Massive Attack’s science for decarbonizing its concerts and live music

Since the release of their first album, entitled Blue lines (1991), the british group Mass attack remained a reference of the trip hopa genre that brings together elements of hip hopelectronics and the experimental scene.

But the group was not limited to the scope alone musical and looked for new ways to generate contributions to society.

In this sense, the care of environment This is one of the aspects that most concerns its members, which is why they have focused their attention on developing mechanisms to organize low-carbon concerts.

For this purpose, In 2019, the band’s producer, Mark Donne, contacted the scientist climate Carly McLachlan who runs the Tyndall Center for Climate Change Research at the University of Manchester.

During the conversation, he asked her if she would be willing to assess the environmental impact of Massive Attack concerts, in order to create an action plan This could lead to significant changes in the live entertainment industry.

McLachlan accepted the challenge and began analyzing data, organizing workshops and conducting interviews .

About two years later, in June 2021, the specialist and her team they published a roadmap 17 pages.

The document proposes defined and measurable objectives that the sector can work towards to contribute to the objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, a point taken into account in the Paris Agreement.

“We propose actions and approaches for different sources of emissions, but There are some general principles that we believe are necessary to actually drive change. “, the writing reads.

“First of all, Ultra-low emission practices can only be implemented if they are essential from the start of a tour Ultra-low carbon emissions must be present in all decisions: itinerary, locations, modes of transport, scenography, audiovisual design, personnel, promotion, etc.

Then, secondly, they assure that “this requires that the different actors in the sector use their direct power, as well as their broader influence, to overcoming obstacles and promoting new practices “.

The third crucial element is that “progress must be monitored and reviewed” .

Massive Attack used this roadmap to organize an event on August 25, 2024 which was called Act 1.5 Climate Action Accelerator and lasted a full day.

The meeting took place in Clifton Down public park in Bristol, UK, and gathered around 34,000 people who went to see the two authors of Inertia creeps as well as other guest artists.

But the most relevant ones were the measures taken by the group and the organization to make the instance environmentally friendly.

The event It was powered entirely by renewable energy and used energy-efficient LEDs and lights. for all artistic and stage lighting, according to the magazine Nature .

Also They used electric trucks to assemble and transport the batteries within the venue, in addition to the infrastructure of a festival. which existed before.

The latter, according to the aforementioned media, allowed to save about 2,000 liters of diesel for generator, which translated into a reduction of 5,340 kilograms of carbon emissions .

To reduce the footprint generated by the transport of participants, Train travelers who booked through the Train Hugger app received incentives specials.

Among the benefits were Free transfers from Bristol’s main train stations to the event by electric bus .

At the same time, they have entered into a partnership with the Great Western Railway to offer five additional trains outside the traditional schedule, so that participants can return home and they will not choose to travel by car.

The food offering was 100% plant-based and supplied by local suppliers.

McLachlan said in an interview with Nature that she and her team They hope to use the data collected in this case to evaluate strategies that could become new standards. for the concert industry.

In the same way, they examine Which measures could be maintained and which could be improved? .

Experts assume that By the end of 2024, they will publish a document with their conclusions, as well as an analysis detailed.

For its part, the group works with local organizers in develop renewable energy infrastructure in Clifton Down which they hope can fuel future events.

In McLachlan’s words: “Massive Attack is really good at legacy. These big artists change things every time” .

“Whatever they leave behind makes it easier for the next group to ask for the next thing.” the climatologist estimated.

Although he said the concert industry “is an area that you would think would be quite difficult to decarbonize,” he stressed that “If you can demonstrate how to do that in a tough sector like this, and then combine that with the Massive Attack range, it can be powerful.” .

From the Act 1.5 team, they also said that They are in talks with The Smile — the band consisting of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood, and Sons of Kemet’s Tom Skinner — for the band to adopt parts of the roadmap on their tour.

For McLachlan, The key is to protect both live music and the planet .