Live updates from London's O2 Arena in the UK are filtering through from those in the venue at the first of three consecutive Coldplay concerts tonight. Keep up- to- date with them all here onwards. Times are GMT (local time). So far, here's a summary (most recent first):

11.24pm: no offense to brit's god knows how I love this country but the crowd was very dull, band left quickly so no stalking tonight. got a setlist [thanks Chavi & Carlaatje]

10.33pm: [back for good and lit II] (London 14-Dec-08) [thanks Chavi & Carlaatje]

10.27pm: another call!! the scientist!... [thanks Chavi & Carlaatje]

10.03pm: official confirmation from semy, via text: "OMFG SIMON PEGG" [thanks Zemy101 & ApproximatelyInfinite]

10.02pm: [Green Eyes ft Simon Pegg] (London 14-Dec-08) ... edit : i just listened again that defintly what he says... it's simon pegg [thanks Chavi & Carlaatje]

9.58pm: chris just said please welcome... and that part i couldnt understand but could have been simon pegg...sounds like harmonica playing [thanks Chavi & Carlaatje]

9.55pm: Mobile downloads! [Fix You] & [The Hardest Part] (London 14-Dec-08) [thanks Chavi & Carlaatje]

9.24pm: Here are the next updates from SueDeNimes: "Breakdancers! So not long until they're on!!... anybody else sending live updates? ...blue danube started just now!!" "Wow! So far my area is dead- nobody wants to stand and dance..." [thanks Dark_Sofie & SueDeNimes]

8.56pm: SueDeNimes: "I'm filming the parts between the songs, hope you can understand what they're saying... Chris indirectly mentioned joe s." [thanks Dark_Sofie & SueDeNimes]

8.33pm: text 3: chavi's inside great view for c stage... hoppy is checking instruments. text 4: support act on. text 5: roadies checking stage... [thanks Chavi & Carlaatje]

7.48pm: Now I've got a message from SueDeNimes live from the concert in London. Here we go: SueDeNimes: "Hello Ladies! The Domino State just finished (good). Anticipation is killing me! Met Chavi, Lauve, Mark and so on." [thanks Dark_Sofie & SueDeNimes]

6.51pm: chavi met pete and he rememberd us! Weeeeee i.m at my sis but will be hond during show time [thanks Chavi & Carlaatje]

5.34pm: live updates peeps! 16 london time Chavi and camille are at the venue they saw miller and have a sign for him but he seemed to be hiding . They saw another van maybe the band [thanks Chavi & Carlaatje]

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

December 11, 2008 - submitted by Jeronimo, Argentina

Q. Hey Oracle, i have a very used up question, but i wanna hear the answer from you (since it's the first time i've entered Coldplay's webpage and this oracle thing i found it nice) even though i have my own opinion about it here it goes: why do you think people, media, etc. compares Coldplay with Radiohead repeatedly? i have real devotion for Radiohead and still in this past years i've discovered how good Coldplay is and i don't really think they can be compared at all, are two different kind of bands but not comparable. thanx!!

The Oracle replies:

Well Jeronimo, the band LOVE Radiohead and have openly admitted they have been influenced by them over the years. You can't hear that influence in every song but sometimes you can (Bigger Stronger, Twisted Logic, 42 for example). Coldplay would take it as a huge compliment to be compared but as you say, they are two different bands.

December 11, 2008 - submitted by Ayu, Indonesia

Q. Dearest Oracle, a question just popped from my brain, is there any chance that Jonny will support Arsenal in the future? Well Redknapp is a gooner but he is Tottenham's manager at the moment so anything is possible, right?

The Oracle replies:

Personally I think a fan's loyalty runs a lot deeper than a player's so no, Jonny is not going to be defecting any time soon!

December 11, 2008 - submitted by Nigel, United Kingdom

Q. Hi there, I was wondering if Coldplay are going to be listing what the 30 shortlisted entries were. As an entrant myself, I think the competition was a good idea as never before have a band allowed its fans to interact with them by allowing them to make a video to one of their songs. Unfortunately, as ever there will be sour grapes from people, which is bad form as nobody has actually acknowledged the time you guys have had to spend looking through all of the entries to reach a decision. Well done Coldplay for such an original idea!

