It’s time for the B-stage. I heard a fan earlier talking about how ‘they do this techno bit on the catwalk’. He must have caught the show before.. but I wouldn’t describe this remix of ‘God Put a Smile’ as ‘techno techno..’ Each to their own.

New Jersey is a lucky place. Like LA, Chicago, Toronto, Paris, Stockholm, Rotterdam.. They all have one thing in common. Two chances to catch the Coldplay show, rather than one. For Oxfam, this gives us a chance for 40 lucky volunteers, rather than the normal 20. It’s a good feel for a Monday night today. Lots of people coming up to find out what we’re up to, at our little booths. Oxfam is up to all sorts, to overcome poverty across the world. Lobbying world leaders at the UN recently for the Control Arms campaign.

Read the full blog entry at the Oxfam Blog website here

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: #42 the bootlegger

Discuss this blog entry here onwards [thanks coldplay12]

Right then folks. Saturday Night Live was a very long day. Soundcheck, camera rehearsals, dress rehearsals and so it went on. Being on the tail end of jetlag as I am, a 1am finish required a hell of a lot of coffee. The one good thing about having all that time though, is that I got a chance to dig through my laptop and have a clearout.

Here's a bit of audio I found from the soundcheck at last week's Yahoo! Hammerstein Ballroom show:

VIDEO NOT YET AVAILABLE... why...?

It's Will on piano. He's famed amongst the band as being able to play any tune known to man. Today, he's picking out the chords to a rather beautiful Nick Cave tune. It's a very rough recording and you can hear roadies bustling around them trying to pull a TV show together. This wasn't ever intended for public consumption - it's just the fellas filling in time whilst waiting for things to be ready on stage. It's raw and it's rough, but I thought it was rather wonderful. I thought that you might think so too. Consider it my first bootleg... ;-)

Roadie #42

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: He's Mr Yahoo! 42

Discuss this blog entry here onwards [thanks melanieau]

Just when it looked like we were going to be settled into a long run of arena shows, out of the left field somewhere comes a theatre show for an internet company! It's a Yahoo! session and we're at the Hammerstein Ballroom. It's a beautiful venue in Manhattan, literally around the corner from Madison Square Garden. It could easily have been a real nightmare trying to shift gears on the touring juggernaut like this.

In reality, it's made very easy for us by the folks who've been putting this thing together. Obviously, we're not putting the arena production in. No balls, no lasers, no screens, just the band's gear - the Yahoo! folks are taking care of the rest. It's a simple setting, but it looks very classy.

For me, it's amazing to see how legitimate the idea of "internet music shows" have become. In recent memory, the experience of watching a "webcast" of a gig meant a video window not much larger than a postage stamp that mostly showed the word "buffering". At the gig, there would generally be a couple of guys with laptops and video cameras looking rather nervous, spending an awful lot of the day swearing at the screen and shaking their heads. Today, you wouldn't really know the difference between this and a full TV show. It's really only the live element of proceedings that's missing. In another ten years, when bandwidth finally allows us, I can't imagine any live event won't be shared around the world with whoever is interested. People will be sitting at bus-stops watching arenas full of people having the time of their lives. People will be social networked up around the globe, discussing and enthusing in real time as the set unfolds. People will probably be streaming it from their mobile phones and you'll be able to skip around the room from one fan to another to see who's got the best view. I wish the future would hurry up...

Meanwhile, here and now, the guys are giving Yellow a spanking. I wander out into the crowd for a look. I'm not sure if it's just me, but this song seems to have undergone something of a rebirth on this tour. It sounds very fresh, vibrant and alive. It's always been a crowd pleaser, plainly - but it's got a bouncing, grooving joy about it this time that I don't remember having seen for a very long time. Watching them crank it out in a tiny theatre such as this is doubly resonant, as the time when they were regularly playing venues this size was way back when this song was in its prime...

