I’m writing this one from the Oxfam and Ucodep stall on the concourse. The crowd are singing along to a special acoustic version of ‘The Scientist’.. The hallway just got cleared.. I know what that means! Here they come..

The band just ran past the Oxfam stall. Chris Martin waved at some of the volunteers who were standing here. That was a good moment for us to remember. They are now back on stage, playing ‘Politik’. The stobe lights are flashing, and Will Champion is beating the life out of those drums! “Open up your eyes!”. Maybe that’s what our volunteers helped some of the crowd do tonight before they went in. Open up their eyes, on the issue of Health and Education For All (Salute Acqua Istruzione Per Tutti), in Italiano.

Elisa Bacciotti, the star of popular mobilisation for Oxfam International and Ucodep in Italy, is standing next to me, waiting for the volunteers to come back after the show for one last bit of campaigning, before hopefully, they all head home into the Milan night, with a big smile on their faces! She very kindly translated my briefing earlier to the volunteers. My Italian is terrible. Here’s a few words from her..

Read the full blog entry at the Oxfam Blog website here

Coldplay played their second and final Italian concert of the 2008 European leg of the Viva La Vida Tour at Datchforum, Milan, Italy tonight, and added Don't Panic, Reign Of Love and an acoustic version of Shiver. More on this concert here onwards and images at the gallery here

Setlist: [thanks fede]

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)

Don't Panic (acoustic)

Reign Of Love (acoustic)

Postcards From Far Away (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

Shiver (acoustic)

The Escapist

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

More questions answered by The Oracle...

September 30, 2008 - submitted by Mauricio, El Salvador

Q. Dear Oracle: a week ago, on Monday 22, my mother visited Machu Pichu, in Peru, and when she returned she told me: "I saw Chris Martin in Machu Pichu", and obviously I think: "Mmmm... i will ask to Oracle". Has he gone there or she saw someone like him?

The Oracle replies:

I know our website only shows current and pending tour dates but I can assure you the band have been on the road for a while now and so Chris hasn't had the chance to pop to Peru. Your Mum must have seen someone who looked like him.

September 30, 2008 - submitted by Annie, United States of America

Q. I love Coldplay. They're the best band in the world! I want to see a concert, but it's labeled Coldplay and Duffy. What's Duffy? If it's another band then forget the whole thing!

The Oracle replies:

Or rather, who is Duffy? Duffy is a mighty fine songstress from Wales, UK. She is the opening act so it's not a double bill but you may like her. The band do which is why she's going on tour with them. Maybe get there early and check her out for yourself?

September 30, 2008 - submitted by Pat, United Kingdom

Q. I'm a student in need of cash desperately. i have already taken out an overdraft with rbs but i should be receiving money from the government in form of a bursary . i am lost without this money and i am spiralling myself into debt which has meant a major fall out with my sister! i really dont have a clue where to go now??

The Oracle replies:

Get yourself down to the Citizen's Advice Bureau or book an appointment with a financial advisor as soon as possible. You need to consolidate your debts and draw up an action plan of when and how you're going to pay it back. Right now it's not wise to rely on the bursary you need funds now. Ditch any credit cards and don't live beyond your means. Consider having a car boot sale - don't laugh; it could be fun as well as raising cash! It may seem an impossible feat and it won't be easy but trust me, you can sort this and get back on track.

Coldplay have announced details of a new four-track, digital-only single, NME have confirmed. The band will release the 'Lost!' EP on November 10 worldwide. A video for the song, directed by Mat Whitecross, is available to view at Coldplay.com.

Speaking of the single, Coldplay drummer Will Champion said in a fan mailout: "That song had been around for a long time, without ever getting finished. I was starting to get into using a particular drum programming programme. I was messing around with that and I built this beat up from scratch. Then Chris overheard it and played 'Lost!' over the top of it."

Coldplay had previously claimed they would release an EP of brand new material this winter. However, the song 'Lost!' appears on their recent album, 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All his Friends'. The band have not announced details of the remaining three songs on the EP yet. Coldplay are currently completing the European leg of their world tour before heading back to the US.

