Reign of Love made its Coldplay concert debut in Paris last night, in the first of two consecutive shows at the Bercy.

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 (partial - 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

Reign Of Love

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

-------

Yellow

The Escapist

[discussion] [reviews/setlist] [photos] [wiki]

The show began a little late, but it was totally worth it! My only disappointement (as Charley said) was that there was only one encore with Yellow. The crowd was so wild I thought they were going to come on stage a second time, but it was already over [thanks arwen88]

At 9:50 pm Coldplay came on stage , Live they 're much more exciting than on cd , they may only have 4 records but they have lots of hit songs. The singer is still funny to watch and the musicians could be easily replaced no one will noticed it. The stage is very simple with the cd cover as backdrop and then a big screen in the back . They've played a couple of songs on a small stage. They've also played at the back of the venue and this time it wasn't on a proper stage but directly in the aisle in Bercy , first time i'm seeing this happen. Chris made an effort to speak an almost perfect french. Good point. [thanks mimixxx]

More reviews, pictures and videos from this show here onwards

Coldplay will perform on Le Grand Journal on Wednesday 10th, not Tuesday 9th, as was reported back on August 23rd. The reason for the change is a production alteration.

Coldplay are still due to perform live on French TV but a day later, on the talk show Le Grand Journal, found on the channel Canal+, according to schedules found on Clap Production. The TV show is live from 7pm (French time) to 8:50pm, and usually live acts are on at around 8pm. Although, Coldplay plays at The Bercy at 8:30pm that night (according to the tour schedule), so they might be on earlier.

More on this news here [thanks chavi & Svenky]

The Ting Tings held off competition from Coldplay and Leona Lewis to take home Best UK Video at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday (September 7th).

We reported recently that Coldplay picked up a nomination for their video Violet Hill, while Estelle's collaboration with Kanye West, American Boy, won her a nod. Leona's Bleeding Love video, Duffy's Warwick Avenue and the Ting Tings' Shut Up And Let Me Go all snagged nominations too. Hosted by Russell Brand, the 25th Video Music Awards took place at the Paramount Pictures Studio in Hollywood on September 7 and was shown on air on September 8 at 9pm.

More on Coldplay's nomination here

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Warner Music Group Corp., whose artists include Linkin Park and Madonna, said Monday it signed a license deal to market and distribute EMI Music releases in South East Asia, according to the CNN money website. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Warner Music Group will be the exclusive local physical and digital distributor of EMI Music's products in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and Thailand. The multiyear agreement expands on an existing relationship between the two companies.

EMI Music, whose artists include Coldplay, Kylie Minogue and Pink Floyd, is a unit of EMI Group Ltd.

More questions answered by The Oracle...

September 8, 2008 - submitted by Matt, Australia

Q. Is it true the song Green Eyes was written about a cat?

The Oracle replies:

It isn't true no. I think maybe someone is pulling your leg, unless you are pulling mine. It was actually written about 2 people, one of whom is Jonny.

September 8, 2008 - submitted by vinny, Ireland

Q. What does 'NO ME LLORES' mean on Chris' guitar?

The Oracle replies:

Online translators throw up many variations but the actual meaning is 'don't cry for me'. And in answer to Brenda's related question, no, Chris did not write this on his guitar because he is sad. He isn't sad.

September 8, 2008 - submitted by khushboo, United States of America

Q. Has coldplay made their 2008 Christmas message yet?

The Oracle replies:

If it's anything like previous years it'll probably be done on the 23rd December! Seriously though, the Christmas message is usually filmed very close to Christmas with little time to spare. There'll be some thought about it at the start of December but that'll be subject to change as it mostly depends on how the band feel on the day.

September 8, 2008 - submitted by Kathi, Canada

Q. C'mon Oracle, you've been asked once, you've been asked twice....what was the name of the book Chris was reading? Enquiring minds want to know! Perhaps this is the one question the Oracle doesn't have the answer to???

