Coldplay album edges closer after legal wrangle over Music Of The Spheres
SIXTEEN months after their last release and following more than a year of lockdown misery for the music business, COLDPLAY look set to be back with a bang soon.
I revealed in February how the band had teased the name of a prospective new album, Music Of The Spheres, on some editions of their chart-topping 2019 collection Everyday Life.
They then applied to trademark Music Of The Spheres. Since then, things have continued to swirl behind the scenes.
Official documents now show the band have formally applied to use the name on recorded music, merchandise, clothing and printed materials in the US.
Paperwork Stateside shows Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion are currently stuck in a legal wrangle with officials over the use of the branding.
Records show the application was initially declined, but is now “suspended” until a patent is secured in the UK — which appears imminent after their claim to the name was published by the Intellectual Property Office a few weeks ago. So it looks like the band are edging ever closer to being able to push ahead with the mysterious project.
So far there have only been hints about it. In the centre pages of a book accompanying a vinyl version of eighth album Everyday Life, the words “Music Of The Spheres” appear on the centre pages with “Coldplay, coming soon” beneath in tiny lettering.
‘Project in pipeline’
An image alongside the Music Of The Spheres logo contains nine symbols, believed to represent the band’s albums, with the anticipated new collection being their ninth.
When asked during a radio interview whether the images contained a message, frontman Chris explained: “Those pictures mean something, yes.” Industry sources tell me there is a project “in the pipeline”.
Coldplay will perform next month at a charity fundraising “virtual” Glastonbury Festival, live streamed online from Worthy Farm in Somerset. The five-hour concert will take place from locations around the sprawling rural site.
The rockers are expected to headline alongside acts including Damon Albarn, Wolf Alice, Jorja Smith and Haim. Glasto organisers Michael and Emily Eavis decided on a virtual festival having been forced to cancel the event for a second year running. Digital ticket sales will raise funds for charities including Oxfam, Greenpeace and WaterAid.
Great causes — and it sounds like perhaps Chris and the boys will have some surprises up their sleeve too.
MAYA HAS MOVIES IN HER SIGHTS
FROM the looks of this picture Maya Jama can do whatever she wants, so no wonder she’s reaching for the stars.
The presenter has eyes on being a Bond girl after current 007 Daniel Craig is replaced.
She said: “I need to do some other films or acting roles before going into being a Bond girl.
“I wouldn’t be a typical vixen vibe, I’d want to shoot people up.
“By that time there could be a new Bond.”
Worry A Little Less
CELEBRITY X Factor contestants Max and Harvey are releasing a heartbreaking ballad this week following the success of their track Worry A Little Less.
They wrote In My DNA as a tribute to their grandfather, who is battling Alzheimer’s.
The duo said of the track, their first release this year: “This song means more to us than anything we’ve ever put out.” And they aren’t the only rising stars putting out new music this Friday.
US pop sensation AJ Mitchell will drop his next single, Stop, the same day. The song is the latest track from his debut album, Skyview.
REGE IN ‘RACE’ SNUB
BRIDGERTON’S Rege-Jean Page was denied the chance to play Superman’s grandfather because a film exec said the superhero would not have a black relative, it has been claimed.
Sources say Geoff Johns, who was co-chairman of DC Films, said no to the Netflix star.
But Johns’ representative insists Page was not picked for the TV role because fans expected to see a young version of Henry Cavill, who played Superman.
Hollywood Reporter also said Johns axed a bid to make superhero character Adam Strange gay or bisexual.
His rep said: “Geoff supports LGBTQ characters.”
Gladiator to entertain us again?
RUMOURS are hotting up about the possibility of a sequel to the Roman swords ’n’ sandals classic Gladiator. And it’s reckoned that Aussie hunk Chris Hemsworth has shown an interest in taking a leading role.
Chris, Thor in the Avengers films, is reported to have grown close to original Gladiator star Russell Crowe.
The pair became pals after meeting in Sydney, Australia, where Chris is filming Thor: Love And Thunder. It is reported that he could be in line to play the son of Russell’s soldier turned Gladiator Maximus in a reboot of the movie.
There has been talk of a sequel since the Ridley Scott epic first hit cinemas to huge acclaim in 2000. Well, I hate to pour cold water on possible film projects but there was a good reason why Gladiator – where Maximus utters the line: “Are you not entertained?” – received 12 Oscar nominations. It’s a classic. It should leave it well alone.
PERFECT 10 AVA CATCHES THE RAYS
AVA MAX isn’t just turning up the heat in the charts.
The Sweet But Psycho singer wowed fans with a series of bikini snaps on Instagram to show her enjoying the Bank Holiday sunshine.
Ava wore a patterned blue and orange bikini as she soaked up the rays.
She shared the images just hours before it was revealed her new single, My Head & My Heart, had shot up six places in the chart to No13.
I’m sure it won’t be long until the song is in the top ten.
GOGH AWAY WITH IT, 007
FORMER Bond star Pierce Brosnan has revealed that he carried out a top-secret mission – stealing film props.
The Hollywood actor made off with copies of famous paintings which featured in 1999 art heist remake The Thomas Crown Affair so he could hang them in his home.
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Pierce said: “One of the best occasions was to see the art going up on the wall. They were all reproductions of Renoirs, Chagall and Picasso. I did take some.”
He told the Talk Art podcast: “I took a Renoir mother and child painting, a Gauguin red dog, a beautiful Van Gogh which I had in Malibu of autumn trees.”
What would his bosses at MI6 say?
'England has been particularly good to me'
ACCLAIMED film director Ang Lee will be honoured with the Bafta Fellowship at this weekend’s ceremony, the highest accolade handed out by the board.
He broke into English language film with his 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense And Sensibility and went on to create cult classics including 2000’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Ang also won best director Oscars for Brokeback Mountain and Life Of Pi. He said: “England has been particularly good to me in my career. It’s a tremendous honour to receive the Bafta Academy Fellowship.”