Coldplay releases live album as free download

NEW YORK (Billboard) – "LeftRightLeftRightLeft," the free live album that Coldplay is giving away on CD to every fan who attends this summer's "Viva La Vida" tour, is now available as a free download from the band's website.

The giveaway begins as the band's North American tour kicks off with a Friday night (May 15) show at the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida.

"Playing live is what we love," Coldplay said in a statement. "This album is a thank you to our fans -- the people who give us a reason to do it and make it happen."

The nine-track live album was recorded at various cites during the "Viva La Vida" tour.

Coldplay's tour wraps with two huge outdoor shows September 18 and 19 at Wembley Stadium in London.

Coldplay to give away live CD at gigs

LONDON (Reuters) – Coldplay will give a live CD away for free to fans at gigs during their coming tour of North America, underlining the dwindling financial importance for successful groups of selling physical records.

The group, who had 2008's biggest-selling pop album with "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends," kick off their summer tour on May 15th.

The CD, called "LeftRightLeftRightLeft," will also be available as a free download through the band's website www.coldplay.com.

"Playing live is what we love," Coldplay said in a statement. "This album is a thank-you to our fans -- the people who give us a reason to do it and make it happen."

Declining physical CD sales and Internet piracy have eaten away at bands' revenues from music sales, prompting acts to focus increasingly on live tours and merchandising.

In 2007, Prince gave away his album "Planet Earth" for free with copies of a weekly British newspaper, angering retailers and the record label which had a deal to distribute it.

But the publicity it generated was one factor behind his successful live run at the O2 Arena in London, where Michael Jackson plans to launch his comeback with 50 concerts starting later this year.

A Red-Hot Coldplay Giveaway

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Coldplay is offering a free play.

For cash-strapped fans unable to catch the Grammy winners in concert, Chris Martin and crew have decided to give away an album's worth of live performances online.

The nine-track set, titled LeftRightLeftRightLeft, will be made available for free download at Coldplay.com starting May 15, the opening night of Coldplay's Viva La Vida tour in West Palm Beach, Fla. A CD version will be handed out during the band's concerts.

The set was recorded over the past year and includes live versions of such hits as "Clocks" and "Viva La Vida."

"Playing live is what we love. This album is a thank you to our fans—the people who give us a reason to do it and make it happen," said Coldplay in a statement, the band's website adding that the giveaway is "meant as a recession-busting mark of gratitude to everyone who's supported them."