The Oracle replies:

The long list was shortlisted and yes, we're going to be publishing which films made it onto that list very soon.

Coldplay have won the award Mejor Artista Internacional at Premios 40 Principales 2008, held yesterday in Spain. Another acknowledgement for the band of Chris Martin following the double platinum reached in Spain with the album Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends.

Coldplay didn't attend the awards ceremony due to their current UK tour but Will Champion thanked those supporting Coldplay via video link, wishing them 'Feliz Navidad'. You can watch the official video of the awards ceremony which includes Will Champion's greeting at the official Premios40 Principales website here

Full discussion on this award for Coldplay here [thanks CGWJ ^^]

You’ll almost certainly know by now that US ‘axe-hero’ Joe Satriani is suing Coldplay for plagiarism. He claims that Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’ (an EMI recording) stole from his 2004 track ‘If I Could Fly’ (a Sony recording), reports musicindustryblog.wordpress.com.

This was becoming a PR disaster for Coldplay and a couple of videos on YouTube comparing the two songs were each getting a couple of million views. In short the controversy was generating a lot of online buzz. Some commentators were advising that Coldplay should kick their PR machinery into action. Well it looks like that advice has been heeded. As of today those videos on YouTube comparing the two songs (and other similar ones) have been removed, in their place is the following message: This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by EMI Music

Read the full article here

Coldplay played the second of two consecutive concerts at Manchester's MEN Arena as they continue through their UK leg of the Viva La Vida tour. Same setlist as last night's concert.

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Speed Of Sound

Yellow

Chinese Sleep Chant

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris solo piano)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Green Eyes (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will singing)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

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

Another incredible night! Jon Hopkins didn't perform tonight, unless he came on before The High Wire? Highlights included (apart from the actual music of course!) Chris saying, before Green Eyes, something along the lines of, "This is an old song, by Joe Satriani - he writes all of our songs!" and Chris dedicating Politik to Debs, which I thought was lovely. He mentioned her again during The Scientist - aww. The crowd was amazing and really up for it from the moment the first notes of Life In Technicolor errupted from the speakers. I was sat in Block 102 at the side of the stage and everyone stood for the whole gig, which was great! I managed to take it all in a bit more this time around and I had fun away from the madness and crazyness of the floor infront of the stage! [thanks Fixed]

well guys! i just got back and it was pretty top! during green eyes i went out to the doors the band escaped through (running backstage) i took my prospekt march cover and a sharpie hoping for a autograph but all i got was a wave from Chris and a sympathetic "sorry" from Guy but still it was cool, same setlist as last night but a much better crowd! my seats weren't as good but i met two great people , (if you were in block 114 sat on row G seats 13,14 let me knoww!!) [thanks fix_you_trouble]

We were sat on the lower tier about 3/4 of the way down the length of the arena. Whilst we were sat waiting for them to set up the stage & load the roadies into the ceiling, I spotted a certain roadie named Miller lurking with the sound guys in the middle of the arena. Unfortunately, he must be psychic because as I pointed him out to Ian, he moved off quite quickly to the front. I wondered if he might come back so in between watching the expolits of those poor roadies trying to reach the hanging chairs in the ceiling, I kept my eye on the soundcheck guys. And guess who I spotted as he joined them, you guessed it, the one and only Mr Phil Harvey!! [thanks Jenjie]

Wow! I just got back home and boy, what an amazing gig. Highlights for me were 42, LiT2, the yellow balls, and surprisingly I really loved The Hardest Part on the piano up front. I've never rated that song particularly highly, but they way they did it tonight, really simple with Will on backing, almost like a duet, was lovely. The green eyes/death will never conquer bit was fab, we were sat almost directly opposite, and it was fun trying to guess/work out where they were heading for when they came down the ramp. Chris stopped the intro to Green Eyes to say "this was written by Joe Satriani - all our songs are.." or something like that. I laughed but I don't think many people by me up in the cheap seats got the joke. By me, the crowd were enjoying themselves but they didn't exactley look like die-hard fans, I felt a bit out of place in my brand new, bright red VLV teeshirt.

