Massive Attack outline measures to reduce emissions at “pioneering” ‘Act 1.5’ show

Massive Attack have shared the details of their ‘Act 1.5’ show at Bristol Downs and its measures to reduce emissions.

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Details of the homecoming gig were first shared in December, when the trip-hop collective confirmed that 2024 would see them perform at an all-day “large-scale climate action accelerator event” – celebrating 25 years of climate activism for the band.

The gig will take place on August 25 at Clifton Downs in Bristol, and will mark the first performance that Robert ‘3D’ Del Naja and Grant ‘Daddy G’ Marshall have played on UK soil in five years. The likes of Killer Mike, Lankum, Sam Morton and the Wild Bunch’s DJ Milo are also set to perform at the gig. Visit here to find any remaining tickets.

The show aims to set the standard for the decarbonisation of live music and the band have now shared details of how it will do so. Speaking about the measures in a press release, Del Naja said: “The ACT 1.5 event in August may be the last time we play Bristol, so we’ve put a lot of attention into making sure the experience is as rich as possible. The show itself is a transgressive leap in our collaboration with Adam Curtis and United Visual Artists that we’re really excited to present.”

He continued: “The show production is pioneering in all aspects of decarbonisation and will create a blueprint for the way live shows can be produced. The scale of innovations and emissions reductions will speak for themselves. It’s a special moment for multiple reasons, and we cannot wait to see you all there.”

Some of the decarbonisation measures include a 48-hour ticket pre-sale Bristol region postcodes, five show special trains operating one hour after the Network Rail schedule is closed – with routes predicated on anonymised ticket holder postcode data, with free electric shuttle buses, having the entire festival site and operations being powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and battery, 100 per cent plant-based food outlets which use a localised food supply chain, a reusable cup system at all bars which encourages attendees to bring their own reusable containers.

The group also have ‘ACT 1.5’ show legacy measures which include the  creation of a new, permanent climate-resilient woodland of 19,150 native oak trees in James Wood, near Taunton – 44 miles from Bristol. The land comprises 85 acres of former farmland and unmanaged woodland and provides education, carbon capture, flood resilience and a rich area of biodiversity. As well as the development of power substations and feeder pillars to offer all festival, event, show and film production activities on Bristol Downs (plus new vehicle charging capacity) electrification via 100 per cent renewable energy.

“If you’re listening to the science and you’d like us all to avoid catastrophe, there’s no meaningful alternative to immediately and consistently reducing GHG emissions – from stage to field; we can all do that right now. The response from ticket holders to this experiment has already been incredible, and this August we’ll show that major live music shows can be done differently, collectively, and dynamically,” shared Mark Donne – the lead Producer of ‘ACT 1.5’ in a press release.

In other news, Massive Attack recently cancelled their gig in a protest of the “government’s attack on basic human rights”.