Coldplay is so serious about this whole freedom theme for its latest album that it has picked the origin of the Declaration of Independence to kick off its world tour in support of it.

Coldplay

The UK rockers, on whom the financial fortunes of label giant EMI are widely believed to ride, announced a North American tour today in support of Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. The jaunt will kick off at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on June 29, 12 days after the album hits stores in the US.

Some North American dates will go on sale May 16-17, but tickets for most of the shows will be available June 14. Ticket info is available on the band's Web site.

As previously reported, the band is also set to play two free shows in advance of the album release, with free sets June 16 at the Brixton Academy in London and June 23 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The band has posted details on how to get tickets to those shows on its Web site.

Coldplay's North American Viva La Vida tour:

6/29: Philadelphia, PA (Wachovia Center)

7/2: Washington, DC (Verizon Center)

7/3: Hartford, CT (XL Center)

7/5: Detroit, MI (The Palace of Auburn Hills)

7/6: Cleveland, OH (Quicken Loans Arena)

7/8: St. Paul, MN (Xcel Energy Center)

7/9: Kansas City, MO (Sprint Center)

7/10: Oklahoma City, OK (Ford Center)

7/12: Phoenix, AZ (Jobbing.com Arena)

7/19: Las Vegas, NV (MGM Grand Garden Arena)

7/21: Sacramento, CA (ARCO Arena)

7/24: San Jose, CA (HP Pavilion)

7/27: Pemberton, BC (Pemberton Festival)

7/29: Edmonton, AB (Rexall Place)

7/30: Calgary, AB (Pengrowth Saddledome)

8/1: Winnipeg, MB (MTS Centre)

8/3: Omaha, NE (Qwest Center)

8/ 4: Chicago, IL (United Center)

10/20: Montreal, QC (Bell Centre)

10/21: Ottawa, ON, (Scotiabank Place)

10/26: East Rutherford, NJ (Izod Center)

10/29: Toronto, ON (Air Canada Centre)

10/30: Toronto, ON (Air Canada Centre)

11/3: Boston, MA (TD Banknorth Garden)

11/11: Atlanta, GA (Philips Arena)

11/18: Houston, TX (Toyota Center)

11/19: Dallas, TX (American Airlines Center)

11/21: Denver, CO (Pepsi Center Arena)

11/22: Salt Lake City, UT (Energy Solutions Arena)