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EUROPE’S FESTIVAL SUMMER
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2024 analysis
GREEN GUARDIANS 2024
Sustainable suppliers and innovations FESTIVAL
INNOVATION
The best new ideas from summer ’24
THE ROCKIN’ ROAD TO DUBLIN
Ireland’s live music market in focus
ADELE’S WORLD
INSIDE THE RECORDBREAKING MUNICH SHOWS
ROCK IN RIO
BRAZIL’S FESTIVAL JEWEL AT 40
BY THE NUMBERS
Welcome to Magazine’s 2024 Green Guardians – our annual recognition of those companies, organisations, eco-warriors, innovators, and this year, artists, who are working so tirelessly to make the live entertainment industry more sustainable.
ARTISTS STEP UP
As one of a rising crop of young acts who are placing sustainability at the heart of their careers, Lime Cordiale are looking at every aspect of their activities to ensure they are minimising their carbon footprint. Working with Suitcase Records, they became the first Australian band to release an album, Enough of the Sweet Talk, on vinyl using EcoVin, a new low-carbon PVC that reduces the CO₂ output of standard vinyl by 92.5%. The band is also working with US-based thrift store retailer Savers to produce merch on upcycled tees.
In partnership with FEAT.Live (see profile on page 49), a $1 Solar Slice from every ticket sold across the Enough of the Sweet Talk Tour will go towards decarbonisation and action on climate change, while on their upcoming UK and Europe tour, the band will travel on a bus running on fuel produced from HVO, reducing fuel emissions by up to 90%. To achieve this, the band’s tour bus supplier, UK-based Vans for Bands worked with their engineering team to ensure that the busses would run efficiently on HVO.
Vans for Bands also worked with their wholesale fuel supplier to ensure that the entire tour could be run on HVO, due to its limited distribution across Europe. It’s one of the very first times a tour has been run end to end on the emissions-reducing fuel. limecordiale.com
AEG EUROPE
AEG Europe, a leader in the live sports and entertainment industry, is using its platform and reach to make a significant impact on the planet. With millions of fans and thousands of events annually, the company is committed to minimising its environmental impact and raising public awareness about issues to make meaningful change.
The company made new strides this year, with the world’s first carbon-removed arena events being a highlight. The O2 removed nearly 550 tons of carbon across four shows with The 1975, a monumental moment in event sustainability. The venue also achieved Greener Arena certification from AEG and introduced the Green Rider to promote sustainable practices among promoters and artists.
In addition, the American Express presents BST Hyde Park festival series that takes place in London implemented the next stage of its net-zero strategy, reducing its carbon emissions via Biochar and utilising 100% compostable serve ware to limit waste. On the horizon, the company’s proposed 8,500-capacity Edinburgh Park Arena, set to open in 2027, is set to be a net-zero venue and will generate over half of its energy from low or zero-carbon technologies.
Through these industry-leading initiatives, AEG Europe hopes it can be a model for other venues, promoters, and tours worldwide, through promoting a greener future for live events.
aegeurope.com
Amy Morrison’s lifelong commitment to both activism and the environment has shaped her decades-long career in the music industry. For over 30 years, she’s united these passions, working to halt nuclear tests, greening tours, introducing reusable cups, and fostering sustainability-focused teams. The MSA is the culmination of her journey.
After 23 years with Concerts West/AEG Presents, Amy left to lead the MSA full-time last year. Founded in 2021, the alliance is dedicated to making the music industry greener through industry-led initiatives. It’s a hub where professionals and artists can learn and collaborate to tackle the climate crisis by providing them with resources, practices, and tools for change.
“We are a nimble team, energised by cross-sector, pre-competitive participation in our programmes,” she says. “We host three working groups; spearhead Music Votes – a coalition of non-profits aimed at increasing voter participation; and produce The Green Room webinar series.”
MSA is currently gearing up for its NY Climate Week activation – The Music Biz Climate Hub – and its second annual summit in Los Angeles next February. Through these initiatives, MSA is a driving force in the global music industry toward a sustainable future for all. musicsustainability.org
ASM GLOBAL
Venue and event management giant ASM Global is elevating its buildings worldwide, with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-level certification, or a local equivalent, becoming the new standard. Its P&J Live arena in Aberdeen, Scotland, has been recognised as one of the most sustainable venues in the UK and is part of its expansive portfolio of venues in Europe, the United States, Australia, and Asia.
