The winner of Coldplay's Lost? video competition is now closed and the winner will be announced on the official site on Friday. This from Coldplay's Anchorman:

Good morning. The Lost? video competition closed at midnight last night (UK time), amid a late flurry of entries from around the world. Once they’ve all been watched, a shortlist of the best ones will be given to the band. They will then pick the winner, which will be announced on Friday. We hit our “favourites” limit on the official Coldplay YouTube late last night, so you can now check out 650 entries at www.youtube.com/coldplaytv and a bunch more at www.youtube.com/coldplaytv2

Big thanks to everyone who entered. We’ve been bowled over by the effort, imagination and time you put into making the videos. So much so that we’re glad we don’t have to pick the one eventual winner…

Coldplay was the hottest iTunes album download this year: Its "Viva la Vida" was crowned the best-selling album of 2008, while Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love" was named the top-selling single.

Coldplay's CD has sold more than 2 million copies since its release in June, and has sold more than 500,000 copies digitally—most of which was through iTunes, according to the band's representative. ITunes does not release its sales figures, its spokesman said in releasing its list on Monday.

Jack Johnson's "Sleep Through the Static" was the No. 2 selling album, while the soundtrack to the film "Juno," Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" and Sara Bareilles' "Little Voice" rounded out the iTunes top 5. Two more film soundtracks were in the top ten—"Once" and "Across the Universe"—while Jason Mraz' "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things," OneRepublic's "Dreaming Out Loud" and Leona Lewis' "Spirit" rounded it out.

Lewis' "Bleeding Love" sold 3.2 million digitally, according to her label, J Records. According to iTunes, the title track of Coldplay's album was its No. 2 most downloaded track, followed by "Low" by Flo Rida (featuring T-Pain), Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" and Rihanna's "Disturbia."

Rihanna also made the top 10 singles with "Don't Stop the Music," while "Lollipop" by Lil Wayne and Static Major, "No Air" by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown, Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" and Natasha Bedingfield's "Pocketful of Sunshine" also made iTunes top 10 downloaded singles list.

Coldplay played the first of three nights at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena as part of the UK leg of the Viva La Vida tour. They added Green Eyes and... Life In Technicolor ii to the setlist!

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

Yellow

In My Place

Speed Of Sound

Cemeteries Of London

Chinese Sleep Chant

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part

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)

Just got home. what a fantastic night. my first coldplay concert. Lights, sound and band were on top form. boy, can they rock...my ears are still ringing and my voice has gone from singing so much. chris was on top form and said he had been nervous about coming back to uk after so long away but that tonight he felt welcomed home by such a great response from us all...ive got to admit that the crowd really got into when they played Yellow early in the set instead of encore.....talking of encore...oh my god we got the sceinetist and...............................the world live premiere of Life in Technicolour ii.......wow it is great life...im just buzzing from the whole wexperience. Hard tp pick a favourite moment as it was all great, but personal highlights were Fix You, The Hardest Part, Politik and of course Life in Technicolour ii........brilliant. If you havent seen coldplay I highly recommend it. One of, if not the greatest band that I have ever seen live and I dont give that accolade lightly. [thanks bundy12]

When they came on I though I was seriously going to pass out, Im soo glad I didnt though. I srceamed my way though every song, even the teary parts of Clocks, Yellow and Green Eyes. Still cant believe it, GREEN EYES for gods sake! And when they played LITii, it was absolutely mind blowing stuff. There was a bit of Back For Good (Take That) thrown in for good measure. Im afraid I got 0 photos and videos as I was far to busy screaming/ dancing/ crying to bother faffing about with zoomy cameras (I was Upper Tier)! I did however to get a bag full of butterfly confetti. [thanks Bebop28]

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

Lhuna, the track Coldplay recorded with Kylie Minogue but was omitted from their chart topping 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' album has finally been released as a digital download. Click here to go to the website to listen exclusively to the track at MSN.

