Photograph by LeAnn Mueller for Rolling Stone

When Rolling Stone’s Brian Hiatt hit the road with Coldplay for a recent Viva la Vida gig, the band gave him unprecedented access into their behind-the-scenes world — opening up about their sets (”We’re not going to be Springsteen and play for three hours”), stage outfits (”Are we gonna look ridiculous?”) and why Chris Martin is frontman (”He’s like the sort of engine of us”). Click below for exclusive photos of the band prepping to go onstage, rehearsal shots and live photos, complete with commentary from the quartet:

• Backstage With Coldplay: Exclusive Shots From the “Viva La Vida” Tour

• On the Road With Coldplay