Pete's Oxfam Blog - the Winter UK tour leg

[busybeeburns]

A foggy day back in the U.K.

On a train to Sheffield, England. The accents have changed. The scenery (or what I can see of it), is very different. There’s coffee fumes in the air from the buffet car. Bleary-eyed Saturday shoppers are shuffling along in the carriages, for a boost of morning brew (with chocolate sprinkles).

Autumn looks like it’s been and gone. Trees stripped bare of leaves. Frost on the wiry grass. Thick.. Thick, fog. To be honest, I can’t see a lot at all. Aside from the occasional rooftop, lonely-looking horse, or another patchwork field. It’s all quite poetic.

To think that it was the start of the summer days, when Coldplay took the stage for their live return in Brixton, London, back in June. When ‘Viva La Vida’ crashed into the charts worldwide, and the band began to take the world by storm. I remember back in April, when I got my new job. Preparing for the tour, back in Oxfam House. Designing t-shirts and collecting boxes of materials. The buzz of waiting for the tour to begin. Over 60 shows later, and I feel like a seasoned veteran. OK, so not quite like some of the guys on this tour.. But at least I’m not quite so fresh-faced as I used to be. It’s been quite an adventure that’s brought us back (almost), to where we started.. Albeit, just a few hours up the M1. Two tours of North America and one whistle-stop trip around Europe later, and we are back ‘home’. Home for the band and about half of the crew at least. I’ve been looking forward to seeing how the show goes down here. Seeing some familiar faces, working with Oxfam GB, changing my dollars into pounds, and buying some of the snacks that haven’t been discovered yet, across those ponds.

Las Vegas to Boston, Strasbourg to Antwerp, Ottawa to Salt Lake City. With Budapest, Paris, Munich, Stockholm, Barcelona, New York, Chicago, Houston, Milan.. And many more in between. It’s been a long journey so far. Lots of miles. Lots of sold out Coldplay shows. Thousands of fans joining Oxfam along the way, and nowhere near enough sleep. Here I am, on a train to Sheffield, to start the last 3 or so weeks of the ‘Viva La Vida’ / Oxfam tour, 2008.

Tonight the focus will turn back to asking people to show their support for Health and Education FOR ALL (http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/health_and_education/index.html). I have spoken about it before in this blog. Just simple things. Things, even that many people take for granted. But the same things that, without which, can deepen poverty, risk lives, limit opportunities and remove freedoms. With your support, Oxfam is asking for everyone to have clean water. Bars of soap. The chance to learn to read. For life-saving immunisations. Access to a doctor, locally. If you live in Sheffield. There are hospitals. Schools with teachers and train stations with running taps. Not everyone in the world, has this chance. It doesn’t seem much to ask. I hope that a few thousand more Coldplay fans will agree with that tonight, and pledge their support, for everyone to be given the same chance. Those record breakers in Ottawa, back in October, were campaigning for exactly the same thing. Why don’t you click here now, to join the campaign (http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/actions/health_edu.html)?

Just went through Derby. Almost there. It’s busy. More emptying coffee cups have joined the train. I still can’t see much out of the window, but it’s good to be home.

It’s foggy, and I’m proud.

Pete

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=111

[Mimixxx]

Awww "It's foggy and I'm proud" :D

[Jenjie]

[SIZE="4"]
Tonight the focus will turn back to asking people to show their support for Health and Education FOR ALL (http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/health_and_education/index.html). I have spoken about it before in this blog. Just simple things. Things, even that many people take for granted. But the same things that, without which, can deepen poverty, risk lives, limit opportunities and remove freedoms. With your support, Oxfam is asking for everyone to have clean water. Bars of soap. The chance to learn to read. For life-saving immunisations. Access to a doctor, locally. If you live in Sheffield. There are hospitals. Schools with teachers and train stations with running taps. Not everyone in the world, has this chance. It doesn’t seem much to ask.

I wish the local brats who spend their day skiving off school & being a pain in the butt would realise that being able to go to school is a privilege, and that they're actually extremely lucky to have the opportunity.

[Carlaatje]

awww Pete's HOME! :nice:

[Jenjie]

Sweeping up the butterflies

never get to see the end of the show from there. I’m usually upstairs, but just now, I watched as the band bowed, left the stage, bolted for the door, and the Oxfam sphere lit up, illuminating the clearing seats, so that the masses can find their way home, and find their way to take action with Oxfam.. It’s already emptied out in there, the contents of the arena, heading out into the misty Yorkshire night. The stage is already cleared, and being torn apart. Rick marches down the catwalk, blowing away the butterfly confetti, with a leaf-clearer fit for any enthusiastic gardener. Every trace of tonight’s show will soon be gone. Band, crew, trucks, cases, stage, amps, lights, Oxfam tables, butterflies, empty beer mugs and tomato ketchup pouches.

It was just a small team of Oxfamers tonight. 9 of them from the Leeds Outreach group. Between them, they got an awesome 623 pledges for Health and Education For All. That’s awesome stuff. Just think what we can do with the 60 volunteers in Birmingham over 3 nights of Coldplay shows..!

This is why the pledge is important.

For millions of people, classrooms with teachers, clinics with nurses, affordable medicines, running taps, and working toilets - are not something to be taken for granted, or taken at all. There is no reason why this should be the case. Vital public services - health, education, water and sanitation - can transform people’s lives. That is why, Oxfam is asking you to join the ‘6 Million More‘ pledge. We want 6 million of you to join us and demand health and eduation for all.

The world needs free public health care and education. The world needs six million more trained teachers and health workers. And to make this happen, the world needs you. Tonight we took a small step closer to the 6 Million marker, to put pressure on governments around the world. We’re not done yet though.

That’s Sheffield done. Now on to Birmingham..

p.s. The crowd was treated to a rare outing of ‘Trouble’ tonight, with Chris Martin at the piano. It’s a while since we have heard that one.