The Oracle replies:

Tut tut Kathi... right back at you! I DID answer this so unless you want detention I suggest you read the answers of previously asked questions before berating the Oracle. Ditto to all the people sending in questions that I have already answered, I won't be answering them again!

September 8, 2008 - submitted by Bonnie, United States of America

Q. In the video for "In My Place" Chris runs to the back of the room and there are two people sitting on the stairs. Chris appears to say something to them, and then runs back to continue singing. Who are those people?

The Oracle replies:

They are the video commissioner and stylist.

Slipknot have knocked Coldplay from the top of the European album charts - their new LP All Hope Is Gone has debuted at number one, according to 3news.co.nz.

The masked rockers' new reign means Coldplay's Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends has been pushed into second place, with Welsh soul star Duffy moving down one spot to third with Rockferry. The Verve score the only other new entry in the top five with Fourth, while the soundtrack to movie musical Mamma Mia! slips two spots to five.

Meanwhile, there's no change at the top of the European singles chart - Katy Perry's 'I Kissed A Girl' enjoys another week in pole position, while Kid Rock's 'All Summer Long' sits at two, and Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' remains at three.

Coldplay delayed the start of their concert in Barcelona on Saturday (September 6th) to watch England play football against Andorra, Gigwise are reporting today.

The band were able to watch the game because the Palau Sant Jordi arena, the site of their concert, is next door to the Olympic Stadium. “The band were chuffed when they realised they were playing next to the England match and had to get tickets," a source told the Sun newspaper. "They even postponed their show by an hour so they could watch the game.”

Although England won the game 2-0, the source said that Coldplay's performance “kicked England's into touch.”

Setlist

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Speed Of Sound

Cemeteries Of London

Chinese Sleep Chant

42

Fix You

Strawberry Swing

Talk (partial - techno version)

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (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)

First Encore

Politik including Gnossienne n° 1 (Erik Satie Cover - Piano)

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

Second Encore

Yellow

The Escapist

The first review is up of Coldplay's show at the Palacio de Deportes in Madrid.

Tonight, at the Palacio de Deportes in central Madrid, Chris Martin and the gang came to play. The previous night (Saturday) the band had also played in Barcelona. Both concerts were in aid of Oxfam and to publicise its campaign “Comercio con Justicia” (Fair Trade). Several lucky volunteers for this organisation got given free tickets.

Before the Madrid leg the band did a TV interview and Chris Martin was cheekily asked which city he preferred. He told the interviewer that this was a forbidden question. “There are two prohibited questions in this interview, yeah? You don’t ask about our relationships and you don’t ask about the Barcelona versus Madrid thing.”

The majority of the concert was taken up with tracks from the Viva la Vida album but of course they bunged in a few of the classics from previous albums as well. It wasn’t the full-on concert and lightshow spectacular but it was as professional as always and everyone had a good sing-a-long and got sent home happy.

Source: http://madriduno.wordpress.com

An online review of Coldplay's forthcoming EP entitled Prospekt's March has surfaced on Coldplaying.com here. As yet no official confirmation that the following tracklisting is correct (according to Prospekt only last week they didn't even know what was going to be on the EP), but if it is you heard it first on this site. [thanks Navegador]

Tracklisting:

1. Prospekt's March

2. Famous Old Painters

3. Death Will Never Conquer (Hidden track: Postcards From Far Away).

4. Glass Of Water

5. Leftrightleftrightleft

6. Poppy Fields

7. The Dubliners

Prospekt's March - It's like a 2nd part of Life in Technicolor, also instrumental.

Famous Old Painters - Apparentely based in "Soldbury Hill", by Peter Gabriel. "Famous Old Painters, spreading peace around the world"

Death Will Never Conquer (Postcards From Far Away) - This one you already know. Short hidden track, about 1 minute, only a simple piano in it.