In other Coldplay news the group are giving away a pair of Will’s drumsticks signed by the entire band. If you’re their biggest fan email signed competitions@coldplay.com before Wednesday October 8.

See a special Coldplay show in New York - win tickets to Yahoo! taping

Are you a Coldplay fan living in the New York City or New Jersey area? Would you like to come along to a secret and very exclusive taping of a live performance with Coldplay? If so, then the good people at Yahoo! Music and Capitol Records are requesting the pleasure of your company at Nissan Live Sets in NYC, featuring Coldplay. The details are as follows...

Date: Wednesday October 22nd, 2008

Arrival Time: 6.30pm

Location: A super-secret place in NYC!

Yahoo! have 250 pairs of tickets to give away to the show. If you'd like to win a pair, then simply email Invite@YahooLiveSets.com with your name, number and location, before October 15th. If your email is one of the 250 randomly picked winners, we'll contact you to let you know. On the night, you might even get to take part in an on-camera Q&A with the band. Please only enter once. You must be at least 13 years old to attend. Fans under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The prize is just the pair of tickets, not transport or accommodation. This invitation is not transferable unless you ask particularly nicely and get the express permission of Yahoo!. Yahoo! reserves the right to rescind any invitation, at any time, in its sole discretion.

More on this competition here [thanks Christa1]

Following Coldplay.com's comeptition to win front-row tickets in the last Messenger - won by a fellow from Canada - they've got another corking contest for you this time.

One lucky winner will receive a pair of Will's drumsticks, signed by the entire band. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email your name and address to competitions@coldplay.com before Wednesday October 8th.

Rules: One entry per person!

Kele Okereke has said that Coldplay should be ‘applauded’ for their re-working of Kraftwerk’s ‘Computer Love’, XFM reports.

Coldplay famously lifted the tune from one of the German techno giants’ most famous song and used it for their arena-filling hit, ‘Talk’. The song, which featured on Coldplay’s ‘X&Y’ album, drew high praise from Bloc Party’s singer.

Introducing Kraftwerk’s original, he said: “The next song is ‘Computer Love’ by Kraftwerk. You may recognise the melody because it was used in a recent Coldplay song called ‘Talk’. One really has to applaud Coldplay for making Kraftwerk sound like stadium rock. That’s one of my favourite achievements of theirs”.

In other news to be taken slightly less seriously, drummer Matt Tong alleged he barely knew the surname of his alleged ‘friend’ and band-mate. Talking about the benefits of co-hosting The Residency with Kele he said,

“I’ve become really accustomed to hanging out with you even thought I’ve been hanging out with you for five years. It’s amazing how you can hang out with someone on a tour bus and not now their surname”.

More on this article

here [thanks mimixxx]

Coldplay played the Palamagotti, Bologna, Italy tonight. More on this concert here onwards and images at the gallery here

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 (partial - techno version)

The Hardest Part (piano - Chris)

Postcards From Far Away (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

The Escapist

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

Tonight at midnight (BST +1) German radiostation 1Live brings their programme called KASSETTENDECK, in which famous people mix their own one hour "Cassette" of favorite songs or those they have been influenced by the most. Tonight it's with our very own Chris Martin. You can listen live at einslive.de/

More on this here [thanks Fraetes & mimixxx]

More questions answered by The Oracle...

September 29, 2008 - submitted by Natalie, United States of America

Q. This may sound ignorant, but there were a lot of people in the awesome new video Lost! How does one go about getting consent from all of those people to be in a music video (not like anyone in their right mind would object). Is it just a, "Hey guys, we're filming a video tonight, you're going to be in it"?

The Oracle replies:

Not at all, basically it's part of the standard terms & conditions of sale of a ticket (and is printed on the reverse) that the audience may be photographed or filmed and therefore by buying a ticket you are agreeing to that potential. Sometimes if it's for a video or DVD, there are signs around the venue.

September 29, 2008 - submitted by Stefanie, Austria

Q. Dear Oracle! First of all I want to say thank you for answering all the questions! I really enjoy reading your answers to all those questions whether they're Coldplay related or not. Now my question: I went to the concert in Vienna last Wednesday (which was absolutely amazing!!) and at some point of the show the guys came to the back of the hall to a small space between the crowd and they were performing two songs there(I was standing right in front of them *smile*) Now I was wondering whether they are doing this on every concert or just sometimes?