In late 2023, ASM Global formed a partnership with Voltus, a leader in distributed energy and virtual power plants. Voltus is set to pay ASM Global for cutting back its energy usage at its US venues, a deal that is already yielding results less than one year in.
The transnational company has also joined with r.World (rworldreuse.com), the largest reuse platform, to aid in eliminating single-use plastic throughout ASM Global’s North American portfolio by replacing it with reusable service ware.
This May, the company opened Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in the US’s Ozark Mountains. The amphitheatre has been permanently designated to support a not-for-profit conservation foundation. And to ensure the company’s supply chain meets its green goals, ASM’s Supplier Diversity Program builds relationships with local businesses to support a regional ecosystem of goods and services. Participating venues include The Greek Theatre (Los Angeles), T-Mobile Center (Kansas City), Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas), and State Farm Arena (Atlanta).
asmglobal .com
COLDPLAY
I n 2019, Coldplay said they would not tour again unless they could do so in a sustainable way. Having set ambitious targets to cut carbon emissions, the band confirmed this year that they had exceeded expectations as their Music of the Spheres World Tour continues to raise the bar.
When the tour was announced in late 2021, the band revealed a 12-point plan for cutting their carbon footprint, including a pledge to reduce emissions from production, freight, and travel by at least 50% compared with their previous A Head Full of Dreams stadium tour.
In June, the group announced they had smashed their target: “We’re happy to report that direct CO₂e emissions from the first two years of this tour are 59% less than our previous stadium tour, on a show-byshow comparison,” the band said in a statement. “These figures have been verified by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative.”
The ongoing trek has seen an 86% average return and reuse rate of LED wristbands (see next column), with 33 European shows powered entirely by a tour-able, recycled battery system (see Showpower profile on page 52). Additionally, over 20 partnerships with green travel providers have helped fans get to the shows via carbon-low transport, making an impact onstage and offstage.
coldplay.com
Working with Coldplay and their ambitious green touring goals, PixMob developed the world’s first compostable wristband (the ultrabright 7-LED wristband) for the active Music of the Spheres World Tour.
The device is manufactured using a plant-based plastic derived from renewable sugarcane from Thailand. It is designed for refurbishing onsite using simple tools. Each wristband works for three shows, after which it requires a change of battery and sanitisation before being reused. At the end of the product’s life, the plastic casing is removed and decomposes in two months in an industrial composter or two years in regular compost. The electronics are sent to electronic recycling centres.
The company says that since launching its recycling programme, more than 3m wearables have been recycled, and PixMob’s touring crew has recovered over 86% of wristbands at each Coldplay show – a notable achievement as fans tend to keep them as souvenirs.
Coldplay, with the help of PixMob, reduced the carbon footprint of their Music of the Spheres Tour by 59% compared to their previous outing.
pixmob.com
Fan fun THAT NEVER ENDS
Our immersive LED products are made from sustainable materials, for fan favorite effects that don’t leave footprints. From wearables to installations, all our products are recycled, reusable, and rechargeable. Now that’s lit.
CO-OP LIVE
New on the UK scene, Co-op Live opened its doors in May this year with sustainability at the heart of the Manchester venue.
Working with Aniron, a leader in commercial and industrial solar energy solutions, the arena has 3,300 solar panels on the roof of the downtown venue. Once fully operational, the panels will yield nearly 1m kWh per year to aid in powering the building, which also features energy-efficient heat pumps, rainwater recycling, reusable cups, and locally sourced materials and food. The arena also plans to be zero-waste to landfill.
With a focus on fan travel, Co-op Live and Transport for Greater Manchester created a groundbreaking sustainability initiative allowing fans to travel for free on designated routes with an event ticket. An anticipated 1m fans will utilise the initiative over the next year. cooplive.com
DJS 4 CLIMATE ACTION
Using the influence of electronic music and DJ culture, DJs 4 Climate
Action is a group of artists generating action and powering climate solutions. They’ve been involved in various campaigns and initiatives to improve sustainability within the nightlife industry.
