As the release date for Coldplay's X&Y draws closer, the band's day planner must be close to overflowing with dates for video shoots, secret concerts and television appearances. Then again, you'd think the super-successful band would have secretaries by now ... or at least a few BlackBerry devices.

The whirlwind of activity actually began last weekend, when Coldplay holed up on a Los Angeles soundstage to shoot a video for X&Y's the first single, "Speed of Sound." Details were hard to come by, but it is known that the clip was helmed by Mark Romanek, famous for stark videos like Jay-Z's "99 Problems" and Johnny Cash's "Hurt," and shooting took place on several large sets equipped with huge LED light displays.

Seemingly minutes after they wrapped production on the video, Coldplay were logging on to their Web site to announce a handful of "buzz gigs" throughout North America. The first three shows are May 4 at the Fillmore in San Francisco, May 6 at the Metro in Chicago and May 11 at the Kool Haus in Toronto. Tickets for the San Fran and Chicago dates go on sale this weekend.

The shows add to Coldplay's rapidly expanding North American itinerary, which already includes shows in Las Vegas on April 29, the Coachella festival the following day and the HFStival in Baltimore on May 14. According to a spokesperson at Capitol, there is an additional buzz gig scheduled for May 13, but details on where it will happen could not be confirmed.

It is known that Coldplay will hit New York the week of May 16 for a host of gigs, including an appearance on a yet-to-be-determined "major television program." On May 16, the band will tape an episode of VH1's "Storytellers" at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the following night Coldplay will perform at the Beacon Theatre. Tickets for either show are not available to the public, though you can get tickets to both (plus a bunch of other stuff) if you sign up for the "Coldplay V.I.P. Big Apple Travel Package," on Coldplay.com. Total cost: $1,395.