British electronic music group Massive Attack have released an environmental awareness film in collaboration with Manchester University’s Tyndall Centre For Climate Change Research.
Narrated by Massive Attack’s Robert “3D” Del Naja, the film centers on reducing the carbon footprint of the live music industry. Del Naja stresses the music industry “couldn’t or wouldn’t move fast enough for live music to play its part in rapid decarbonization,” emphasizes the impact touring has on carbon emissions, and urges musicians to work with cities rather than promoters on reducing the live music industry’s carbon footprint.
Liverpool’s director of culture Claire McColgan, green energy industrialist Dale Vince, and Tyndall Centre’s Carly McLachlan also feature in the film.
Origins of the Partnership
Massive Attack’s partnership with the Tyndall Centre was announced in November 2019. Originally, the band pledged to work with the Tyndall Centre to “map thoroughly the carbon footprint of band tour cycles, and to present options that can be implemented quickly” along three core dimensions: audience transportation, band travel and production, and venue emissions. The research was to culminate in a low-carbon-footprint show. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic virtually shutting down live music gatherings ruled out the event.
Massive Attack’s Activism
Massive Attack are no strangers to incorporating environmental activism into their touring plans. They’ve paid to have trees planted, often prohibited the use of single-use plastics, and traveled by train to shows wherever feasible. In an op-ed for The Guardian, Del Naja mentioned that the band even considered giving up touring altogether. The idea was ultimately dropped as they settled upon reformation from the inside rather than outright boycott. “To create systemic change there is no real alternative to collective action,” Del Naja said.
Earlier in the year, Massive attack were among the signatories on “Lift the Siege,” an open letter calling for Israel to end attacks on the Gaza Strip.
