Coldplay to Ring In New Year on “Austin City Limits”

Gearing up for 2012, Coldplay will rock out on “Austin City Limits” for a 90-minute concert special scheduled to air on New Year’s Eve at 11pm EST.

The December 31st airing will look live, despite the fact that the boys from Britain taped the gig back in September.

ACL honcho Terry Licona told press, “We decided to go big with Coldplay — really big. So we came up with the idea of celebrating New Year’s Eve with a 90-minute special. All the hits plus their brand new songs. It’ll be a great way to kick off 2012!”

Meanwhile, the “Viva La Vida” hitmakers will be across the world at the Volvo Ocean Race venue in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night for a New Year’s bash that will pay them $1.5 million.

Guitarist Jonny Buckland is looking forward to his return to the UAE this weekend. “I’ve never stayed anywhere like the hotel they put me in and probably never will again. It made Buckingham Palace look like a two-bed semi.”