Nikki

Bring Me The Horizon  First post-pandemic arena tour reduces tour emissions by 38%

In September 2021, Bring Me The Horizon - Post Human Tour was the first arena tour in the UK since the pandemic.

The intention was to emerge with a more sustainable touring approach and the BMTH touring team and stakeholders took steps to put the positive words into action. Taking place from 20th - 26th Sept, this was the first tour to actually achieve the aspirational reductions of touring, with emissions reduced by 38% through using renewable fuel for trucks, plant-based meals, food waste reduction, energy efficient equipment, and the use of 3322 plastic bottles prevented through back of house and tour bus use of water coolers and plastic bottle ban.

• Unprecedented collaboration between stakeholders for the purpose of sustainability
  
• 38% reduction in touring production emissions
• 27.97 tonnes of CO2e were avoided
• 22 tonnes avoided by switching trucking fuel to HVO Renewable Diesel
• 3,322 plastic bottles prevented
• Culture change is essential to achieve a green future for artist touring.

This was an unprecedented collaboration, all tour stakeholders shared investment and commitment to reducing negative impacts of the tour where possible, identify which reductions were not possible, share findings for future improvements in the live industry, and finally remove unavoidable residual emissions. Raw Power Management, United Talent Agency (UTA), Promoter Kilimanjaro, and venue The O2 Arena shared the cost of sustainability implementation advice and tour impact audit. The band invested into recommended mitigation efforts, reducing tour emissions and associated negative impacts. The action was championed by the Tour Production Group (TPG) and A Greener Festival (AGF) who are contributors to the LIVE Beyond Zero Declaration for Net Zero emissions in the Live music and entertainment sector by 2030. 

Sustainability experts AGF joined the tour to provide advice and consultancy, to implement and report upon proposed mitigation actions producing this Greener Tour Report and CO2 Analysis.

The report not only provides insight for the BMTH touring team to monitor achievements, areas for improvement, and required emissions removals, but is also a resource for other touring productions to use as another step on the road towards A Greener Tour.

Matt Ash, Raw Power Management said:
“Working with an artist in BMTH and a tour production team that was fully behind the approach to sustainable touring was something that we absolutely endorsed and are keen to implement on all future touring whenever possible.”

Claire O’Neill, CEO, AGF said:
“During the pandemic, the touring music industry came together on the important topic of sustainability. We’re so happy with the results from walking the talk with the first UK Arena Tour off the mark. The report shows a direct link between well-being, stress, and environmental sustainability. Culture change and industry restructuring is essential to achieve a green future for artist touring. There is much still to be done, but these results are undeniable evidence that we can take huge strides to reduce emissions and protect ecosystems immediately. There’s no excuse to delay”

Alan Day, Promoter, Kilimanjaro / Action! said:
“Bring Me The Horizon were the first band in the UK, possibly the world, to complete a full non-rescheduled arena tour after the height of the pandemic. Their vision from the start was to produce the tour as environmentally friendly as possible, whilst still giving the audience the best spectacle achievable. From savings in plastic waste, to transport, to accommodation, to stage production and more, I am proud to have produced such a landmark tour and hopefully an example for the future”.    

Steve Sayer, VP & GM of The O2 added:
“The O2 were delighted to collaborate with all the other partners on this important project to build back a more sustainable touring and live music industry. Venues are a big part of the live ecosystem and we are keen to learn how we can further reduce our footprint as we develop our plans to get to net zero; and support the tours do the same. Credit to BMTH for taking the lead on this and showing us the way.”

The stakeholder collaboration will continue beyond this first action, to ensure that all future tours not only implement these positive findings, but continue to find, implement and share solutions for a Greener Tour. The next step is to engage the audience. With the touring “house” getting itself order, artists are in a stronger position to use their voice to engender positive change through the millions of individuals who they reach every year.

Notes to Editors:

Photo Credit: Conor McDonnell
Link to download the full report here: https://www.agreenerfestival.com/bring-me-the-horizon-post-human-tour-report/

The report takes into account aspects of the tour in immediate control and influence of the touring production. Audience travel is not included. AGF does include audience travel in  Greener Arena and Venue programmes, and it is recommended to include this in partnership with venues and promoters for future Greener Tour actions.

About AGF
AGF is a not-for-profit company committed to helping events, festivals and venues around the world adopt environmentally efficient practises. AGF provide certification, education and training, consultancy, resources and green riders, facilitating the exchange of good ideas. They share information about how environmentally efficient methods are currently being employed at events and how the impact on the environment can be limited at future events. They offer independent assessment and verification of events sustainability claims through the AGF Awards for festivals, venues, tours and events.

About Kilimanjaro
Formed in 2008, Kilimanjaro Live is a live music and entertainment events promoter and producer, staging over 700 very diverse shows each year covering music concerts, musical theatre, comedy, spoken word, festivals, and more, and working with shows and artists as diverse as Ed Sheeran, Andrea Bocelli, Bring Me The Horizon, Belladrum festival, Kew the Music, and Live at Chelsea. Kilimanjaro is driven to establish effective, collaborative and productive long-term partnerships, continually providing our partners with the best and most comprehensive services to ensure success.

About the O2
The O2 is the world’s most popular music, entertainment and leisure venue and has been visited by over 100 million people since opening in 2007. Playing host to over 400 events a year, The O2 is home to The O2 arena which is globally recognised as one of the world’s most iconic venues to play, and club sized music venue indigo at The O2. A full day-out destination, there’s plenty to explore at The O2 including Up at The O2, a climbing experience across the world famous roof; Icon Outlet, one of London’s most exciting retail destinations with up to 70% off 60 superstar brands; TOCA Social – an interactive football experience; BOOM BATTLE BAR – a gaming battleground featuring Axe Throwing, Shuffleboard, Digital Darts and more; Cineworld, London’s largest cinema with 19 screens; the 12-lane boutique Hollywood Bowl; Oxygen Freejumping trampoline park; immersive dining experience Mamma Mia! The Party; interactive photo experiences Selfie Factory and Tikky Town, and over 30 bars and restaurants. 

About Raw Power Management
Representing some of the loudest acts on the planet, Raw Power enters its fifteenth year at the height of its pedigree; with more than twenty groups of the most vital performers, producers, and songwriters in the world. With offices in London and Los Angeles, always firmly rooted in its punk and DIY ethos, Raw Power’s ability to deliver world-class entertainment is undeniable. Whether that be in nurturing young talent, establishing the next major festival headline act, or supporting the heroes of millions, we invest our expertise in those whose passion reflects our own.

About UTA (Taken from FB)
United Talent Agency is a premier global talent and literary agency representing many of the world's most acclaimed figures in every current and emerging area of entertainment and media, including motion pictures, television, digital, broadcast news, legit theater, video games, books, music, and live entertainment. The agency is also globally recognized in the areas of film finance, film packaging, branding, licensing, endorsements and representation of production talent. UTA additionally provides corporate consulting, venture funding and strategic advisory services to companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. UTA operates the brand strategy agency UTA Brand Studio and owns market-leading broadcast news agency Bienstock.

Press inquiries contact:
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk

by Nikki