Speed of Sound lacked a bit of oomph for me compared to the other tracks. Chinese Sleep was great but felt like a bit of a lull, a bit of a filler. 42 was stupendous, really stunning. Stawb Swing and LiT2 were f**king gorgeous! Will's drumming was fantastic. I could feel the beat right in my chest, even as high up as we were, in the nosebleed seats. Chris was his usual energetic-toddler self, the long note at the end of 42 was ace. Chris waited for the crowd to sing the end, then he sang it and the oh-oh at the very end became a very long drawn out note, after he'd built himself up to it [thanks squareone13]

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

This just in from Anchorman at the official site:

Good morning. Yes, we have another two big outdoor shows to announce for next summer. On Monday 31st August 2009, Coldplay will be playing at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy. A few days later, on Friday 4th September, they'll roll into Barcelona, Spain to play at the Estadi Olimpic. Tickets for the Udine show will be available on Tuesday (Dec 16th) from ticketone.it, while the Barcelona show will be onsale from Wednesday (Dec 17th) from livenation.es.

So here are the useful links for these two concerts (bookmark them!):

Monday 31st August 2009 - Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy - [ticketone.it] [discussion] [wiki]

Friday 4th September 2009 - Estadi Olimpic, Barcelona, Spain - [livenation.es] [discussion] [wiki]

Two hours after whipping a demographic-straddling crowd into a care-free, communal frenzy last night, the obvious pleasure they reap from performing was reflected in the masses who merrily filed out of the venue repeatedly bellowing the "whoa-o-oah" refrain from the title track of their fourth LP, Viva La Vida.

This was date number 72 of a world tour, which won't reach its climax of for another nine months - yet there were no signs of fatique, from the get-go it was clear just what a labour of love it is for the quartet.

Dressed in their now trademark revolutionary outfits and clutching sparklers, the four-piece entered from stage left to the joyous string-ladden strains of album opener Life In Technicolor and didn't take long - despite sound issues on the melancholy Violet Hill - to hit the ground running. The aforementioned Yellow (replete with the now de rigeur glitter-filled balloons) and In My Place sparked euphoric sing-a-longs, while Fix You rose to such a crescendo it was hard not to get carried away with the emotion of it all.

Read the full review article here

Next year's Glastonbury Festival is still over six months away, but already the rumor mill is buzzing about potential headliners. Three big names are being bandied about: Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen and the reunited Blur, reports Music Radar.

Current speculation is that Coldplay would headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday 24 June, with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - a longtime 'must-get' for festival organizer Michael Eavis - topping the bill on Saturday night and Blur - whose big Hyde Park show on 3 July has just been announced - closing out the three-day-but it's-really-a-five-day event on Sunday.

Whether or not any of all of the acts are confirmed, they're all guaranteed ticket-sellers and are hardly likely to raise the kind of controversy that attended Jay-Z's headline gig at this year's festival. (Much of the debate was stirred by Oasis' Noel Gallagher, who was spoke out publicly that Glastonbury should remain a no-hip-hop event.)

Other acts being talked about for the fest are Radiohead, Artic Monkeys, David Gilmour and Klaxons. But with the final line-up not expected to be announced until Spring 2009, it's anybody's guess who will be hitting the stage and who won't.

Source: musicradar.com

Coldplaying's Coldplay-filled playlist has won the opening match of the quarter-finals of Absolute Radio's Rock-Off forum competition against the Official Muse Forum, we are happy to announce tonight.

Coldplaying won by 64% - 36% after 24 hours of fierce voting - our next match will be against either the The Strokes or Green Day fansites on 16th December 2008 - more details nearer the time. Thanks to everyone who has voted for Coldplaying, and a special thanks to Anchorman and Debs Wild at the official site for their support - I hope we can count on you again to further the Coldplay playlist into the final of the competition!