With the setlist finished, there is a short question and answer session to do. The questions here come from members of the audience. Topics are wide ranging and bring the best out of the fellas. It's often easy to forget that they are actually very funny blokes and today serves as a good reminder. It's been a top day, really. They (whoever they are) say that a change is as good as a rest and today has certainly been a most enjoyable stray off the regular touring treadmill. I'm not sure when this'll 'air' on Yahoo!, but I reckon it's worth a look for all you web-savvy Coldplayers.

Roadie #42

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: In which Roadie #42 is too modest to celebrate reaching Blog #42

Discuss this blog entry here onwards [thanks Pris]

One by one, the band bound onto the stage for soundcheck in Ottawa. I don't use the word bound just because it's easy to type. Ten days of rest has recharged, re-invigorated and positively rebuilt everybody here. Jonny, in particular bounces onto the stage like a boxer entering the ring to claim his title.

He's beaming widely and just as the others, has greetings and bear hugs for the crew sitting on the wings awaiting their arrival. We've been through the chaos of "birthing" the tour, we've been through the painstaking revisions and re-workings. We've had a wonderful, if slightly grueling European run. Now at last, you get the impression that everyone is settled. Problems that at first appeared insurmountable, if not completely solved are at least tamed.

Folks who were once strangers are already feeling like old friends. Of course strange people are what a good crew is all about. Here's a lovely man named Maynard who keeps all the screens, drapes and backdrops rocking from day to day. He's not at all strange, he's lovely. He is however, having something of a bad hair day today after wrangling a bunch of fifty foot drapes.

I remember it dawning on me late on in the X&Y tour that for nearly a year, I had spent more time at the edge of the Coldplay stage than I had on the sofa in my own living room. Now don't get me wrong, there isn't a single person here who would trade this for the opportunity to be at home amongst their family and loved ones. What I'm saying is that it's all beginning to feel comfortable enough to genuinely start enjoying it now.

The first two shows bear this out, as the fellas dive into it at full pelt. I've seen them confident before, I've even seen them have nights of being "completely on fire". I wonder if what I'm seeing here is more aptly described as a band on top of their game? Knowing them as I do, and their complete refusal to settle for resting on their laurels, I expect they will push themselves further. However, right now, it's a consistently outstanding delivery night after night.

With shows pretty much right the way through until Christmas, I'd say that's a good place to be!

The new ‘Oxfam sign-ups on the Coldplay tour 2008 World Record’ holders are Oxfam Canada’s amazing group of volunteers in Ottawa. 2032 is the magic number of Coldplay fans who signed up.

It was an incredible night. What a way to start the new tour. The Coldplay set was awesome too. They nailed it last night, following opening act, a local band called ‘Stars’, with an awesome set. The atmosphere once again, was electric.

Thank you to Victoria Harnett, from Oxfam’s Toronto office, and all of our volunteers last night, for their energy and enthusiasm. They worked tirelessly to give as many fans as possible, the chance to take an action with Oxfam. It was a really inspiring night. 2032 people in the space of a few hours standing up against poverty, and making a noise for Health and Education For All. Amongst them was Ottawa Senators Allstar player, Jason Spezza. One of the volunteers was very pleased about that!

Read the full blog entry at the Oxfam Blog website here

Amazing stuff from the Oxfam campaigners tonight. 1847 signatures collected in just a couple of hours before the Coldplay set. We have a little more time after the set.. so there is a chance, that we could surpass the current ‘world record’ held since Montreal.. (which was 1889).

Just think.. all those fans stopping to think about providing people with good quality Health and Education For All. Then signing their name. For Oxfam to take off to the Canadian government, to show that support. All those people then go off to watch a Coldplay show. Can’t be bad can it..? I can hear the last song going on inside.. I had better get back out there. There are people who need to get some school books. There’s a record to be broken.

Read more blog entries at the Oxfam Blog website here

Time to get back to work. I’m in a cold-looking corridor again. This one skirts around the bottom of the Scotiabank Center. A 13′000 seater hockey stadium, which usually plays host to the Ottawa Senators. Today’s runner, Eric, told me that they are pretty good.