The track is available NOW (from 7pm GMT, December 1st 2008) via Red Wire, a new charity digital service which will help buy life-saving medicine for those living with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Lhuna, was born in 2007 at Coldplay's Bakery studios during the production of their latest album 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' but Chris Martin has previously described the song as being “too sexy” to put on the fourth album.

What do you think of the song? Let us know your comments at the Coldplay forum here and read the lyrics here [thanks mimixxx & cold_love23]

Kylie:

I’m all by myself

I don’t need anybody else

I’m all by myself

No help

I’m all on my own

Quietly sleeping in my home

I’m all on my own

my own

Chris:

Hello

Won’t you let me come in?

Lhuna, can’t you hear how much I’m suffering?

Hello

Won’t you let me know?

Cos I’m all alone

all alone

Both:

We are dreaming about Lhuna

The smell of her

The touch and the taste of her

dreaming about Lhuna

Her and me, simultaneously

Kylie:

I don’t know what the time is

I don’t know where you’ve flown

And I don’t know why you’re so far

from home

Chris:

Hello

Won’t you let me come in?

Lhuna, can’t you hear how much I’m suffering?

Hello

Won’t you let me know?

Cos I’m all alone

all alone

Both:

We are dreaming about Lhuna

The smell of her

The touch and the taste of her

dreaming about Lhuna

Her and me, simultaneously

Her and me, effortlessly

oh her and me effortlessly

On December 1, Yahoo! will simultaneously premiere Coldplay's exclusive performance for the "Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music" program in the US and 11 other countries including Spain, Canada, U.K., France, Italy, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, New Zealand and US Espanol.

Taped in New York at the Hammerstein Ballroom, the private concert was filmed in front of 300 lucky Coldplay fans and is available only on Yahoo! Music. The exclusive performance features current and past hits as well as an intimate question and answer session with the band. The show's launch on Yahoo! Music immediately follows the November 25 release of Coldplay's "Prospekt March," a two-disc deluxe package that includes "Viva La Vida," the band's fourth full-length album, plus a new EP featuring six recently-completed songs that the band began recording during the "Viva La Vida" album sessions.

"There are only a few bands in the history of rock and roll that Yahoo! would roll out the global red carpet for and Coldplay is one of them," said Michael Spiegelman, head of Yahoo! Music. "Only a handful of fans got to see Coldplay's amazing performance for 'Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo Music!' live, but now we can share the Coldplay concert experience with the world. Viva la Coldplay!"

Coldplay's "Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music" concert marks the first time that Yahoo! Music will premiere a concert simultaneously on multiple Yahoo! properties around the world for an audience of more than 275 million users. Other "Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music" performances have featured such diverse musical acts as Christina Aguilera, Foo Fighters, The Stooges, Snoop Dogg, Brian Wilson, Ryan Adams, The Pretenders, John Legend, Beck and many more.

"Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music" is the definitive online destination for live music. With bi-monthly performances in front of a live studio audience, recordings of the shows are broadcast on Yahoo! Music at music.yahoo.com/nissanlivesets. The concert series allows fans to interact with talent through the studio audience by integrating a live Q&A with the audience into the performance.

Source: Yahoo!

Coldplay and their staff are once again making an extra special effort for their online fans tomorrow with a live Birmingham photoblog throughout the afternoon. Here's what the latest version of Coldplay's online messenger had to say:

You might remember that Coldplay.com brought you a live photoblog from the Lyon gig in September, which aimed to give you an idea of what it was like to be backstage with the band on the day of a big show, via video, pictures and general chit-chat. Well, we're doing it again on Tuesday in Birmingham. Head over to the site from Tuesday afternoon to join in the fun.

You can keep in touch with discussions on the live Birmingam photoblog as it happens right here onwards [thanks coldplay12]

It was a bold move by Chugg Entertainment to open two Coldplay shows simultaneously in each of the East Coast cities, for both the general public on-sale and the widely advertised Visa Entertainment pre-sale, but one that has paid off and given fans their best chance at tickets ever, reports Tangled Magazine.