Enjoy the result at our Absolute Radio Rock-Off forum thread here onwards.

Coldplay played the first of two consecutive concerts at Manchester's MEN Arena as they continue through their UK leg of the Viva La Vida tour. No surprises in the setlist, but Coldplay continued with Yellow balls and Chris Martin with an extended rendition of Back For Good from Manchester's very own Take That!

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Speed Of Sound

Yellow

Chinese Sleep Chant

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris solo piano)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Green Eyes (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will singing)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

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

what a gig, I've just got back home now and my voice is absolutely shreaded Chris's voice blew me away once again! On '42' he really bigged the last note up by pausing and as he seemed to be running out of breath he said "this is a massive note" and then bellowed out the last note, gave me goosebumps! The lazers during 'Clocks' were amazing, the techno versions of 'God Put A Smile...' and 'Talk' were amazing and the acoustic section at the back of the arena was fantastic aswell. 'Green Eyes' was amazing I was so made up it was in the set tonight Also loved Will's singing on 'Death Will Never Conquer' I loved the way Chris got the crowd going by getting Guy's side of the arena to scream and go mad and then Jonny's side of the arena to scream. I was on Guy's side of the arena and was going nuts hahahaha 'Fix You' was simply awesome, so powerful and was probably the highlight of the night not forgetting 'Viva La Vida' with everyone singing the end bit! Only negative was I thought 'Lost' sounded abit well, lost. It just sounded off tonight for some reason couldn't put my finger on what it was but apart from that the whole set was mind blowingly amazing! I took some vids so I'll upload them tomorrow but I wasn't that close to the stage but I'll upload them anyway. I'm off to drink something my throat is absolutely nackered [thanks thehitcher]

Admittedly the crowd were a little slow to get going in terms of standing - the floor appeared to be up at the start and it took a while before the seats got going but by the end most of the 200s, including myself, were up. However, the singing was rather loud and good, with Chris getting the audience to sing bits over and over, particularly the last outro verse in Yellow and the ending of 42. He didn't, like in Sheffield, get the audience to sing the whole of Yellow instead singing the majority himself. Saying all that, Chris appeared to like the noise that everyone was creating (even if it was whilst sat down) and claimed that Manchester is one of the best crowds, were no1 out of 87(?) shows and had brightened up the bands' day. The band themselves had as much energy as ever, Chris not missing an opportunity to leap around, Will banging the life out of his drums and Jonny and Guy moving around as much as they normally do. I was pleased to see the return of the yellow balls during Yellow and was rather amused to see some people carrying them out of the arena at the end. Personal highlights was a chance to see the songs that weren't played at Sheffield - The Hardest Part, Green Eyes, The Scientist (normal version) and Life In Technicolor II. Sadly Politik didn't have the same powerful impact on me this time as it did in Sheffield, where it literally sent shivers up my spine. I would have also preferred having Life In Technicolor II to open and have an extra song instead but not to worry, I enjoyed the set none the less. But judging that I've just drank two pints of orange since I got in 20mins ago and am still sounding hoarse, suggests it was a good night. [thanks r2ro]

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

Chris Martin has told NME Radio he is planning to watch Blur's reunion gig at London's Hyde Park next July.

Speaking to NME Radio's Neil Cole yesterday (December 10), Martin reminisced about the first time he saw Blur live, when the band supported REM in 1995. He said: "I saw them play before REM in 1995 and it was incredible. It was so incredible, in fact, that there was steam coming from the moshpit and I'd never seen that before. And I thought: 'God, not only do they play great music but they let people barbecue!'"

Martin said he was "sure" to attend Blur's Hyde Park gig, which takes place on July 3 next year. Despite his enthusiasm for Blur, Martin refused to choose between them and their Britpop rivals Oasis. He cautiously explained: "In the whole Blur versus Oasis battle I was very much...in the middle."

