# A Rush of Blood to the Head Tour

The A Rush of Blood to the Head Tour was the second concert tour undertaken by British rock band Coldplay. It was launched in support of their second studio album A Rush of Blood to the Head. They performed a total of 151 shows across Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. Between 21 and 23 July 2003, the band filmed Live 2003 at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney.

## Background

Overall, Coldplay's concerts during this period showcased its progression as a bona fide live act. The band began playing more shows in arenas and amphitheatres, moving away from the club venues that dominated earlier tours. Shows also had more elaborate stage and lighting effects. For example, strobe lighting for the song "Daylight" featured the image of a rotating sun superimposed over the stage. Taking a cue from U2's Elevation Tour and Nine Inch Nails' Fragility Tour, Coldplay also adopted a series of back screens that displayed video footage of each band member simultaneously.
Other highlights included:
* Lead singer Chris Martin sang with Ron Sexsmith on the track, "Gold in Them Hills" during the headline set.
* An ambient, instrumental introduction before the start of "Politik" for every show. This can particularly be heard on the Live 2003 DVD. Note: Not the same as the Brian Eno introduction sometimes used before this intro.
* Guitarist Jonny Buckland regularly played a harmonica solo on the track "Don't Panic". He tossed the harmonica into the crowd after the solo's completion. Buckland also performed an original electric guitar introduction for the track.
* The aforementioned back screens were unfurled mid-concert, usually during the beginning of "One I Love".
* At some shows, Martin sang lyrics after inhaling from a helium balloon.
* Martin usually wore a Make Trade Fair T-shirt during 2002 shows to promote the Oxfam campaign. Make Trade Fair booths were present at venues, where concert-goers could sign petitions and learn about the campaign's objectives.
* An specially created, ambient introduction for "Yellow", featuring a dark and gloomy tone. Martin sings the lyrics, "Your skin... Oh-oh-oh..." during the introduction, which afterwards leads to the regular start of the song.

## Opening acts

Most of the tour included at least one supporting act on each concert, with English singer Richard Hawley opening all performances held between 19 and 28 June 2002. Except for the show at Rome's Valle Giulia (which had the Music), all dates from 30 June to 12 July included 1 Giant Leap. For the second North American leg, Coldplay invited Northern Irish band Ash, while the third European run featured Idlewild. In 2003, Ron Sexsmith opened for the band from 21 January to 9 February. He was succeeded by the Music starting from 24 February. As Coldplay returned to Europe for a fourth leg, Feeder was chosen as their support and Ian McCulloch additionally guested in the United Kingdom. The last North American run counted with Eisley, who were joined by Damien Rice on 25 May, and Sexsmith between 27 May and 13 June. During the tour's final months, Coldplay went to Asia, Oceania and Latin America: the first two continents had Betchadupa, while Mexico featured Jumbo.

## Concert synopsis

The 2002 shows contained a rough 50/50 split in material from Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head. The official tour in 2003 focused on songs from the second album, as well as many unreleased tracks. For example, the future Live 2003 song "Moses" and "Fix You" B-side "Pour Me" were introduced during the tour. Other new songs included future X&Y b-sides, "Gravity" & "Proof", "Your World Turns Upside Down", which would later become a completely different song called "The World Turned Upside Down" as another b-side to "Fix You", and an unreleased piano ballad called "A Ladder to the Sun".
Coldplay also made a habit of covering other artists on the tour, often as outros to their own songs. Covers ranged from a tongue-in-cheek excerpt of Avril Lavigne's "Sk8er Boi" to the Louis Armstrong classic "What a Wonderful World". Coldplay also regularly covered Echo & the Bunnymen's "Lips Like Sugar" in its entirety, in homage to Ian McCulloch's role as a mentor during the recording of A Rush of Blood to the Head.
The musical introduction to the concert featured selections from Brian Eno's Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks.

## Reception

In total, the tour grossed $27,152,888 from 854,424 tickets sold. Pollstar also reported that Coldplay sold 341,201 admissions in 2003, which placed them at number 42 on the list of most attended tours of the year. Rolling Stone Australia ranked the shows at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion among the best in the venue's history in 2024.

