On January 30th, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin played a brief acoustic set in front of a small audience for London’s Absolute Radio, while the rest of the band recorded new material without him. “This should be interesting,” Martin stated before switching between piano and acoustic guitar to give solo renditions of “Viva La Vida,” “Life In Technicolour,” “The Scientist” and “Violet Hill.”

According to nme, the suggestion came from Coldplay’s producer Brian Eno, who said of their last effort, 'Viva La Vida’ was good, but I know you can do better.” Martin’s hiatus is scheduled to only last two weeks, however, so don’t bet on an all-instrumental Coldplay album.