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=112

[crazyduckette]

I saw this nice young man this evening :nice:

[Jenjie]

yay :D

[busybeeburns]

I walked across to the arena today, watching Christmas lights being strung up around trees. It’s the first day of a freezing cold December, in England. You know, when you go outside in the cold and then get back indoors, try to speak to someone, and your mouth doesn’t work properly.. like your cheeks are freezing up. When you stand talking to a friend, and your breath in the air makes you look like two boiling kettles. That’s the kind of day it is out there. Inside, everyone is wearing wolly hats, beanies and big coats. It’s a few degrees warmer than out there, but still pretty chilly.

The Birmingham NIA stands proudly overlooking the canals and down across England’s second largest city. Posters line the walls, advertising all sorts of big shows to come.. Coldplay own the stage here for the next 3 nights though, and will play in front of over 32′000 people before we even get the Thursday. I’m sure those fans will go home happy and looking forward to the huge stadium shows next year.

Oxfam is here. Every show. Every step of the way. Giving people the chance to take small actions that save lives. 20 volunteers will be spread around the arena, looking for all those people who want to join the other thousands of great Coldplay fans, who have already signed the pledge for Health and Education For All (http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/actions/health_edu.html). It’s World Aids day today, there is no time more relevant, to do what you can, to reduce poverty.

Coldplay will be on their way to Birmingham, right now. Thank you, as always to them, for inviting Oxfam to be here waiting for them, just like the thousands of fans who will flood though these doors this evening.

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=113

[busybeeburns]

If my memory serves me correctly.. It’s been 22 shows since the last time I was able to say this. We have a new world record sign-up number for the Viva La Vida tour 2008! Oxfam has had an amazing night so far at the 1st Coldplay show, here at the Birmingham NIA.

An incredible 2050 amazing Coldplay fans, signed to pledge their support for Health and Education For All. That’s almost a fifth of the audience! Thank you to our amazing 20 volunteers, organised by Kay, our star regional coordinator.

My condolences to the Ottawa volunteers, who held the record for over 6 weeks. I am sure that you will be able to see the positive side though.. thousands more people calling on their governments to act and continue supporting education, healthcare, sanitation and water improvement programmes for the worlds poorest people.

What a great feeling. For those of you who remember Chris Akabusi on ‘Record Breakers’, “Dedication’s what you need”.

The guitars and drums just slammed into ‘Politik’. The night is almost over. Great work everyone.

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=114

[CookyMnstr]

An incredible 2050 amazing Coldplay fans, signed to pledge their support for Health and Education For All. That’s almost a fifth of the audience

Wow, that's awesome!!! YEAY:smiley:

[busybeeburns]

Three nights in Birmingham, 4 UK Coldplay shows in 5 days. 7177 people have already joined Oxfam GB and made the Health and Education FOR ALL pledge (http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/actions/health_edu.html). Thank you to all those amazing Coldplay fans for adding their small action to a global movement. Thank you to our 69 awesome Oxfam volunteers so far, who have given up their evening’s to spread the word, talk to fans, and make all those little actions, add up to an incredible 7177!

The first day in Birmingham, the sign-up record tumbled. The second day in Birmingham, that record tumbled again.. In fact. It was smashed, by over 400! A massive, and inspiring 2448 people made the pledge in just under 3 hours. That’s more than 1 in 5 Coldplay fans walking through the door! Special mention must go out to our new record holders.. the 20 Oxfam volunteers from Birmingham NIA, December 2nd, 2008.

The third night at the NIA. The record was under threat again. 2056 was the final count. The second highest number on the tour so far. What an amazing 3 nights for Oxfam. That sort of number really can help to increase the pressure on governments to act. To keep their promises. To provide accessible, and affordable access to good quality healthcare and education, for ALL people, around the world. Birmingham now takes the record overall sign-up number. Every person counts. One person really can make a big difference. In the freezing cold of a British winter, Coldplay have hit the road to play some shows, and their fans are helping to change the world as they go.

Thrown into those 3 days in Birmingham, was another round of the Band v Crew football. This time, the venue was Birmingham City F.C’s training ground. The teams entered the venue, under the curious, watchful eye of a few faithful supporters waiting at the gates, and a handful of Birmingham’s best youth, who hope one day to break into this team, on the brink of the Premier league.

I felt far from a pro, walking in my grubby trainers, a crew rain jacket and my running shorts. It all felt a bit strange. A group of tired and not-quite-match-fit roadies entered the indoor training pitch, followed by the whispers of “and it was all Yellow” sung quite beautifully by one of those youth team boys. The band followed, full kit ready and with revenge in their eyes, following their first defeat in California. Warm-ups began under the watchful eye of Kevin Phillips, star striker for Birmingham’s first team. I felt a bit nervous.

I warmed up in crew shirt. Listened to the team talk and tactics, in crew shirt.. then.. was switched to the band team. They were a man short. Oxfam. There every step of the way.

It was a frenzy of action in the first half. Both teams, holding their own, but the Band team went into half-time with a slender 1-0 lead. The second half started with a goal from Will Champion and a strengthening grip on the game, for the band. By now, the youth team observers had lost interest. 20 minutes later though, their was a new fan on the sidelines. Alex McLeish, Birmingham’s manager and former Scotland international, had arrived. He agreed to join the action in the number 9 shirt for the band. I switched to the crew team. Oxfam. Always helping out in a crisis. The clock ran down with the score remaining 2-0. I was quietly pleased to have been on the winning side for most of the game, until being subbed to the opposition, but then holding out in defence against a number 9 who has 77 caps for Scotland and played in 3 World Cups!

A day to remember. That was even before the Oxfam crew arrived to collect another 2056 pledges for Health and Education For All. I’m back in Oxford now. Handing over the petition sheets to the Campaigns team at Oxfam HQ. The tour bus leaves for Glasgow in 5 hours. Oxfam will be on it, and if you have a ticket for the Coldplay show, we hope to see you there..