Glass Of Water - I loved this one, looks like a Strawberry Swing with the heavy eletric guitars of Crests of Waves. "Spend your whole life living in the past, going nowhere fast, though we measured to get used to a life like that"

Leftrightleftrightleft - Starts with the sound of a march, with a voice saying "Left, right, left, right, left", then there's a scream and the song starts in a catchy Clocks-like melody. Instrumental.

Poppy Fields - Has an African feeling, but heavier and faster than Strawberry Swing. "I don't want to lie on my own in a separate sky, and there I don't want to die" "Poppy fields, Poppy fields, where ugliness become beauty"

The Dubliners - Has a 60's folk rock feeling. "Everybody wants this, everybody wants that, everbody just complains about the mysteries of the life"

Animal rights protesters Asociación Animalista Libera picketed last night’s Coldplay gig. Here are some pictures…

More on this story here onwards [thanks chavi]

Barcelona ,

Este sábado, día 6 de Septiembre, la banda liderada por Chris Martin regresa a Barcelona y esta vez en el Palau Sant Jordi. El domingó aterrizarán en Madrid, donde se presentará por primera vez su último álbum Viva la Vida. Libera! participó en el anterior concierto de la banda en la ciudad, repartiendo información sobre los motivos éticos por los cuales miles de personas han elegido ser vegan@s, como Chris Martin, un artista comprometido con varias causas y que por coherencia es vegano.

Rough translation: This saturday, 6 september, the band led by Chris Martin go back to Barcelona and this time at the Palau St Jordi. On Sunday, they will land in Madrid, where they will present for the first time their last album Viva la vida. 'Libera!' took part in the last concert of the band in town, spreading informations about the ethical reasons for which thousands of people chose to be vegetarian, like Chris Martin, an artist involved in many causes and that's why is a veggie ! [thanks Chavi]

Coldplay's fourth album, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, has sold more that 5 million copies. The total number of copies sold now amounts to 5,054,400, according to WorldWideAlbums.net.

Considering its 'world goals' and sales, the fourth album has defintely become the biggest music success of 2008. Album sales keeps on increasing in France (226,666 sold copies), in Ireland (more than 100,000), Japan (+ 5,970 copies), Korea (10,355 copies) and above all in Poland (already platinum with 20,000 sold copies), US (1,667,072).

In Italy, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends has climbed the top-selling album chart to No.2 and sales are expected to exceed 110,000 copies.

The single Viva La Vida certainly has led the album tracks thus far, with 3.921.000 copies - both CD and digital - (of which 2.106.434 in US, 35.000 in Australia). The song rules many charts (although the release dates back to the beginning of May).

It's now at No.12 in France (from No.11), No.6 in Principality of Monaco, and it climbed up three positions in Turkey (from No.20 to No.17) and Albania (from No.5 to No.2), four in Malaysia (from No.17 to No. 13), six in Paraguay (from No.30 to No.24). Moreover, Viva La Vida has even entered straight at No.29 in the Top 30 of French Polynesia. So, the countries enchanted by the melody of the title track of Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends are now 67.

It's worth noticing that the 'glow' of Violet Hill shows no signs of fading. The single, with 1.658.000 copies (and 2 millions of downloads from Coldplay.com), reached gold in Australia and goes very well in Paraguay, where it's the at No.10 in the top-selling singles chart.

Source: Coldplayzone [thanks coldpatrix]

Setlist:

Life In Technicolor

Violet Hill

Clocks

In My Place

Speed Of Sound

Cemeteries of London

Chinese Sleep Chant

42

Fix you

Strawberry Swing

Talk (dance version) / God Put a Smile

The Hardest Part

Postcards From Far Away

Viva La Vida

Lost!

The Scientist

Death Will Never conquer

(Talk Remix)

---------

Politik

Lovers In Japan

Death And All His Friends

----------

Yellow

Dubliners / Prospekt's March

(The Escapist)

After their shows in Germany and France where they presented their latest album, 'Viva la Vida and Death or All His Friends', Coldplay, with Albert Hammond Jr. as opening act, performed a great show which in two hours filled the expectations of their fervert fans.