## Set list

This set list was taken from the 22 July 2003 concert in Sydney, Australia. It does not represent all shows throughout the tour.
* "Politik"
* "God Put a Smile upon Your Face"
* "A Rush of Blood to the Head"
* "Daylight"
* "Trouble"
* "One I Love"
* "Don't Panic"
* "Shiver"
* "See You Soon"
* "Everything's Not Lost"
* "Moses"
* "Yellow"
* "The Scientist"
* "What a Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong cover)
Encore
* "Clocks"
* "In My Place"
* "Amsterdam"
* "Life Is for Living"

## Tour dates

List of 2002 concerts :
| Date (2002) | City | Country | Venue |
| 19 June | Edinburgh | Scotland | Queen's Hall |
| 20 June | Liverpool | England | Mountfield Hall |
| 22 June | London | England | Royal Festival Hall |
| 24 June | Bath | England | Bath Pavilion |
| 26 June | Truro | England | Hall for Cornwall |
| 28 June | Pilton | England | Worthy Farm |
| 30 June | Werchter | Belgium | Festivalpark Werchter |
| 2 July | Stockholm | Sweden | Göta Källare |
| 3 July | Ringe | Denmark | Ringe Dyrskuepladsen |
| 5 July | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Heineken Music Hall |
| 7 July | Rome | Italy | Valle Giulia |
| 9 July | Hamburg | Germany | Große Freiheit 36 |
| 10 July | Cologne | Germany | Kultkomplex Cafe |
| 12 July | Oslo | Norway | Rockefeller Music Hall |
| 2 August | Chicago | United States | The Vic Theatre |
| 6 August | Boston | United States | Paradise Rock Club |
| 7 August | Philadelphia | United States | Theatre of Living Arts |
| 10 August | Washington, D.C. | United States | 9:30 Club |
| 12 August | New York City | United States | Bowery Ballroom |
| 14 August | Minneapolis | United States | First Avenue |
| 16 August | Boulder | United States | Fox Theatre |
| 18 August | San Francisco | United States | Bimbo's 365 Club |
| 20 August | Los Angeles | United States | El Rey Theatre |
| 27 August | Paris | France | L'Olympia |
| 29 August | London | England | London Forum |
| 4 September | Seattle | United States | Paramount Theatre |
| 6 September | Berkeley | United States | Hearst Greek Theatre |
| 7 September | Paradise | United States | The Joint |
| 9 September | San Diego | United States | SDSU Open Air Theatre |
| 10 September | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre |
| 16 September | Baltimore | United States | Pier Six Pavilion |
| 17 September | Boston | United States | FleetBoston Pavilion |
| 19 September | Wantagh | United States | Tommy Hilfiger at Jones Beach Theater |
| 21 September | Toronto | Canada | Air Canada Centre |
| 24 September | Chicago | United States | UIC Pavilion |
| 4 October | Glasgow | Scotland | SEC Centre |
| 5 October | Newcastle | England | Telewest Arena |
| 7 October | Birmingham | England | National Indoor Arena |
| 8 October | Nottingham | England | Nottingham Arena |
| 11 October | Manchester | England | Manchester Evening News Arena |
| 14 October | Brighton | England | Brighton Centre |
| 15 October | Bournemouth | England | Bournemouth International Centre |
| 17 October | Plymouth | England | Plymouth Pavilions |
| 18 October | Port Talbot | Wales | Afan Lido Leisure Centre |
| 20 October | London | England | Wembley Arena |
| 21 October | London | England | Wembley Arena |
| 23 October | Belfast | Northern Ireland | Odyssey Centre |
| 25 October | Dublin | Ireland | Point Theatre |
| 27 October | Dublin | Ireland | Point Theatre |
| 3 November | Brussels | Belgium | Forest National |
| 5 November | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Ahoy Rotterdam |
| 6 November | Paris | France | Zénith de Paris |
| 8 November | Cologne | Germany | Palladium |
| 10 November | Munich | Germany | Kulturhalle Zenith |
| 12 November | Montpellier | France | Zénith de Montpellier |
| 15 November | Madrid | Spain | La Riviera |
| 16 November | Barcelona | Spain | Razzmatazz |
| 18 November | Assago | Italy | FilaForum |
| 20 November | Berlin | Germany | Arena Berlin |
| 21 November | Copenhagen | Denmark | Valby-Hallen |
| 23 November | Stockholm | Sweden | Hovet Ice Hall |
| 24 November | Oslo | Norway | Oslo Spektrum |
| 6 December | Tokyo | Japan | Liquid Room |
| 8 December | Los Angeles | United States | Universal Amphitheatre |
| 9 December | San Francisco | United States | Bimbo's 365 Club |
| 11 December | Boston | United States | Orpheum Theatre |
| 12 December | Uniondale | United States | Nassau Coliseum |
| 13 December | Washington, D.C. | United States | MCI Center |
| 15 December | Philadelphia | United States | First Union Center |
| 19 December | Reykjavík | Iceland | Laugardalshöll |
List of 2003 concerts :
| Date (2003) | City | Country | Venue |
| 21 January | Orlando | United States | Hard Rock Live |
