While attending Trinity College, Oxford, he used to organise and promote student parties at local clubs, dropping out of his course to manage the band and helping them finance Safety (1998).

He completed a psychology degree at the University of Melbourne during this interval, returned as a creative director, and started to make select cameo appearances in their music videos.

[9] In 1998, Martin complained that one of the local promoters in Camden was spiteful towards Coldplay, to which Harvey suggested the band should organise a performance on their own at Dingwalls.

[13] Two days later, scout Debs Wild reached out to him, linking Coldplay to the music industry through her connections with Caroline Elleray from BMG Publishing and lawyer Gavin Maude.

[15] Harvey later got overwhelmed by the success of Parachutes (2000), as the record topped the UK Albums Chart and led him to work for 16 hours a day: "It was only later that I discovered most international bands have huge teams and organisations supporting them not just one bloke in a shithole office".

[17] Harvey announced his departure during the last recording session for A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), a situation he described as dramatic due to his friendship with Martin and the fact he was moving to another continent.

[18] Moreover, Harvey affirmed that his role includes helping with videos, designing live performances, visiting the studio regularly, writing press releases and handling any other possible situations if necessary.

[25] While away from Coldplay, he travelled to South America,[11] studied psychotherapy and counseling at Regent's College, and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a psychology degree.

[26] He worked as a volunteer at Upbeat afterwards; the project was launched in Camden to provide lessons, workshops, equipment, rehearsal space and many other services to musicians who had mental health issues.

[28] In 2004, he received a Grammy Award for Record of the Year due to his work in "Clocks",[29] while 2006 saw him visit Leeds Metropolitan University to talk with music industry management students about his experience.