David Bowie 2003–2004 Reality Tour

Tour by: David Bowie
Associated album: Reality
Start date: 7 October 2003
End date: 23 July 2004
Legs: 5
Total shows: 112
– 70 in Europe
– 28 in North America
– 1 in the Atlantic
– 8 in Oceania
– 5 in Asia

A Reality Tour
A worldwide concert tour in support of the album Reality, beginning on 7 October 2003 in Copenhagen and continuing through Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania. This became Bowie’s final tour; he retired from live performances in 2006.

The tour grossed US$46 million, making it the 9th highest-grossing tour of 2004.

The Tour band

• David Bowie – vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica
• Earl Slick – lead guitar
• Gerry Leonard – guitar, backing vocals
• Gail Ann Dorsey – bass guitar, rhythm guitar, clarinet, vocals
• Sterling Campbell – drums, percussion
• Mike Garson – keyboards, piano
• Catherine Russell – keyboards, percussion, guitar, backing vocals

History
Bowie announced the tour in June 2003, intending to play to over a million people across 17 countries. This was his first major tour since 1995. The tour was heavily promoted through primetime TV and AOL Sessions, and ultimately became the longest tour of Bowie’s entire career.

Performance
The show emphasised musicianship over staging. Minimal sets, multi-stage platforms, live video projections, colour lighting, and informal interaction with audiences became core elements.

Repertoire
50+ rehearsed songs spanning 1970–2003, including final encore closures with Ziggy-era material.

Incidents
June 2004 performances were cancelled when Bowie was diagnosed with an acutely blocked artery after the Hurricane Festival.

Live recordings
Released as A Reality Tour (DVD 2004, CD 2010).