Promoter Michael Chugg says, “This was a decision dictated by the overwhelming demand by fans to see Coldplay live, the biggest band in the world right now. We wanted to put two shows up on sale at once to give the fans the best shot at securing tickets… and knowing it was there, by going with two at once, we also gave them a choice of concert”.

As a result of this extraordinary demand, Michael Chugg has announced that not two but three shows at Acer Arena in Sydney would now go on sale at once this week. This gives fans the option to buy into one of three concerts at the same time, from 9am on Thursday 4 December. The third Sydney concert will take place on Saturday 14 March and adds to the shows already announced for Wednesday March 11 & Thursday March 12.

Coldplay’s Viva La Vida tour will now go on sale to the general public with a total of eight arena shows at once across Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. The Visa Entertainment pre-sale allocation was capped in order to leave thousands of great tickets available for this general on-sale on Thursday.

The tour is set to be a memorable one for this country. Chugg Entertainment’s Production Manager, Jon Pope, who recently attended several dates on the Viva La Vida tour in America, states, “This is one of the best shows I have ever seen in my 30 years of touring. The show is extraordinary, we lost count of how many different looks they achieve, and these shows will be something very special.”

Said Michael Chugg, “I have always been a huge fan of these boys, but the interest in this tour is just blowing me away. It’s at a level I’ve not seen in years. We’re witnessing a group at the top of it’s game - fans will have to be quick when general tickets go on sale at this week”.

Don’t miss your chance to secure tickets when they go on sale this Thursday 4 December.

Released the same weekend that the Australia tour was announced, Coldplay’s Viva La Vida - Prospekt’s March edition is available now - a two-disc deluxe package which includes Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, plus a brand new EP entitled Prospekt’s March; the EP is also for sale separately. Prospekt’s March includes six recently-completed songs that the band had begun recording during the Viva La Vida sessions and brand new versions of two album tracks – Lost + (featuring Jay-Z) and Lovers in Japan (Osaka Sun mix).

Coldplay – ‘Viva La Vida’ Tour Dates

Friday 27 February - Perth, Burswood Dome

Tuesday 3 March - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena

Wednesday 4 March - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena

Sunday 8 March - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre

Monday 9 March - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre

Wednesday 11 March - Sydney, Acer Arena

Thursday 12 March - Sydney, Acer Arena

Saturday 14 March - Sydney, Acer Arena *NEW SHOW*

Tickets for all shows on sale 9am, Thursday 4 December through Ticketek: www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849.

This just in from the official site, thanks Anchorman & Debs!

Good evening. The forum of Coldplay fansite Coldplaying.com has made it into the knock-out rounds of the Absolute Radio Rock-Off, where they've been drawn against the official Keane forum. Naturally, we'd like to lend Coldplaying our support in this titanic struggle. So, if you have a moment to vote for the site and their playlist, then click here before 8.30pm GMT on Monday. Thank you.

Anchorman

The Kylie / Coldplay duet ‘Lhuna’, which Chris Martin has been raving about, finally sees its release, on World AIDS Day (1st December). The song will be available via (RED)'s new digital music magazine, (RED)WIRE. When you sign up, you'll receive exclusive (DRM-free) music from the world's greatest artists on a weekly basis, and people living with HIV in Africa will get the medicine they need to stay alive.

(RED) was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT) RED-branded products. Half the fee of (RED)WIRE will go the Global Fund, through which (RED) provides AIDS medicines for women and children. Most of the remainder goes to artist royalties.

Take me to Red(Wire); launches Monday December 1st 2008

More on this exclusive news here [thanks mimixxx & Jpw48]

UK 4Music will broadcast a Coldplay interview and performance special later today. From Coldplay.com:

Good afternoon. On Sunday, Channel 4 in the UK will be broadcasting 4Music Presents... Coldplay, a 50-minute special in which the band perform several songs and shoot the breeze with Mr George Lamb. It's on at 3pm.

