– Behind their Music of Spheres World Tour 2022/23.
In today’s world, getting tickets to see a favourite band, is a great passion for many people. Most fans focus on great music and a concert in an awesome venue.
The good guys in pop go further – investing massively to get their show on the road in eco – friendly ways, with minimum carbon footprints.
Chris Martin and Coldplay are one such band. Spreading their brilliance and eco-mindset worldwide.
Chris Martin was born in Exeter, Devon in 1977, where he attended Exeter Cathedral School , before boarding at Sherborne and later studying Greek and Latin at University College London . At UCL , the famous Coldplay was formed. They have ticked off multiple Grammys and Brit Awards since.
Coldplay’s current “Music of the Spheres Tour”, attracts attention from all the Carbon Off-set goals the band announced they would deliver.
For this tour, the band aim to reduce carbon emissions by 50% compared to previously. The starting point that caught my attention was their collaboration with DHL.
Every aspect of the band’s current tour has had the green treatment . And further, they have set up global environmental sponsorships that go well beyond when the tour has finished. Coldplay aim to avoid fossil fuels, opting instead for renewables, wind and solar energy where possible.
Tour data is assessed independently by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative. Currently the band speak of a 47 % reduction in CO2 emissions as the band enters the second year of its 8 leg tour.
Getting the Band to the Next Venue
Air Transport : Coldplay teamed up with DHL for a multi-armed approach to carbon saving transport . DHL aim to achieve net zero logisitics by 2050 , the so-called Mission 2050
Where equipment and crew move around the world, the band pay a surcharge to use sustainable aviation fuel for the planes. SAF, a biofuel, is made from recycled cooking oil and by products from wood pulp manufacture. And when mixed with jet fuel flights can reduce greenhouse emissions by 80%
Where possible band and crew take commercial flights, rather than charter jets.
The tour route was also planned to reduce air travel
Ground Transport : freight movement is with a fleet of DHL electric vehicles and trucks fuelled by Bio-LNG, made from organic waste.
Batteries run the Show Coldplay collaborated with BMW to develop a system of mobile electric batteries that can be recharged with renewable energy in whatever location the band are playing next. And so the entire show of sound and lighting is run from these batteries.
The Sustainability Rider. Ahead of every venue, Coldplay send a scout to plan for their eco needs. These guys adapt the show to make use of the local resources. They ask for aerated water taps, low flushing toilets and reduced water pressure.
Solar Power. – ahead of each performance , the Band install solar photovoltaic panels – both behind the stage and on top of PA and delay towers. This means the show batteries start charging as soon as they arrive at a venue.
Stage and lighting The stage is built with lightweight, low carbon re-usable materials and metals which can be recycled at concert end. And lasers and lighting are ultra low energy and LED. The sound system even uses 50% less power. The stage confetti is biodegradable and pyrotechnics are less explosive
LED Wrist Bands are the lights you see in the crowds, each made from compostable materials. The band encourage fans to recycle these after the show – recharging them for the next venue . Wrist band return was 86% in year 1 of the tour.
Kinetic Dance Floors are installed around the stadium so that the fans’ dancing can be converted into energy and help power the show. And more fan based energy comes from Electricity generating power bikes to charge batteries.
Where the Concert needs mains electricity, the band aims for 100% from renewable sources and inevitably there is a focus on reduced plastic waste. Encouragement of reusable water bottles and good water sources and any leftover food is shared at foodbanks, whilst waste is composted.
Travelling Fans even get discounts if they commit to a low carbon mode of transport, or car share. And Coldplay plant a tree for each ticket sold.
And the legacy of Coldplay’s world tour?
Well no doubt millions of happy fans , music sales and fulfilment for the band.
But there are massive environmental gains that we should marvel at from such a global event over 2 years – 10% of all that is earnt on tour goes to good causes.
Chris and the band set out to “draw down” more CO2 than the band produces in all guises, with projects for reforestation , rewilding, conservation , renewables and carbon capture. Even our local Devon Environmental Foundation receive support .
The Band even sponsors “The Ocean Clean up” of River interceptors to remove floating plastic on the world’s oceans which are quite incredible. But that’s another story.
For now I wish I had tickets to a Coldplay concert to watch the band and see all the greenness in action.