Bristol announces Massive Attack-inspired scheme for low-carbon music events
The city of Bristol has announced an unprecedented effort to decarbonise major music events in 2026, as part of a new pilot programme inspired by Massive Attack.
The initiative echoes the Bristol-hailing band, who recently made a conscious effort to reduce carbon emissions when performing live with ACT 1.5 project. This was their first Bristol gig in five years. It broke a world record for producing the lowest carbon emissions at a live event.
Announced on November 12th, the new scheme that will run across their hometown aims to bring a temporary mobile power hub to Bristol. In partnership with multiple clean power providers, the hub will use a “range of battery and pioneering green-hydrogen solutions”.
The pilot programme, launched by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and Bristol City Council, will “follow Massive Attack’s lead”. Through the clean hub, it intends to cut pollution for over 20 major music, cultural, film, and television events on council territory.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said of the scheme, “Clean energy and the creative industries are both key growth sectors for us over the coming decade. Next summer in Bristol, major events on council sites can follow Massive Attack’s lead by cutting pollution for live events.”
Running from May to September next year, it will be used by a range of high attendance events that would benefit from the decarbonisation effort.
Mark Donne, Lead Producer at ACT 1.5, also shared his thoughts on the mission, stating, “2026 will be the summer of plug for Bristol events, seeing in excess of 20 major events decarbonised, and an entirely new, viable model introduced.”
Nodding to Massive Attack, he added, “This is a major step of unprecedented scale and the perfect legacy of Massive Attack’s transgression – not only for the environment, but for the people who live near, work at, or go to summer festivals and events.”
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