The Chime for Change show – founded by Gucci and headlined by Beyonce with a host of supporting stars – rocked Twickenham Stadium last night. Whilst providing a spectacular show, it also educated the 50,000 ecstatic people present and the millions who watched the TV broadcast globally (it was on BBC as “Beyonce and friends live”) about hundreds of international projects bringing education, health and justice to women and girls everywhere.
It was an incredible feeling walking amongst the crowds to Twickenham stadium – this place (where I had been just last weekend for the England vs Barbarians match) which is usually so male dominated – completely full of excited, chattering girls and women of all ages and colour.
We arrived at our seats at 520pm – armed with drinks and fast food refreshments - and I was surprised and delighted to find that one of my clients was in adjacent seats with her Goddaughter sitting alongside mine. The stadium was only half full as a team of dancers demonstrated some Zumba moves to raise the energy levels.
One of the organisers announced that the show would start at 6pm so we watched as people continued to pour into the space – from our lofty seats we had a fantastic view. I admit I was a bit overwhelmed when at 6pm Jesse J burst onto the stage singing “Price tag”. She looked fantastic as she strut across the stage in skin tight black leggings and a short, flared vest – and her recently shorn-for-charity cropped hair. Then Australian Iggy Azalea in her thigh high boots (this appeared to be a bit of a trend for the show) looking like one of those Japanese teens, supported by more leggy dancers, introduced me to her music. The crowd were already onside.
The crowd roared as the animations and videos portrayed a multitude of issues facing women and girls in far flung parts of the globe and the projects designed to help them. Prince Harry and world famous actors from Hollywood to Bollywood made an appearance – some on screen and some (including Ryan Reynolds) live on stage. It was slicker than slick and a triumph of modern communications technology.
Rita Ora impressed as she got everyone on their feet to dance. There was a Tutu father-daughter double act appeal. Italian Laura Pausini did a set. To underline the festival feel, Florence appeared shoeless in a floaty peacock blue-green dress and wafted around as 50,000 voices joined her for “Dog days are over”.
Madonna – in a non-attention seeking black track suit – tried to sober the audience with stories of creating schools in Pakistan and death-defying journalistic feats to tell stories that needed to be told. She bought her quietly spoken but passionate project leaders on stage to speak for themselves. Madonna pledged to double any money given to her projects. Putting her money where her mouth is. Even more impressive.
John Legend – the first man to perform at the show – charmed us all the moment he stepped on stage. Humble. Suited. Respectful. As he played the piano we all joined in with a perfect rendition of “Bridge over Troubled Water” before playing my – and everybody else’s favourite it seemed – “Ordinary people”. This was surely the highlight of the show for me.
I wasn’t familiar with American rock sisters Haim – but their drumming and guitar solo bought a temporary rock flavour to proceedings before legendary US feminist Gloria Steinem talked about the projects she supported. Incredible to think that a new generation of women were witnessing the emergence of a new “revolution” (Madonna’s words) of female empowerment.
Whilst appreciating her music and ambition, I’d never been a particularly big fan of Jennifer Lopez but I have to say that I was converted during her set. The sheer energy of her high-powered dance routines and almost humble words about Chime for Change demanded respect. When Mary J Blige joined her on stage the crowd literally went wild.
And just when we thought things couldn’t get any better Timberland took to the stage singing “Reflex” with Simon Le Bon before performing so many of his own hits. He didn’t need to work the crowd – we were already with him. Jada Pickett-Smith said her piece before my daughter’s favourite – Ellie Goulding – did her bouncy, jumpy thing and we all joined in. Imagine 50,000 people jumping in time – it was a sight to behold especially with their glow in the dark wrist bands.
And finally, the fabulous Beyonce arrived on stage, singing classic soul covers “A change is gonna come” and “At last”. My eyes were fixed on that perfect figure (was her waist always that tiny? were her legs always that long and lean?) clad in a teeny leather leotard. “Crazy in love” and “Single Ladies” were, of course, performed with the perfection you would expect – and we went wild when JayZee joined her and rapped a little. There’s simply no way that the bond between them could be faked and when he kissed her on the cheek everyone cheered. Video clips of her African film showed and she performed further energetic routines before ending with “Halo”.
And this morning, as promised, I received an email voucher to donate the cover price of my tickets to the charitable projects I choose from the many that were showcased at the event. So the elation I felt yesterday at seeing so many amazing artists was prolonged today knowing that I have done a little bit to support those important projects.
Further details of the charity projects are at http://www.chimeforchange.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CFC+-+UK+-+Alone+-+Exact+-+donate&utm_term=Chime+For+Change&utm_content=CFC+-+UK+-+Alone+-+Exact+-+donate CHIME FOR CHANGE is a community of people working to promote Education, Health and Justice for every girl, every woman, everywhere.