It will be Canada’s last chance to watch Coldplay for a while tonight. Way back in summer, in Toronto, Pemberton and Montreal, the atmosphere was electric. I’m sure that it will be tonight too. The band have had a chance to rest, and i’m sure they will want to come back with a bang.

Everyone seems to be walking around with shorter hair today. No more shaggy-dog looks in the crew. The chance to visit your own barbers is another luxury of visiting home for a day or two. It’s all hands on deck today. Lots to do before we head on to Cleveland tonight. Everyone wants it to go off well. Start on a positive, get us rolling again. 20 Oxfam volunteers are fired up and ready for tonight. Let’s hope it’s a good one.

Read more blog entries at the Oxfam Blog website here

Here’s one I penned earlier (when I didn’t have access to the internet..)

It’s oh so quiet. I just got to the hotel. All I can hear is the slight ringing in my ears (still popping occasionally due to the air pressure changes). Coldplay and Oxfam have landed. I caught the same plane as the band today, back over the pond. We’re back on tour. North America (part 2). Now we find ourselves in Ottawa, Canada. Well, just outside, to be precise.

Silence is a rare thing on tour. You know.. when you can actually hear it. Completely quiet. So breathing sounds noisy. Things rarely shut down and switch off, on the road. For about a week or so, the whole crew did just that. Got some silence in their ears. Coldplay have another 20 shows coming up here. Oxfam will have 20 campaigners at each and every one. The first of this leg, and the last in Canada, is tomorrow night. Oxfam Canada are up first.

Read the full blog entry at the Oxfam Blog website here

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: #42 reports from an end-of-term TV show

Discuss this blog entry here onwards [thanks coldplay12]

Will is laughing like a drain - and it's all because of Chris's socks. I've no idea when this T4 TV special will air, but I won't spoil the interview by telling you what's caused the hilarity. It's nice though, to see the fellas all together on the sofa (albeit one which keeps collapsing at Jonny's end) and all genuinely having a good laugh.

Doubtless, the lightness of mood has a lot to do with how close we all are to the end of this touring leg. Not that it hasn't been a great time - far from it, everyone is agreed that it's been a great run. The fact is though, that after six weeks straight at work, the prospect of ten days at home is pretty much the best treat any of us can imagine. (OK, twenty days at home....). Actually the majority of the touring party went home after the Jools Holland thing, so everyone is halfway into "home-mode" already.

The light-hearted air fits well today, as T4 is more of a "pop" show than last night's Jools recording. The spirit of not taking one's self too seriously tends to help immensely in these cases.

There is no audience and it's not live today, so the pressure is greatly reduced. There has been some controversy though, as apparently there may be trouble with using the Delacroix image from the album cover on commercial television. The band's management have assured everyone that all is well and there are phone calls, emails and all sorts going back and forth. The simple fact that I'm looking at Terry TV (who sits behind the two keyboards) and seeing not the Delacroix, but the VIVA logo gives me the the impression that this won't be resolved. Monseur Delacroix himself declined to comment, but then he has been dead since 1863.

There are five songs to do today. Everyone immediately thinks "great, we can be out of here in an hour". Not so. This is television, so there are three run throughs of each track. One as a "soundcheck" and then two for cameras. Even so, the fellas are keen to get cracking and plough through things as quickly as possible.

Slowly though, perfectionism overtakes impatience and we're into a long afternoon of sweating the details. As the clock creaks slowly onwards towards the evening, what was a quick "last dash" to the end becomes a painfully slow trudge. It's not the TV folks' fault, obviously, it's just that it's like being given double maths on the last day of term.

Then, all of a sudden, we're into the final take of Lovers In Japan. The firing of the butterfly confetti signals the end of the session and I don't think it's ever felt so celebratory.

It's been a great few weeks and I am genuinely looking forward to getting back out to America for more shows. In the meantime however, can you hear that? It's my own bed, calling out to me....

