David Bowie (Oct. 2002) New York Marathon – Concert Advert

A dramatic full‑page advertisement promoting David Bowie’s rare “New York Marathon” — a five‑borough series of intimate concerts staged across New York City in October 2002, presented with bold typography and a striking blue‑toned portrait.

WRITER / ARTIST / DATE / LENGTH   Writer: Concert Advert / Clear Channel Entertainment Artist: David Bowie Date: October 3–10, 2002 Length: 4 min read

OVERVIEW   Published in early October 2002, this advert announced David Bowie’s “New York Marathon,” a unique run of five intimate shows — one in each borough of New York City. At a time when Bowie was selectively returning to live performance, the campaign emphasised closeness, exclusivity, and his deep connection to New York. The bold orange lettering, moody blue portrait, and borough‑by‑borough layout created a visually arresting promotional piece that stood apart from typical tour advertising.

PUBLICATION   Publication: Unidentified US publication (likely New York–area entertainment weekly)

Date: October 3–10, 2002

Country: United States Section / Pages: Full‑Page Concert Advertisement

Title: David Bowie — New York Marathon

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS   Event: Promotion of Bowie’s five‑borough New York concert series Era: Heathen / Early‑2000s live performance period Tone: Dramatic, urban, high‑impact Photography: Blue‑toned close‑up portrait with intense gaze Audience: New York concert‑goers and Bowie fans seeking intimate shows

“DAVID BOWIE — NEW YORK MARATHON.”

THE STORY BEHIND IT   The “New York Marathon” concept framed Bowie’s five shows as a journey across the city he called home. Rather than performing in large arenas, Bowie chose distinctive, smaller venues — from Snug Harbor to St. Ann’s Warehouse to the Beacon Theatre — offering fans a rare close‑up experience. The advert’s design emphasised urgency (“ON SALE FRIDAY NOON”), exclusivity, and the novelty of a borough‑by‑borough tour. Produced by Clear Channel Entertainment and RZO Concert Productions, the campaign reflected Bowie’s theatrical flair and his affection for New York’s cultural landscape

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS   Event: Promotion of Bowie’s five‑borough concert series Era: Heathen / 2002 live period Tone: Bold, urgent, atmospheric Photography: Blue‑toned portrait with windswept hair Audience: New York music fans and collectors of Bowie live ephemera

CONTEXT & NOTES   The advert’s visual identity relies on a high‑contrast palette: deep blues for Bowie’s portrait, bright orange for his name, and yellow for the borough listings. The vertical “DAVID BOWIE” typography creates a sense of height and movement, echoing the “marathon” theme. The layout is clean but forceful, with venue details clearly separated and the ticket‑sale announcement prominently placed. The design reflects early‑2000s concert advertising trends — bold colour, minimal clutter, and a focus on star power.

“On Sale Friday Noon.”

SOURCES   Original 2002 New York Marathon concert advert Publication likely from a New York–area entertainment weekly Context verified against 2002 Bowie tour documentation External anchors: Discogs / 45cat / Wikipedia (where applicable)

RELATED MATERIAL  

• David Bowie (Jan. 2016) Misfit Revolution Changed Britain – Cover

• David Bowie (Nov. 2002) On Life Through the Eyes of a Two‑Year‑Old

• David Bowie (Jan. 17, 2016) The Golden Years – Cover Feature

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