The Oracle replies:

They call this segment of the show the acoustic section on Stage C and yes, it happens at every gig.

September 29, 2008 - submitted by Bear, Sweden

Q. Since almost 80% of Coldplay's songs are played by the guitar with a custom tuning. Isn't Chris a bit sick of tuning the guitars up and down all the time?

The Oracle replies:

That's what Hoppy is there for! Hoppy is the band's backline and Chris' guitar technician so it is he who tunes the guitars.

Chris Martin chats exclusively to Absolute Radio's Breakfast Show DJ Christian O'Connell on the flight home from the bands gig in Munich

Absolute Radio Breakfast Show DJ Christian O'Connell travelled to Germany with Coldplay – and one very lucky listener – for the band’s sell out gig in Munich on Friday. Coldplay have long been friends of the station and Chris Martin personally gave Absolute Radio the band’s seal of approval live on stage when he welcomed its arrival to 14,000 cheering fans at the Olympiahalle arena.

Absolute Radio Breakfast Show DJ Christian O’Connell spoke at length with lead-singer Chris Martin on the flight home from the gig - set to be broadcast in full on Absolute Radio at 7pm this Wednesday and streamed via online radio at www.absoluteradio.co.uk.

Read the full interview article here

Chris Martin has denied rumours that Coldplay are to take up residency at London's O2 Arena, DigitalSpy are reporting today.

The frontman told Absolute Radio that he had doubts about Coldplay's ability to follow in Prince's footsteps and sell out the arena for 21 consecutive nights. "He sold out 21 nights," Martin commented. "I don't think we could. You can't do that unless you've got impeccable facial hair. With my facial hair we could probably sell out five nights."

Other acts rumoured to be playing a series of gigs at the O2 include Michael Jackson and U2.

Coldplay played the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland tonight, before travelling to Italy. More on this concert here onwards and images at the gallery here [thanks Larry]

Unconfirmed 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 (partial - techno version)

The Hardest Part (piano - Chris)

Postcards From Far Away (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

The Escapist

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

LONDON — Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends” (Parlophone/EMI) is back at the top of European Top 100 Albums, part of a resuming EMI double that sees Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” (Virgin) lead Eurochart Hot 100 Singles for a fifth week.

The Coldplay album had 10 consecutive weeks atop the Pan-European sales list until Slipknot’s “All Hope Is Gone” (Roadrunner) debuted at the summit last week. “Viva” rebounds with the help of climbs of 3-2 in Italy, 5-3 in Greece and 6-5 in Ireland. The Slipknot album loses its two No. 1 berths in Finland and Switzerland but debuts at No. 1 in Sweden and No. 3 in Italy.

The Verve’s “Forth” (Parlophone/EMI) moves from No. 4 to No. 3 overall, trading places with Duffy’s “Rockferry” (A&M/Universal). The Verve’s reunion album is No. 1 for a second week in the U.K., where total sales to last weekend were 108,000, and adds a No. 4 debut in Italy. Duffy makes a 7-4 U.K. climb, also leaping from No. 49 to No. 21 with the album’s latest single, “Stepping Stone.”

Polydor/Universal’s “Mamma Mia!” soundtrack holds at No. 5 on Top 100 Albums, retaining its lead on the separate U.K. compilation chart and holding at No. 1 in Norway, Greece and Hungary. It’s also up 29-2 in Portugal, but falls from No. 1 to No. 2 in Austria and Denmark.

Michael Jackson’s new “King of Pop” retrospective (Epic/Sony BMG) takes a second-week climb of 15-6, fueled by debuts of No. 1 in Austria and No. 4 in Holland. It’s also up from fifth to third in the U.K. (where sales of 22,000 give it a running total of 48,000), from 11th to fourth in the Belgian region of Flanders and 19th to sixth in Germany.

Amy Macdonald’s “This Is the Life” (Mercury/Universal) is No. 7 again on the Pan-European chart, climbing from No. 5 to No. 3 in Switzerland, while Amy Winehouse dips from sixth to eighth on the aggregate survey with “Back to Black” (Universal Island) and holds at No. 5 in France.

