U.K. rock quartet Coldplay previewed six new songs and a B-side from its upcoming sophomore Parlophone/Capitol album, "A Rush of Blood to the Head," last night (Aug. 12) at New York's sold-out Bowery Ballroom, as members of Oasis and actress Gwyneth Paltrow looked on. Frontman Chris Martin offered a solo piano rendition of Oasis' "Songbird" during the second encore, which closed with a cover of Echo & the Bunnymen's late '80s staple "Lips Like Sugar."

Earlier, he played a portion of Bruce Springsteen's "Hungry Heart" on piano, with a nod to the latter's own sold-out show in the city last night. "We're all huge fans of Bruce Springsteen's biggest hits," Martin exclaimed. The new song "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" was dedicated to "anyone who has been in a car accident lately," a reference to last week's smash-up in Indianapolis that forced Oasis to postpone two shows.

Speaking with Billboard.com backstage after the show, Coldplay guitarist Jon Buckland admitted it was "amazing" that first single "In My Place" debuted at a career-best No. 2 last weekend on the U.K. singles chart. "No. 1 is nice, but [Oasis'] 'Wonderwall' only made it No. 2 also," he said with a chuckle, adding that the ballad "The Scientist" will be the next U.K. single from the new album, due Aug. 27 in North America. "In My Place" is No. 23 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart this week.

Coldplay wraps its North American swing Aug. 20 in Los Angeles but will return for a new round of dates beginning Sept. 4 in Seattle.