Phil Harvey

Manager and creative partner of Coldplay

Phil Harvey (born 1975) is the manager and creative partner of the British rock band Coldplay, known for his contributions to their stage design, creative direction, and early career financing.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Philip Christopher Harvey
Born: 29 August 1976
Birthplace: Bristol, England
Education: University of Melbourne
Occupation: Music manager; creative director
Years active: 1998–2002; 2006–present
Spouse: Yasmin Harvey

Lore & Background

Phil Harvey was born in 1975 and met the members of Coldplay while they were students at University College London. He became the band's manager early in their career, helping to finance their debut album 'Parachutes' and contributing to their creative direction and stage design. He has been a close friend and confidant to lead singer Chris Martin and has been actively involved in the band's mental health advocacy efforts.

Reader's Guide

Harvey was the founder and former president of DKT International, a Washington, D.C.–based charity that implements family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention programs in 57 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. He was the chief sponsor of the DKT Liberty Project which raised awareness about freedom of speech issues in the U.S. Harvey was also the president of Adam & Eve, the North Carolina–based company that sells sex toys, adult films and condoms. He was executive producer on the 2015 documentary about censorship in comedy, Can We Take a Joke?, and the 2020 free speech documentary about former ACLU Executive Director Ira Glasser, Mighty Ira.

Did You Know?

Phil Harvey helped finance Coldplay's debut album 'Parachutes' and contributed to the band's stage design and creative direction.
He has been a key figure in Coldplay's mental health advocacy initiatives.
Harvey met the band members while they were students at University College London and has been their manager since the early 2000s.
He is known for his close friendship with Chris Martin and his role in shaping the band's visual identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Phil Harvey?

He serves as Coldplay's manager and creative director, often called their fifth member due to his long-standing partnership with Chris Martin. Born in London, he studied Greek and Latin alongside Martin at university before dedicating himself fully to the band.

What was his contribution during the early days?

Harvey financed the group's initial growth by organizing student parties while still attending University College London. He eventually dropped out of school to manage their career full-time, securing their financial stability from the start.

Did Phil Harvey ever take a break from the band?

He stepped away briefly due to stress during the 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' period but returned around 2004 for the 'X&Y' sessions. His return solidified his permanent place in overseeing their creative direction and management.