I have mapped out the next ten years for Coldplay, complete with press releases and album concepts:
Present -- 2010 -- Tour off Viva La Vida, improving their image slightly amongst critics and picking up more die hard fans, proving they are capable of surviving changing trends in the music business (along the likes of Elton, U2, the Stones, etc). Release their B-Side to Viva late 2009 as planned just to hold people over till the next album. This B- Side album will complete their contract with EMI.
2010 - 2012 -- The band records "concept" album that is truly experimental. This will be their "SGT Pepper" as VLVDAAHF was their "Rubber Soul". Album will impress critics but disappoint the fans they have picked up since X and Y. The album is released strictly from the internet ala Radiohead. Concept album's central character is an astronaut left on the moon, with no way back to earth. The songs echo his past and his solitude "away from earth, literally and figuratively".
Press Release " We were in such a rush to record VLVDAAHF due to the fact that we wanted to make up for X and Y. With this experimental album there was no pressure from a record company or the public and we felt we could finally make the album the four of us wanted, not a "producer" or "fifth" member wanted.
2012 - 2014 -- Tour off experimental album, performing concept album in its entirety followed by a run through of previous hits ala Pink Floyds "The Wall" tour.
Huge success followed by Grammy for Album of the Year. Press finally admits Coldplay are bigger than U2.
2015 -- 2016 -- Band records simple acoustic album with Parachutes feel.
Press Release "We have rediscovered our roots and feel like College School Boys again, this has truly been the most enjoyable album to record."
2017 -- No tour to back Parachutes like album. Chris and Will begin producing new acts in their off time. Jonny begins to get into classical music. Guy buys a small isalnd off the coast of Spain and gets really into TM.
2018 -- The band decides to go their seperate ways as YouMusic allows normal people in to record MP3 quality records in their own homes. The music scene is turned upside down as it is near impossible for any band to even go platinum since the public is flooded with these garage bands who can make quality records.
Just my idea, please feel free to pick it apart of add your own ideas.
Justcold