The Pan-European album top 10 is rounded out by two new entries. Veteran British rock act Motorhead returns at No. 9 with “Motorizer” (SPV) thanks largely to a No. 5 start in Germany. The band also enjoys its best U.K. album chart ranking for 22 years, debuting at No. 32 on sales of 5,000 units. Longtime German chart favorite Peter Maffay arrives at No. 1 there with “Ewig” (Ariola/Sony BMG) to enable a No. 10 entry on Top 100 Albums.

Perry’s single locks a fifth week at No. 1 in the U.K. as well as on the Eurochart as a whole. It also stays at the top in Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland and makes up for losing top place in Germany (1-2) by climbing 2-1 in Sweden and Flanders.

The Eurochart’s highest new entry, at No. 4, is the Pussycat Dolls’ “When I Grow Up” (Interscope/Universal), which arrives at No. 3 in the U.K. on sales of 29,000, and No. 9 in Germany.

Coldplay played the Olympiahalle in Munich, Germany tonight. More on this concert here onwards and images at the gallery here.

Setlist: [thanks MagooUK]

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 (partial - techno version)

The Hardest Part (piano - Chris)

Postcards From Far Away (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

The Escapist

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

Awesome show!! I'm still finding paper butterflies in my clothes and pockets

The band and crowd were all in a great mood, and Chris was very talkative, saying that the show was being recorded for the launch of a new UK radio station (the name of which has temporarily slipped my mind), and also making a few Oktoberfest references. [thanks MagooUK]

I honestly have never ever been to such an awesome concert! It had everything you'd want. It was really an unforgettable experience and I definitely want to see them again this tour. I'm still speechless. They rocked the house real good. We were in the 2nd row right in the middle. Even though Lovers in Japan is not my favorite Coldplay song, I still think it was the highlight of the concert. Albert Hammond Jr was not really in good shape tonight and played just about 20 minutes. [thanks sledgehammer]

Cast your daily vote for Coldplaying.com in the Best Unofficial Music Site at the 2008 BT Digital Music Awards

More questions answered by The Oracle...

September 26, 2008 - submitted by Billy, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, during your upcoming show.....shall I sit or stand?

The Oracle replies:

The floor is usually all standing but if you are in the seated area, I think if you wanna get up and dance do, but be aware you could be blocking the view of people behind who may then ask you to sit. There are certain songs (Viva la Vida for example) that everyone will jump up for so you won't always be glued to your seat.

September 26, 2008 - submitted by Lore, Chile

Q. Hello Oracle... If you could choose one Coldplay song that they haven't played in a long time (or an old song that they haven't played before)... which one would you choose to include it in the setlist?

The Oracle replies:

I'd have to say Such a Rush, which was almost a contender on the Twisted Logic tour, although anything from Parachutes would be a treat (except Yellow & Trouble as they're already out there).

September 26, 2008 - submitted by Therry, Austria

Q. Dear Oracle, I've heard you know everything so you may help me. I'm probably the shyest person in the whole wide world and I want to know, what I should do if I ever meet someone like the guys from Coldplay. I wouldn't be able to say a word! Maybe you can give me an advise. Thanks!

(oh and sorry for my english... it's not my mothertounge ^^")

The Oracle replies:

I totally understand what it's like to meet someone who I admire and have been victim of shaky legs, trembling hands and nervous stomach but I remind myself that whoever they are, they're people so treat them the same as I would anyone else. It's quite hard because you can get tongue tied so maybe plan what you would say now and who knows one day it may come in handy to be prepared! Oooh and I once saw Bj�rk on holiday in Marbella back in 1992. I didn't want to disturb her but wanted to tell her how amazing I thought Hit was, so I did. She said, "Thank you very much" and that was that. It was short but sweet!

Shortly before tonight's Munich concert, Coldplay were awarded three Gold and Platinum awards for their last three releases, Live 2003 DVD, X&Y and the new album, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, Coldplaying can exclusively reveal.

Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends has sold over 300,000 copies in Germany alone since its release in June, and more than 500,000 copies of X&Y have been sold since 2005. EMI Music Germany also presented an honour for the 'Live 2003' DVD. In Germany, a record is awarded Gold after 100,000 sales, and Platinum after 200,000 sales.

More on this and the latest from tonight's concert in Munich here [thanks Larry]

As we exclusively reported earlier this week, Absolute Radio (formerly Virgin as of tomorrow morning) gave away one of the biggest Coldplay prizes in the world, a money-can't-buy experience - to fly a Coldplay fan and a friend to tonight’s Munich gig. Watch the two finalists, Mark and Simon, going head to head, to find out who was the biggest Coldplay fan here

There is good news for everyone else who didn't win - Absolute Radio will be broadcasting tonight's Munich concert in its entirity. The concert will be aired on Absolute Radio next Wednesday 1st October from 7pm (BST, EST+5), full and unedited. You can bookmark the listen live link here. Alternatively you can listen to the Absolute Radio webstream via the Coldplaying toolbar - which you can download here prior to the Munich concert recording.

You can also keep in touch with the airing as it happens with us at Coldplaying here.

The Coldplay Prize Final

On the 26 September, we'll be flying our winner and a friend from a secret location in the UK to Munich... with Coldplay. Yes, with the band themselves! On arrival in Munich, they'll be given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour to see what goes on backstage, have a bit of dinner, then get the chance to sit in on their sound-check before the show.

Naturally, they'll get to see the Coldplay gig, who have become legendary for their energetic and passionate live acts over the past few years. Straight after the show, the winners will then be flying home with the band, rounding off their ultimate Coldplay experience.

We wanted to make sure the tickets go to the biggest Coldplay fan in the world, so we devised a cunning scheme to find out who that is.

First of all, listeners had to register here to get their name into the running. They chose a Coldplay song and a topic. Listeners chosen to go on-air had to sing about their topic along to a karaoke version of the Coldplay song.

Cast your daily vote for Coldplaying.com in the Best Unofficial Music Site at the 2008 BT Digital Music Awards

After some expensive looking high concept videos for their last few efforts Coldplay brings it back to the basics and where it all started from with their new video “Lost” from the top selling album Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends.

The video is a performance piece with the band rocking an arena sized audience as Chris displays some creative dance moves then takes off in the middle of the crowd. Good thing Chris isn’t a rapper, he might be chainless after running into a crowd after a Hip Hop show like that.

From Coldplay.com:

Good afternoon. We have just uploaded the video for Lost! to the site. It was made by Mat Whitecross at the United Center in Chicago. Click here to watch it. Lost! will be released as a digital EP on November 10th, worldwide. Its artwork looks like this [below]...

Tell us what you think of the new Coldplay video for Lost! - click here [thanks MasoKnight]

Full artwork:

More questions answered by The Oracle...

September 25, 2008 - submitted by yukie, Japan

Q. I read Q&A with Guy.

I seems that next released album is going to be last. Each members look like enjoying themselves. And it must be hard to play everyday,your schedule looks hard. No time to go home... Is this inference incorrect?

The Oracle replies:

Don't worry, all the guys have interests outside of the band but that doesn't mean they're looking for new careers. Guy's photography is a hobby, the photos may materialize in a book one day but that wouldn't interfere with the band. In fact, being in the band helps him hone his skills and he gets to take amazing photos all over the world. That's called killing two birds with one stone. For anyone who missed it here's the interview with Guy.

September 25, 2008 - submitted by Mariano, Venezuela

Q. Hello Oracle! Can you please tell us if Postcards From Far Away is purely instrumental as presented on Tour or it has lyrics? GRACIAS!

The Oracle replies:

It is the same as the tour version. Sublime isn't it? Some people assume it's a classical piece and don't realize it's actually the aforementioned Postcards...

September 25, 2008 - submitted by Alex, United States of America

Q. Did the band let the NRA use their song "Clocks" in a recent anti-Obama ad?

YouTube - New NRA Ad - Defend Freedom, Defeat Obama

The Oracle replies:

No they didn't. That's a cover version not the original song and there's nothing to stop people doing that. I guess their publisher would be interested to know!