The British Quartet started the show with the classical start in this tour, the instrumental Life in Technicolor. Then came the first important moment of the night, with Violet Hill, one of the most popular songs of the band's fourth record, "Viva la Vida or Death and all his Friends", the title of which was inspired in a Frida Kahlo's painting.

After that song, Chris Martin said "Hi" in Catalán, with a perfect "Bona nit" (good evening). Then the band played one of their most successful songs, Clocks from their second album, 'A Rush of Blood to the Head'. From this album, they also performed God Put a Smile Upon Your Face, far from the stage in a side of the venue. During the show, the band played eight of the 10 songs of Viva la Vida.

Read the full review in Spanish and English translation here onwards [Thanks Lore]

Pictures from the gig are in the Coldplaying gallery, including some wonderful pictures by *pati* .

Sound check.. 1, 2.

The Oxfam Blog is reporting live from Barcelona's soundcheck tonight, here is the blog:

Coldplay are playing my favourite song in sound check.. woop! Albert Hammond Jnr just walked past.. woop! Oxfam volunteers arrive in just 30 minutes.. woop! England are playing just a stones throw away (for a shot putter).. love it.

Keep abreast of the latest happenings from tonight's Barcelona show (including any setlist updates etc) at the Palau St Jordi here. According to the British media commentating on the Andorra v England world cup qualifying game there are more people across the road waiting for Coldplay than there are in the match stadium. [thanks mimixxx]

Coldplay have recently finished the first leg of their US Viva La Vida tour and here's how they fared against their compatriots in ticket sales. Coldplay's average ticket price for shows in North America was $83.71.

The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city in U.S. dollars and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.

1. (1) Kenny Chesney; $2,033,026; $72.93.

2. (2) Coldplay; $1,674,011; $83.71.

3. (3) Neil Diamond; $1,601,822; $86.61.

4. (4) The Police; $1,414,805; $96.80.

5. (5) Dave Matthews Band; $1,229,128; $49.49.

6. (6) Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers'; $1,145,403; $67.29.

7. (7) Rascal Flatts; $951,319; $47.37.

8. (8) Jonas Brothers; $790,259; $44.28.

9. (9) Kanye West; $755,230; $64.33.

10. (10) Journey; $650,078; $53.26.

The rest of the chart:

11. (12) John Mayer; $598,370; $41.37.

12. (13) "American Idols Live"; $574,080; $57.58.

13. (14) Rush; $544,865; $63.24.

14. (15) Tim McGraw; $499,832; $48.13.

15. (16) James Taylor; $494,647; $49.93.

16. (17) Motley Crue; $479,521; $42.41.

17. (19) Brad Paisley; $428,881; $34.80.

18. (18) The Cure; $424,565; $58.07.

19. (20) "Vans Warped Tour"; $400,701; $27.00.

20. (New) "Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival" Slipknot / Disturbed: $383,959; $32.18.

If you've been on a different planet for the last 7 days, here's a recap of what you need to know about Coldplay's forthcoming studio projects...

Just before hitting the road again for their current European tour, Coldplay stopped by BBC Radio's "6 Music" for a sit-down in which they revealed their next studio projects. The chat was with "6 Music" host Steve Lamacq [pictured] and, for some reason, R.E.M. frontman and friend of Coldplay Michael Stipe. When Stipe asked Coldplay frontman Chris Martin about rumors of a new Coldplay record coming out this year, Martin said, "We're going to put an EP out at Christmas called Prospekt's March, and we're going to release an album next December."

Martin asked Coldplay drummer Will Champion, "Is it [the EP] called Prospekt's Songs or Prospekt's March?" before asking Stipe his preference. Stipe preferred the latter, and the band concurred.

According to a Rock & Roll Daily report, the tentatively titled EP will feature leftovers from Coldplay's sessions with Brian Eno for Viva la Vida. One of the songs expected to appear on the EP is "Luna", the collaboration with Kylie Minogue that the band originally deemed too "sexy." Martin told "6 Music" that the EP will come out on December 26 or "something like that."

