Music / massive attack
Massive Attack announce huge new gig with a difference
Massive Attack are not only returning to home soil but are promising to put on the lowest carbon show of its size ever staged.
Announcing a huge all-day event on the Downs in what will be their first gig in the UK for five years, the band are putting climate action at the frontline of live music.
Act 1.5 will take place on August 25 next year and will see Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall (AKA Daddy G) collaborate with climate scientists and analysts from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research to trial new decarbonisation measures.
is needed now More than ever
The band, who last played at The Steel Yard on the former Filton Airfield in 2019, say they want to “move the dial for major live music events and help create precedents that are immediate” in the event.
The entire site will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and there are pre-sale tickets available for people from local areas.
Massive Attack last played in Bristol in 2019, on the site of the new Bristol Arena – photo: Bristol24/7
“We’re chuffed to play our home city again and to be able do it in the right way,” said the band.
“In terms of climate change action there are no excuses left; offsetting, endless seminars and diluted declarations have all been found out – so live music must drastically reduce all primary emissions and take account of fan travel.
“Working with pioneering partners on this project means we can seriously move the dial for major live music events and help create precedents that are immediate.”
Massive Attack were the first band globally to become members of the UN Race to Zero programme – committing all of their touring and production activities to Paris 1.5 compatible decarbonisation measures.
They have worked with partners to create what they promise will be a unique event.
The band had previously planned a prototype show of this nature in Liverpool; ambitions that were thwarted by global pandemic and their boycotting of an arms fair being held in the city.
Decarbonisation measures for the all-day event on the Downs include:
- A localised pre-sale period to deter private car travel. Anyone living within Bristol, Bath and the surrounding Gloucestershire, Swindon and Taunton area postcodes will be able to access the local pre-sale, which goes live to sign-ups at 10am on Wednesday.
- An entire event site powered entirely by 100 per cent renewable energy.
- A rail travel incentive initiative that will generate a vital drawdown of audience travel emissions (where up to 80 per cent of emissions for major live music events are generated).
- A meat-free arena.
- Free post-show electric shuttles to main rail hubs.
- 100 per cent zero to landfill waste removal.
- As a show legacy, the creation of a new, climate resilient woodland plantation in the South West, consisting of mountain, shining and southern blue gum trees (chosen for their fast growth and efficient carbon capture qualities) in partnership with Train Hugger and The Royal Forestry Society.
- All touring and production vehicles electric or fuelled by verified 100 per cent waste product HVO fuel.
Speaking about the upcoming show, professor Carly McLachlan from The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research said: “This is precisely the type of transformative approach that we need to see more of in the live music sector, and indeed every sector; one that has the collaboration and vision to reduce emissions across all areas of impact and working beyond the areas you directly control to unlock the systemic change we urgently need to deliver on our Paris Agreement commitments.”
Pre-sale tickets will be available for people from local areas from Wednesday, with general tickets going on sale on Friday, December 8. Find out more and get tickets via: www.massiveattackbristol.com/
Main photo: Warren Du Preez
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