Cast your daily vote for Coldplaying.com in the Best Unofficial Music Site at the 2008 BT Digital Music Awards

Two rock bands bound for Belfast this December are battling it out for the fastest-selling album of 2008. Coldplay and Kings of Leon are fighting it out to be the biggest band in the world.

Kings of Leon released their new album, Only By The Night, at the start of the week and are already seeing sales heading towards the 250,000 mark. The band, who headlined Glastonbury and Oxegen this year, play the Odyssey Arena on Saturday, December 20. Tickets for the show sold out within a few hours. The Tennessee four-piece are snapping at the heels of Coldplay, whose 2008 album Viva la Vida Or Death And All His Friends is currently the biggest seller of the year. Coldplay play the Odyssey Arena on Thursday, December 18.

Gennaro Castaldo of HMV said: “Current sales of Only By The Night are absolutely astounding. Just a few days into its release and it’s already proving one of our fastest-selling albums of 2008. We estimate that by the end of this week the band may well have shifted the best part of 250,000 copies across the whole retail market — this year only Coldplay’s Viva La Vida has sold more in its first week."

The band look set to stay at the top of the official singles charts as well, enabling them to join the elite club of artists who have enjoyed a simultaneous number one and album.

“This success shouldn’t really come as such a surprise — it’s been on the cards for a while now, ever since Kings of Leon were confirmed as one of the headline acts at this year’s Glastonbury. “And, of course, the band have recently appeared on the highly influential Later... show and are still reigning supreme in the official singles charts with Sex On Fire — so all the clues have been there.”

Gennaro said that while their success had been “a little while in coming”, it confirmed that Kings of Leon were now ranked among “the world’s biggest rock acts.”

On the eve of the launch of its new music site, MySpace said today that EMI Group, which counts Coldplay among its jewels, is now part of the joint venture that already includes the other three top recording companies, reports LA Times.

EMI was the missing link for the venture, which came out of a negotiation between MySpace and the recording industry over copyright infringement on the News Corp. social network. The music service, which will be available tonight at www.myspace.com/music, will include full songs streamed for free and personalized music management services. Through the service, which is powered by Amazon.com, MySpace users will be able to buy music downloads and ringtones as well.

As we noted last week, the service plays a crucial role in MySpace's future. EMI confirmed that it reached an agreement for its music to join MySpace Music, although it will probably take a while to appear.

Another crucial piece added at the last minute: Sony ATV Music Publishing, a joint venture between Sony Corp. and Michael Jackson that oversees the copyrights on 600,000 songs.

I spoke to Martin Bandier, Sony ATV's chief executive, who said his company had to decide whether to join the venture or seek legal action against MySpace and News Corp. over alleged past copyright infringement on the site.

"This is about the future and not about the past," he said. "We didn’t want to get caught up in the technicalities of the past.... We didn’t want to be the stick in the mud stopping a social network from launching or moving."

Coldplay's single concert at the Stadthalle in Austria took place tonight. A strong show, no surprises, no mistakes. More on this concert here onwards and images at the gallery here. [thanks *Sarah* & Miha]

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 (partial - techno version)

The Hardest Part (piano - Chris)

Postcards From Far Away (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

The Escapist

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

This was, I have to say, the best concert I've ever gone to. For starters, Albert Hammond Jr was terrific as the supporting act, he had some very good rock songs, couldn't really hear what he was singing about but obviously it didn't matter! After then half an hour after AHJ, we heard a familiar melody! "An der schönen blauen Donau" by Johann Strauss II, the crowd obviously went crazy! And right at the end of that song, Coldplay came to the stage.

It was just totally amazing! They played really fast through LIT, Violet Hill (with a bit of alternative ending, Chris just wouldn't stop singing "if you love me, won't you let me know" - it's probably because we didn't want him to stop! As they went into 'Clocks' we saw some of the most fantastic lightshow ever, with a giant magic sphere just adding up to what was already a great performance. And then Chris came in front and said "Guten Abend, meine Freunde". The crowd went wooooow! He continued: "Wir sind sehr, how could I put this, I'm sorry, my german's shit, wir sind sehr glucklich in Wien zu sein" /(very honoured to be here)

Typical Chris, as the crowd went crazy! As they went through In My Place, Speed Of Sound, Cemeteries Of London, Chinese Sleep Chant, 42, Fix You (again at the end, Chris just wouldn't stop singing 'and I will try to fix you', he repeated that many times) and Strawberry Swing there were some brilliant effects!

