September 27, 200817 yr Author About Today[/url] :P we're talking about human beings, not computers :P next you'll be trying to tell us that Arnie posts more informative items than we do :laugh3:
September 27, 200817 yr I want to thank Ulrike, Juliane, Sabine and all of our other volunteers for their help along the road here. It’s been great to see a little of this country and meet so many Coldplay fans here too. Time I wound this one up. It’s been a long day, and could be a long night. We are heading for Zurich tonight, and the Alps. I’m excited. So long.. Farewell.. Auf Viedersehen.. Goodbye.. Ulrike, Juliane, Sabine.. I don't know you, but thank you! Btw. *german to try to be too perfect mode* it's Auf Wiedersehen. Zürich *sigh* 1 hour from where I am living :embarassed: Next time I will be there.
September 27, 200817 yr Author :dozey: stop distracting me from the very important things I'm doing on Wiki :angry:
September 28, 200817 yr Switzerland. Schweiz. Suisse. Svizzera. Svizra. Zurich, Hallenstadion, Switzerland (or one of the above, depending on where you are from). Just the one show in this land-locked land. There are four official languages here. A fairly popular brand of chocolate, and one very good tennis player. Oxfam is here, as ever, at the latest concert of the European Coldplay tour. The 18th, out of 23. It’s going to be a busy week. 6 shows in 7 days, in 4 different countries. Yesterday was a day off. A chance to prepare for the long haul. I went for a run again, to explore the latest town, that I had never been before. Zurich is a very pretty place. Very popular with tourists. The centre meets Lake Zurich (Zurichse), which sits at the foot of the Alps. Quite a sight. I probably was too, dodging between the busy streets in my marathon gear! It’s sold out again tonight. Another huge arena will soon be full of singing Coldplay fans. I’m sure that one song in particular, will go down a treat. Waiting for that bell to ring… http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=65
September 28, 200817 yr [Oxfam Blog] Sunny Zurich. Half an hour until the Oxfam volunteers arrive for campaigning at tonight’s Coldplay show. I’m sitting outside catching (possibly) some of the last rays of summer, in sunny Zurich. It’s important to catch your vitamin D from the sunshine you know.. especially when you work in the dim light of these indoor arenas all day. I have to admit (as I squint at the glare of the screen), the weather is making me wish we had an outdoor stadium show today! If I stand up and peer over the fence, I can see the waiting crowds growing outside the arena gates. They are the lucky ones. I have seen fans waiting in heavy rain, icy gales and cracking thunder during this tour.. The band is here in 10 minutes. Here we go.. http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=67
September 29, 200817 yr [Oxfam Blog] A peek inside the tour bus. // Bologna. September 29th, 2008 I am peering out through the darkened windows of the tour bus into the Zurich night. Just tapping away a few lines, whilst perched in my ‘favourite seat’ at the front of the bus. I like this seat. You can see where we are going.. Even if it’s often just a dark motorway, with flashing cat’s-eyes sinking beneath the wheels. You can also recline quite well here, and even fall asleep, if my bunk seems too far to move. There’s a plug socket by my ankle too, which is handy for my laptop for midnight blogging. Outside I can see a sea of moving white hard hats and beanies. Road cases being pushed into queues for their space on one of the ‘Stage Trucks’ carrying all of Coldplay’s gear (and Oxfam’s hamper). Another two trucks just reversed into the venue for loading. There are flashing hazard lights. Fork lift trucks. Roadies pulling luggage towards their buses. The support band walking past onto their bus. Outside every big arena in a major city, is probably where you find most of the activity on a Sunday night.. Strange. You lose track of days on tour. Sunday. Feels like it could be any day. I guess it’s another work day. Some days blend together when you are awake so long. Hang on a minute, it’s Monday now… Chris Martin said from stage yesterday.. “thanks for joining us on this Saturday night.. Wait a minute.. Is it a Saturday?” Inside the bus, I can see a hard hat labelled with ’McGoo’, for Jonny’s guitar tech, Matt. There’s a tray full of remote controls for the big