See you in a week or so.

Roadie #42

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: #42 writes from the Later studio

Discuss this blog entry here onwards [thanks coldplay12]

It's all quiet in Studio One at BBC Television Centre. Shortly, they'll be letting the audience in. In the meantime, there's just a few of the TV crew rehearsing camera movements. In an hour or so, we'll start taping a show that'll go out on telly this Friday. This series of Jools Holland is different from those before, in that there is also a show tonight - completely live, at 10pm.

TV studios are strange after arenas. Arenas make everything sound huge, boomy and vast. Even someone tapping a microphone can end up sounding like the coming of the apocalypse when it's coming through a couple hundred thousand watts of PA into a huge concrete and steel echo chamber.

Conversely, not only are television studios acoustically "dead", but for the sake of broadcast audio quality, the volume level is also kept politely low. Add to this, the fact that singers tend to "save their voice" during the afternoon and you end up with rehearsals that come across as shockingly uninspiring. It's a little like looking through binoculars backwards. Rik Simpson is in the house though, helping out with broadcast sound, so you can bet that the experience in living rooms across the land will be nicely spectacular.

I think this is the first time we've been here since we did the gig in the car park. I noticed on that day that they're not really bothered what you write on your pass once you've told them you're on a list. As a result, yesterday, I was Terry Wogan. Today, I have spent the day as the greatest comedian of all time.

Actually, whilst I'm talking about myself, I have to note that the floor is marked every two feet in correspondence with the lighting grid. I swear to god, I looked down at my feet where my rack of gear is situated and what did I see?

Right, the warm-up bloke is on, which means I should be concentrating. Later....

Roadie #42.

Back in the office. Back at Oxfam HQ. Back in the UK. Back home..

Antwerp was the end of the road for the European tour. Coldplay, their Stage trucks, the Beat the Street tour buses, Roadies, Fans, and Oxfam, have all gone their separate ways.. for now. Coldplay closed out the tour with a fantastic show in front of 17,000 euphoric fans, a brand new song called ‘Glass of Water’ (acompanied by ”one of the coolest men in the world from 2 of the coolest bands in the world, The Strokes and Albert Hammond Jr” (CM), Albert Hammond Jr), a victory in the Band v Crew football, and the words “see you again soon”.

Oxfam closed out the tour with an incredible number of signatures for various Oxfam campaigns, another great group of volunteers.. and a few Fairtrade chocolate bars. Oxfam-in-Belgium gave out Fairtrade chocolate to lucky Coldplay fans who met one of our volunteers and got 3 Oxfam logo’s on their scratch card. It was a fun way to give people some information about Oxfam and on the quality of Faritrade products.

Read the full blog entry at the Oxfam Blog website here

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: An afternoon update from #42

Discuss this blog entry here onwards [thanks mimixxx]

So there we have it - Glass Of Water is now out in the wild. The footage on the site came from Andy Bramley, the tour's wonderful video director - the entire XL video department played a blinder, I think you'll agree. I'll spare you the details of the chaos that went into making it happen at our end, but I think it was worth it and now we have the ability to do this, it'd be a shame not to use it again.... ;-)

So today, I'm in London. We are soundchecking at Jools Holland this evening. For those outside the UK, this is a television show which the guys have done several times before. I've always enjoyed doing it, as there are about half a dozen bands on each episode. This means that, as at festivals, you're always going to run into someone you know or get to watch a band or two that you might not otherwise check out.

The fellas are at the Q Awards this afternoon, which means they may be turning up to the soundcheck slightly giddy. Let's hope so, eh?

Right, I'd better get myself down to the BBC. In the meantime, here's a photo of Chris from Antwerp...

Roadie #42.

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: #42 is a busy bee

Discuss this blog entry here onwards [thanks coldplay12]

Friends, it's been a stupidly busy day or two here at 42 Towers. I won't bore you with the details, because frankly, nobody likes a whiner. But whilst the train wreck of several last minute rush-jobs piles up around me, I really don't want to neglect my duty to all of you.