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=122

[crazyduckette]

:dance:
I saw some of these football players leaving and wondered why they were there?! haha

Great reviews from Pete as usual :nice:

[Texasluvsjonny]

Kevin Phillips did nothing but talk shit about Southampton after he left. I hope Will told him to fuck off! :angry:

[Pris]

.....I warmed up in crew shirt. Listened to the team talk and tactics, in crew shirt.. then.. was switched to the band team. They were a man short. Oxfam. There every step of the way......
.....He agreed to join the action in the number 9 shirt for the band. I switched to the crew team. Oxfam. Always helping out in a crisis......

:lol:

[busybeeburns]

Kevin Phillips did nothing but talk shit about Southampton after he left. I hope Will told him to fuck off! :angry:I wouldn't worry about that, he's probably done the same to Watford, Aston Villa, West Brom and Sunderland

[Jenjie]

I wouldn't worry about that, he's probably done the same to Watford, Aston Villa, West Brom and Sunderland

gets aorund at doesn't he? :shocked2:

[busybeeburns]

After an overnight drive up to Glasgow, we are here at the SECC. There’s frost on the trees and that kind of cold clear blue in the air. The Oxfam case is out in the ‘cold-zone’ as Fin described it earlier. That is right behind the stage. It’ll be good when that crowd show up later on and warm the place up a bit! Just a little short blog.. to say.. “brrr”.

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=124

[busybeeburns]

Actually. I’m not sure they were wooden. That’s probably classed as a fire hazard. There was plenty of stomping on metal bars though. Fantastic atmosphere tonight. The Scots came out to party in Glasgow’s SECC. Coldplay were the life and soul. Soon enough the whole room was all, sort of.. yellow.

Tonight’s surprise was a bunch of yellow balloons, which the band kicked out onto the crowd at the beginning of that song. It was a great sight. I’m always facinated to watch people’s reaction when something like this happens. Some people completely stop watching the show, and concentrate every part of their body, on trying to touch one of those balloons. Then there are others, who don’t seem too fussed, and keep getting hit on the head by them, as they drift down. I saw one boy leaving the venue proudly clinging to his balloon. I guess it will proudly sit in his room, as a reminder, until it wrinkles and shrinks to little more than a yellow shower cap.

It went off in there tonight. The chanting and singing started with the first verse of ‘Violet Hill’, and went on well after the band had left the stage. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about returning to the same venue next Tuesday.. but i’m actually quite looking forward to it now. It was like the crowd had carried on singing after the Saturday football had finished earlier. I was happy to join them, because my team even won today!

Our brilliant 12 Oxfam volunteers set a new record again tonight. The Scottish record! It may be the first show in Scotland, but it still counts.. 805 more people have made the Health and Education For All (http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/actions/health_edu.html) pledge. Great stuff. Well done to all of them. Thank you for giving Oxfam your time, and for coming along to join in with the stomping too. The volume really went up, when the band started clapping at the beginning of ‘Strawberry Swing’. Imagine if every one of the people at the show, put on an Oxjam gig (http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/fundraise/oxjam/index.php) to raise money for Oxfam, by making some noise. It could be something pretty noisy.. erm.. I mean.. special.

We’re off to Liverpool tonight. Seems like a while since we have played two cities back to back. Through the window of this little office behind the stage, I can see the Stage Trucks reversing in, to be loaded full of cases. I’d better go and check that the Oxfam case makes it’s way on there. Pete

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=125

[busybeeburns]

I’m sitting on a road case, which says C O L D P L A Y, in spray paint across the top. On my right, is a label which says ‘Coldplay. Viva. Viva La Vida 2008/2009. Location: Warm-up room. Truck: Backline. Contents: Piano.’ It’s the ‘Dressy Piano’ case, ready for the band to warm-up for another show on their world tour tonight. Today, we have made it to Liverpool’s Echo Arena. It sits proudly overlooking the Docks, and this famous city of music. It’s also European Capital of Culture this year. A week today, the hosts of the venue will be Sue Barker and Gary Lineker for the annual BBC Sports Personality awards ceremony. Tonight, the hosts will be Will, Jonny, Chris and Guy. Greeting people as they enter the venue, will be another 20 amazing Oxfam volunteers, full of energy and ideas for people, to get involved with Oxfam’s work around the world.

Reflecting on last night. It was a great 2008 debut in Scotland for the band. The long wait for those fans seemed to have paid off. It was a cracking atmosphere. I’m hoping for more of the same tonight. There is always the chance of another group of record breakers..

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=126

[Jenjie]

1 in 4 at the Echo.

The capacity of the Liverpool Echo Arena is 8000 tonight. 2044 of them made the Health and Education For All pledge, in just under 3 hours, thanks to our incredible Oxfam campaigners. For many of them, it was their first time volunteering with Oxfam. That’s a pretty good first time campaigning, by any account.. 1 in 4 signed up. Wow.

Chris Martin is currently singing ‘The Hardest Part’. The volunteers effort tonight has certainly ensured that Liverpool is not the hardest part of this tour for me. I think it’s great when so many people join in. That’s like the whole floor area of the arena standing up at once, in unison, against poverty. All those people believing that governments should do more to provide people with their basic rights to good quality healthcare and education. Imagine if you just took away all the running taps, plasters, first aid workers, and hygienic cooking areas in this venue. The show probably wouldn’t happen. If nobody had access to an education, there might not even be anyone working here. But they are. Why couldn’t the same thing happen anywhere? Good quality and affordable healthcare and education are some of the things many countries’ prosperity is built on. It’s not a new idea. Oxfam believes it’s about time everyone had the same chance.

2044 people can make a lot of noise if they want to. When joined by all the tens of thousands of others, who have signed up with Oxfam on this ‘Viva’ Coldplay tour, in 2008, the noise is loud and clear. Change is possible. One person can make a big difference.