The programme will feature an exclusive interview and live performances featuring tracks from the multi-platinum-selling album Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends.

I Should Be So Lucky... well, I was by being the first journalist in the world to hear the new track by mega music combo, Kyl-dplay, reports News Of The World.

That’s right, Pop royalty Kylie Minogue and Coldplay have teamed up to record a charity song together to raise money for AIDS victims. The track, called Lhuna, is brilliant — it combines Kylie’s seriously sexy voice with the haunting tones of Chris Martin. The results are spectacular. Last night, a music insider told me: “This is the THE duet of the year — you don’t get bigger than Kylie and Coldplay. It’s taken a number of weeks but they finally finished the track last week. It’s something they’re very proud of because it’s being released with the soul aim of raising money for a cause that is very close to their hearts.”

Download Lhuna exclusively from new music service Red Wire tomorrow (World AIDS Day). Some of the proceeds are donated to those with HIV in Africa. More on this exclusive news here [thanks mimixxx & Jpw48]

Coldplay kicked off their first night of the Viva La Vida tour UK leg at the Sheffield Arena, Sheffield. No setlist surprises for this first show in terms of new songs, but Trouble was added for the UK fans...

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Speed Of Sound

Cemeteries Of London

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, partial before switching to Trouble)

Trouble

Postcards From Far Away (Chris - piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

The Scientist (acoustic, with Take That’s Back For Good to end)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will singing)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

Yellow

The Escapist (outro)

Picture by Nick Pickles

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

Back!! That was a crazy car ride home, haha... lots of very loud music, fog, and tiredness. It was in Block C, Row 22... good view for the Trouble/Postcards/GPASUYF and TalkIt felt strange to be behind rows and rows of people who did nothing and didnt sing for most songs.... but hey. I musn't be downbeat! The most amazing moment for me had to be when I pulled out all the stops dancing to Politik in these said rows of quietness...... twas a beautiful moment!! I also loved it when Chris decided to not play the Hardest Part and play Trouble instead...wahey!!!! I think the boys really enjoyed it too, I could see them having a smile and laugh a lot of the time. I just wish they threw in a few more oldies or a few of the new Prospekt's March stuff. Maybe in time........ [thanks crazyduckette]

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

After selling out their pre-sale allocation in a day, Coldplay have announced a third Sydney show for Acer Arena on March 14.

General tickets for the March 11, 12 and 14 shows go on sale through Ticketek (132849) on Thursday.

More on this news to follow...

Innovation is hard to come by in the music industry, especially when it comes to concert tours.

Someone, usually the Rolling Stones or U2, has always done it before. Several aspects of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" concert in Glendale, Ariz. Nov. 26 were quite familiar because the concert had a definite U2 feel to it. A bit of singer Chris Martin's stage presence seems borrowed from U2's Bono, such as the little jump-hop-skip combined with an arm thrust into the air he’d do.

The two ramp thrusters that came out from the left and right parts of the front of the stage were a way for Coldplay to get closer to the audience on the floor and in the first level of stands. During the fourth song, "In My Place," Martin and guitarist Jonny Buckwald faced off with each other in a mini-battle before Martin dropped to his knees to sing the song's final lyrics.

Read the full review article here

Songbird Connie Talbot has claimed her latest triumph by knocking British supergroup Coldplay from the top of the US charts – and she hasn’t even heard of them, reports expressandstar.com.

Fresh from appearances on a series of top talk shows in America, the eight-year-old’s version of Three Little Birds has sent the rock giants tumbling to number seven in the Billboard Hot Singles charts. But the success has clearly not gone to the head of the youngster from Streetly, Walsall.

Speaking to the Express & Star, the Blackwood Prim-ary School pupil appeared more interested in her favourite children’s TV character Tracy Beaker than multi-award winning Coldplay. “I don’t think I’ve heard of them,” she said. “It’s just amazing to go to number one in America, though, I can’t believe it.”

