.

The album tracklisting is:

'Viva La Vida' - Coldplay

'American Boy' - Estelle featuring Kanye West

'Love Song' - Sara Bareilles

'Closer' - Ne-Yo

'Got Money' - Lil Wayne featuring T-Pain

'Please Read The Letter' - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

'House Of Cards' - Radiohead

'Love Don't Live Here' - Lady Antebellum

'Burnin Up' - Jonas Brothers

'Need U Bad' - Jazmine Sullivan

'Mercy' - Duffy

'Paper Planes' - MIA

'Chasing Pavements' - Adele

'I Kissed A Girl' - Katy Perry

'Bleeding Love' - Leona Lewis

'So What' - Pink

'Going On' - Gnarls Barkley

'Apologize' - Onerepublic

'Won't Go Home Without You' - Maroon 5

'Waiting In The Weeds' - Eagles

Coldplay have spoken about their plans for 2009, and how the band plans to start work on the follow up to their best selling Viva la Vida album. Bass player Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion spoke to stv's John Kilbride shortly before they appeared at Glasgow's SECC in December. Asked about Coldplay's plans for 2009, Guy said: "We're going to start work on the new record next year (2009)."

As for when he expected anything to come out from this, he said: "When it's good, it could be a year, it could be two years. We'll just have to start work and see how it shapes up. There are a few ideas being thrown around but I can't tell you anything about it, not that it's secret...just because I don't know!"

Guy also spoke about his Scottish roots, the band's forthcoming arena tour in the UK in September, and the band's new EP Prospekt's March.

Watch the video and join the discussion on this news at the Coldplay forum here [thanks mimixxx]

Here's another online review for the new year of Coldplay's new EP, Prospekt's March:

Coldplay’s latest EP is simply an extension of Viva La Vida and a darn good one at that. I reported a while back how you could purchase this album for 99 cents which is amazingly cheap, but by no means is that a reflection of the quality of this album. In fact, that’s pretty much a steal for this new 8 song EP they’re calling Prospekt’s March.

Prospket’s March is, like I said, really a continuation of the great writing from their latest full length Viva La Vida. But instead of doing a general album review I thought it would be best to break this little EP down track-by-track to give you a heads up on what to expect from each song. Don’t worry, I’m not going to make this long, but hopefully it will entice you pick this great little EP up at your favorite record store.

Track 1: Life in Technicolor ii

A revised version of the first track on Viva La Vida with some added vocals. They’ve done a great job incorporating a good melody and vibe with the vocals and I think it’s a great fit for this track. Though I really enjoy the strings and vibe of the mainly instrumental version, I think this vocalized version could easily replace the original with no hard feelings.

Track 2: Postcards From Far Away

This is the shortest song on the EP coming in at 48 seconds. It’s a little hard for me to say much on this piano driven track. More than anything I feel like it’s one of those “sleepy-time” tracks you play for a baby to fall asleep to–it’s short, but sweet.

Track 3: Glass of Water

This is the first new full-length new song on the EP. The driving down-strum verses lead into a semi off-beat chorus that simply rocks. The timing and feel of this song is different than the majority of Viva La Vida but definitely is a great addition to Coldplay’s sound. I wouldn’t be surprised if this song got released as a new single here in the near future.

Track 4: Rainy Day

Sometimes titling a song “Rainy Day” would elude that the song is chill or slow, but that’s not what this song is about. Think of it more like rain is starting to fall on dry, parched land and the rain creates a beat as it falls. This is the kind of song you put on a commercial with a fun, young couple playing in puddles. It’s simple and unique and it doesn’t blow me away, but it doesn’t keep me away either.

Track 5: Prospekt’s March/Poppyfields

The title track from the EP is a good change of pace. It’s a slower song that’s quite reminiscent of their earlier work on the albums Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head. Nothing too surprising on the style here as it’s a vocal driven track with some light acoustic and a very airy vibe.

Track 6: Lost+ (With Jay-Z)

The song is the exact same version of “Lost” that you’ll find on Viva La Vida, with the exception of a few new verses from Jay-Z. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about a rap part in a Coldplay song, but this is actually pretty well done. It’s a good change for the song and Jay-Z delivers well–we’ll keep it.

Track 7: Lovers In Japan (Osaka Sun Mix)

I’ve attempted to compare this track with the “Lovers in Japan” on Viva La Vida and I can’t find many differences between the two tracks, other than two things. First, this is no longer a combo track with “Reign of Love” and secondly, there’s a slight pause in the song with some distant background vocals. Don’t expect a wild remix, it doesn’t exist.

Track 8: Now My Feet Wont Touch The Ground

Another strictly acoustic song that I am enjoying. Reminds me of an old gospel song that might be sung from the porch swing. It’s also reminiscent of “Til Kingdom Come” from X & Y, though arguably not nearly as catchy. With limited production, a solo acoustic, and some nice simple melody, this two and a half minute song is a nice way to end.

Source: evadethenoise.com