Music outreach
We believe music can change the world. Do you? If so, it’s time to make some noise. Join Oxfam and our network of volunteers—along with musicians and bands like Coldplay, WILCO, Angelique Kidjo, and Arcade Fire—in a global movement to overcome poverty and injustice.
Some of us are born into relative peace and prosperity, while millions, through no choice of their own, are born into poverty. We all know this isn’t right. But it’s hard to know how one person can help.
That's where Oxfam comes in. We're teaming up with volunteers and supporters in the music industry—including musicians, labels, managers, and media—to build a global movement for change. With the power of many voices speaking together, we can call on companies and legislators to change the laws and practices that keep people in poverty. We can also raise awareness and inspire action on some of the world's most urgent issues, like the global food crisis and the human cost of climate change. But we can't do it alone. We need your voice. No matter who you are, or how busy you are, you can make a difference.
Here are a few ways you can help:
- Take action. Poor people are hit hardest by natural disasters, which are increasingly due to global warming. Global leaders are negotiating a climate change treaty this year. Urge President Obama to negotiate a fair global deal to help those who are most affected.
- Volunteer at a concert or festival. Help Oxfam spread the word while joining your favorite bands and musicians against poverty. We're looking for volunteers to table at concerts by Coldplay, Bloc Party, Ben Sollee, and Thievery Corporation, among others. Sign up to learn about opportunities in your area.
- Join the conversation. Visit our blog and talk with people about what matters to you. Or link your blog to ours and help get the word out.
Below are a list of shows where Oxfam will be tabling. Find concert volunteer opportunities in your area.
Bonnaroo
Oxfam America will be at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, TN, on June 11-14 as part of the Planet Roo community. If you're going to the festival, stop by and see us! We'll have actions for you to take, events for you to participate in, and contests to win an Oxfam t-shirt or a CD.
State Radio
Oxfam friends State Radio will be raising funds this summer to support Oxfam's work purchasing and distributes stoves to vulnerable families, especially women, in Darfur, Sudan. Look for the band (and one of the stoves!) at these dates:
- 5/3 Bethlehem, PA @ RiverFusion
- 5/8 Wilton, CT @ Wilton High School
- 7/9 Hampton Beach, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
- 7/10 Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony
- 7/25 Bridgeport, CT @ Gathering of the Vibes
On the road with Oxfam
Look for our table at these shows this summer!
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
- 5/5 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
- 5/6 Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
- 5/9 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
- 5/14 NYC @ Bowery Ballroom
- 5/15 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
Bloc Party
- 5/4 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
OK Go
- 5/9 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
M. Ward
- 5/16 Oakland, CA @ Fox Theatre
- 7/30 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
- 8/1 NYC @ Central Park Summerstage
For more news, check out our latest blog posts. Or visit the Oxfam and Coldplay tour blog, where Oxfam America's Soha Yassine reports back from the 2009 Viva la Vida tour.
"We support Oxfam America because they save lives, help people overcome poverty, and fight for social justice," says Bloc Party singer Kele Okereke. "Oxfam helps our fans become activists by showing them how take action to change things for the better."
Bloc Party isn't the only artist teaming up with Oxfam to build a global movement for change. Other bands and musicians working with us include Angelique Kidjo, Arcade Fire, Bell X1, Ben Sollee, Cat Power, Coldplay, Crowded House, DJ Shadow, Editors, LCD Soundsystem, M. Ward, Missy Higgins, Nicole Atkins, O.A.R., Ra Ra Riot, She & Him, Sigur Rós, State Radio, Stereolab, Street Dogs, Tegan & Sara, Thao Nguyen, The Breeders, Thievery Corporation, and WILCO.
Video
Check out these videos of artists supporting Oxfam.
Ben Sollee goes for a bike ride with Oxfam America in Austin, TX at the 2009 SXSW Festival.
Thao Nguyen (of Thao and The Get Down Stay Down) performs live at Oxfam America HQ in Boston.
Crowded House gives an onstage shout-out to Oxfam.
Sigur Rós provides music for Oxfam's video on the global hunger epidemic.
Music
Listen to some music to benefit our work.
- Waxploitation Music Corp is releasing Causes 2, an album to benefit Darfur relief agencies including Oxfam America. The album features rare and exclusive songs from artists like The Decemberists, Gnarls Barkley, LCD Soundsystem, My Morning Jacket, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, and more. Download it.
- Merge Records recently released SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: THE COVERS!, a 20-track CD featuring artists like The Shins, Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes, The New Pornographers, Okkervil River, Death Cab For Cutie, and others. All proceeds from the sale of the album will benefit worthy charities, including Oxfam America. Preview it.
Since 2002, Coldplay and their fans have worked closely with Oxfam in the effort to overcome poverty, hunger, and injustice. Oxfam staffers have accompanied the band on tours around the world, and Coldplay's Chris Martin traveled to Haiti and Ghana with Oxfam to see our work firsthand.
Coldplay also encourages Oxfam volunteers to staff informational tables at their shows, which has had a huge impact. During the band's 2008 US tour, volunteers at Coldplay concerts signed up nearly 20,000 new Oxfam supporters.
This summer, Oxfam is joining Coldplay on the 35-city Viva la Vida US tour. Make sure to stop by and see us at the show—or fill out our concert volunteer application to table at a concert near you. You can also bid on VIP seats in auctions to benefit Oxfam.
More about Oxfam and Coldplay:
Take part in the Fast for a World Harvest, and fundraise for Oxfam.