| 22 January | Coral Gables | United States | UM Convocation Center |
| 24 January | Birmingham | United States | BJCC Concert Hall |
| 25 January | Charlotte | United States | Grady Cole Center |
| 27 January | New Orleans | United States | Saenger Theatre |
| 28 January | Houston | United States | Verizon Wireless Theater |
| 29 January | Austin | United States | Frank Erwin Center |
| 31 January | Grand Prairie | United States | NextStage Performance Theater |
| 1 February | Oklahoma City | United States | Oklahoma City Music Hall |
| 3 February | St. Louis | United States | Savvis Center |
| 4 February | Kansas City | United States | Memorial Hall |
| 6 February | Denver | United States | Fillmore Auditorium |
| 7 February | Salt Lake City | United States | Salt Air Pavilion |
| 9 February | Phoenix | United States | Dodge Theatre |
| 24 February | Ottawa | Canada | Corel Centre |
| 25 February | Montreal | Canada | Bell Centre |
| 27 February | Wallingford | United States | careerbuilder.com Oakdale Theatre |
| 28 February | Camden | United States | Tweeter Center |
| 2 March | Pittsburgh | United States | A.J. Palumbo Center |
| 3 March | Detroit | United States | Fox Theatre |
| 4 March | Indianapolis | United States | Murat Theatre |
| 6 March | Duluth | United States | Gwinnett Civic Center Arena |
| 7 March | Nashville | United States | Ryman Auditorium |
| 9 March | Columbus | United States | PromoWest Pavilion |
| 10 March | Louisville | United States | Palace Theatre |
| 12 March | Milwaukee | United States | Eagles Ballroom |
| 13 March | Minneapolis | United States | Target Center |
| 24 March | London | England | Royal Albert Hall |
| 27 March | Lille | France | Zénith de Lille |
| 30 March | Paris | France | Zénith de Paris |
| 31 March | Frankfurt | Germany | Jahrhunderthalle |
| 2 April | Münster | Germany | Halle Münsterland |
| 3 April | Düsseldorf | Germany | Philipshalle |
| 5 April | Böblingen | Germany | Sporthalle |
| 6 April | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion |
| 9 April | Lisbon | Portugal | Pavilhão Atlântico |
| 10 April | Madrid | Spain | Palacio Vistalegre |
| 11 April | Badalona | Spain | Pavelló Olímpic de Badalona |
| 14 April | Manchester | England | Manchester Evening News Arena |
| 16 April | London | England | Earls Court Exhibition Centre |
| 17 April | London | England | Earls Court Exhibition Centre |
| 20 May | Edmonton | Canada | Shaw Conference Centre |
| 21 May | Calgary | Canada | Pengrowth Saddledome |
| 23 May | Vancouver | Canada | General Motors Place |
| 24 May | George | United States | The Gorge Amphitheatre |
| 25 May | Bend | United States | Les Schwab Amphitheater |
| 27 May | Boise | United States | Bank of America Centre |
| 28 May | Wheatland | United States | AutoWest Amphitheatre |
| 30 May | Mountain View | United States | Shoreline Amphitheatre |
| 31 May | Los Angeles | United States | Hollywood Bowl |
| 2 June | Los Angeles | United States | Hollywood Bowl |
| 3 June | San Diego | United States | Cox Arena |
| 5 June | Morrison | United States | Red Rocks Amphitheatre |
| 6 June | Morrison | United States | Red Rocks Amphitheatre |
| 9 June | Chicago | United States | UIC Pavilion |
| 10 June | Cleveland | United States | Tower City Amphitheater |
| 11 June | Toronto | Canada | Molson Canadian Amphitheatre |
| 13 June | New York City | United States | Madison Square Garden |
| 20 June | Scheeßel | Germany | Eichenring |
| 21 June | Neuhausen ob Eck | Germany | Flugplatz Neuhausen ob Eck |
| 23 June | Rome | Italy | Centrale del Tennis |
| 24 June | Fano | Italy | Piazza XX Settembre |
| 27 June | Roskilde | Denmark | Roskilde Dyrskueplads |
| 29 June | Werchter | Belgium | Festivalpark Werchter |
| 1 July | Nijmegen | Netherlands | Goffertpark |
| 3 July | Kristiansand | Norway | Idrettsplassen |
| 12 July | County Kildare | Ireland | Punchestown Racecourse |
| 13 July | Kinross | Scotland | Balado |
| 18 July | Melbourne | Australia | Rod Laver Arena |
| 20 July | Byron Bay | Australia | Belongil Fields |
| 21 July | Sydney | Australia | Hordern Pavilion |
| 22 July | Sydney | Australia | Hordern Pavilion |
| 24 July | Auckland | New Zealand | Auckland Showgrounds |
| 26 July | Yuzawa | Japan | Naeba Ski Resort |
| 29 July | Bangkok | Thailand | Impact Arena |
| 16 August | Chelmsford | England | Hylands Park |
| 17 August | Weston-under-Lizard | England | Weston Park |
| 3 September | São Paulo | Brazil | Via Funchal |
| 4 September | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | ATL Hall |
| 7 September | Mexico City | Mexico | Palacio de los Deportes |
| 8 September | Mexico City | Mexico | Palacio de los Deportes |

