Thank you Edmonton
So the tour has begun and it has definitely started with a bang!
From 1pm on the first day of the tour, Oxfam Canada and I set about putting together the Oxfam set. The volunteers rocked up at 4pm and were straight into their food costumes. A veggie fashion show in the Rexall Centre – now i’ve seen everything! Everyone was buzzing about our campaign and excited about talking to people about changing our ways and creating a fairer food system for the world.
Around 7, doors opened and the stadium was flooded with Coldplay fans, filling the stadium with a buzz that could only come with 16,000 excited people in one place, for one reason; to see their favourite rock band.
From the very start Oxfam volunteers were on fire! The Oxfam on tour twitter account was a hive of activity and the photo booth went down a storm. Everyone wanted to be part of the Oxfam vibe and join our campaign. It was such an amazing thing to see that people all over the world care about the food system and agree that it’s unfair. It isn’t just people in some cities that care about these issues, these issues effect everyone. Most of us know that we need to make changes to the way we produce, buy and eat food, and we want to help show people ways they can help.
At 9pm Coldplay was about to start and I said goodbye to the volunteers. I had only been with them for a few short hours but their energy and passion for sharing the GROW message with others filled me with excitement and anticipation for what the rest of the tour will bring.
Coldplay started and I slipped to the side of the stage in time to watch the encore. It was incredible! The band put on an immense show with a mixture of songs old and new, and a set with all the trimmings, including an arena full of exclusive wristbands which lit up Rexall in an array of neon colours.
The audience were singing and jumping to every note that Coldplay played. This gig was the perfect way to kick off a global tour! Thanks everyone for your warm spirits and being part of the Oxfam work.
Edmonton you sure set the bar high.
Check out and share photos from the Edmonton gig on Facebook. Add your captions and i’ll tweet the best ones!
Wow – I haven’t seen them yet but will be doing later in the tour when they turn the volume up to 11 in Coventry – I’ll be sure to look out for you guys. Coldplay ROCK!