To that end, here's a few photos from the other day that I took of Albert Hammond's band. We'll be saying goodbye to them tomorrow and I have to admit, I can't remember enjoying an opening act more - and lovely guys to boot.

Right, off to Antwerp...

Roadie #42.

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.

Read the full blog entry at the Oxfam Blog website here

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.

Read the full blog entry at the Oxfam Blog website here

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: #42 and the jolly green beer man

Discuss this blog entry here onwards [thanks coldplay12]

The "intro tape" on this run has been a double whammy of Jay-Z followed by the Blue Danube. Quite an odd pairing, I'm sure you'll agree, but it works wonderfully well. Tonight in Rotterdam, keyboard tech Neill Lambert drags me over to stage right as the hip hop track kicks in. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking for until I get there. There is a roadie breakdancing face-off as everyone who lives and works on this side of the stage has gathered in a circle with their baseball caps on backwards. There's some moves being busted here that defy description (certainly in polite company, anyway).

A small slice of the crowd seated up the side have a view and are applauding wildly. Now, given the sheer deliberately dreadful nature of the dancing, I assume that they're clapping because they appreciate the joke. But, as I wander back to stage left as the Blue Danube begins, it dawns on me that it could be that they're cheering because they think that they can see the band warming up to go on with some appalling electric boogaloo. I really, really do hope that's the case - if so, there will forever be a tiny corner of the Netherlands with a permanently twisted image of the band and I like that very much.

Fast forward now to the B-Stage and in his little solo spot Chris goes to start The Hardest Part and decides that he just can't be bothered with that particular song tonight. He ditched it at the last show, in favour of Don't Panic and Reign Of Love. Tonight though, he's taking requests. We get a little of Trouble before he decides he's bored and asks for another. Quite whether someone actually did ask for Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen I'm not sure, but either way, he declines. What we do get is a little of Amsterdam. Given that we're in the Netherlands, it's only right...

The guys have had some pretty amazing guests join them onstage throughout their career. Elton John springs to mind, as do Michael Stipe and Jay-Z. Tonight though, there is a man in a green jumpsuit joining the fellas onstage. He's not exactly a celeb, but he trumps all of the previously mentioned folks in one simple but important way. He has a barrel of beer strapped to his back.

Instead of going to the bar here at the Ahoy, folks can stay inside the arena and grab a beer from any of the passing bar staff who wander through the crowd carrying beer and plastic cups on their back. Talk about civilised! This poor fella has been collared and sent up on stage (I'm looking in Franksy's direction). Guy, Will and Jonny all get a drink bought for them by Chris and then the wandering beer seller waves and leaves before Yellow kicks in.

As the audience file out into the night, I can hear a cheer going up amongst the remaining punters. It's the kind of cheer you hear when the band dive back on for an unexpected encore. It's been far too long since they went off though, so I poke my head up from the bunker to see what's going on. At the back of the arena, four rather drunk fellas have climbed onto the platform where the band performed the acoustic section. They're thirty-three sheets to the wind and staggering about with their arms in the air waving at their adoring fans. This kind of brings us back to where we came in - with part of the crowd cheering for a bunch of people they didn't pay to see.

With that all nicely tied up, I think I'd better head to the bar. It's the first night in a very very long time where the band and crew are all staying in the same hotel. This can only end messily and I intend to be there to see it happen...

Roadie #42

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.

Read the full blog entry at the Oxfam Blog website here

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: #42 is your Italian stallion

Discuss this blog entry here onwards [thanks coldplay12]

As we arrive at the airport in Zurich, ready to head for Bologna, we see that there are some fans gathered at the entrance. Not so unusual, except that they are the very same fans that were waiting outside the hotel when we just left. Not only do they know our movements, but they've done the same journey as us and beaten us here.

It gets even more strange when Trainer Dan (who keeps the fellas in shape) mentions that they were around when he and Guy went out for a run. I'm not even sure if they weren't at the airport when we arrived yesterday. They've collared the guys for photos and signatures several times in one city. It's like some strange inverse micro-touring.