Just look at those 4 people on stage singing the last chorus of ‘Viva La Vida’. They wrote a song. Now people are singing it even when they have stopped. That’s quite a powerful thing. When people join together on a cause they can be even more powerful. That’s what governments need. They need to know that people care and want to help change the world.

Who knows.. All those people screaming for an encore in there could be the tipping point.

I can hear the volume has dipped inside. ‘Green Eyes’ is now being sung out in the arena. I still can’t quite get over 1 in 4. Incredible stuff. We only had 20 volunteers.. Imagine if we’d had 80!

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=127

[marianatsl]

Pete kindly gave his setlist to me!!! :nice:
and probably think me and Mimi are maniacs... her for being in Florida and Liverpool last night and me, the wacky Brazilian girl that went to Sheffield, B'ham and Liverpool!! :laugh4:

[busybeeburns]

I’m sitting in the same little room as I was a few days ago, writing another blog, about another Coldplay show. We have had some adventures on this tour, playing 3 different countries in 3 days.. it’s not quite the same adventure when you return to the same city, but it was another great show in Glasgow. Oxfam’s brilliant bunch of volunteers, between them, got 1526 Health and Education For All pledges, to add to the thousands of others on the Coldplay tour.

Another noisy crowd greeted the band tonight. Needing little encouragement to sing every word and clap to the beats (even if they weren’t always in time with the band). Chris Martin had to tell everyone to stop clapping at the start of ‘The Hardest Part’ (which he dedicated to his haircut), as he couldn’t figure out the timing. He got it in the end, and the clapping continued anyway.

1 in 5 people at the show tonight, made the pledge. They took a few moments to chat to one of our campaigners and put their name down. To support more children having the chance to go to school. To take action to put pressure on governments to provide affordable healthcare for all.

After they were finished doing that, they went to watch the Coldplay show. Stamped their feet, clapped their hands, chanted chords and sung words. It’s a great crowd here, and I won’t forget it in a hurry. I’m sure the band won’t either. We head South tonight. Back to England. Next stop Manchester. Two nights. Two shows. 40 Oxfam volunteers ready and waiting. Plus, another 28′000 or so Coldplay fans..

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=128

[busybeeburns]

Half of them was anyway. The security here really stand out, in their bright yellow blazers. It was an odd sight when they all took their positions just before the doors. All these organised yellow dots, covering the arena entrances. The biggest line of yellow, being by the stage barriers. The dots of yellow were far less organised a few hours later. As balloons were thrown in to the crowd by the roadies at the mix desk, by the stage and up in the rafters. Yellow bopped and popped all around the place. Most of them, seemed to gravitate towards the stage. By the end of the song, Chris Martin was beating them away with his guitar, surrounded by inflatables.

It all looks like chaos when that happens. But it’s very well organised really. The balloon-inflating session has become a regular fixture of the schedule for a few of the roadies in the afternoon. I came down to get some t-shirts from the Oxfam case earlier, only to find it covered in yellow balloons!

Not discouraged though, I battled through the balloons, got my volunteers t-shirts, dished them out, and they went out there talking to the fans. Another incredible night for Oxfam and the petition here. 1970 more people made the pledge for Health and Education For All. Those governments will have to take note of the number of people signing up just on this tour, let alone, around the world.

The band are in full flow at the moment. ‘Lost!’ is beating through the Manchester Evening News arena. It’s a massive place. 14′000 people here tonight. That means 1 in 7 of that huge number, signed Oxfam’s petition. That’s awesome. The last time I was here, I came to see the Foo Fighters on my 18th birthday. That was a brilliant day. Today has been too. I like this place.

I wonder if Peter Kay will be at one of the shows. He used to work in one of those yellow blazers and returned for his own stand-up show here. I talked to one of the blazer people here earlier, who said she was here when he started. He’s a very funny man.

The band just finished ‘Green Eyes’ up amongst the crowd, so I should get on with it and get back upstairs. I just want to add one more thing. I hear that Manchester is the home of Coldplaying.com. I also saw the names of Ian and Jenny Betley on our petition earlier. Thank you Coldplaying people! :dance:

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=129

[Mimixxx]

Yay for the Coldplaying/Ian/Jen shout out :nice:

[melanieau]

YAY! :dance:

[busybeeburns]

I confessed to Pete that I had signed it by Ian twice :embarassed:

I do have two email and postal addresses though :D

[busybeeburns]

We made it. And it was great! The band finally made it back to the start.. (well close enough, just a few tube stops away from Brixton). It was the first of three sold-out shows at the O2 Arena in London. This morning, I stepped off the Jubilee Line, at Greenwich North Station, looked up, and saw huge cranes sticking out of a big, white, dome-shaped tent. It was the sight of the Millenium dome. I had only ever seen it on TV, or from a distance on my way around London.. but today, the big show was inside this thing. The first thing Oxfam’s rep did, was get completely lost by going in the ’staff entrance’, going up some stairs and finding myself in a restaurant warehouse, going through a door, past some bemused bar staff polishing glasses, down some steps, and finding myself by the main entrance.. Lot’s easier. I set up the Oxfam tables and got ready to meet the volunteers. Another great group tonight. Full of energy. Keen to get started.. Another massive crowd tonight. Waiting to applaud the band’s homecoming.

It’s been a long way around to get to where we are. Show # 73 was on the day sheet. Crikey. Oxfam has had an amazing time on the tour so far. Almost 70′000 people have taken action with us, or signed up. Incredible stuff.

You could see it on their faces up there on stage. Coldplay were happy to be home. Happy to play those songs, and say to a London crowd. “Hi, we’re called Coldplay, and we’re from London, England”. They were also joined on stage by Simon Pegg. Star of ’Spaced’. Hollywood star.. 5th band member of Coldplay (for one night only), and extraordinarily talented harmonica player. It was a great moment to see him up there, revoluntionary jacket an’ all.. on the C Stage.