More discussion on Chris Martin's interview here

Coldplay have today added more concerts to their ever growing list of European dates for next year. This just in from Anchorman:

Good morning. We're pleased to announce that Coldplay will be playing the Stade de Suisse in Bern, Switzerland on Wed 2nd Sept 2009. Tickets for the show will be available from www.ticketcorner.com from Monday (Dec 15th).

We can also announce that a second show at Goffertpark in Nijmegen, Holland has been confirmed, after the first one sold out. The second gig will take place on Wed 9th Sept 2009. Tickets go on sale this morning from www.livenation.nl.

Coldplay's Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends is no.7 on Rolling Stone's Best Albums of 2008. Here's what they had to say about the album:

During the sessions for Viva la Vida, Chris Martin consulted a hypnotist to help with the pressure of writing the Great American Rock Album. And it worked. Coldplay got ambitious, calling in Talking Heads and U2 producer Brian Eno, drawing on exotic instruments like Indian tablas and the Persian santur, writing about world events instead of their own feelings, and making music as far-reaching as their global fan base. They ended up with an album that's massively expansive yet intimate enough to incite lighter-waving from London to Tokyo.

More discussion on this here [thanks ezny]Top 10:

1 | TV on the Radio: Dear Science

2 | Bob Dylan: Tell Tale Signs — The Bootleg Series Vol. 8

3 | Lil Wayne: Tha Carter III

4 | My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges

5 | John Mellencamp: Life, Death, Love and Freedom

6 | Santogold: Santogold

7 | Coldplay: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

8 | Beck: Modern Guilt

9 | Metallica: Death Magnetic

10 | Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend

Coldplay.com have once again pledged official support for Coldplaying in our Absolute Radio Rockoff quest - this time against Muse Official in the quarter-finals. This just in from the official site, thankyou again Anchorman & Debs!

Good evening. Following their victory against Keane in the last round, the forum of Coldplay fansite Coldplaying.com is now up against the official Muse messageboard in theAbsolute Radio Rock-Off. Once again we'd like to lend them our support in their quest for victory. If you have a spare second to vote for the site and their playlist, then click here before 8.30pm GMT on Thursday. Thank you.

Anchorman

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

December 10, 2008 - submitted by Marcos, Portugal

Q. Dear Oracle, thousands of people are very very dessapointed with the winners of Lost? video contest. Did you know that the winner was posted in youtube before the contest started???? Did you know that both videos have been done by professionals???? Why COLDPLAY have done a fan video competition if the winners are not fans????? we really really don't understand how the winner has been selected and think this competition has been very unfair,politically manipulated and feel very very dissapointed with the band.Lots of videos were better than the winner and were really done by a COLDPLAYER.

The Oracle replies:

Who says they are not fans? I have to strongly disagree. The winning films were not posted before the competition started, a professional may have filmed one but that doesn't mean he's not a HUGE Coldplay fan. I think it is grossly unfair of people to assume the winners are not fans when both indeed are. I don't know how or why people are coming to that conclusion. The competition was totally fair with no hidden agenda, politics or otherwise. Each video was viewed and judged on its merits. No other considerations were taken into account. A shortlist of 30 films was drawn up (this course of action was explained in the terms & conditions). The band all watched the final shortlisted videos and selected their winner. You are entitled to the opinion that there were better videos but we do not share that opinion even though the standard was high and there were many exceptional entries. We feel the best film won and would hope people are happy for the winner who I can assure you is absolutely thrilled to have won. I sincerely hope that the bitterness stops.

December 10, 2008 - submitted by Kenneth, South Africa

Q. Hello Oracle , I was wondering about how the heck do you guys remember each song , this has always baffled me, I like to write poetry and after i am done i don't remember it anymore ha.

The Oracle replies:

It's definitely easier to remember lyrics set to music because of the rhythm and melody. In fact, people have said that putting revision notes to music makes it easier to remember for exams. Rhymes are generally simpler to recall too, which is probably why limericks trip off the tongue quicker than sonnets.

December 10, 2008 - submitted by Antonella, Chile

Q. I meet a guy a few months ago, we were coworkers and he had a girlfriend, but he shows interest in me. Now he''s single but he doesn`t notes me before we were friends and now it's like im invisible. Does he liked me o he was just playing with me?

