Liverpool concert venues turn climate action up to eleven

Across the Mersey, Liverpool are busy planning Act 1.5.

Live music and events at the M&S Bank Arena from 28 to 30 November will see performances from artists including Massive Attack, IDLES and Nile Rodgers.

The name is a reference to a 2015 international agreement to try to limit global warming to 1.5C above levels experienced in pre-industrial times.

Robert Del Naja of trip-hop outfit Massive Attack said the band’s recent show in Bristol, billed as the lowest-carbon concert of its size ever staged, proved the music industry could make a difference.

Liverpool was recently named the world’s first ‘Accelerator City’ to take action on climate change by a UN programme.

Del Naja said U.N. recognition will lead to more dynamic pilot projects and experiments to quickly transition away from fossil fuels.

He added: “This idea and this insistence will not go back into any box.

“We are pleased to see artists such as Coldplay trialling elements such as localized pre-sales of tickets, as recommended in the Tyndall Center Paris 1.5 decarbonization roadmap, and encourage other artists to do so freely.”

Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson has been invited to speak at COP29 and outline the city’s plans.

While he acknowledged it may not be an easy task, he promised to work closely with the city’s smaller venues.