Live Music Venues Intensify Climate Change Initiatives

Numerous musicians and bands, including Billie Eilish, Radiohead, and Coldplay, are increasingly committing to minimizing their environmental footprint. However, a question arises regarding the role of the venues hosting these performances, particularly given their inherent dependence on energy for lighting, amplification, and sound systems. In Liverpool, several live music venues are significantly escalating their efforts in combating climate change, referencing the idiom from the classic rock mockumentary Spinal Tap. Expectations are that major concerts scheduled for this weekend will demonstrate effective strategies for the industry’s decarbonization. Future Yard, located in Birkenhead, is actively working to diminish its carbon footprint. The venue utilizes renewable energy sources, offers exclusively meat-free food options, and provides a “plug and play” initiative allowing touring bands to loan instruments. This initiative enables musicians to opt for public transportation instead of routinely transporting their equipment across the country in vans, coaches, and trucks. James Gillaspy stated that his venue is capable of furnishing drums, amplifiers, microphones, and other necessary equipment, thereby requiring many bands to only transport their guitars and drumsticks. He noted that this arrangement makes it “easier for them to walk or get the bus, especially if they are local”. Consequently, Mr. Gillaspy reported that Future Yard has observed a 25% rise in local artists utilizing public transport due to the “plug and play” program. In the previous year, Future Yard successfully advocated for the reinstatement of night bus services linking Birkenhead and Liverpool. Mr. Gillaspy commented that encouraging bands to forgo conventional transit vans in favor of bus or train travel has the potential to transform touring practices. He asserted, “If every single music venue did this, we could eventually be in a situation where bands could do entire tours on public transport.” Mr. Gillaspy also added that an expanded range of transport choices would assist music enthusiasts in contributing to environmental preservation, noting that almost half of attendees at Future Yard utilize public transport. Concurrently with world leaders convening in Azerbaijan earlier this month for the COP29 climate change conference, Future Yard organized POP29, posing the question: “Can the music industry be more sustainable?” Although Mr. Gillaspy acknowledged that alternative approaches might sometimes incur higher costs, he emphasized that now was the “time to be bold”. Commencing on Thursday, Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena has been the venue for Act 1.5 presents. Massive Attack and IDLES have already performed. Chic featuring Nile Rodgers is scheduled to conclude the three-day event series subsequently. Act 1.5 refers to a 2015 international accord aimed at restricting global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Robert Del Naja, a member of the trip hop collective Massive Attack, stated that the band’s recent performance in Bristol, promoted as the lowest-carbon concert of its scale ever presented, demonstrated the music industry’s capacity to contribute. A United Nations program recently designated Liverpool as the world’s inaugural “Accelerator City” for its initiatives in combating climate change. Del Naja indicated that this UN recognition would facilitate additional “dynamic pilots and experiments to rapidly phase out fossil fuels”. He further stated: “This idea and this insistence are not going back in any box.” He also expressed: “We’re delighted to see artists like Coldplay testing elements like localised ticket pre-sales as recommended in the Tyndall Centre Paris 1.5 decarbonisation road map and encourage other artists to do so freely.” Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool city council, received an invitation to speak at COP29 regarding the city’s strategies. Although he acknowledged the potential difficulty, he committed to collaborating closely with smaller venues within the city. Rhiannon Newman of Culture Liverpool, the city council’s cultural division, commented that the upcoming weekend’s performances would serve as “a low carbon example of how gigs can be delivered”. She remarked, “It’s essentially an experiment,” adding, “But it won’t feel like an experiment to the audience.” She concurred with Mr. Gillaspy that advocating for public transport is crucial for decreasing carbon emissions. To facilitate music attendees catching the final train or bus instead of driving, the performances are scheduled to commence and conclude earlier than typical. Patrons wishing to dine at the venue will encounter plant-based menu options. Packaging and waste will be minimized, and recycling will be strongly encouraged. Ms. Newman stated that the overarching objective was to develop a more environmentally friendly model for concerts in Liverpool and elsewhere. Regarding her perspective, she conveyed: “Liverpool always believes that what hasn’t already been done, can be done!” This report was initially released on 24 November 2024. For the finest content from BBC Radio Merseyside, listeners can access Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story suggestions can also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and via WhatsApp to 0808 100 2230. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external sites. 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