The youngster made her name last year when she melted the hearts of judges, including Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden, on the TV show Britain’s Got Talent. Her second album, Connie Talbot’s Christmas Album, came out in the UK this week after massive sales of her debut Over The Rainbow – which is also selling well in the US.

And after recent appearances before millions on major American TV shows including USA Today, The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Ellen Show, Connie still seemed to be taking things in her stride.

“I loved it in America, it was brilliant,” she said.

“I think Washington DC was my favourite place, but all the others were really good too. The people over there are really nice and friendly.”

Connie, whose original performance on Britain’s Got Talent went on to become the most watched clip in YouTube’s history with more than 45 million views, is due to go to Germany for a charity show next week, before travelling to Asia where she will do her debut tour, which will include Korea, Taiwan, Philippines and Hong Kong.

Coldplay might be giving Adelaide the cold shoulder on its 2009 tour, but plenty of 'AdelaideNow' readers are warming to our petition to change the band's mind, report news.com.au.

Since last Sunday more than 1000 people have signed the online petition to bring the English supergroup to Adelaide. The response comes after last week's announcement that the band would not include South Australia in its 2009 tour.

Instead, Coldplay will only play dates in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne when they visit in February and March. A schedule clash with High School Musical Live, on at the Entertainment Centre from February 28 to March 8, means the band could only play in Adelaide after its final Australian concert in Sydney on March 12. But a spokeswoman for touring company Chugg Entertainment said there were no plans to add Adelaide to Coldplay's schedule, despite the band playing the Entertainment Centre on its 2006 tour.

Readers on the AdelaideNow messageboards were irate when the Sunday Mail broke the news last week. "I go to plenty of concerts each year, but I can't be the only one buying tickets. I can't go interstate to see them. It is a shame but, hopefully, signing the petition will work," wrote Carl of Prospect. "This honestly breaks my heart! My fav band and have been for 10 years. I'll be in Melbourne without a doubt," wrote Nick of Henley.

But not everyone was convinced a petition was worth the effort. "Is there a petition I can sign to keep them OUT of Adelaide?" wrote Bianca of Adelaide. Facebook users have also come out in support of the petition, with a "Bring Coldplay to Adelaide" group attracting more than 800 members.

You can see (and sign) the petition here

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

November 28, 2008 - submitted by Lucia, Argentina

Q. hello oracle! some time ago you mentioned that the lyrics were going to be posted on the site, is that going to happen any time soon? i’ve read many lyrics related questions, and i have a few myself, wouldn’t it be esasier if you just posted them? thanks!

The Oracle replies:

It will happen sometime in the New Year, hopefully sooner rather than later.

November 28, 2008 - submitted by Bennett, United States of America

Q. Hello Oracle. I’d like to know, what is your favorite Thanksgiving food? Thanks, Bennett

The Oracle replies:

We don’t do Thanksgiving over here. I mean we give thanks but we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. I have never been in the States during this time either but my friend Quinn who lives in the U.K he tells me he’s having the works, “turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce”, which sounds pretty much the same as what I’ll be having on Christmas Day. Happy Thanksgiving to all the dudes and dudettes from across the pond!

November 28, 2008 - submitted by Elizabeth, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, I am going to turn 21 in a month. I was wondering if you could tell what my frist drink should be? I’m thinking about wine. What is your favorite drink?

The Oracle replies:

Ooh have a glass of Champagne. It’s the perfect drink to celebrate your coming of age. Personally I drink it on any occasion, not just for special ones, it is my favourite drink of all time. Perhaps as it’s your first drink mix with orange juice to make a classic Bucks Fizz, we wouldn’t want you to get too tipsy! Happy impending birthday Elizabeth! I’m just off to pop the cork right now I think… all those Lost? questions have marked an early start to the weekend. Cheers!

November 28, 2008 - submitted by zeke, United States of America

Q. Sorry to pesty about this. Still not clear. You say the Lost? video competition is over at midnight GMT. You also say it is open until December 1 (as opposed to through). So we actually have until midnight November 30 (or really until 11:59p.m.)., and in the states until 6:59p.m).