TV and all it’s buttons.. Two seats and a couch (none as good as this one), a fruit bowl, containing snack bars, apples and pears, a cooler (perhaps containing a variety of beverages), a DVD of ’The Kids Are Alright’ by ’The Who’, a copy of ’Mojo’ magazine with the faces of ‘Queen’ band members modified with sharpie pen moustaches, our driver Steffan, eating a banana, ’Woodsy’ eating a sandwich, a toy car (?!) and tomorrow’s day-sheet pinned to the wall.. (Woodsy wasn’t eating a toy car and a daysheet). There’s just a peek inside the tour bus. Most of the backline crew from my bus, are still in the crew room, relaxing after another sold out show. The trucks are starting to leave for Bologna. Ken and Eric from Merch just walked on the bus. I think we’ll be off soon. Which means I’ll be off to my bunk. Bring on Bologna. A great job by our Oxfam volunteers tonight. Over 1500 more Coldplay fans joined the other thousands we’ve already seen, in making the Health and Education For All pledge. Some volunteers were from ‘Clean Clothes Campaign‘ here in Switzerland. They work on fair trade clothing. Obviously this relates closely to Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign. Remember the = sign on someone’s hand?? Here they all come. Matt. Hoppy. Neill. Bash. Tony Tiger’s in bed. Woodsy. Eric. Ken. Me. Steffan. 10. ‘We’re a bus’. Bye Bye Zurich! (says Matt).. There go the cats-eyes.. http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=68 September 29th, 2008 The first of two dates in Italy. The tour has come through the Alps, and stopped in Bologna. I have been told that the atmosphere will be incredible here. I hope so. I’m working with UCODEP and Oxfam International in Italy today. Ucodep is an Italian NGO that since 1976 has worked in Italy and abroad to build a better world through activities aimed at fighting poverty, supporting health and education rights, promoting the values of diversity and solidarity, and assisting people in humanitarian emergencies. It will be great to work with the volunteers here. I’m sure it will be another successful night. http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=69
September 30, 200817 yr Author Green arena. This one looks a bit like a giant turtle shell from the outside. Unlike many of the arenas we are doing on this tour, this was mostly standing, in one big oval hall, like a cake tin, with a few seats icing the edges. The standing masses gave a totally different edge to the atmosphere. More like a huge tent at a festival.. The waiting crowds always burst in and run to the front, as soon as they open, but here, the running kept going until the arena was half full. The fans are so passionate, and came for a party.. Complete with balloons bouncing off heads for hours before a single note was played, party hats, banners and flags. The place was jumping even before the band had hit the stage. In fact, probably whilst they were still in catering, or busy in another intense game of table tennis backstage. UCODEP and Oxfam International in Italy, brought a fantastic group of volunteers. Full of energy the whole night. Just like the rest of the Coldplay fans here tonight. By the end of the night, our deposit box for signed Health and Education For All action cards, was full to bursting. We were squeezing the last ones in. A fantastic effort by the team. Elisa will count up tonight, so that Milan can compete with Bologna tomorrow! It was hot today too. I even saw lizards scurrying about in the dusty hedges by the bus. The heat felt like we were back in those summer nights in Chicago and Boston. Italy is hanging on to the summer for one last gasp before we head into autumn and winter shows, where snow and ice is the order of the day at this time of night. I’m back on the bus. Just a short hop to Milan tonight. See you there. http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=70