Built on grassroots initiatives, the organisation aspires to create climate action on a global level. Earth Night is the group’s signature event, a week-long celebration combining music, nightlife, and environmental activism.
Earth Night’s mission is to bring global communities together to raise awareness and generate funds for local and global climate initiatives.
The event features performances from top DJs, learning opportunities, interactive experiences, eco-friendly activities, and fundraising initiatives towards climate action projects and organisations.
The next Earth Night is set for 23-27 April 2025. djs4ca .com
D&B GROUP
Guided in part by the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals, d&b group has crafted a sustainability strategy that recognises and acts on the significant environmental impact of the live entertainment industry.
Earlier this year, the audio solutions group launched SustainSymphony, a live events management platform. The software as a service solution that enables organisers, suppliers, and venue managers to improve their environmental responsibility. Features include a comprehensive performance indicator database, managing sustainability certifications, and generating detailed reports, making tracking, improving, and showcasing green initiatives easier.
Their goal is to lead the transformation of the global events industry towards a more sustainable and resilient future, ensuring that sustainability becomes a core consideration for all stakeholders. db.group
EARTHPERCENT
EarthPercent is the music industry’s climate-focused foundation. It aims to make the planet a stakeholder in music by working with artists and industry groups who donate a small share of their revenue. This money is then used to support climate justice and environmental organisations.
To date, the foundation has distributed over $1m to its grant partners, guided by an advisory panel of climate experts, scientists, and youth activists. Artists like Moby and Swedish House Mafia have recently joined in, pledging a percentage of their earnings to the planet.
This year, EarthPercent launched Sounds Right, a multi-partner initiative that recognises nature as an official artist on streaming platforms. Artists including Brian Eno and David Bowie, Ellie Goulding, and Umi, V from BTS released tracks featuring the sounds of nature, whose streaming royalties fund her conservation via EarthPercent.
With more tracks being released later this year, this initiative is projected to raise $40m by 2030. The organisation is also expanding its Earth As Your Cowriter initiative, through which artists can credit the Earth as a collaborating songwriter, raising funds through publishing royalties.
earthpercent.org
ECOTRICITY GRID FAERIES
The brainchild of sustainability entrepreneur Dale Vince OBE, founder of Ecotricity, and Claire O’Neill, A Greener Future co-founder, Grid Faeries is the world’s first 3MWh battery for the festival market. Debuting at Glastonbury Festival in June, the product powered the entire Arcadia Spectacular arena.
The system has also powered WOMAD’s Charlie Gillett stage with 100% green energy and Massive Attack’s Act 1.5, a one-day large-scale climate action accelerator event in Bristol, UK.
The founders are hoping to roll out Grid Faeries to more events next year and are also working nationwide in the UK to bring grid connection to commonly used event sites to make diesel generator usage a thing of the past. ecotricity.co.uk
GeoPura is a company providing zero-emission energy solutions by using renewable sources like solar and wind to create green hydrogen. This product is then used to produce clean electricity, a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, using no carbon and producing only water as a byproduct.
In 2024, GeoPura led the way in reducing emissions at major events with their hydrogen-powered generators. At the Isle of Wight Festival in the UK, they replaced diesel generators, supplying clean power to key areas like catering and guest services for the first time with hydrogen. This marked the first instance of hydrogen power being integrated into the festival’s infrastructure.
Their success at Isle of Wight festival led to further projects, including powering welfare and recycling areas at Latitude Festival, the main stage at a 30,000-cap event, the Touch Rugby World Cup, and the live TV broadcast of the BMW PGA Tour, all with zero emissions.
Partnering with brands like Live Nation, GeoPura has demonstrated that green hydrogen can effectively power large events sustainably. geopura .com
FEAT.Live is an Australia-based, artist-led agency working to address climate change by using the music industry’s influence. The organisation aims to improve the environmental impact of festivals and tours by supporting sustainable practices through its Solar Slice ticket surcharge.
To date, FEAT.Live has promoted renewable energy by encouraging investments in large solar farms; solar and battery setups for backstage areas; hybrid lighting towers; and electric tour vehicles. Their Solar Slice projects have also supported bush regeneration, rainforest planting, and ocean conservation efforts. Between 2024 and 2026, FEAT.Live plans to dial in on rewilding and restoration.