The blog-off is on. Roadie #42 just pulled up a chair in Production, to ‘drop a quick blog’. It’s that post-non-load-out-show, quiet part of the day. Quiet descends as thousands of people leave and amps are turned off, leaving the background noise of tapping keyboards, the odd bleeping radio and humming radiators. The video director just walked in and told Roadie #42 that he had met some huge fans of his blog today.. I think I just lost the blog-off..

*At this point of the blog.. my laptop battery died (and I had left the charger in the hotel), so I’ll now pick up where I left off about 15 hours ago.

I’m back in production on the second show-day at the O2. Reflecting on last night, the faces that I saw wandering through the backstage halls, and most importantly, Oxfam’s awesome volunteers. More than 1000 more Coldplay fans pledged their support for Health and Education For All. Just a couple of hours until there will be 20 more volunteers waiting to sign-up the masses, and watch the show.

Just looking back over my shoulder at the Manchester shows. It was two great nights there. I thought I should also mention that the band once again took on the ‘mighty’ crew in football.. It was a similar outcome to what’s gone before, but a well contested game, all the same. I think the crew could hold their heads high afterwards. I met Jonny’s Dad yesterday and told him his son is a very talented footballer.. Better get ready for tonight’s show. There are a lot of people descending on Greenwich tonight. And they are not coming to see where time began..

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=130

[chuck kottke]

Three Cheers for Greenwich Mean Time, Oxfam, & Coldplay!! YAY!!:):):)

[Carlaatje]

The blog-off is on. Roadie #42 just pulled up a chair in Production, to ‘drop a quick blog’. It’s that post-non-load-out-show, quiet part of the day. Quiet descends as thousands of people leave and amps are turned off, leaving the background noise of tapping keyboards, the odd bleeping radio and humming radiators. The video director just walked in and told Roadie #42 that he had met some huge fans of his blog today.. I think I just lost the blog-off..

could he be talking about Chavi and Camille ?!?!?!?! :D camille made another sign

[Carlaatje]

Lots of people at the O2.
December 15th, 2008 / No Comments » / by plusby

Just counting the pledges at the Oxfam tables by section 110 at London’s O2 Arena. The Oxfam volunteers have handed in their sheets, and gone in to take their seats. ‘Speed of Sound’ is ringing through the doors, each time someone swings it open, to run to the toilet, or grab some fish n’ chips.

The total so far tonight is 1188. All those names, showing their support, can make a real difference to people’s lives. One person can make a big difference. 1188 can make a huge difference. Imagine what 6 million could do.. Oxfam is asking 6 million people to make the Health and Education For All pledge, to represent the 6 million more well trained and accessible doctors, nurses and teachers that are needed. If Oxfam can put that sort of pressure on world leaders, they can’t ignore it.. especially if over 40′000 of them are noisy Coldplay fans!

I just popped my head through the door, to watch the noisyness, as the huge yellow balloons were released into the audience during ‘Yellow’. They are all now happily bobbing around off heads and raised arms.

Just came back and set up for tomorrow, and Coldplay are not even on for the encore yet. Now there’s efficiency and planning.. The masses are streaming out now, to cram waiting tube trains, buses and Thames clippers full of happy punters. It’s amazing how popular this band are. I always forget how many people are in these arenas, until they all leave at once, after Coldplay have left the stage. Thank you to the 1188 of them, who took the time to talk to an Oxfam campaigner and get involved with the campaign. Maybe some of those 1188 will be back as campaigners themselves someday, getting in free to the show, on the invitation of the band. Thanks also to our 17 great volunteers from today!

I’m off to bed as soon as I get to the hotel. It’s been another long day. I just realised that almost everyone has left the building.. or is relaxing in the bar. I’ll see you tomorrow. Pete

[Texasluvsjonny]

I met Jonny’s Dad yesterday and told him his son is a very talented footballer:D Did you tell him he's:P also a rather brill guitarist and a sexy beast!

[Chavi]

The blog-off is on. Roadie #42 just pulled up a chair in Production, to ‘drop a quick blog’. It’s that post-non-load-out-show, quiet part of the day. Quiet descends as thousands of people leave and amps are turned off, leaving the background noise of tapping keyboards, the odd bleeping radio and humming radiators. The video director just walked in and told Roadie #42 that he had met some huge fans of his blog today.. I think I just lost the blog-off..

could he be talking about Chavi and Camille ?!?!?!?! :D camille made another sign

:wideeyed: :wideeyed: :dance: :dance:

no mention of me ?! Boo Pete !!

:P

[Chavi]

why do people always have to come and interrupt our conversations........ not cool :angry:

[Chavi]

The Coldplay tour, along with it’s Oxfam rep, has now travelled to Belfast City, and I have not even talked about the last show in London yet.. so, just to recap, here’s a note from London.. 1200 people made the Health and Education For All pledge tonight. That’s almost 4000 for the London shows, great stuff. The UK tour has seen an incredible number of people giving their support on this Oxfam campaign. It also saw Simon Pegg, join Coldplay on-stage for some memorable harmonica moments..