The Oracle replies:

Well Antonella, all I can say right now is to remember that he has just broken up with his girlfriend so may need some time and space. Continue being his friend and you start talking to him if he doesn't seem to be paying any attention. Take it slowly and things will take their natural course.

December 10, 2008 - submitted by John, United States of America

Q. Dear Mr. Oracle, I know you are so busy being the smartest of the smartest and all, but I have a very important question that I beg you to answer. How might we be able to send letters to the band? I've looked throughout the web site and can't find anything. A response would be very much appreciated. Like really, really, appreciated.

The Oracle replies:

We'd prefer emails if possible and that's kinder to the environment as well as being a space saver. There are 2 addresses. The snail mail address is

c/o PO Box 246

Cheadle

SK8 9AF

The email address is debswild@coldplay.com.

Coldplay'S Chris Martin delighted thousands of fans by praising their singing as his band rocked the SECC last night.

The singalong to Fix You prompted Martin, pictured, to tell the fans: "Your singing is fantastic. You should collectively audition for the X Factor."

The band's second show at the venue in days included a raft of hits and favourites such as Yellow, Strawberry Swing and a techno version of God Put A Smile On Your Face.

Source: dailyrecord.co.uk

Coldplay played the second of two non-consecutive concerts at Glasgow's SECC in Scotland as they continue their UK leg of the Viva La Vida tour. Same setlist as Saturday - no Cemeteries of London but the yellow balls that were seen during the X&Y tour returned during Yellow...!

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

Yellow

In My Place

Speed Of Sound

Chinese Sleep Chant

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris solo piano)

Postcards From Far Away (piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

Green Eyes (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will singing)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

The Scientist

Life in Technicolor ii

The Escapist (outro)

Picture by fudge

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

The setlist was exactly the same as Saturday....thought they might have played even one different song...but no. It was still amazing though. I don't think the atmosphere was as good as Saturday. I think that's mainly because it's a school night, people aren't drinking. Plus I was fairly leathered on Saturday so I was LOVING IT Good times! Bring on Hampden! [thanks fudge]

I know this won't make a lot of people happy but I gotta admit I was really disappointed with last night's gig. That was the 5th time I've seen Coldplay and was the worst by a country mile. The word that my boyfriend (who's a bigger fan than me) used when we left was "pantomime". I wish they would concentrate on singing the songs instead of all the other stuff they seem to fill their shows with these days. I felt like they didn't really play an awful lot of songs. And the songs they did play, especially the older tracks, they didn't do justice to. What the f happened to Politik. One of my fave live tracks ever, and last night's version was horrendous. They played prob about 95 mins, but if you took out all the constant yakking and hideous Take That covers (why?) it probably just scraped in at 1hr 15mins. Was so gutted cos I'd been gagging for this gig for ages. Had originally got fri tix cos I thought I'd be desperate to go back for the Sat gig. Hmm, think that's put me off going back unless they reign themselves in (yes I'm talking to you Chris) and get back to the music. I'd been watching the Live 2003 DVD to get me in the mood, and that gig last night was nothing in comparison. Sorry, I know a lot of people won't agree. But it's the first gig I've gone to in yonks and felt cheated. Makes me feel ok now that I can't afford Hampden tix, doubt I'll be missing much based on that performance. Will's got a lovely voice but, one of the highlights of the night. [thanks chasingamy]

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

IQ magazine's December issue will contain a world exclusive behind the scene report on Coldplay’s Viva la Vida World Tour, entitled Life, Death And Butterflies., Coldplaying can exclusively reveal today.

Life, Death & Butterflies is a 16-page feature chronicling the Viva la Vida tour, sanctioned by Coldplay’s management and published by international live music business magazine IQ. Including exclusive interviews with management, key production personnel, booking agents, promoters and suppliers, it tells the inside story of how the tour was put together, what makes it tick and just what makes it such an original and ground-breaking production. This issue of IQ also includes an exclusive interview with Glastonbury festival founder Michael Eavis, as well as a roundup of the live music business in 2008.