The agency is partnering with conservation groups to help meet the United Nations’ goal of restoring 30% of the world’s land and seas by 2030. They will help artists invest in First Nations-led projects to restore degraded landscapes and manage these areas long-term. Additionally, FEAT.Live is developing a project to help the live entertainment industry cope with the risks of extreme weather events.
LATITUDE FESTIVAL
The Su ffolk-based UK festival began trialling hydrogen power across their event with a new partnership utilising GeoPura’s Hydrogen Power Units (HPUs) for clean energy at this year’s event (see GeoPura profile on page 49). The Festival Republic event, held from 25-28 July, replaced traditional diesel generators with zero-emission HPUs to provide clean electricity. The move aligns with the event’s Green Nation Sustainability Charter, which outlined its goals of reducing its carbon footprint and protecting the environment.
In addition to this change, the festival also used HVO biofuel in its generators, making these major power sources entirely fossil fuel-free. Climate and environmental groups, like Greenpeace, were also given space to engage with attendees about their efforts.
GeoPura’s CEO, Andrew Cunningham, praised Latitude: “By introducing reliable, zero-emission power, organisers are not only lowering the carbon footprint of the event but also enhancing the overall experience for all involved with cleaner air and quieter operations.”
Latitude’s initiative marks a new chapter for festivals and events moving toward renewable energy sources, reflecting a growing commitment to reduce emissions at these communal gatherings. latitudefestival .com
MOJO CONCERTS
Netherlands-based MOJO Concerts launched its Road to Zero Waste policy last January, driven by Kees Lamers and Maarten van Lokven. The company aims to make its festivals, concerts, and offices climate-neutral and circular by 2030, with the initiative also including popular Amsterdam venues AFAS Live and Ziggo Dome.
To achieve this objective, MOJO is working to replace diesel generators with connections to the mains electricity network. This year, the events company has introduced a series of policies: from reusable coffee cups and recyclable cups at Goffertpark festivals and a shift to plant-based foods to expanded car-sharing options and a bring-your-own-bottle policy.
The Road to Zero Waste campaigns at Pinkpop Festival and Down The Rabbit Hole have been successful, with attendees receiving recycling kits with sorting information and bags leading to minimal camping gear left behind. mojo.nl
MAGGIE BAIRD
I n 2020, Maggie Baird, mother of Grammy Award-winning artists Billie Eilish and Finneas, founded Support + Feed – an initiative committed to mitigating climate change and increasing food security by driving global demand, acceptance, and accessibility of plant-based food.
To date, Support + Feed has reached 41 cities globally, has a consistent presence in 11 anchor cities in the US, and is now expanding through partnerships in the UK, Europe, and Australia. The initiative has partnered with more than 80 community organisations and supported over 60 local restaurants to deliver nearly 600,000 plant-based meals and pantry items, alongside educational resources connecting the dots between what we put on our plates and the climate crisis.
The charity operates through three interconnected programmes: Support + Feed, Support + Learn, and Support + Grow. From culturally relevant meal delivery to educational programmes to hyperfocussed ecosystem revitalisation, the initiative covers many bases in the fight against food insecurity and climate change. supportandfeed.org
ØYAFESTIVALEN
The annual Norwegian music festival has tapped into its city’s power grid rather than use fossil-fuelled generators in an effort to protect its location in Oslo’s Tøyen Park. As a result, Øya says the festival site is fossil fuel-free, and organisers are aiming to have a completely emission-free site within the next few years.
Food at the event is almost entirely organic and mostly vegetarian or vegan, motivated by the desire to reduce the festival’s carbon footprint. All food packaging is compostable and turned into biogas – a renewable energy source made from the breakdown of organic waste – post-event, while all non-water beverages are served in reusable cups.
Sta ff have achieved a material recycling rate of roughly 75% as the festival’s garbage is hand-sorted onsite into 15 different categories. The event is committed to reusable products and regenerative energy sources, evidenced by its varied initiatives.
As a leader in festival sustainability, Øya publishes an environmental handbook for other outdoor festivals and events and is one of the Green Producers Tool developers, helping measure and reduce emissions for the entertainment and event industries.
oyafestivalen.no
Environmental sustainability is at the heart of KB Event, as the company is continuously striving to identify and deliver practical solutions to boost efficiency and reduce impact on the environment for the industry.