The third London show was the final concert in England & Scotland for 2008. Oxfam GB was there, with a group of volunteers at every show. A massive 18′350 Coldplay fans made the Health and Education For All pledge over the 12 shows! That’s the equivalent of a capacity crowd at the Birmingham NIA, plus the Liverpool Echo Arena, and all of their staff and security, standing up at once, and pledging their support. A truly incredible level of support, to add to the global movement of people speaking up about Health and Education For All.
A massive thank you to every Oxfam volunteer, who helped Oxfam to get an average of 1544 pledges per night! That’s more than 1 in 7 of all the people who went to see Coldplay on their UK tour.. and I know for a fact, there were a few who wen’t twice (you know who you are). It’s an awesome response. Coldplay have invited Oxfam on their tour, so that our volunteers can talk to their fans about current campaigns and Oxfam’s amazing work around the world. Each day, Oxfam’s coordinator arrives at the venue, with the rest of the 50 strong crew and set’s up for the show. That’s usually just a couple of tables, banners, t-shirts, petition sheets, leaflets and a few badges. From this small presence, Oxfam has seen a huge whirlwind of support. Thousands of people taking small actions together. That adds up to a lot of pressure on world leaders.
Oxfam has been at 72 of the 76 Coldplay shows, so far this year. Overall, a huge 73′186 Coldplay fans have stopped and signed up. Either signing to directly support Oxfam campaign work on Health and Education For All, Fair Trade, Agricultural policy in Germany, or to join an online active community of supporters spreading across USA. That number of people could almost fill Manchester United’s famous Old Trafford football stadium.. which is a lot of people.
It’s been an incredible journey that’s brought us here to Belfast, for tonight’s show, at the Odyssey Arena. Another 8000 Coldplay fans, will get their chance to see possibly this years most successful band. They will be joined by 20 volunteers from Oxfam Ireland. Before a chord has been struck by Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman, or a mic lifted by Chris Martin, or a drumstick picked up in anger by Will Champion.. Oxfam will have been working tirelessly to give people the chance to get involved in helping to overcome poverty. 4 more shows to go. 33′000 more fans. Let’s see if we can hit 80′000 sign-ups overall!

------

:D :D :D :D :D :D

edit : oops three posts in a row .. :P

[Carlaatje]

post whore :P

he has mentioned you twice... maybe 3 times now... you stalker :P

[CookyMnstr]

i think i'm jealous:P

[Chavi]

I aint a stalker ! we just happened to be at the same concerts on the same days :D

[Carlaatje]

just like we just happened to walk by when pete was walking in that hall way in antwerp :rolleyes:

[Chavi]

Exactly ! pure coincidence.. :P

[Carlaatje]

well i hope you pointed it out to him :P

[busybeeburns]

Just went past the Odyssey (which will be the last stop of the tour). Heading for Dublin, the second last stop on the tour. The band are still on stage, entertaining the 8000 strong crowd. Foot-stomping and singing was in full force, as I packed up the Oxfam road case in the dressing room hall. The night is still young. The bus pulled out at 10:30pm “on-the-head” as the driver put it. This must be what it feels like to be in one of the vans that does a runner straight after the show. I’m off early, with the ‘Eat to the beat’ catering team, beating the traffic and heading for the hotel, in the hope of a ‘regular’ night sleep..

Belfast was a fun city. I’m glad we’re heading back before it‘s over. Oxfam volunteers were signing up the crowd to become campaigners. The sheet simply said. “Coldplay. Sign up to use your power”. In the new year, Oxfam Ireland will update them on the Climate Change campaign, which will be a massive part of Oxfam’s work in 2009. For now, they can just sit back and enjoy the show. Or.. Alternatively.. Stand up and stamp their feet and enjoy the show.. Why not eh? It’s Friday!

20 more brilliant volunteers. It’s got to be the best part of my job. Working with them everyday. Without their energy, Oxfam-on-tour would not be possible, and would not happen. It’s great to see them waiting there every day. Especially when they are waiting out in the furious Belfast wind and rain of an evening. That’s dedication for you.

The biggest cheer I heard before I left was after Chris Martin replaced the words at the end of ‘Violet Hill’ with “If your Irish.. Won’t you let me know”.. Dublin will have a hard act to follow.

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=133

[busybeeburns]

I’m sitting in the newly revamped O2 Arena, Dublin. Last Tuesday, this venue was re-opened. Coldplay is only the third show to pass through. 8′500 people will pack into the arena tonight, and again tomorrow. There is only three days to go on this tour. I thought I was going to escape the strange illness that has been doing the rounds in the crew. Unfortunately, it got me in the end. I’m on the kiwi fruits and orange juice today..

Yesterday, I visited the famous storehouse of Arthur Guinness. The cobbled streets and darkened passages around the old factory buildings was quite a sight. Real atmosphere. You could just imagine the barrels rolling down the streets and a huge workforce piling in and out. The black gates through the streets guarding the special secrets of this ancient brew.. As we pulled up on the open-top bus tour, it felt a bit like Charlie the Chocolate Factory for adults. Sadly.. I didn’t see any umpa-lumpas..

939 people signed up to be campaigners (http://www.oxfamireland.org/whatyoucando/campaign.shtml) at the last show in Belfast. It was a good start for Oxfam Ireland (http://www.oxfamireland.org/). Lot’s of people making their mark and taking a moment to find out a bit more. That’s 74′125 people who have done just that on the tour so far. Countless more will have seen us there and hopefully gone in an Oxfam shop, bought someone a goat for christmas, or signed up online. Maybe even read this blog, to see what the tour part is all about. Oxfam’s work goes far beyond this paragraph I write every couple of days, from the road. It’s life-saving work, in the case of disasters. Working with local partners to help people out of poverty. Getting more children in school. Giving people the supplies they need, when they lose their homes. Campaigning to put pressure on governments to help people change their lives for the better. Those are the sorts of reasons that Coldplay supports Oxfam. Because Oxfam helps to give people in poverty a voice and a better chance. If you are coming to a Coldplay show (http://www.oxfamireland.org/whatwedo/campaigns-advocacy/events/2008/coldplay.shtml), why not come and talk to one of Oxfam’s volunteers, to see how you can use your power? If you are not, then, why not click on one of the Oxfam links, over there on the right, and see what you can do there.. sign an online petition calling for action to combat climate change, give a different sort of gift (http://www.oxfamirelandunwrapped.com/), buy Fairtrade smellies (http://www.oxfamirelandshop.com/catalog/index.php), join an outreach group, make a donation (http://www.oxfamireland.org/donate/index.shtml). Whatever fits for you. There are plenty of ways to use your power.

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=134

[Mimixxx]

971 stand up to be counted.. and a few more.

