Can Concerts Be Carbon-Free? Massive Attack’s Bristol Gig Just Set the Bar

Massive Attack. R: Daddy G A.K.A Grantley Evan Marshall. L: Robert Del Naja

This is what we love to see. Massive Attack making a truly massive impact with their eco-friendly, sustainable concert last weekend.

💚 All vegan food

💚 All electric generators

💚 All electric vans delivering renewable energy to batteries across the site

💚 No car park

💚 Encouraging use of public transport, cycling, and walking to the event

💚 5 dedicated trains

💚 Priority ticket sales for local residents

💚 Free electric shuttle buses to and from Bristol's two main stations

💚 All compostable utensils and serving items

💚 Minimal food waste

💚 Nothing going to landfill

💚 34,000 people attending the lowest carbon-generating concert of its scale. Ever.

"There's only one planet, and we've got to try and save it" - Marshall, Massive Attack.

The group hoped the concert will change the music industry (and so do we!).

More and more festivals are making changes, implementing things like:

- compost loos

- reusable cups

- solar charging

- separated bins for compostable waste and recycling methods in the same place as non-recyclable waste bins

- biodegradable cups and plates

But Massive Attack know there's so much more we could be doing across the wider industry, and that progress has been all-too slow.

Five years ago, the group commissioned the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research to write a report setting out a roadmap for “super low carbon live music: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58442599

To date, the music industry has not been as quick to pick up on - or act upon - the changes we need to be making.

As a crewing company, and as a social enterprise, we know that doing good isn't just about the impact we make on people. It's also about the impact we make on the planet.

In recent years, we've seen growing demand for more eco-friendly and social impact generating event practices, and we've been proud to be at the forefront of this shift.

Our commitment to sustainability and social impact is reflected in every event we deliver.

From calculating reducing our own carbon footprint, to implementing our carbon levy, encouraging behavioural change, continuing our mission to reduce homelessness by offering meaningful, living wage work for people affected by homelessness or facing barriers to work, to creating a series of ESG Roundtables to discuss how better to push social and environmental impact up the supply chain for the industry as a whole.

Every step is important. Every step makes a difference.

But like Massive Attack, we also recognise that progress has been too slow. There's still a long way to go, and it will take more than just a few initiatives to make a lasting change.

It's not about ticking boxes - it's about creating new standards for the industry.

Walking the walk. Promoting progress by putting our money where our mouth is. Leading by example. Taking action from the conversations you have and putting them into practice. That's what matters.

Just like Massive Attack has done this past weekend, let's not wait for regulations to catch up.

The journey doesn't stop at being a social enterprise. It doesn't stop at putting out impact reports. It doesn't stop with a conversation.

In fact, it starts with asking yourself: if not us, then who? If not now, then when?

Massive Attack asked themselves that question, and they've just delivered the most eco-friendly concert of its scale ever known.

Like Massive Attack, we believe that change starts with us. By consistently pushing the industry forward, making better choices, and leading by example, we’re both meeting the demands of today and shaping the future of the industry.

This time two years ago, we were (as far as our research shows):

• One of two events crewing companies signed up to the Living Wage Foundation

• One of two events crewing companies paying the London Living Wage

• The only events crewing company actively removing the carbon our crew generates on site

Today, we are one of:

• 4 events crewing companies across the UK signed up to the Living Wage Foundation

• 9 events crewing companies supplying different forms of crew in London, who are signed up to the WeAreAlbert scheme

In 2021, we were part of the first cohort to take part in Heart of the City's "Climate for SMEs" course.

That same year, we put our Carbon Levy in place, to better account for and remove CO2e emissions created by our crew. In 2024, we are reviewing this in order to make the shift to better ways of reducing carbon; offsetting is a stop-gap, not the solution.

In 2005, we became the first and only crewing social enterprise in the UK. Looking at the long, long list of social enterprises signed up to Social Enterprise UK, this is still the case.

As far as our research goes, we remain the only crewing company tracking and reporting the real social and environmental impact our clients make simply by working with us.

Because at the end of the day, delivering for our clients means more than just providing a service.

Because there's always more that we can all be doing.

Because sometimes we have to lead by example and help others to join us.

Plus, being at the forefront of change is where you can be the most innovative.