Festival Republic have announced that they are to fund a new research project within Music Declares Emergency. The project aims to drive grid connections to UK festivals and begin the transition of the UK outdoor live sector to grid power. Such a transition will ultimately reduce carbon emissions for the sector in relation to temporary power generation. Under the No Music On A Dead Planet banner, this grant marks a key moment in the transformation of the UK outdoor live music portfolio, and reinforces the commitment of Festival Republic to playing a leading role in creating a greener and more sustainable future for live music in the UK and beyond.
Festival Republic will support the project closely with the aim of presenting fully renewably powered, grid connected stages at three Festival Republic events for the 2023 festival season, and to help create a pathway for other promoters and event organisers to follow. Festival Republic has been a supporter of Music Declares Emergency since its launch in 2019. Music Declares Emergency will be onsite throughout the summer at Festival Republic events to continue to engage audiences and the music industry in the climate conversation.
Youth Climate Justice Coalition, made up of Climate Live, Fridays for Future, Teach the Future and XR Youth, will also bring their campaign bus to Reading and Leeds. There will be speeches and workshops held at the bus, and the Youth Climate Justice Coalition will also be performing on the Alternative Stage as well as other continued sustainability initiatives. For more information, please visit https://www.readingandleedsfestival.com/ .
Festival Republic MD, Melvin Benn said: “This project will be a game changer for outdoor live events. Generating our own temporary power is the highest contributor of on-site Greenhouse Gas emissions at a festival, and by plugging into the grid we will reduce this significantly. By doing this, and sharing our knowledge with others, festival goers can have an amazing time at festivals safe in the knowledge that we are doing everything we can as event organisers to create events that have positive rather than negative impacts.”
Music Declares Emergency Co-Founder Lewis Jamieson said: “Festival Republic and Melvin personally have been at the forefront of action on climate and environmental issues within the music industry for years. In partnering with MDE to make renewable event power a reality, they are not just continuing FR’s transition towards a greener future but offering the entire live sector an invaluable pathway that will benefit the whole live music community. We are delighted to be working with Festival Republic on such a visible example of the difference positive music businesses can make in relation to the climate crisis.”