It’s quite a spectacular sight to see 8′500 Coldplay fans on their feet in Dublin, singing the final few lines of ‘Yellow’. I came back here into the crew room to write, and heard a similar roar of noise at the end of ‘Fix you’. ‘Viva’ has just struck up as well, and I can already hear the chanting starting.

971 of those people, on 1942 feet, all signed up with Oxfam tonight. They all now have the chance to be active campaigners for Oxfam in the years to come. 2009 will be a huge year for Oxfam, and Coldplay as well. They will be back here for a massive outdoor show in September. Maybe some of those people who signed up, will be volunteering as campaigners themselves next year..?

There’s that chorus. I might have to nip out and see this… The seats are all banked up in front of the stage. Everyone is packed in together, all with a great view. Must be a fantastic view for the 4 in the band too. There is not a seat to be had out there. I’m sure the Oxfam team are enjoying their prize. Thank you to them for all their hard work. The completed sheets are all sitting safely here next to me. Enjoy the show!

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=135

[Mimixxx]

The finishing straight.

We are nearly there. It’s a couple of days until Christmas. Time for the holidays and to welcome in a new year. Soon we will be travelling home. Getting over coughs, colds and extreme sleep deprivation weirdness. Just one more Coldplay show to do this year. The pillows are in sight.

I hadn’t seen much of the set for a while. Tonight, I stood, stage-left, with some of the Oxfam volunteers, to watch the amazing show. OK, so most of the songs may be the same, but I love seeing the crowds every time. People jumping around, singing the words, clapping at every opportunity, stamping their feet, holding their heads in disbelief, watching the show through a mobile phone - when the band are right there.. Stamping their feet - (whether they’re out of time or not.. Who really cares?) It’s great to see how captivated people are when seeing the show for the first time. It reminds me how great it is, that Oxfam is on the tour. How great it is that the volunteers get to see the show. How much people love this band. How awesome it is that the band want these people to be involved with Oxfam’s work. 1348 people joined Oxfam tonight. That’s 2319 people at the two Dublin shows. 1 in 7 people across the two nights. That’s a great response, and something for our volunteers to be proud of. There were a famous pair of sunglasses in the audience tonight too, which caught the eye of a few of our campaigners.. I saw you there Bono.. bobbing your head and singing along to ‘Viva’ at the Coldplay show.

The sprinter van that I’m in, is.. erm..sprinting along the motorway to Belfast. The driver isn’t even bothering to change lanes if there is nobody to overtake. He’s getting us there, and fast. It’s amazing to think that in about 28 hours, we will all be heading home. The band will be home. The 2008 Viva La Vida tour will be over. The curtain (or more appropriately, the giant ‘Viva’ banner on the stage), will have gone down, for the final time. I will miss it all when it’s gone. I’m sure I will also miss all the other roadies, when they are no longer around in the crew rooms and catering tables of various venues around the world. It will be good though, to unpack my bag, try on some clothes that aren’t stage black, catch up with people that I’ve lost touch with, buy some new socks, you know, that sort of thing.

It was the Christmas party last night. Personally, I think there may have been a tactic in there somewhere. Because today, it was another Band v Crew match. Goals were flying in from everywhere, as were injuries, and scuffed shots. It was a fun time. I’m sure the friendly rivalry will continue long into the future.

I’m not thinking too much about that for now though. Just enjoying the moment. On tour with a great bunch of people, with one of the best bands in the world. Thousands of people joining Oxfam’s amazing work. One more show to go.

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=136

[busybeeburns]

I saw you there Bono.. bobbing your head and singing along to ‘Viva’ at the Coldplay show.:o

[Carlaatje]

i know what to get Pete for christmas :rolleyes:

[Christa1]

hehehehehehehe i can only imagine

[Jenjie]

I'm afraid the bearer of bad news :cry:

I sent Pete a Christmas card from us all :D

http://www.123greetings.com/view/12524208004742357457

I received a thank you today, and he will no longer be with us in a Coldplay capacity.

It has been great to meet Coldplayers along the route of the tour. You have all been very kind. Unfortunately it seems that I will not be able to continue further on the tour into the new year. I am so pleased that you have enjoyed my blog though, and hopefully Coldplayers have taken something from it, and got involved with Oxfam too.

Gonna miss you Pete :(

[Mimixxx]

Aww, that's sad. :(

Thank you for all the blogs Pete, you did a great job :D

[iriden]

:( that's bad news really, it was such a pleasure meeting him last week :nice:

we should ask him to come to Wembley at least, since a lot of us will be there, if he can of course :)

[melanieau]

I'm afraid the bearer of bad news :cry:

I sent Pete a Christmas card from us all :D

http://www.123greetings.com/view/12524208004742357457

I received a thank you today, and he will no longer be with us in a Coldplay capacity.



Gonna miss you Pete :(


:bigcry:

Definitely will be missing Pete in 2009

[Carlaatje]

awww boohhhh I think I may cry... :bigcry: for real!

btw very sweet of you to send that card jen :D

following coldplay on tour will never be the same without pete's blogs

[Chavi]

:stunned: :bigcry:

there's no reason left for me to go to Coldplay concerts now.. :bigcry:
:uhoh: you know i'm not serious, right ..
Will really miss his blogs ! :(

off topic : Mich !!!!!! I LOVE YOU NEW AVATAR :wideeyed: where can I get the picture, large size ? pwety please !

[Carlaatje]

who's gonna keep us company while we wait at the back exit for chris to come out :bigcry:

[busybeeburns]

I hope the blogs may continue :(

[Chavi]

Hopefully ! :(

who's gonna keep us company while we wait at the back exit for chris to come out :bigcry:

Reno Bo ? :bigcry:

[Pris]

I'm afraid the bearer of bad news :cry:

I sent Pete a Christmas card from us all :D

http://www.123greetings.com/view/12524208004742357457

I received a thank you today, and he will no longer be with us in a Coldplay capacity.