September 30, 200817 yr Milan. I’m writing this one from the Oxfam and Ucodep stall on the concourse. The crowd are singing along to a special acoustic version of ‘The Scientist’.. The hallway just got cleared.. I know what that means! Here they come.. The band just ran past the Oxfam stall. Chris Martin waved at some of the volunteers who were standing here. That was a good moment for us to remember. They are now back on stage, playing ‘Politik’. The stobe lights are flashing, and Will Champion is beating the life out of those drums! “Open up your eyes!”. Maybe that’s what our volunteers helped some of the crowd do tonight before they went in. Open up their eyes, on the issue of Health and Education For All (Salute Acqua Istruzione Per Tutti), in Italiano. Elisa Bacciotti, the star of popular mobilisation for Oxfam International and Ucodep in Italy, is standing next to me, waiting for the volunteers to come back after the show for one last bit of campaigning, before hopefully, they all head home into the Milan night, with a big smile on their faces! She very kindly translated my briefing earlier to the volunteers. My Italian is terrible. Here’s a few words from her.. “Come on Pete! My English is terrible too! We really worked well together. It’s really something exciting to be here! If I think back in 2003 when I saw Coldplay in Rome, I already worked for Ucodep and I was wondering what could these two horizontal lines on Chris Martin’s hand mean? (Oxfam Make Trade Fair symbol)…Oxfam was not in Italy at the time, Ucodep was a tiny NGO, and here we are, 5 years later, Ucodep and Oxfam at the Coldplay concerts, saying to everybody IL POTERE E NELLE TUE MANI / E ORA DI UN MONDO PIU GIUSTO (YOU‘VE GOT POWER. IT’S TIME FOR JUSTICE)…. Thanks to our 40 volunteers, they were fantastic, really. It was an incredible start up for our PER TUTTI (FOR ALL) campaign!” I think that’s amazing. I totally agree that the volunteers have been great. However, there is one part I disagree with. Elisa’s English is great! The volunteers are coming back now with more signed action cards for PER TUTTI. Which just launched here last weekend. These Coldplay fans tonight (cheering for the encore right now)..have the power together to help give us all a fairer world. I am sure that they can be the start of something big for this campaign here in Italy. The curtain is coming down on the shows in Italy. Coldplay are rounding off another great night with those ‘Yellow’ lights.. It’s been amazing here. I am sad to be leaving so soon. But next up.. We have Oxfam Novib and Rotterdam… The Oxfam sphere of being shown above the crowd as ‘The Escapist’ plays over the stereo, and the fans leave the venue. Great show. Great group of volunteers. Great night. Job done. Well.. almost.. it’s load-out time again. http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=71
October 2, 200817 yr [Oxfam Blog] Ahoy there.. Rotterdam. Here we are at the first of two nights at the Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands. From what I hear, these shows sold out in minutes. Tickets snapped up in eager anticipation, of the Viva La Vida tour. The band have been wowing crowds right across Europe. It’s been a busy 4 weeks. Oxfam Novib, the Oxfam group here in the Netherlands, will today and tomorrow, be bringing a different kind of campaigning to the show. Dressed as nurses, they will ask the fans to ‘hug a nurse’. Yes, you heard me right! Oxfam is asking for improved health care around the world. The volunteers will dress as nurses to demonstrate the need for improved care and more medical personnel worldwide. Find out more here. Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide lack access to basic health care due to a great lack of medical personnel. Worldwide, there are 4 million additional doctors, nurses and midwives needed. Help bring pressure to bear on the government and other key decision-makers. Click here to hug a nurse right now! http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=72
October 2, 200817 yr Matt Vassallo has an amazing moustache. I’m sitting here stage-left, backstage, outside the production office, with Steve from support band Albert Hammond Jr. They had another great set earlier. It’s Coldplay’s turn now.. Just on the way back for the encore.. Steve says “I’ve made it now! i’m pleased to be in the blog. i’m pleased to know Pete from Oxfam”. Awesome. Hoppy and Rick just went past with the guitars from the balcony. The band have launched into the encore now. I’m sure our Oxfam Novib volunteers are out there, having a great time at the rock show.. Their work is done for the night. They have hugged as many Coldplay fans as they could (dressed as nurses)! The idea was to show, through a simple action, that we all care about everyone having access to good quality healthcare. The band’s assistant, EJ, is pacing around, waiting for the band when they come off stage. It’s her birthday