Martin followed the news about the EP with the announcement that Coldplay's fifth studio album will be ready "by November 2009 to end the decade." After that record comes out, Martin said the band might lay low for a while: "And then we're gonna be 'Whooosh!' 'Where've they gone?' Just like Keyser Söze."

Coldplay shows:

09-06 Barcelona, Spain - Palau St. Jordi *

09-07 Madrid, Spain - Palacio de Deportes *

09-09 Paris, France - The Bercy *

09-10 Paris, France - The Bercy *

09-12 Cologne, Germany - Koln Arena *

09-14 Hamburg, Germany - Colorline Arena *

09-15 Berlin, Germany - O2 World *

09-17 Stockholm, Sweden - Globe Theatre *

09-18 Stockholm, Sweden - Globe Theatre *

09-19 Oslo, Norway - Spektrum *

09-22 Prague, Czech Republic - O2 Arena *

09-23 Budapest, Hungary - Arena *

09-24 Vienna, Austria - Stadthalle *

09-26 Munich, Germany - Olympiahalle *

09-28 Zurich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion *

09-29 Bologna, Italy - Palamagotti *

09-30 Milan, Italy - Datchforum *

10-02 Rotterdam, Netherlands - The Ahoy *

10-03 Rotterdam, Netherlands - The Ahoy *

10-04 Antwerp, Belgium - Sportpalais *

10-20 Ottawa, Ontario - Scotiabank Place

10-21 Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena !

10-26 East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center !

10-27 East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center !

10-29 Boston, MA - TD Banknorth Gardens !

10-31 Washington, DC - Verizon Center !

11-01 Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center !

11-03 Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills

11-05 Atlanta, GA - Phillips Arena

11-07 Orlando, FL - Amway Arena

11-09 Sunrise, FL - Bank Atlantic Center

11-11 Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena

11-13 Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center

11-14 St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center

11-16 Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center

11-18 Houston, TX - Toyota Center

11-19 Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center

11-21 Denver, CO - Pepsi Center Arena

11-22 Salt Lake City, UT - Energy Solutions Arena

11-26 Phoenix, AZ - Jobing.com Arena

12-01 Birmingham, England - NIA

12-02 Birmingham, England - NIA

12-03 Birmingham, England - NIA

12-05 Glasgow, Scotland - SECC

12-06 Glasgow, Scotland - SECC

12-07 Sheffield, England - Sheffield Arena

12-10 Liverpool, England - Echo Arena

12-11 Manchester, England - MEN Arena

12-12 Manchester, England - MEN Arena

12-14 London, England - O2 Arena

12-15 London, England - O2 Arena

12-16 London, England - O2 Arena

12-18 Belfast, Northern Ireland - Odyssey Arena

12-19 Belfast, Northern Ireland - Odyssey Arena

12-21 Dublin, Ireland - The O2

12-22 Dublin, Ireland - The O2

* with Albert Hammond, Jr.

! with Duffy

A sizzling array of international acts and festivals will make this the longest and hottest summer for Perth music fans, yet one leading Australian promoter fears the touring industry has peaked.

Superstars such as Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, John Mellencamp, Sting and Stevie Wonder will play Perth in coming months, with Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Coldplay, AC/DC and other big-name acts rumoured to be planning concerts here early next year.

The festival circuit is even more crowded than last summer with established events such as the Big Day Out, Southbound, Summadayze, Good Vibrations and West Coast Blues and Roots being joined by dance-pop extravaganzas, Global Gathering and Stereosonic, which fall a week apart in late November. At least three more major festivals — another dance event, a reggae concert and a multiple-day alternative music event — are expected to be unveiled soon.

Then there’s the popular A Day on the Green outdoor concert series and the eclectic mix of overseas and local acts at the Perth International Arts Festival’s Music Box from February 13 to March 7.