Gonna miss you Pete :(
Lovely card, but terrible news......... :bigcry:

We're gonna miss you Pete!!!!!!!!!! :bigcry:

[Carlaatje]

Let's start a petion :wideeyed: :dance:
Pete Lusby for second term:P

:lol: Renoooooo :bigcry:

[Chavi]

:sick: not another petition !

:P

or that security guy to whom you blew kisses :lol:

[Christa1]

gutted. waaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaa

[Carlaatje]

:sick: not another petition !

:P

or that security guy to whom you blew kisses :lol:

ohhh bad moment... i did not need to be reminded of that! :P

[CookyMnstr]

awwww no more Pete-coldplayer meetups?!?!?!:stunned::bigcry:
well, glad I got to meet the author of the cool blogs:D (thank God for Christa who thought to take a pic LOL)
And I was looking fwd to a bunch of us going over to say hello @Wembley show:(...well good luck to Pete in all future endeavors!:nice:

[Carlaatje]

the final blog :cry:

The End Of A Y(Era)
JANUARY 6TH, 2009 / NO COMMENTS » / BY PLUSBY
From buses to desks. I’m sitting in Oxford, England, at a desk in the Media Unit of Oxfam House. I’ve been around the UK, North America and Europe on buses with Coldplay’s crew for the past 7 months. The desk in front of me is covered with files, newspapers, tapes, contact cards, campaigns pins, a gnawed pen, a rubber band, a coffee cup and a spoon. It’s not mine. I’m borrowing it. Outside I can see the ‘arctic snap’ frost and yesterdays snow on the street and people bustling along to get where they are going at the start of school terms, semesters and working weeks. It’s been 14 days since the last Coldplay show of 2008. Just 7 hours after the show ended in Belfast.. I was in bed at home. A large part of the past two weeks were spent asleep.
Now we are into 2009, a fresh year for campaigning, an important year for Oxfam’s Climate Change and Essential Services campaigns. The Oxfam unwrapped donkeys, goats, camels, mosquito nets, school books and latrines, donated as gifts for people who need them most, will soon be put into action. The last mince pie crumbs will be swept away, and the baubles, stars and tinsel will come down. Remember to do that today everyone.. I hear it’s bad luck not to.
The curtain came down, just before Christmas, on Coldplay’s incredible, triumphant, ’Viva La Vida’ World Tour, 2008. I am sure that, aside from perhaps catching up with the F.A. Cup action, and getting some well-earned rest, Coldplay will already be looking forward to the massive shows to come in 2009.
Oxfam’s fantastic volunteers, all 1300 of them, managed to achieve an amazing 77′297 sign-ups at 75 Coldplay shows, from Oxfam supporters around the world. Averaging over 1030 people every night. I am astonished. That is like filling the Liverpool Echo Arena 7 times, plus 1 Brixton Academy, and still having 2029 people sign-up who are queueing outside.. or a packed-to-capacity Green Bay Packers Lambeau Field stadium, and then adding a full house at London’s Brixton Academy to stand on the pitch! It all started, with 6 volunteers, on June 16th, with the release of the album, the first show at Brixton.. and now I am here number crunching, with how many times you could fill that place, with the incredible number of people who’ve signed up. Of course, it is not too late to join them..
I have to say a massive thank you, to all of Oxfam’s volunteers along the way, for their amazing efforts over about 225 hours of campaigning and spreading the word, on foot, in those huge arenas. The equivalent of 10 days of non-stop 24 hour campaigning.. Every one of the enthusaistic volunteers did what they could that night to help reduce poverty. Foot-stomping. T-shirt wearing. Conversation-starting. Clipboard-carrying. Hug-a-nursing. Essential Services-Campaigning. Amazing people.
Without any of those people who stopped and picked up pens to sign-up, make a pledge, be inspired, support a petition, take a breather from the crowds.. our efforts would not have worked. What actually happened is that Coldplay fans in 2008 helped to make a difference. You helped Oxfam to pile the pressure on global leaders to keep their promises in providing Essential Services For All. There was also the chance to talk about EU Agricultural policy, Make Trade Fair, and raise awareness of Climate Change campaigning. Those people may now be getting involved by fundraising through Oxjam, buying FairTrade clothes, campaigning online, volunteering as stewards, Trailwalkers or activists, recycling their books in a shop. There are all sorts of ways to get involved with Oxfam. The best way to get involved with Coldplay, is by making some noise at their shows.. Oxfam might not have arena shows like Coldplay, but making noise on the need to overcome poverty, is just what is needed. Now is the time, when all of you out there can click mouse buttons, donate cash, join street campaigns, write to politicians, ride bikes, drink coffee, cheer at a show, volunteer with Oxfam. Start doing, or keep on doing, all those little things that make a huge difference. Watch the video ‘Pressure Points’ from Oxfam GB.
That’s the volunteers and the fans and all those lovely people who grabbed pens and wrote their names.. now I don’t want this closing blog turning into an Oscar’s speech.. but I do have to thank Coldplay, and all those who make their show happen. Without them, none of what we have achieved this past 7 months, could have happened. Thank you to them for giving Oxfam this amazing opportunity, for inviting the volunteers into their show for free. I met some awesome people in the crew. The people who move cases around, drive buses, load trucks, rig lighting, project video, adjust sound, run on with guitars, arrange seating, re-button jackets, book hotels and all the other little things that keep the show on the road. Myself and Oxfam’s little road case had an amazing journey, met some great people and did 75 days of campaigning. It’s been emotional.
I will miss it. You will miss it. But those 4 lads from London will be back. Oxfam will again hope to see you there.

[Christa1]

this is too wild i just logged on and Lovers in Japan video just came on Fuse as i was reading your post Carla!!!

Pete will be surely missed!!

[Mimixxx]

Awww, that's awesome.

A great post. Thanks again Pete for all the blogs and have a great new year :D