The band are travelling from city to city to play to as many fans as possible and here are a group of fans travelling all over a single city to see the band as many times as possible. They're harmless enough and pleasant, but you have to wonder how exactly they know where everyone's going to be and when - particularly when we generally have little idea from one minute to the next!

The trip to Bologna is quick, but beautiful. Here's a quick view from our morning ride into work:

It's another very boomy arena in Bologna, which once again brings out the RAWK! in soundcheck. Back In Black gets another rollicking run through, which morphs into 136. I'm not sure I've heard that one since they did it in Reykjavik in 2002 with Tim from Ash on guitar. Also this afternoon, comes another run through of Glass of Water. Today sees another rather interesting additional guitar player join the camp for this track. The chorus on this one is pretty monstrous. It seems to fit huge echo-y arenas perfectly. It's rocky and it's joyous and it expresses a band at the top of their game very well I think.

Italy can occasionally be somewhat challenging for roadies. Things here are, hmmm, how does one put this? "More relaxed", I guess is the best phrase to use. Vital things such as the huge electrical supplies that power the entire show can be rather cheerfully vague and efforts to correct major issues can be met with an even more vague shrug. The thing that overrides all of this though and makes it worthwhile is the Italian crowds. They are unfailingly wonderful.

I'm under the stage having a tidy up when the doors open to the punters in Bologna. This lot are already singing the Viva tune as they stream onto the floor. An Italian fansite has also organised the bringing of balloons, which they're bouncing and batting about the place long before the band take the stage. If they're this noisy and excitable at an empty stage, the gig can only be a good 'un.

And indeed it is. I can't remember a louder crowd this whole tour. It's a great point in the tour to get a crowd like this. The set has settled to the point where the band can actually start really relaxing and enjoying it, as well as being aware of what's going on around them. We're also about five weeks into a run of shows and frankly, everyone is knackered. A vibe like tonight lifts everyone like a very, loud cheering and screaming shot in the arm. The balloons make an appearance on the B Stage, as one makes its way up. Chris announces that he will perform "the next song as a fat man. This is what Coldplay will look like in thirty years' time" The balloon goes up the shirt and true to his word, the song is delivered in a most overweight fashion.

As well as balloons, there are gold paper crowns, presumably in tribute to Anton Corbijn's Viva La Vida video. Chris picks one up in the midst of the song and it soon ends up perched on Guy's head. Rather suits him, actually.

This brings us to Milan. Glass of Water gets another airing, again with mystery extra band member. The crowd arrive with even more balloons and even more gold paper crowns. They're also just as loud as last night. It's a top, top show which brings us towards the end of what has been an utterly fantastic touring leg. There's a whole bunch of touring to go before this campaign is over, but if it's all as good as this past month or so has been, we're all going to go home for Christmas very happy.

Roadie #42

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.

Read the full blog entry at the Oxfam Blog website here

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: #42 is on a Swiss roll

Discuss this blog entry here onwards [thanks mimixxx]

Today marks the first day of the tour where I genuinely don't know where we are. We get into the van at the airport and I catch myself asking what country we're in before I realise how utterly rubbish that sounds. Turns out we're in Switzerland. Zurich, to be precise. The first time I ever visited Zurich it was snowing, I was hungover and it was my mum's birthday. For some reason, I've thought of Zurich the same way ever since. Today however, it's clear and bright, I haven't had a drink in days and my mum is the same age she was yesterday.

It's another day with no soundcheck. Chris, though, has an idea bubbling away and wants a piano in the dressing room. We still haven't really got a "warm up room rig" together yet, so the easiest way to give him a piano to play without disappearing into a tangle of cables, laptops, speakers and "but this SHOULD be working" is to drag one of the uprights off stage. Previously, we would always have used the "spare" piano, but this is down on the B-Stage now. The punters are already in the venue when the request comes. This means we're performing a somewhat comedic double act of trying to discreetly move the piano off the B-Stage in front of all the punters who've grabbed a spot on the barrier. With no room whatsoever to manoeuvre, Neil ends up walking backwards down the wheelboard carrying his end of the piano. I can't help humming the Laurel and Hardy tune as I realise our cover as professional technicians is well and truly blown...