## Cancelled shows

List of cancelled concerts :
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Reason |
| 25 June 2002 | Portsmouth | England | Portsmouth Pyramids Centre | Unknown |
| 14 September 2002 | Atlanta | United States | The Masquerade | Hurricane |
| 28 March 2003 | Strasbourg | France | Hall Rhénus | Illness |
| 5 June 2003 | Albuquerque | United States | Tingley Coliseum | Unknown |

## Boxscores

List of reported boxscores :
| City | Venue | Attendance | Revenue |
| Boston | Paradise Rock Club | 650 / 650 | $5,500 |
| Philadelphia | Theatre of Living Arts | 810 / 810 | $7,372 |
| Washington, D.C. | 9:30 Club | 1,102 / 1,102 | $11,571 |
| Minneapolis | First Avenue | 1,272 / 1,272 | $14,554 |
| Boulder | Fox Theatre | 625 / 625 | $21,875 |
| Seattle | Paramount Theatre | 2,857 / 2,857 | $78,568 |
| Berkeley | Hearst Greek Theatre | 8,700 / 8,700 | $254,700 |
| San Diego | SDSU Open Air Theatre | 4,425 / 4,798 | $118,369 |
| Los Angeles | Greek Theatre | 6,138 / 6,138 | $167,790 |
| Baltimore | Pier Six Pavilion | 3,860 / 4,400 | $110,010 |
| Boston | FleetBoston Pavilion | 5,137 / 5,137 | $146,130 |
| Wantagh | Tommy Hilfiger at Jones Beach Theater | 9,181 / 14,029 | $265,324 |
| Toronto | Air Canada Centre | 6,061 / 6,061 | $161,673 |
| Chicago | UIC Pavilion | 5,456 / 8,000 | $163,680 |
| Manchester | Manchester Evening News Arena | 15,096 /15,160 | $428,838 |
| Rotterdam | Ahoy Rotterdam | 9,765 / 9,765 | $287,683 |
| Orlando | Hard Rock Live | 2,800 / 2,800 | $90,960 |
| Coral Gables | UM Convocation Center | 5,947 / 5,947 | $194,764 |
| Birmingham | BJCC Concert Hall | 2,915 / 2,915 | $88,864 |
| Charlotte | Grady Cole Center | 2,900 / 2,900 | $83,340 |
| New Orleans | Saenger Theatre | 2,534 / 2,534 | $88,690 |
| Houston | Verizon Wireless Theater | 3,127 / 3,127 | $96,145 |
| Austin | Frank Erwin Center | 4,731 / 6,290 | $141,930 |
| Grand Prairie | NextStage Performance Theater | 5,952 / 6,333 | $208,320 |
| Oklahoma City | Oklahoma City Music Hall | 2,263 / 2,263 | $73,548 |
| St. Louis | Savvis Center | 4,329 / 5,024 | $126,752 |
| Kansas City | Memorial Hall | 3,128 / 3,153 | $95,040 |
| Denver | Fillmore Auditorium | 3,600 / 3,600 | $108,000 |
| Phoenix | Dodge Theatre | 4,781 / 4,781 | $139,960 |
| Ottawa | Corel Centre | 7,790 / 8,578 | $171,736 |
| Montreal | Bell Centre | 11,784 / 12,414 | $333,765 |
| Wallingford | careerbuilder.com Oakdale Theatre | 4,833 / 4,833 | $157,760 |
| Camden | Tweeter Center | 6,874 / 6,874 | $198,353 |
| Pittsburgh | A.J. Palumbo Center | 3,536 / 3,810 | $107,234 |
| Detroit | Fox Theatre | 4,787 / 4,787 | $141,585 |
| Indianapolis | Murat Theatre | 2,516 / 2,516 | $77,708 |
| Duluth | Gwinnett Civic Center Arena | 7,084 / 7,084 | $238,560 |
| Nashville | Ryman Auditorium | 2,179 / 2,179 | $74,086 |
| Columbus | PromoWest Pavilion | 2,300 / 2,300 | $64,400 |
| Louisville | Palace Theatre | 2,695 / 2,695 | $84,110 |
| Minneapolis | Target Center | 8,146 / 9,481 | $231,786 |
| Manchester | Manchester Evening News Arena | 15,504 / 15,636 | $495,989 |
| Edmonton | Shaw Conference Centre | 4,497 / 4,500 | $113,132 |
| Calgary | Pengrowth Saddledome | 9,012 / 9,844 | $247,768 |
| Vancouver | General Motors Place | 11,955 / 13,628 | $313,200 |
| Bend | Les Schwab Amphitheater | 5,200 / 5,200 | $182,000 |
| Boise | Bank of America Centre | 2,408 / 3,100 | $72,864 |
| Wheatland | AutoWest Amphitheatre | 8,500 / 8,500 | $197,733 |
| Mountain View | Shoreline Amphitheatre | 20,217 / 21,895 | $583,740 |
| San Diego | Cox Arena | 9,333 / 9,333 | $324,322 |
| Morrison | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | 18,188 / 18,890 | $617,778 |
| Chicago | UIC Pavilion | 8,728 / 8,728 | $310,943 |
| Cleveland | Tower City Amphitheater | 8,334 / 8,334 | $229,600 |
| Toronto | Molson Canadian Amphitheatre | 16,328 / 16,328 | $324,707 |
| New York City | Madison Square Garden | 15,774 / 15,774 | $582,760 |
| Melbourne | Rod Laver Arena | 10,482 / 10,500 | $441,297 |
| Sydney | Hordern Pavilion | 10,410 / 10,500 | $438,266 |
| São Paulo | Via Funchal | 5,642 / 5,642 | $146,065 |
| Rio de Janeiro | ATL Hall | 7,750 / 7,750 | $165,110 |
| Mexico City | Palacio de los Deportes | 39,408 / 39,408 | $1,088,216 |
| Total | Total | 422,336 / 442,212 (95.5%) | $12,536,523 |

