Oxfam Europe Tour Blog: 2 October 2008
From WikiColdplay
Ahoy there.. Rotterdam.
Here we are at the first of two nights at the Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands. From what I hear, these shows sold out in minutes. Tickets snapped up in eager anticipation, of the Viva La Vida tour. The band have been wowing crowds right across Europe. It’s been a busy 4 weeks.
Oxfam Novib, the Oxfam group here in the Netherlands, will today and tomorrow, be bringing a different kind of campaigning to the show. Dressed as nurses, they will ask the fans to ‘hug a nurse’. Yes, you heard me right! Oxfam is asking for improved health care around the world. The volunteers will dress as nurses to demonstrate the need for improved care and more medical personnel worldwide. Find out more here.
Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide lack access to basic health care due to a great lack of medical personnel. Worldwide, there are 4 million additional doctors, nurses and midwives needed. Help bring pressure to bear on the government and other key decision-makers. Click here to hug a nurse right now!
http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=72
Matt Vassallo has an amazing moustache.
I’m sitting here stage-left, backstage, outside the production office, with Steve from support band Albert Hammond Jr. They had another great set earlier. It’s Coldplay’s turn now.. Just on the way back for the encore.. Steve says “I’ve made it now! i’m pleased to be in the blog. i’m pleased to know Pete from Oxfam”. Awesome.
Hoppy and Rick just went past with the guitars from the balcony. The band have launched into the encore now. I’m sure our Oxfam Novib volunteers are out there, having a great time at the rock show.. Their work is done for the night. They have hugged as many Coldplay fans as they could (dressed as nurses)! The idea was to show, through a simple action, that we all care about everyone having access to good quality healthcare.
The band’s assistant, EJ, is pacing around, waiting for the band when they come off stage. It’s her birthday today. Happy birthday EJ! I think she just got a birthday wish from stage too. The set is coming to an end now. Seems like the band have really enjoyed themselves tonight. Chris Martin asking the crowd for requests on the piano. It meant we all got to hear ’Trouble’ for the first time in a while. ’Shiver’ got a rare outing last in Milan too.
It’s the football rematch tomorrow. I’m sure the pitch will be a bit slippery.. it’s been a bit soggy today. I will let you know how it goes..
By the way Matt Vassallo (the projectionist for Coldplay) has for reasons unknown, grown a truly amazing handlebar moustache. Trust me. It’s awesome. Pictures to follow. Matt says “Yeah dude!”
http://www.oxfamblogs.org/coldplay/?p=73