The magazine will cost £5.50 plus P&P – UK - £1, Europe £1.50, Rest of World £2.00. To order via paypal the account to pay is accounts@ilmc.com and the order form can be downloaded here

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

December 9, 2008 - submitted by Daniel, United States of America

Q. I'm unashamed to admit to the Oracle that I need help. Maybe I've turned deaf, but what is the difference in the original Lovers in Japan and the Osaka Sun mix? (other than Chris yelling Ooooh! right after each chorus). Oh, and thanks for the show in Philly. It was just as incredible as I knew it would be. And more Saturday shows would help so much with being in school. I'd be at every one of them!

The Oracle replies:

Yes there is no shame in it, the tempo is quicker!

December 9, 2008 - submitted by Cami, Philippines

Q. My parents will have their silver wedding anniversary this January and I'm stumped on what gift to give them. Do you have any suggestions?

The Oracle replies:

Silver wedding anniversaries are usually celebrated with gifts of silver (no surprise there), which can be quite expensive. However, you have a very highly regarded store in your area that specializes in special occasions. Whether you opted for something as cheap and cheerful as they do, I'm sure receiving a gift in a Tiffany & Co box would be appreciated. I don't know if you have siblings that you can share the cost with so here's a few suggestions that you could do on your own or with others; a spa day, a silver photo frame with a photo of your parents, silver service tea for two, hot air balloon ride, a star named after them and a reproduction of a newspaper from the day they married. If you are an only child and/or don't have much money, maybe you could make something for them?

A statement from the band

"With the greatest possible respect to Joe Satriani, we have now unfortunately found it necessary to respond publicly to his allegations. If there are any similarities between our two pieces of music, they are entirely coincidental, and just as surprising to us as to him. Joe Satriani is a great musician, but he did not write or have any influence upon the song Viva La Vida. We respectfully ask him to accept our assurances of this and wish him well with all future endeavours. Coldplay."

Statement from Coldplay.com. You can discuss Coldplay's statement here [thanks macpac25]

Further to this afternoon's European stadium tour annoucement, Coldplay have now added a further date in Dublin. Here's Anchorman to tell us the rest:

Good afternoon. Coldplay have just announced a concert at Dublin’s 40,000-capacity Phoenix Park on 14th September 2009. Tickets priced €76.50 (including booking fee) will go on sale this Monday (Dec 15th) at 8am from the following outlets:

In person: from 100 Ticketmaster outlets nationwide

24hr hotlines: ( ROI ) 0818 719 300 ( NI ) 0870 243 4455

Buy online: http://www.ticketmaster.ie/

Tickets are limited to eight per person.

We have added a discussion thread in the Coldplay Live forum here [thanks coldpatrix]

Guelph, ON, - Coldplay has awarded the silver medal in their "Lost!" Music Video contest to Martin Buzora and Black Fawn Films for their entry "Revolution 1789", reports guelphnow.ca.

The video starring Peter Higginson was filmed on Saturday, November 22nd on a farm just outside of Guelph. Pick-up shots and editing took place within the week and the video was online at the video-sharing site You Tube by the next Monday, December 1st; the contest's deadline. "The film turned out to be an unbelievable achievement," says Buzora of his remarkable success, and he, in turn, offers his congratulations and appreciation to all those that helped out to make this video an unmitigated success.

"The response to this competition has been staggering," says a message on the band's website. "The band and I have been overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance of the entries." Of Buzora's video, Coldplay calls it "exceptional." The winner of the contest was Paul O'Brien, who made his video with a combination of claymation and computer graphics.

"Lost!" is the third official single off of Coldplay's fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.

This just in from Anchorman at the official site:

Good morning. We're very pleased to announce that Coldplay will be playing some outdoor shows in Europe in August 2009. The confirmed dates are below.

Tickets for all shows go on sale on Friday 12th December, apart from the Dutch gig, which is onsale now.