As they went to the B-stage, which was really not far away from A-stage to be honest, we left the grandstand, and then sneaked through another entrance, so we were like a few meters away from Chris' piano! Phenomenal to say at least, we were jumping like maniacs by the time Viva La Vida had started. After its end, we were just doing 'whoooaaahh, whoooaah' for more than 2 mins, I'm sure of it!

Lost! was so heavy that the floor started to vibrate, and I at that point even wasn't close to the A-stage! Really amazing! The Scientist was an acoustic version, they dissapeared from the A-stage and ended in the back with the crowd on the grandstand. They sang that and "Death will never conquer" by the best 'sportsman' Will Champion and returned for Politik and Lovers in Japan - again huge confetti, I got some of those, really amazing. Death and all his friends was a marvellous version, a bit heavier than usual, and it looked as if the crowd knew each and every word of it! They said bye at the end of it, and returned for Yellow, which was heavy, rock, fantastic whatever you want to call it.

I just wanted to let you know my feelings about it and think that's about the best thing you can see today. There's no way to better Coldplay's concert. Truly great.

We had seating tickets but we actually made our grandstand behind us all stand up, it was just so great! [thanks Miha]

Cast your daily vote for Coldplaying.com in the Best Unofficial Music Site at the 2008 BT Digital Music Awards

The Europe Music Awards are set to take place on 6th November 2008 in Liverpool, UK and nominee voting is now open at www.mtvema.com.

Voting is open to the public – fans can vote for their favourite artist to become one of the Top 5 nominees! Don’t delay – help Coldplay get nominated for an award! Here are their nominations:

Rock Out | Best Act Ever | Headliner | Album Of The Year (Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends)

The 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards will take place at the Echo Arena, Liverpool. Europe's biggest music awards show is set to explode with phenomenal live performances, astronomical presenters, and winners that are chosen by the people who really matter...YOU.

More questions answered by The Oracle...

September 24, 2008 - submitted by Michael, United States of America

Q. Oracle. Does the band have their private jet? Because yesterday I saw a picture of them getting off a plane with 'VIVA' on it.

The Oracle replies:

It's not the band's private jet, as they don't have one. They charter planes as and when needed for the tour. It's become quite usual for the planes to come with the album artwork on the side, which is a nice touch don't you think?

In answer to Liz' question who wanted to know why one never sees another plane whilst on a flight... I do all the time! I see loads of planes. So if you should happen to peer out of the window and see a small jet with VIVA on the side, you'll know who it is!

September 24, 2008 - submitted by Alexis, France

Q. Dear Oracle, in October, it will be the first anniversary of my girlfriend and I as a couple. Do you have any ideas of a gift that could make her love me for one more year (and many more years...)?

Thank you for your help!

The Oracle replies:

Well this is an idea I have had for years and was saving for something like a marriage proposal but it could work for birthdays and other celebrations. It's very important that you make absolutely certain that you use the correct paint for this... Take a plate and using special paint that won't poison your beloved or come off when in contact with water or food, write a personal message of love and decorate. When it's ready cook her favourite meal and present on the plate. Take joy in the look on her face when she clears her plate and sees what you did! You have to hope she's hungry though or it could go wrong!

September 24, 2008 - submitted by Rebeca, Spain

Q. Hi Oracle! Can I do your your job when you go on a holiday???

The Oracle replies:

Ah my dear Rebeca, you weren't to know what a sore subject that is right now. The Oracle should be on a 2 week holiday in the sun but due to the collapse of the airline is sat at home, in bed with a cold, miserable and wanted to find another holiday quickly. Anyway, It's an interesting idea and one I have thought about but I already have my absences covered but thanks for the offer!

Cast your daily vote for Coldplaying.com in the Best Unofficial Music Site at the 2008 BT Digital Music Awards