娱乐英语新闻：Coldplay sets dates for extensive Viva La Vida tour

Lead singer Chris Martin of British rock band Coldplay performs during a concert in Santiago February 14, 2007

    BEIJING, May 10 -- Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" world tour -- which will take the band through North America, Europe and Japan -- will begin at Philadelphia's Wachovia Center on June 29 and extend well into 2009, Billboard.com has learned.

    Some North American dates will go on sale May 16-17, with the majority on sale June 14, the weekend before Capitol releases the album "Viva La Vida." Ticket info will be available at www.coldplay.com.

    Coldplay will play free concerts in London (June 16 at the Brixton Academy) and New York (June 23 at Madison Square Garden). Information on how to win tickets to these shows will be available at the band's website (http://www.coldplay.com) beginning Friday (May 9). The contest runs through June 1, and winners will receive notification on June 5.

    Roughly 50 shows are planned for North America, followed by Europe and the U.K. Coldplay will also headline the Summer Sonic festival August 9-10 in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. About 90 dates total are expected for this year. More shows are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. (www.hXen.com)

    "Last time we ended up doing 150 shows; we'll probably end up roughly the same," Coldplay manager Dave Holmes told Billboard.com.

    Ticket prices are still being determined, but a three-tiered pricing strategy is likely, with prices roughly in the $50, $65 and $85 range. "You're not going to see us coming out with $125-$150 tickets," Holmes said.