The Oracle replies:

Come on guys! It is perfectly clear. Midnight on Nov 30 isn’t December the 1st now is it? 00.00 at the end of December the first is your final chance. You MUST adhere to the fact it says GMT. Any that arrive after that time will not be considered. My cage is rattled…

November 28, 2008 - submitted by emily, United States of America

Q. dearest oracle from delphi: about the lost competition… can we turn in videos on dec. 1, or do we have to before dec. 1? and for all the people who are heartbroken or angry somehow from this competition- think about how many people are entering this and really the chances of winning are slim for everyone so please lighten up, i want to win, too!

The Oracle replies:

The competition runs until Monday 1 December 2008. No entries will be accepted as eligible after midnight (GMT) on this closing date.

A reminder that Coldplay tickets for next year's stadium tour will be available from 9.30am on Friday 28th November.

Coldplay big UK shows for September 2009 earlier this week - Chris Martin called up BBC Radio 1 to announce that Coldplay are playing a string of stadium shows in September. "It's like a dream come true," said Chris about the dates on the radio just now. The dates are as follows:

Saturday 12th September - Manchester LCCC

Wednesday 16th September - Glasgow Hampden Park

Saturday 19th September - London Wembley Stadium

Tickets for all three shows go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 28th November. They will be available online from www.gigsandtours.com, www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.ticketline.co.uk. Or, if you'd prefer to buy over the phone, the numbers are: Manchester - 0161 832 1111, Glasgow - 08444 999990 and London - 020 7734 8932.

Full discussion on these concerts at the Coldplay Live forum here [thanks mimixxx & twistedleksi2008]

A new video of Lovers In Japan affiliated to Capitol records has emerged online and is now available to watch on this website.

The video was shot by Matt Whitecross at the United Center in Chicago during the same show in which the official video of Lost! and Lost+ was from. The images of the video seem to be part of an alternative video of the fourth single taken from the album Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, but it has since been rumoured that it could also be a footage of the eagerly-awaited Live DVD that Coldplay have been preparing during the shows in Chicago held on 22nd and 23rd of July.

So, alternative video or DVD clip? We don't know for sure yet because the audio of the video fits the Osaka Sun Remix track included in the recently released Prospekt's March EP). Anyway, we couldn't ask for anything better, so...Enjoy it! Thanks to coldplayzone.it for the heads up!

No Coldplay split, says mum of guitarist

The mum of Coldplay’s lead guitarist has scotched rumours the band might be poised to split. Joy Buckland – mother of the top band’s lead guitarist Jonny Buckland [pictured] – dismissed the speculation published in a Sunday newspaper.

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin was quoted as saying he wanted to leave the band – now regarded as the world’s top rock outfit – before his 33rd birthday in March 2010. Speaking from her home near Mold, Joy said vocalist Chris often made quips which were misinterpreted. She said: “People sometimes don’t understand his humour. There are often Chinese whispers about the band, but I’ve had no confirmation from Jonny that they are breaking up.”

Joy said the band had been playing concerts in the United States and were about to embark on a British tour. She and her husband John – a former teacher at Holywell High School – will be going to a Coldplay gig at Liverpool or Manchester next month. Joy added: “We are also attending their concert at the 02 arena in London.

More on this story here [thanks mimixxx]

British rock group Coldplay wrapped up its North American tour Wednesday in Glendale with a solid, understated performance, reports AZCentral.

"You can't do an American tour without finishing in Phoenix, Arizona," said singer Chris Martin, who could be forgiven for his slight geographical slip-up. Coldplay is one of the most dependable touring bands in rock these days, and the group's 90-minute set gave the near-sellout crowd at Jobing.com Arena plenty of well-executed anthems.

Clocks, Yellow, Speed of Sound and the title track from the band's latest album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, all were delivered with precision. This tour was one of the Grammy-winning group's largest undertakings in terms of staging, with a huge screen occasionally used for videos, intense strobe lights, scores of lasers and intriguing illuminated globes that alternately held artsy designs and images of band members.