Being as we're all hidden under the stage during the show, we've had to find different ways of doing simple things. Getting messages from the band is easy when they are close enough to shout, but in order to make things work now, Will has a mic next to his drumkit that only goes to the ears of myself and his tech Bash. Proof that this is a more civilised approach than having the band yelling and gesticulating at roadies who have to try and work out what on earth the problem is, comes at the end of In My Place. Over the earphones comes the voice of Mr. Champion: "Bash, do we have any other towels? This one's a bit like trying to dry your face on a dog..." I'd have liked to have seen him trying to get that one across using only facial expressions and gestures.

They do the most bizarre thing in Switzerland. (Although I admit, I'm the one talking about drying your face on a dog...) I've seen it a few times at gigs, but mainly, I've seen it on TV coverage of ski events. Basically, everyone in the crowd stretches their arms out and waggles their fingers whilst making a "wooooooo" sound. I'm in the pit (the gap between the stage and the crowd - it may be time for a roadie glossary...) just before Yellow and suddenly behind me the whole venue is doing it instead of clapping or chanting for an encore. It's amazing. A photo cannot possibly do it justice, but here we are anyway.

Roadie #42

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.

Read the full blog entry at the Oxfam Blog website here

Will Champion writes from between Bologna and Milan

There are a few fans we know by name. Plenty we know by sight. The loyalty and dedication of our fans always astounds me. There are faces that I have seen in the front row in three different continents.

When we play anywhere in Italy, I know I'll see Francesco, front row, dead centre. A friendly face in a foreign city. Sure enough he was there in his usual place in Bologna tonight. We are very lucky to have such incredible fans; all throughout this European tour we have been stunned by the reaction we have been getting and for that we are truly grateful.

For the first time I am actually going to be sad when a tour ends. Normally I'm anxious to get on with the next thing, but this tour has been the most enjoyable to date; we've played in cities we've never been to before (like Prague and Budapest), we've had great concerts in cities where we've previously had disastrous ones (like Paris) and we've left every city with a feeling of great satisfaction.

I am writing this on the plane to Milan, where we will play tomorrow night. Barring an act of god, I know that I will see a friendly face, front row, dead centre.

Will X

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.

Read other blog entries at the Oxfam Blog website here

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?”

Read the full blog entry at the Oxfam Blog website here

Check out coldplay.com for a new blog entry: #42 and the Munchen bunchen

Discuss this blog entry here onwards [thanks Jenjie]

We arrive in Munich not entirely sure what we'll find. The crew have had a day off here in the midst of "Oktoberfest". Now I couldn't tell you exactly what Oktoberfest is, or indeed why it begins at the end of September. What I do know, though, is that it is all about the drinking. Somewhat predictably, much of the crew are looking rather tired today. I expect the fact that the band have chosen not to soundcheck has been greeted with much relief.

Here's Chris in the acoustic section raising a glass in the spirit of Oktoberfest.

The acoustic section of the show is undoubtedly a highlight for the crowd. I have to admit, though, I enjoy it for completely different reasons. Admittedly, for a few folks (for example Hoppy, who has to sprint up there to get everything ready in the darkness during Lost!), it's a very busy time. But for most of the rest of us, it's a glorious space in the set where we can get onstage to tidy up, perhaps get a few things that are finished with packed away, or even nip to the Gents if required. It's become like a Roadie intermission in the middle of the gig. I wonder if we can get someone to come round with a refreshments trolley...?

Elsewhere, I managed to get out during Lovers In Japan tonight for a quick look at Brook's butterfly confetti. Here's a few punters having a close encounter.

Roadie #42