today. Happy birthday EJ! I think she just got a birthday wish from stage too. The set is coming to an end now. Seems like the band have really enjoyed themselves tonight. Chris Martin asking the crowd for requests on the piano. It meant we all got to hear ’Trouble’ for the first time in a while. ’Shiver’ got a rare outing last in Milan too. It’s the football rematch tomorrow. I’m sure the pitch will be a bit slippery.. it’s been a bit soggy today. I will let you know how it goes... By the way Matt Vassallo (the projectionist for Coldplay) has for reasons unknown, grown a truly amazing handlebar moustache. Trust me. It’s awesome. Pictures to follow. Matt says “Yeah dude!” http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=73
October 3, 200817 yr Author I’m surrounded by nurses in white coats! Don’t worry. I’ve not been hurt (although I did take a tumble in Band v Crew football earlier..), and I have not gone mad after almost 5 weeks of touring and diminishing sleep levels. The Oxfam Novib volunteers are busy hugging their way through the Coldplay crowd in the Rotterdam Ahoy arena. A few of them are having a coffee next to me, so I presume the tiredness means that it’s been going very well! Exhausted from hugging.. It must be a rare condition. They have been a great group to work with. They look great, and really stand out in the crowd, which is generally a mist of Coldplay shirts and the occasional stitched replica jacket.. Hug a nurse, is about drawing attention to the need for quality healthcare worldwide. For that, we just want Coldplay fans voices.. And their hugs. The ’hug a nurse’ campaign is ’FairAct #44’ for Oxfam Novib. FairActs are small, simple things that people can do to make the world a fairer, more equal and happier place. Other examples are to eat a FairTrade banana, be curious about the world around you, do something for nothing.. Wear ’clean’ clothes (which meet fair trade standards). You get the idea. I just saw a volunteer nurse run across to the guy selling all those Coldplay shirts, with open arms and a big hug. It’s a really fun way to do a couple of our last shows here in Europe. Now I really am surrounded. The volunteers are coming back to the stall, to change clothes for the Coldplay show.. 10 minutes to kick off. Speaking of kick-off.. Just a quick word on the football earlier. Band 6 - 1 Crew. I played for the band. Will Champion took home the match-ball. Maybe he’s Southampton F. C’s next star striker.. http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=74
October 4, 200817 yr Author Antwerp, Belgium. the end of the European road.. Talking of roads, the buses and trucks are all literally parked beneath one, as this venue is right next to the motorway. We drove past it on the way from Milan to Rotterdam. It’s a big green building, feels like it’s seen a few sights over the years.. The crowds are already patiently waiting outside. Inflatable pillows for comfort and their backs against the glass doors, claiming thier spot at the front of the queue. That metal bar at the front of the stage must be the most sought after piece of steel in Europe at the moment! There are some familiar faces too. I met some Coldplaying.com fans last night, waiting outside to meet the band on their way out. They waited in the rain last night, and said they would see me here today too. So they did. Knocking on the glass doors at the front of the venue, with a friendly wave, as I set up the Oxfam booths. I am constantly impressed by the dedication of these fans. One of the best part of the days, is when the doors finally open, these wide open venues fill up and the buzz starts to build up. We’ve almost reached the end of the road for now. 5 weeks out and time for a breather before heading back across the pond. It’s been an amazing trip. Thousands of people have joined the movement on various campaigns with Oxfam, to make the world a fairer place for us all to live. Oxfam France Agir-ici, Oxfam Deutchsland, Intermon Oxfam, Oxfam International, Ucodep and Oxfam in Italy, Oxfam Novib and now Oxfam-in-Belgium have worked together to make this an amazing tour. A massive thank you to all of our volunteers! Coldplay have really hit their stride. Enjoying each and every concert. The crowd reaction has been incredible. It’s been emotional. http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=75
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