Martin hopped and bounded all over the stage, often playing a guitar instead of his signature standup piano. Bandmates Jonny Buckland (guitar), Will Champion (drums) and Guy Berryman (bass) were content to hold their positions until the curly-haired Martin dropped by to give them a hug or a good-natured shove.

Much of the concert spotlighted this year's Viva La Vida album, with the crowd singing along to such new classics as Violet Hill and Lost! A highlight of the new material was a haunting-yet-sleek version of Cemeteries of London. Martin slid behind his famed upright piano for another strong new tune, 42, a slow song building to a climax in which the singer jokingly stuck out his tongue.

The band took to a small stage sticking out into the crowd to pick a few favorites, including 2002's God Put a Smile Upon Your Face. Martin took a solo on 2006's The Hardest Part, playing a nice extended piano solo as the song wound down. Later, the group ventured into a far corner of the arena and delighted ticketholders in that section by mounting a small, hidden stage to perform a few songs. "Here's an old song, and it's not even that good a song. But it means something to us," Martin said, in introducing The Scientist. The audience disagreed, going crazy when Martin played a harmonica as other band members strummed guitars and a mandolin.

Coldplay mixed things up just enough to keep it interesting, and although Martin will never be compared to Bono or Jagger, his low-key stage demeanor strongly connects with a younger generation that doesn't demand bombast in its rock stars.

Source: http://www.azcentral.com

UK 4Music will broadcast a Coldplay interview and performance special on Sunday. From Coldplay.com:

Good afternoon. On Sunday, Channel 4 in the UK will be broadcasting 4Music Presents... Coldplay, a 50-minute special in which the band perform several songs and shoot the breeze with Mr George Lamb. It's on at 3pm.

Coldplay brought an end of their second US Viva La Vida tour leg as they played the Jobing.com Arena, Phoenix, Arizona. No setlist surprises for this final show...

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Speed Of Sound

Cemeteries Of London

Chinese Sleep Chant

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (techno version)

Talk (techno version)

The Hardest Part (Chris - piano instrumental)

Postcards From Far Away (Chris - piano instrumental)

Viva La Vida

Lost!

The Scientist (acoustic)

Death Will Never Conquer (acoustic - Will singing)

Viva La Vida (remix interlude)

------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

Yellow

(Life In Technicolor ii on setlist, but not played)

The Escapist (outro)

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

Just got back and it was amazing as usual. SAME SETLIST. NO NEW SONGS...but do I Have a story for you all! I made a sign that said "Play Life in Technicolor ii or Glass of Water." I was in the second row right next to the ramp of love, and I held up the sign right after the first encore (after DAAHF). Chris saw my sign, walked to the edge of the stage towards me and we had a mini conversation! He gave me the maybe hand sign, and strummed his hand like a guitar...like he didn't have the right guitar to play it...when all 4 band members were bowing, Chris pointed my sign out and they gave my a thumbs up! Well...they came out for yellow but they didn't play LITii or GOW BUT, after Chris came over to me again and pointed at me, tore off Johnny's setlist from the ground and threw it towards me!!!! But, it hit the security guard and he gave it to the snotty B$it$H shitting next to me! And she wouldn't give it to me!!! By that time, Chris was gone and they boys had left. It makes me so made because she didn't even sing during the show and probably didn't even know half of the songs... and she KNEW that Chris was trying to give it to me. Some people...she has thebbad karma now! But the fact that Chris and the whole band acknowledge me and my sign is so amazing!!! and he came over and tried to give me a setlist himself!!!! I'm so pumped up right now. I was really hoping that they'd play a new song for the last US stop this year. But, at least I got their attention. I will post some pics/vids tomorrow...I'm still in disbelief that all this happened! [thanks knectthedots]

