In an ever-changing world facing the threats of climate change, many people look to those they support to make climate-conscious decisions. A growing number of artists are taking sustainable practices worldwide by committing themselves to sustainable concerts.
Musical superstars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift gather millions of fans at their concerts each year, a numberincreasingyearly. With these large gatherings, the environment can be unchanged. In the United States alone, concerts contribute over 115 million pounds of waste.
Radiohead pioneered concert sustainability in 2008 with its Carbon Neutral World Tour. The English rock band successfully reduced energy, water and waste emissions from performances to fan travel.
Today, dozens of artists follow in Radiohead’s footsteps.
In February 2024, The 1975 played the world’s first “carbon-removed” show at The O2 Arena in London. After a series of four shows, the arena had removed 546 tonnes of carbon. Much of the carbon emitted from the concert was not from the band but from fan travel.
The O2 has yet to host another carbon-removed show but is “fully committed to continuing to innovate.” According to the arena’s website, The O2 is working towards a low-carbon future.
Another band taking the sustainable concert initiative to a new level is Coldplay. The band committed to climate-conscious events at the beginning of its world tour in March 2022.
After committing to remain environmentally beneficial, Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres Tour cut CO₂ emissions by 59% across 2023 and 2024. The band has also planted seven million trees, provided free water refills at all of its shows and donated 9,625 meals to the unhoused and unsheltered.
Coldplay even created an app sharing low-carbon travel options, including transportation and lodging, and offering discount codes to fans who committed to low-carbon travel. All tour merchandise sold was sustainable and ethically sourced.
However, it can come at a cost to fans and artists to create sustainable merch. Fabric created sustainably is 2 and a half to 4 times more costly than regular fabrics, according to Wanderlust. However, the reasons for increased costs might outweigh the extra cash.
Sustainably made clothing and merchandise reduce environmental impact, increase working conditions and save money in the long run.
Billie Eilish is part of a growing group of artists focused on sustainability in their merchandise. According to the artist's website, 100% of merch sold on tour is made from recycled or organic material.
Eilish has also gone on the record to criticize artists who do not participate in sustainable practices. “The climate crisis is now and it’s about all of us being part of the problem and trying to do better,” Eilish said, noting she was not singling out any artist but the industry as a whole.
Research has proven the environmental impacts of tours and concerts, so it comes down to the artists to take charge. Although many artists are pursuing a more climate-friendly future, many are yet to join the crowd.
Sustainable tour initiatives ensure that future concerts are possible for all artists and fans.
