Coldplay in digital and vinyl giveaway

Coldplay have announced they'll be giving away a free download of Violet Hill from their forthcoming album Viva La Vida, as well as an old-school 7-inch vinyl version of the ditty with 7 May's NME.

The former will, according to the BBC, be available from 12:15 BST on 29 April for one week only down at the band's online presence, prior to its general digital release. The latter will also feature exclusive bonus track A Spell A Rebel Yell.

And if that's not enough charity, Coldplay will perform two free gigs in June - the first at London's Brixton Academy, on the 16th June, followed by an outing at New York's Madison Gardens, on the 23rd. The group's website will announce details of how to win tickets.

Viva La Vida is slated for a 16-17 June release "depending on where you live", the band explain. The album is, the Beeb notes, "reported to have a Hispanic influence, following recording sessions in Spain and a tour of Latin America". ®