It seems our thirst for live music cannot be quenched, yet veteran promoter Michael Chugg believes that — because of the skyrocketing cost of living — this could be the last tidal wave of summer shows.

Mr Chugg said demand had begun to dry up for some gigs on the east coast, with the Great Escape festival cancelled due to poor ticket sales.

“Since around 2001 people have started to go to seven to 10 concerts a year and I think with the economic downturn . . . people will be going back to one or two,” he said. He would wait until the end of summer to say whether the festival bubble had burst but predicted some big events would fail with only the established brands with strong line-ups guaranteed to survive.

“I wouldn’t be writing off the festivals but I think some of the festivals will have trouble if the line-ups aren’t right and some of the tours will have trouble,” he said.

Local promoter Brad Mellen said all his shows, including John Mellencamp, Alicia Keys, Delta Goodrem, Global Gathering and Summadayze, were selling strongly and he would announce four more.

Finding suitable venues was more of a problem and he criticised Perth City Council’s decision to limit festivals on its major reserves.

Source: http://www.thewest.com.au/

More questions answered by The Oracle...

September 5, 2008 - submitted by Jacqui, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, What does Chris's guitar say (on the pics from Lyon show? Love Chris's T-shirt..it is time for a change.

The Oracle replies:

You know how Vicki painted the instruments? Well this one was painted by Chris himself. It says NO ME LLORES.

September 5, 2008 - submitted by Guido, Argentina

Q. Can you think of a name for my anatomy group from college? The name must be related with human anatomy. We really need to find a name so please Oracle, think! You're our last hope, we can't think of anything original enough. We need you, please help us!!

The Oracle replies:

How about The Flying Trapeziums?

September 5, 2008 - submitted by Shawn Murphy, United States of America

Q. When will Matt McGinn's book Roadie be in stores?

The Oracle replies:

At the moment Matt's book is without a publisher but hopefully that's all about to change!

September 5, 2008 - submitted by Ariel, United States of America

Q. Just wondering-- Roadie #42 has some great pictures in some awkward lighting situations which most cameras wouldn't be able to capture quite as well-- What type of camera does Roadie #42 use?

The Oracle replies:

Roadie #42 uses a Canon 20D with L series lenses. Also Ricoh compacts and to complete the effects, Abode Lightroom & Photoshop CS3.

For those of us with standard digital cameras, may I suggest the following for live shots? Turn to manual setting, disable the flash (auto or otherwise) and select he highest ISO number e.g. 1600. Keep a steady hand and they should definitely turn out pretty well.

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.

Setlist:

1. Life In Technicolor

2. Violet Hill

3. Clocks

4. In My Place

5. Speed Of Sound

6. Cemeteries Of London

7. Chinese Sleep Chant

8. 42

9. Fix You

10. Strawberry Swing

11. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (b-stage)

12. Talk (b-stage)

13. The Hardest Part (b-stage, piano)

14. Viva La Vida

15. Lost!

16. The Scientist (c-stage, acoustic)

17. Death Will Never Conquer (c-stage, acoustic)

-- Viva La Vida remix --

18. Politik

19. Lovers In Japan

20. Death And All His Friends

-----

21. Yellow

22. The Dubliners

23. The Escapist (outro)

More reviews, pictures and videos from the Lyon concert here onwards and see the pictures in the gallery [thanks Chavi, Svenky, Lauve & fredo]

More questions answered by The Oracle...

September 4, 2008 - submitted by Sally, United Kingdom

Q. Is Chasing Butterflies a Coldplay song? It sounds like it is.

The Oracle replies:

Ah you mean the music on the advert for CSL. The verse sounds very like Speed Of Sound so I can see why you ask that. It's not a Coldplay song; it's by an artist named Steph. It's soon to be released as a single.

September 4, 2008 - submitted by Rugile, Lithuania

Q. Dear Oracle, I just saw photos from BBC radio 2 Coldplay show, and I want to ask one question : did Chris really cut his hair?

The Oracle replies:

Well it's not trick photography my friend!