By working collaboratively with clients, KB Event merges expertise from different backgrounds to combat communal challenges. An example of this includes KB Event’s introduction of HVO, working with Peak Oils to supply 100% renewable, palm-oil-free diesel into its fleet. A few years out from introduction, this HVO now reduces net CO₂ emissions by up to 90% and lowers nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide emissions.
This year, the palm-oil-free HVO Biofuel has been used on tours by Yungblud and Massive Attack and at events like DragCon 2024, Insurtech, Mobile World Congress, and EarthFest. Their dedication to sustainability dates back to 2008 when they became the first event logistics company to receive environmental accreditation.
Their new Wandsworth depot is ready to service events in and around London. Here, they will also provide the industry with the option of HVO, but more importantly, battery-electric vans and trucks, as they trial this with Volta Trucks. kbevent.com
PIETER SMIT
The Netherlands-based transportation group’s sustainability goals focus on two main areas: green facilities and sustainable touring using proven and accessible technologies.
For its facilities, Pieter Smit has implemented a range of solutions such as heating with geothermal energy, solar panels, and LED lighting. It has implemented rainwater collection for internal drainage and truck washing in some of its establishments , while its workshops and storage areas are powered by solar energy.
Pieter Smit continues to offer HVO as an interim solution for touring until more advanced technologies become widely available and a ffordable, while also incorporating electric vehicles and focusing on smaller, longer-distance vehicles as technology improves.
Later this year, the company will embark on an all-electric vehicle tour in collaboration with theatrical company Jakop Ahlbom. pietersmit.com
SHOWPOWER
Netherlands-based Showpower Global has been working alongside ZAP Concerts to install and manage the SmartGrid battery power system on Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour. The mobile touring system provides 100% of the band’s main stage with battery and renewable power, where available.
The team behind SmartGrid report that road-tested technology is greatly improving the reliability, efficiency, and performance of the machinery, which is being updated on a venue-to-venue basis.
For the recent European leg, Showpower first used SmartGrid in Athens before taking it to Bucharest, Budapest, Lyon, Düsseldorf, Rome, Helsinki, Munich, Vienna, and Dublin. The company says that consistently powering a major global tour with the same battery system while crisscrossing different countries is a world first for touring artists and stadium shows.
By the end of the European leg, the system had been deployed at all 33 stadium shows, proving its effectiveness for entire tour legs and making it a viable option for other sustainability-conscious touring acts. In addition, 10m tickets have been sold and 10m trees committed to being planted.
showpower.com
THE CHANGENCY
Berlin-based creative sustainability agency The Changency has a vision to combine the joy of music with a sustainable way of living.
Founded by Katrin Wipper and Sarah Lüngen in 2021 through the climate activist network Music Declares Emergency, The Changency launched with a groundbreaking sustainability study alongside iconic German band SEEED, their 85,000 fans, and Berlin’s University of Technology — leading to an accolade from the federal government.
Driven to inspire fans to enact positive social change, The Changency launched its latest project, TICKET TO RIDE, with Crowd Impact, exploring sustainable fan travel for major events. This initiative encouraged over 200,000 fans of German rockers AnnenMayKantereit to adopt greener travel habits.
In addition, the agency offers workshops, keynotes, and consultancy, including work with the BDKV (Association of German Concert & Events Promoters). They initiated Germany’s first sustainability and circularity conference at Reeperbahn Festival, alongside Green Events Hamburg, and founded the Change of Club this year to provide sustainability-focused event training. changency.network
Always at the forefront when it comes to green tech and systems to reduce carbon footprints, the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) gathers leaders and innovators in the live sector to network and accelerate discussions around environmental and social best practice.
With many industry initiatives targeting a zero-carbon future, how the live sector moves towards a greener business framework has become a critical issue. GEI brings together experts, government reps, and cutting-edge organisations, to identify, share, and implement practical actions and holistic measures to help with this critical transition.
Conference sessions cover topics such as transport, energy, food, equality & inclusivity, climate justice, design & materials usage for circularity, while developers showcase various products and systems that can be used to help achieve sustainability goals.
2025’s edition will be held 25 January, the day before ILMC and in the same venue. agreenerfuture.com/gei
