Viva la Vida Tour

The intro of the concert would begin in space before turning to show the Earth and zooming to aerial views of the continent, country, city and then stadium that the show would take place. The idea was to make each show a spectacle of its own, instead of a mere part of the tour. The cosmic motif was repeated in "Speed of Sound" and "Glass of Water", taking attendees on a journey through a solar system where the stars formed an eye shape that went supernova, engulfing the screen in flames. However, other sections of the show were completely different. "Lovers in Japan" used archive footage and animations across the screen at the back of the stage and butterflies made of confetti rained all over the venue in the end. For the show's closing number, "Life in Technicolor II", the paintings created for the book artwork of Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends was treated with sprocket and projection effects to create a vibrant, immersive and colorful effect. The tour insignia, used on instruments and promotional material, was designed by the band members together and later painted on a wall by drummer Will Champion at the Bakery. == Opening acts ==

There were 34 supporting acts for the tour. They are: • Jon Hopkins (North America—Leg 1, select dates) • Shearwater (North America—Leg 1, select dates) • Santigold (North America—Leg 1, select dates) (Japan—February 2009) • Sleepercar (North America—Leg 1, select dates) • Duffy (North America—Leg 2, select dates) • Snow Patrol (North America—Leg 3, select dates) • Amadou & Mariam (North America—Leg 4, select dates) • Albert Hammond Jr (Europe—Leg 1) • The High Wire (Europe—Leg 2, select dates) • Eugene Francis Jnr and the Juniors and the Juniors (England—December 2008) • The Domino State (London—14 December 2008) • Kilians (Europe—Leg 3, select dates) • Bat For Lashes (Europe—Leg 3, select dates) (South America) • Moi Caprice (Denmark—August 2009) • Datarock (Norway—August 2009) • Girls Aloud (Britain (Scotland and England)—September 2009) • Jay-Z (Britain (Scotland and England)—September 2009) • La Roux (England—December 2009) • Decoder Ring (Australia) • Hollie Smith (New Zealand) • Mercury Rev (Australia) (New Zealand) (Asia—March 2009) • The Ting Tings (Japan—February 2009) • Vanguart (Brazil) == Reception ==

In total, the tour grossed $222,256,153 from 3,022,635 tickets sold. Coldplay also broke the record for most admissions sold on a single tour at Sydney's Acer Arena, with 58,943 units. They later became the first act in history to perform a sold-out concert at Ridgefield's Amphitheater at Clark County. In 2025, Consequence ranked the Viva la Vida Tour among the 100 Best Tours of All Time, at number 82. == Accolades ==

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, keyboards, rhythm guitar • Jonny Buckland – lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards • Guy Berryman – bass, backing vocals, keyboards, percussion • Will Champion – drums, backing vocals, percussion Main crew • Dave Holmes – manager • Andy Franks – tour manager • Phil Harvey – creative director • Vicki Taylor – artist assistant and instrument painting • Emma Jane McDonald – artist assistant • Paul Normandale – production designer • Craig Finley – production manager • Dan Green – FoH sound • Fraser Elisha – lighting director • Chris Wood – monitor engineer • Yasmine Kotb – tour accountant • Kurt Wagner – stage manager • Marguerite Nguyen – production assistant • Craig Hope – backline technician • Matt McGinn – guitar technician • Sean Buttery – drum technician • Neil Lambert – backline technician • Matt Miller – MIDI technician and videographer • Tony Smith – FoH assistant • Nick Davis – monitor technician • Stephanie Thompson – RF technician Video • Andy Bramley – video director and content • Ed Jarman – video engineer and crew chief • Ben Miles – catalyst and content • Mathew Vassalo – projectionist Video crew • Jason Lowe • Phil Johnson Lighting crew • Dave Favourita (chief) • Tommy Green • Wayne Kwiat • Niall Ogilvy • David Cox (UK) • Dave Jolly (UK) • Marta Iwan (US) • Jim Michaelis (US) Sound technicians • Rob Collett (UK) • Owen McAuley (UK) • Simon Rogers (UK) • Jim Allen (US) • Stephan Curtain (US) • Carlos Sallaberry (US) Stage • Rick Stucker – head carpenter • Russell Macias – carpenter • Gabriel Wood – head rigger • Charles Anderson – rigger • Brooke Blomquist – confetti • Mike Hartle – laser • Tiffany Henry – dressing rooms and wardrobe Security • Jackie Jackson – venue security • Kelly Samuels – band security • Geoff Sands – band security Merchandise • Dell Furano, Rick Fish, Pete Weber – Signatures Network • Jeremy Joseph – De-Lux • Eric Wagner – product development and road manager • Joe Heden – US Road Merchandise • Jon Ellis – UK Road Merchandise Catering • Heidi Varah – chief • Darren Shead – head chef • Pauline Austin – chef • Sarah Money – FoH • Jessie Collins – FoH Management • Mandi Bursteen, Ivan Entchevitch – Dave Holmes assistant • Lauren Valencia, Arlene Moon – 3D Management Booking agents • Marty Diamond, Larry Webman – North America • Steve Strange, Josh Javor, Nicki Forestiero – ROW Suppliers • Chapman Freeborne – aircraft charter • Matt Snowball Music – anything at any time • Stars and Cars – Europe artist transport • Moorcrofts – UK artist transport • DPL – US artist transport • Beat the Street – UK buses • Celebrity Coaches – US buses • Global Motion – freight forwarder • Robertson Taylor Insurance Brokers – insurance brokers • Lite Alt – UK lighting • Upstaging – US lighting • All Access – passes • Strictly FX – confetti and lasers • Wigwam – UK sound • Eighth Day – US sound • John Henry's – storage • Celebrity Protection – tour security • Music by Appointment – UK travel • Altour – US travel • Stagetruck – UK trucks • Upstaging – US trucks • XL Video – video 77 Million Paintings • Brian Eno – paintings and music Website • Wendy Marvel, Brian Schulmeister – designer • Chris Salmon – editor • Debs Wild – ambassador Creative input • Brian Eno • Markus Dravs • Tim Crompton • Lee Lodge Tour book • Wendy Marvel, Eric Wagner – designer • Matthew Miller – front cover designer • William Garland – lithography Photos courtesy of • Guy Berryman • Stephan Crasneanscki • James Gooding • Dan Green • Penny Howle • Matthew Miller • Greg Waterman Others • Lester Dales, Maul Makin – accounting • Donna McQueen, Tracy Lawson – assistant • David Weise – business management • Gavin Maude – legal • Pete Lusby – Oxfam UK representative • Soha Yassine – Oxfam US representative • Dan Portanier – trainer • Rik Simpson – additional musical production • Andy Rugg – additional engineering • Beth Fenton – stage uniforms designer Special thanks • Alison Burton • Air Studios • All bus and truck drivers == See also ==