September 4, 2008 - submitted by Emily, United States of America

Q. Ok, so you are walking down the street when you find 50 dollars just laying on the sidewalk. Nobody else is around. What would you do, Oracle, and what do you think the members of Coldplay would do?

A:Take it and spend it, baby!

B:Take it and save it for a rainy day.

C:Take it to the police station to see if anyone reported losing 50 dollars.

D:Take it and donate it to a charity or shelter. They need the money most!

Thanks, XOXO, Emily

The Oracle replies:

I'd like to say D but I think I'd have another step in there before I got to that. I'm taking my lead from both The Simpsons and Family Guy who have featured a similar moral dilemma.

I'd put up notices with my contact details to give someone the chance to come forward and claim it. Obviously I wouldn't say how much I'd found, as it'd be hard to prove the rightful owner. If nobody came for it, then I'd donate it to charity.

The way I see it, it's not mine. I'd expect bad karma if I didn't attempt to return it. I'd have sleepless nights thinking of someone going without fuel, be it to heat their home or motor their car.

Can't imagine the band would keep it either.

It's funny though because if it were only $1, I'd pop it straight into a collection box.

September 4, 2008 - submitted by Ana, Mexico

Q. Chris recently said that two of the Coldplays did not like the hardest part and other 2 who like it.

Who are those who like it?

The Oracle replies:

You refer to last Saturday (30th August) when the band played a gig at the BBC theatre. Chris remarked that only of them liked the song. As he and Will started he turned around to Guy & Jonny who weren't participating and gestured that it was obvious which 2 didn't.

However, I know die-hard fans may be confused as Chris has commented in the past that The Hardest Part was a terrible song, good video.

Unfortunately Ana as you're from outside the U.K you won't be able to watch footage from the show, but you can read about it and see photos on the Radio 2 website.

The new edition of Coldplay's messenger is out, and they have a new competition for you. Here's goes:

Judging by the tens of thousands of you who entered the signed album competition in the last Messenger, it seems you folks quite like a competition. Congrats to the randomly-selected winner, Ivan G, whose CD has already been signed by the band (we have proof) and is winging its way to Croatia. In this edition, we're offering one reader a front-row pair of tickets to the Coldplay gig of their choice before the end of 2008 (click here to see the full list of upcoming shows).

To be in with a chance of winning, just email your name and address to competitions@coldplay.com before Saturday September 13th. One entry per person, please. And it's not really worth entering unless you know can make it along to one of the shows (the prize is just the tickets).

More questions answered by The Oracle...

September 3, 2008 - submitted by Erick, El Salvador

Q. why the orecle has not answer my two questions about when Coldplay is going to come to el salvador?

The Oracle replies:

The most asked question is "when are Coldplay coming to my home country?? Anchorman announces tour dates in due course so it's fruitless asking here. I thought it would help save a lot of finger tapping on keyboards the world over if I got back to you on this popular Q.

September 3, 2008 - submitted by pia, Argentina

Q. Dear oracle, here?s the question: who was the winner of the competition for the signed and dedicated album? please, I want to know if I have to stop waiting for the postman every single day.

The Oracle replies:

The winner has been notified and the prize sent out. The lucky recipient resides in Croatia so it's safe to take your eye of the letterbox.

September 3, 2008 - submitted by Dorian, United States of America

Q. I've noticed that the band members wear ear pieces during the shows. What gets played in these ear pieces? What are their purpose?

The Oracle replies:

They're in-ear monitors and are pretty standard stage gear these days. They allow each band member to have a bespoke mix of what's going on in terms of music, instrumentation and vocal. They don't necessarily replace on stage monitors.

September 3, 2008 - submitted by Anita, United States of America

Q. Not a question, just something funny. I was watching a replay (actual fight 07/26/08) of the Cotto/Margarito fight last night (08/03/08)and during the 2nd or 3rd round a tissue butterfly came floating down from the rafters right between the fighters. It was funny...a week later and Coldplay still lingers at MGM Grand. Way to go! Y'all are super!!!

