Ahead of a reduced run of European show dates next year, Massive Attack announce a large scale super-low carbon emissions live show for 2020, to be held in Liverpool.

The show, which will take place next Summer- will be produced to support development of the band’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research project announced last week, & will form part of the Good Business Festival cultural programme.

The pilot will mark the first physical phase of fast progression to the ambition of carbon neutral live music – or as near as it’s possible to reach that standard.

This first phase show will achieve a dramatic reduction of carbon impact in every sphere that it’s possible to influence: band, crew & equipment transportation, production power, catering options, audience transportation, merchandising & show sponsorship.

To achieve reductions, Massive Attack will work with Culture Liverpool and various City Authorities and transport providers as well as their own suppliers. This show will also unite pioneering expertise from the renewable energy & electric vehicle sectors.

The event will provide the opportunity to test a range of solutions presented in the Tyndall Centre commission report, & allow field-analysts to identify carbon reduction methods that could then be quickly & widely implemented across the music industry.
The band will use the summer shows to collect data and share the Tyndall report with the European festival sector. The band, crew & equipment will be transported to these dates by rail.

The radical, verifiable reduction of carbon emissions in each sphere of carbon impact must go hand in glove with commercial viability, & while these goals are ambitious, all show partners believe they are both achievable & unavoidable.

Robert Del Naja:

“I’m looking forward to exploring the social and scientific solutions to the challenges we face in transitioning to a low carbon society. This project offers an opportunity to work with new and progressive identities in the planning, energy, technology and transport sectors. After years of participation in large scale music events that have had questionable sponsors on the ticket & too often, very little enthusiasm for meaningful change.”

Professor Carly McLachlan – Director Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Manchester:

“Climate Emergency requires rapid shifts from theory to practice. The Liverpool event offers a great opportunity to bring together the different organisations needed to really reshape the impact of live music events. This collaborative and learning by doing approach will allow a real-world exploration of where the quick and easy wins are, & where we need to work together to tackle the more stubborn challenges.”

Claire McColgan MBE – Director, Culture Liverpool and The Good Business Festival:

“As both a festival and a city, we are proud to be working with Massive Attack on this unprecedented event. We are committed to supporting bold, positive action and The Liverpool show is a prime example of how change can be driven from leading industry figures, whatever the sector. We’re keen to see how these learnings can be applied quickly and widely to all appropriate content moving forward. “

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