COLDPLAY DVD/CD A HOT PLAY

Consider it a rush of product to the marketplace.

Following a heady 15 months since the release of the double-platinum A Rush of Blood to the Head, Capitol’s Coldplay returns Nov. 4 with a highly anticipated two-disc live CD/DVD, cleverly titled Coldplay Live 2003.

The last 12 months have been pretty eventful for the band. The quartet won two Grammys and three MTV VMAs—and their mesmerizing performance at both awards shows helped catapult the nearly year-old Rush of Blood to the Head back into the Top 10 on the album chart. And then there was the paparazzi’s dream romance between singer Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Capitol Records President Andrew Slater says the band’s live performances have been one of the engines behind their phenomenal rise, so it was only natural to put out a DVD now. “We have looked at this as an opportunity to reach the 3 million Coldplay fans with an elegant package that reinforces their connection with the band, their live performances and their recordings. In an age where the value of the CD is in question, it’s great that the band allowed us to offer the consumer a product that is definitely a bargain. Now, can anyone break a $20?”

The two-disc set, which includes a 90-minute concert, 40 minutes of behind-the-scenes documentary footage shot on the band’s 2003 world tour and a 70-minute live CD, will retail for around $20. The DVD was filmed at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion last July 21 and 22 and was directed by Russell Thomas and shot by Done & Dusted in a nine-camera shoot.

The set includes one new track, “Moses,” reportedly written by Martin for Paltrow, and two songs previously unreleased in the U.S., “One I Love” and “See You Soon.” Bonus DVD features include a photo gallery and lyrics.

Capitol is shipping 500k copies of the set, so the package is expected to debut near the top of both the album and DVD charts. To further stoke demand, the label is heating things up with a marketing campaign featuring some unique twists, taking advantage of the visual components:

...The concert film will debut on Nov. 3, the night before the set hits retail, in 33 Regal and UA Galaxy movie theatres.

...A Rush of the Blood to the Head still selling 30k/week, after debuting at #5 upon release Aug. 27, 2002.

...“Moses” spinning on KROQ, WXRK, WPLY, KNDD, WHFS, tons more.

...Launch to feature live cuts from DVD and interview with band.