How Massive Attack Is Helping UK Festivals Go Green

In Bristol, England, a music group called Massive Attack once set a world record for holding a concert with the lowest carbon emissions ever recorded. Now, that achievement is inspiring big changes at music festivals across the United Kingdom. This summer, the Forwards Festival — which draws about 60,000 fans to Bristol — will run every single one of its stages on clean, renewable energy for the very first time.

Massive Attack's member Robert Del Naja said the goal of their 2024 show was always to create lasting change across the whole music industry. He said it feels great to see festivals making a permanent shift away from fossil fuels. Their 2024 concert, called ACT 1.5, cut power-related pollution by 98% compared to similar shows, by running entirely on batteries and serving only vegan food.

Other well-known events in the area have also made the switch this year. Both Love Saves the Day and the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta stopped using diesel generators and replaced them with greener technology. These changes show that the idea is spreading well beyond just one festival.

Forwards Festival, which will feature artists like Lorde, Little Simz, Tems, and Goldie, is using two main types of clean energy. The first is a new technology called green hydrogen, provided by a company named GeoPura. The second is a fleet of large, rechargeable battery units that can be adjusted to meet different power needs.

The money to make all of this happen came from a program called the Clean Power Pilot. This program is led by the West of England Combined Authority, also known as Weca. The funding is running throughout the summer and is helping event organizers test and use cleaner energy options.

Helen Godwin, the mayor of Weca, spoke about why this work matters so much right now. She pointed out that after another very hot and dry summer — made worse by human-caused climate change — it is clear the world needs to act fast. She said the region is proud to bring together its creative and clean energy industries to help fight the climate crisis and improve air quality.

Godwin also explained that dirty air is not just bad for the planet — it is bad for people's health, too. She said local leaders are working hard to find smart, clean solutions that let communities still enjoy big events. 'We're trying to think of innovative clean ways that we can do that better,' she said.

Looking ahead, Weca has big plans to grow this model even further. By 2027, the organization hopes to expand the program to many other industries beyond music festivals. If successful, the approach could serve as a blueprint for cities and regions all across the UK and even around the world.