Generation Why on tour with Bell X1 Super-campaigner Caroline Rose reports back on her tour with Irish stars Bell X1. For the past couple of weeks Generation Why and the Control Arms campaign have been on the road, touring with Bell X1. The band kindly allowed Oxfam to raise awareness of the Control Arms campaign and collect mugshots for the Million Faces petition during their UK tour. There was loads of interest and support for the campaign amongst audiences up and down the country. The local volunteers campaigning at each gig were brilliant - during the tour they inspired over 1,000 Bell X1 fans to add their beautiful/ugly mugs to the collection (that's over 40 per cent of the total audience). In addition, loads more have been checking out the Control Arms website to join the campaign there. The band and crew were brilliant, they couldn't have looked after me better. Their enthusiastic vocal support for Oxfam and the campaign definitely helped us gain our fantastic number of sign ups. Despite initial nerves I quickly adapted to the tour bus and dressing-room life, and enjoyed every minute. Bell X1 must be applauded for their entirely ethical backstage demands, but if I see another tub of houmous any time soon... aaargh! The enthusiasm of the campaigners I met and the support for Oxfam amongst the public was brilliant to see. I think Portsmouth was my tour highlight: the sea, an amusement arcade, delicious food, great venue, an A Team of campaigners and a record number of sign-ups. Superb. And a quick mention of Gemma in Bristol. A first time campaigner for Oxfam, Gemma braved the sweatiest of venues, unwanted admirers, some seriously intense fans and a very late school night to talk to just about every single person there! A huge thank you to the band and crew, venues, all the campaigners and local Oxfam Outreach coordinators - everyone helped to raise awareness of the campaign, and put more pressure on world leaders ahead of the UN Small Arms Review Conference in June. More about the 100 Days Countdown for Control Arms >> posted at 9:38 AM | Permalink 5 comments   Comments: GenerationWhy and Oxfam accept no responsibility for the content of comments in the Blog. How do I get to campaign at gigs? I would have loved to have been there, Bell X1 are lush. I think it's really cool that bands support Oxfam in this way. By  Laura, April 13, 2006 11:38 AM   Hi Laura, the best way is to keep an eye on Generation Why, and sign up to e-Xtra. Or call your local Oxfam office/group and they'll be able to keep you up to date with opportunities. We'll be going to loads more festivals again this summer - if you're interested, application forms will be released on 2nd May. E-mail crose@oxfam.org.uk to register. And I agree, Bell X1 rule. By  Chris - Generation Why Outreach team, April 13, 2006 12:50 PM   Why are they called Bell X1 anyway? By  Jimbo, April 13, 2006 2:41 PM   Well done Caroline It must have been a good couple of weeks, I am so glad they were nice as well! I must admit, your Blog was better written than your Brothers (I assume Chris Rose AKA CHRIS 'THE COLDPLAY' Rose is your BRO.) By  Barry Cade, April 13, 2006 2:50 PM   Caroline made my life as the sole girl on tour even nicer. We ended up ruling that tour bus! It took quite some time to ween me off the houmous... But I think I'm there now. But this week is the next gig again. I'm in trouble... Amy - Bell X1 merch ps. the Bell X1 was the first plane to go through the sound barrier. It was red and feisty! By  Anonymous, April 18, 2006 11:45 PM   Post a Comment

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