Trudeau hangs out with Coldplay, Shakira at Global Citizen Festival

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Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie speak at Global Citizen Festival in Hamburg

The ever-sunny Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a quick stop at the Global Citizen Festival on the eve of the G20 summit in Hamburg, to chill with none other than British rockers Coldplay and pop star Shakira.

Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire made a powerful statement on gender equality and the importance of empowering women and girls in the fight for justice at the Global Citizen Festival – an event that raises awareness for issues related to global poverty.

"Because the really big issues we face, like climate change, poverty, and disease, affect women and girls more than anyone else," said Sophie, as the two highlighted Canada's feminist international development policy, which, Trudeau said, puts women and girls at the heart of Canada's aid efforts.

"That's one of the messages I'll be bringing with me to the G20 Leaders' Summit this weekend, and I hope you'll help to share that message too," he said.

Trudeau then smoothly moved on to introduce Coldplay and the band’s frontman Chris Martin, also the event's main patron.

The show opened with Martin seated at a grand piano strung with garlands of colourful flowers, as he kicked off Global Citizen Hamburg with a remarkable rendition of "Paradise." "Viva La Vida," "Adventure of a Lifetime," and an emotionally-charged performance of "Fix You" followed.

Shakira then joined Coldplay to a roaring reception, smashing through "Yellow" before Martin and Shakira sat down to playfully rap "Chantaje." The duo then performed a duet of her new solo material with "Me Enamore".

Pharrell Williams, Ellie Goulding and other artists also highlighted the mega event. 

Coldplay release song to support refugees 

Coldplay have released a new song written with ambient legend Brian Eno, with proceeds to support refugees and migrants who make the dangerous journey to Europe across the Mediterranean.

"Aliens," released late Thursday alongside an animated video, is the latest single from Coldplay´s upcoming EP "Kaleidoscope."

Coldplay said that proceeds from "Aliens" would support the Migrant Offshore Aid Station, a charity in Malta that sends search and rescue teams to save some among the thousands making the dangerous trek to Europe.

Ostensibly about extraterrestrials, the song alludes metaphorically to the migrant crisis with frontman Chris Martin singing, "Just an alien / We just want to get home again."

The song is set to a somber electronic drum-beat and driven, like many Coldplay songs, by the clean, ringing guitar sound of Jonny Buckland.

Coldplay said the band co-wrote the song with Brian Eno, the godfather of ambient music known for his work with David Bowie.

Coldplay has long championed humanitarian causes and released the song just after playing the latest Global Citizen concert in Germany, which aimed to press the Group of 20 major economies to commit to development.

"Kaleidoscope," a five-song EP, follows Coldplay´s 2015 album "A Head Full of Dreams" which the band had hinted might be its last full-length work.

The EP, originally slated for release last month, will come out on July 14 in digital formats and on August 4 on CDs and vinyl, the band´s label said.

With additional input from AFP