World’s first ‘Accelerator City’ to stage landmark climate action gigs

Musical acts Massive Attack, IDLES and Nile Rodgers are set to play a series of concerts at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena in November, to honour the English city being announced as the world’s first ‘UN Accelerator City’ for climate change.

This accolade recognises the city’s commitment to technical innovation and smart regulation to rapidly decarbonise the live music and TV / Film production sectors.

The upcoming concerts will be entirely powered by 100% renewable energy.

Massive Attack, whose sustainability efforts recently culminated in their 25 August ACT 1.5 festival in Bristol, team up once more with the artist-led initiative ACT 1.5, as well as SJM Concerts, to contribute to the three nights by showcasing “innovations in sustainability and the smart design of live music events,” according to a press release.

The public will also be able to access climate action workshops, live audience podcasts, and performances.

The city of Liverpool plans to contribute to the “decarbonization in the cultural sector,” by pioneering an “integrated public transport and ticketing program (TAG Network); electrification with 100% renewable energy of all key live event and filming locations in the city centre; and a new Paris 1.5-degree compatible sustainability standard that major events will need to meet in order to be granted a land use agreement for an event to proceed.”

Speaking about the new shows, Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack said: “Our recent Bristol show demonstrated beyond question that major live music events can be Paris 1.5 compatible, and that audiences will embrace change enthusiastically. The vast scope of work in Liverpool and UN recognition means we can now concentrate more dynamic pilots and experiments to rapidly phase out fossil fuels. This idea and this insistence are not going back in any box.”

He added: “We’re delighted to see artists like Coldplay testing elements like localized ticket pre-sales and 100% renewable energy as recommended in the Tyndall Centre Paris 1.5 decarbonization road map and encourage other artists to do so freely. The talking stage is over, it’s time to act.”

The Liverpool gigs will build on the methods first trialed in Bristol, including a public transport incentive initiative that will generate a vital reduction in audience travel emissions and 100% zero to landfill waste removal.

Nile Rodgers said: “Some of the greatest CHIC shows have taken place in Liverpool so I’m thrilled that we are bringing our funk back to the city. We love the people and it’s always a night to remember. However, the circumstances this time are special, as we’re joining forces with our friends in Massive Attack to launch Liverpool’s UN climate action programme across music and film.”

IDLES will play on 28 November; Massive Attack on 29 November; and Nile Rodgers on 30 November. General tickets will go on sale on Friday 27 September.