Massive Attack to play huge 2024 show on Bristol Downs

Massive Attack were formed in Bristol in the late 1980s

Massive Attack will play a homecoming gig in Bristol next year which the band says will have the lowest carbon footprint of any concert of its size.

The event, called Act 1.5, will take place on The Downs on 25 August.

The gig, the band's first in the UK in five years, plus its production, catering and lighting, will be powered entirely by battery and solar power.

People living in Bristol and neighbouring counties will get priority over ticket sales.

In 2019 the band decided to tour by train rather than flying between European concerts.

Organisers said founder members Robert '3D' Del Naja and Grant 'Daddy G' Marshall have worked with various charities and organisations to cut its carbon emissions as much as possible.

'No excuses left'

In a statement 3D said: "We're chuffed to play our home city again and to be able 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 and help create precedents."

The band have been at the forefront of campaigning on reducing carbon emissions in the music industry

Organisers said: "The single largest contributor to an outdoor event's carbon footprint comes from audience travel.

"In order to combat this, whilst ensuring those who live closest to the event don't miss out on tickets, residents from Bristol and surrounding areas will be given priority access to purchase tickets for this show via an early pre-sale."

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The priority applies to anyone living in Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset, who will be able to register for a pre-sale from 10:00 GMT on Wednesday.

As well as using battery and solar power, organisers said the event will prioritise meat-free food and drink traders who can show they buy their products locally.

Electric shuttle buses will take concert-goers to the city centre and Bristol Temple Meads train station, and there will be incentives to travel by train.

'Transformative approach'

Massive Attack also plan to plant in a new woodland in the Bristol area with sustainable travel charity Train Hugger and The Forestry Commission.

The band said all vehicles used for the concert will either be electric or fuelled by certified waste product HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fuel.

In 2021 Massive Attack created a guide for the music industry on how to combat climate change, in conjunction with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.

Prof Carly McLachlan from the centre said of the Bristol concert: "This is precisely the type of transformative approach that we need to see more of in the live music sector - and indeed every sector."

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