## Personnel

Credits adapted from the band's official tour book, which was sold exclusively on merchandise booths and their online store.
Performing members
* Chris Martin – lead vocals, piano, rhythm guitar
* Jonny Buckland – lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
* Guy Berryman – bass, backing vocals, keyboards, percussion
* Will Champion – drums, backing vocals, percussion
Main crew
* Brian Leitch – lighting designer
* Chris Woods – monitor engineer
* Craig Hope – backline technician
* Dan Green – FoH engineer
* Derek Fudge – production manager
* Dave Holmes – US band manager
* Jeff Dray – tour manager
* Dana White – Dave Holmes assistant
* Miller – gadget technician
* Nick Whitehouse – visual technician
* Sean Buttery – backline technician
* Shari Webber – production assistant
* Thomas Golseth – tour accountant
* Tony Smith – VDOSC technician
* Vicki Taylor – band assistant
* Rocky Hudson – security
* Matt McGinn – backline technician
* Holly Tickett – Estelle Wilkinson assistant
* Estelle Wilkinson – band manager
* Steve Strange – Europe/World agent
* Marty Diamond – US agent
Additional US crew
* Chris Conti
* David Favoritta
* Pat Thompson
* Bryan Kiger
* John Taylor
* Jim Lee
* Steve Capozza
* Glen Jones
* Sam Philips
* Eric Wagner
* Scotty Daum
* Jerry Martin
* Dave Cheek
Additional European crew
* Ben Holdsworth
* Ivan Ellison
* Jim Allison
* Tom James
* Alan Yates
* Stewart Kennet
* Aaron Hopkins
* Nick Davids
* Al McCauly
* Jerry Milichip
* Eddie Monk
* Jim Thompson
* Ian Heath
* Graham Dietricht
* John Burgess
* Matt Clarke
* Steven Connelly
* Ken Needham
Suppliers
* EFM Management – Andy Lovell, Mike Llewellyn
* Tour Tech – PA
* Siyan – lights
* Fly by Nite – trucks
* SilverGrey – buses
* Alistage – stage
* Pitstop – barrier
* XL Video – video
* Lasergrafix – laser
* Depot – rehearsals
* John Henry's – storage
* Matt Snowball Music – anything at any time
* Heidi Varah, Pauline Austin, Ben Albertson – catering
* Merchandising for Life – merchandise
Tour book
* Giles Greenwood, Joe Hosp – designer
* Kevin Westenberg – photographer
* Edwin Ingram – photographic printing
* Matt Wilson Labs – B&W