Just got back home an d WOWWWWWW, the people in my section were great, dancing and singing even a mentally and physically handicapped boy with a cane, he waved it above his head as we all sang and clapped. I almost wet myself during In my Place, Jonny was sooooo close to the stage as I was filmingOh shit I love them somuch I want to see them again now!!!! And yes coldplaybirdsfly Ihopethey come back to US in 2009. Well, you could tell they were tired, bless their hearts, especailly Chris, he wasn't his normal witty and chatty self. I didn't check the Anaheim thread from Tuesday, sO I don't know if his demeanor was the same then or not, but you could tell something wasn't quite 100% with him. Especailly when he introduced Will for DWNC, he just simply said:"Here's our drummer Will, no clever intro this time, I don't know maybe he was not in the best mood or I'm just reading too much into it. But he was still animated and dancing around throughout. The crowd may have also added to the mood, the audience as a whole was a little mellow I noticed. I still had the best time, I love these guys so much, and how beautiful is The Hardest Part with just Chris and his piano? [thanks clisaj]

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

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

November 26, 2008 - submitted by Evelien, Belgium

Q. Dear Oracle, I enjoyed the football picture from Roadie #42 a lot :-) I think Chris is not on it? Does he not like playing football?

The Oracle replies:

Not particularly, he prefers cricket!

November 26, 2008 - submitted by Rachel the Awesome, United States of America

Q. Wouldn't it be funny if this question got in instead of my other more important question?

The Oracle replies:

Yes it would be absolutely hilarious! (Please be patient with the Lost? videos appearing on YouTube, there's quite a lot in since the weekend so keep your eyes peeled, it WILL appear).

November 26, 2008 - submitted by Dave, United Kingdom

Q. Relating to Simon's question, we are travelling 4 hours to get to Monday's show in Birmingham. Who are supporting?

The Oracle replies:

There was an announcement on this very site on 20th October by the Anchorman. Go forth and find...

November 26, 2008 - submitted by Nikki, Australia

Q. Hi Oracle! I am thinking of buying a new bird after my last one passed away and I would like to give him a musical name, my last bird was called "Toto", do you have any suggestions?

The Oracle replies:

Do you know the term Fermata? Literally it means closed but it refers to holding a note for as long as you like. The slang term used for this is actually bird's eye, so Fermata would work but I prefer Lyre. I hope the bird wouldn't think you meant Liar and take offence. Anyway, a lyre is an instrument but it is also the name of a phenomenal bird that can imitate ANYTHING! see for yourself and prepare to be amazed. Either of those names will possibly make you look like a know-it-all to your mates, but nowt wrong with that I find! If your last bird was Toto (which is also the name of an American soft rock band), you could always plump for Eagle?

ANAHEIM – A 27-year-old man fell about 30 feet to his death as he tried to jump over an opening along the Santa Ana riverbed Tuesday night, police said.

Anaheim police Sgt. Rick Martinez said the incident occurred at 11 p.m. at 2695 Katella Avenue at the Santa Ana riverbed. Officers found the man on the west side bike trail underneath Katella, he said.

The man has been identified as Guillermo Gomez, of Alhambra, according to the Orange County coroner's office. Police said the man had just left a Coldplay concert he attended with a relative at the Honda Center, but left alone. The man was walking eastbound over the riverbed on the north sidewalk of Katella along with other concert-goers, Martinez said.

Witnesses told police they saw the man run southbound across the lanes of traffic on Katella, trying to make it to the south sidewalk of the avenue. They then said they saw him try to jump over a gap that separates the westbound and eastbound lanes of traffic, and fell to the bike path near the riverbed below, Martinez said.

The gap is about 10 feet wide and is surrounded by 2-foot-high protective barrier walls, Martinez said. Witnesses saw the man try to jump over the barrier walls and across the 10-foot-wide opening. "Unfortunately, he didn't make it and fell down into the riverbed area, landing on the bike trail below," Martinez said.

The man was treated by paramedics at the scene and was taken to a hospital. The man died at 11:40 p.m., Martinez said.

Source: ocregister.com