The Oracle replies:

Thanks for that Anita, that was great to read so I don't mind that it wasn't a question!

Setlist:

1. Life In Technicolor

2. Violet Hill

3. Clocks

4. In My Place

5. Cemeteries Of London

6. Yellow

7. 42

8. Speed Of Sound

9. Chinese Sleep Chant

10. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (Techno version)

11. Yes

12. Talk (acoustic, Chris Martin only)

13. The Hardest Part

14. Postcards From Far Away (Instrumental only)

15. Lost!

16. Viva La Vida

17. The Scientist

18. Death Will Dever Conquer

First Encore (Talk remix)

19. Politik

20. Lovers In Japan

21. Death And All His Friends

Second Encore

22. Fix you

23. The Escapist

i just got back from the coldplay concert in mannheim.

four words: they. own. my. life.

well, what can i say since most of you have seen them in concert anyway? i love them to death.

the support band kinda sucked. they were not bad, i just didn't like the music. however, i was slightly pissed when that guy came up to us (my best friend and me) and said,"you're sitting on our seats." he was so rude and mean. well, we stood up and checked if those were their seats or ours. long story short, those idiots sat down after they chased us away, but they were the ones who couldn't read properly so we got our seats back. i was just mad because they made me feel those feeling at a coldplay concert, a band that's basically all about love. well.

More on this show here onwards and pictures in the gallery [thanks Grace playflocol & MacPhisto]

US R&B star Ne-Yo has revealed how his love of Coldplay has helped introduce him to music by a host of different guitar bands.

Speaking to the BBC, the star said he discovered Coldplay when he first heard their hit single 'Yellow' and then “was in love from there”. “I went out and got 'Parachutes', I got 'Rush of Blood to the Head', I got all of them,” he said. “Then, through Coldplay, I was introduced to Radiohead, and from them into Muse, and from Muse into Kings of Leon - it just kept rollin'.”

Ne-Yo admitted that listening all the bands had influenced his own music, as well as the records he has produced for other musicians. “It really acted as an inspiration - new melodies, new ways to say stuff, new guitar sounds,” he said.

More on this story here

More questions answered by The Oracle...

September 2, 2008 - submitted by Lore, Chile

Q. Hello Mr. Oracle, hope you're having a good time. Recently we heard that the band finally played Cemeteries Of London (and we're really happy about that). What was the thing that made them finally play it?, did they checked any fansite with song requests?. At coldplaying.com there was a lot of people asking for the song and I must say that we're all really excited now (we even started a petition, just in case).

The Oracle replies:

No, the band draw up a potential set list and have a list of reserves to drop in throughout the tour. They like to change a few of the songs. They rarely play anything that they haven't prepared the lights & visuals for in advance unless it's for an impromptu acoustic version.

September 2, 2008 - submitted by Julie, United States of America

Q. I've always thought that a collaboration between Trent Reznor and Coldplay would make for some really amazing music...any chance of that happening?

The Oracle replies:

Never say never but as you can imagine there are so many artists that Coldplay love and they can't possibly collaborate with them all, nor would they necessarily want to. Many collaborations are a result of a chance meeting or a happy accident rather than being planned in advance. FYI: In 2005 both Coldplay & Nine Inch Nails headlined Coachella Festival. Coldplay played on the first night where Chris began singing Hurt in honour of the NIN appearance the following night.

September 2, 2008 - submitted by Alhely, Mexico

Q. I'm really very sad and disappointed because I can't see the videos of the Coldplay's gig in the BBC Radio, it says that the service isn't available in my area. Don't you think that it's a little unfair for the fans that live in other countries?? Why do they have to restrict the service to certain areas?? We all deserve as fans to see the Coldplay's videos. Please help me to understand!!

The Oracle replies:

I know it doesn't seem fair but that's a BBC legal rule not the band's. It's equally frustrating when for example MTV in the U.S don't allow UK residents to watch their videos so it works both ways.