Sun 16th Aug - MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark - [www.billetlugen.dk] [discussion]

Wed 19th Aug - Koengen, Bergen, Norway - [www.billettservice.no] [discussion]

Sat 22nd Aug - Olympic Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden - [www.ticnet.se] [discussion]

Tue 25th Aug - Hannover Stadium, Hannover, Germany - [www.eventim.de] [discussion]

Thur 27th Aug - LTU Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany - [www.eventim.de] [discussion]

Sat 29th Aug - Reitstadion Riem, Munich, Germany - [www.eventim.de] [discussion]

Thur 10th Sept - Goffertpark, Nijmegen, Holland - [www.livenation.nl] [discussion]

UPDATE: If you're signed up to either Eventim or Getgo with a Coldplay 'ticketalarm', you can reserve your ticket straight away. [thanks mc_squared]

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

December 8, 2008 - submitted by Josh, United States of America

Q. When coldplay "ditch" there current outfits in 2009 ( Because they smell says Chris) Is there a way I could get a hold of any of them. It would be such an awesome part of musical history! Please answer, You'd make my day. ;)

The Oracle replies:

By the time they "ditch" them I would imagine one of two things happening. Either the outfits will fall apart when you get hold of them or you won't get that chance as they could get up and run away by themselves! I am only joking of course they may smell at the end of the night, but they are dry cleaned after each show.

When the tour is over I would hope they are auctioned off.

December 8, 2008 - submitted by Richard, United Kingdom

Q. Question for Coldplay - Re release Yellow with Diana from X-factor - garanteed number One.

The Oracle replies:

Over my dead body! Murdering it once was enough!

December 8, 2008 - submitted by Rachel, United Kingdom

Q. I ordered 2 tickets for the London December (cant remember what date) through your site and never recieved them how do I track the order please?

The Oracle replies:

You will have only clicked a link that took you to an external site so it is not us. You didn't buy them from us so I can only suggest you check your accounts to see where the money went. All legitimate Ticket outlets send email confirmation with details and there should be a reference number that you can quote while tracking your order on THEIR site not ours. It's very close to the dates now so a message to one and all that may help in the future... Please check at the time of purchase that your order went through, you receive confirmation and the money is debited from your account and track the order well in advance to see its status.

December 8, 2008 - submitted by Ruta, Oman

Q. Dear Oracle, A few weeks from now, i'll be getting a dog and it's a beagle. How does 'Digit' sound for a name? Thanx!

The Oracle replies:

Sounds great to me but I prefer Diggity! Have you heard the phrase 'hot diggity dog'?

December 8, 2008 - submitted by Jonny C, Panama

Q. Oracle, i'm getting a new ipod for christmas and was wondering what Coldplay videos to put on. Its a tie between: The Scientist, Fix You, and Violet Hill; or Lost!, Life in Technicolor, In My Place. Which would you pick if any at all?

The Oracle replies:

Out of that list I'd choose Fix You and Lost! Both great songs and great videos. I'm not one for watching videos on my ipod though so unless an album comes with bonus videos at the time of purchase, I don't actually bother putting any on mine.

The music industry calls declining CD sales a shift in the market. But what do you expect in a world in which attention spans are short, a song is better than an album, and a ringtone is better than a song? Thankfully, there are still artists who have something to say and refuse to sing in sound bites.

This year, the cadre of old-fashioned troubadours who wanted more than a hit single included icons such as B.B. King, Willie Nelson and Mavis Staples as well as newcomers like the Black Kids and Welsh chanteuse Duffy. They, as well as a few of rock's strongest bands, delivered some of the most listenable, memorable and influential records of the year, albums that somehow keep finding their way to the top of the playlist.

1. "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends," Coldplay

Play it once and hate it. Play it again, and the music tugs at you. Listen to it through earbuds, and you feel the isolation that Chris Martin (right) often sings about. Then blast the disc's 10 songs through big, badass speakers, and the music blossoms, especially in the songs in which there's prominent drumming and ringing guitars.

Read the rest of 2008’s best of here.