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COLDPLAY (Dec 1, Dec 2 NIA)

Weird, isn’t it, how groups become more popular, but less fashionable at the same time? Coldplay, who have tickets on sale today for the two Birmingham shows which open their UK tour, are a case in point.

This lot, once beloved of the NME, have rapidly lost their lustre among the clans of cool, presumably because a) the singer’s missus is a movie star and b) they’ve just had too many hit records.

Their first two albums Parachutes and Rush Of Blood To The Head were classic modern pop records – elegant, yet soulful.

X&Y was more experimental and less successful, hopefully paving the way for a return to form with forthcoming release Viva La Vida which - promisingly - has Brian Eno on knob-twiddling duties and input from the likes of Timbaland.

Their current single Violet Hill echoes Peter Gabriel-era Genesis but is none the worse for that (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=snNHInn-cS4&feature=related).

You’ll get zero on the credometer for catching them live, but sod that - this lot are worth keeping an eye on.

Tickets priced £42.50 and £38.50, plus booking and transaction fee, go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 30 May and are available from The Ticket Factory on 0871 945 6000 or online at www.theticketfactory.com

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