Massive Attack announce return to the stage with low carbon U.K. show

Massive Attack will play their first live show since 2019 next summer, with the event described as a "large-scale climate action accelerator event" and "the lowest carbon show of its size ever staged" by the group. The show will take place on August 25 at Clifton Downs in Bristol, England.

In 2021 Massive Attack commissioned a report outlining the ways in which the music industry can act to reduce or offset its carbon emissions. Their first live show since the report was published will be powered by what is described in press materials as 100% renewable energy and aims to provide a blueprint for similar events moving forward.

Planned in partnership with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, the 2024 show will incentivize fans to travel by train and initially restrict tickets exclusively to those who live closest to the venue. Only locally-sourced produce will be sold by food vendors and all vehicles used to transport equipment and staging materials will be electric. A "climate-resilient woodland plantation in the southwest region" will be created after the show. This includes the planting of mountain, shining, and southern blue gum trees “chosen for their fast growth and efficient carbon capture qualities.”

Robert “3D” Del Naja said in a press release, “We’re chuffed to play our home city again and to be able to do it in the right way. 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 & help create precedents that are immediately available.”

In 2021, Massive Attack had planned to play a similarly sustainable show in Liverpool, but canceled after it emerged that the venue was also due to host an arms fair.