No music on a dead planet ”- the slogan of the“ Music Declares Emergency ”initiative can hardly be misinterpreted.

Launched in July 2019, the list of supporters has grown to more than 1,300 organizations and around 3,100 artists.

Prominent names like Billie Eilish, Arcade Fire or the Foals are on it.

In addition to calling for more information about the “climate emergency” and an appeal to governments to reduce CO2 emissions more quickly, the actors are also committed to tackling their own industries.

Benjamin Fischer

Editor in business.

  • Follow I follow

There is a lot to do in the live business, for example.

Photos of campsites, which resemble a battlefield shortly after the festival is over, keep making the rounds - much to the displeasure of people like Stephan Thanscheidt: “Of course, a summer festival often produces large amounts of waste.

That is why it is absolutely essential to sort this waste completely, separate it and dispose of it accordingly, ”says the head of FKP Scorpio, one of the largest festival organizers in Europe, the majority of which belongs to CTS Eventim.

The photos are just snapshots.

Festivals offer many starting points

"We also collect usable tents and sleeping bags in order to reprocess them with a partner for people in need," he continues.

In Germany, for example, FKP organizes the Deichbrand, Southside and Hurricane festivals with up to 70,000 spectators.

Huge events for which - as with many smaller ones - the infrastructure has to be set up almost completely in the countryside.

"There are many areas at a festival where complex sustainability efforts exist," says Thanscheidt.

The central points in the first place included waste disposal or waste avoidance, energy supply and the arrival and departure of fans and artists.

For example, diesel generators would be exchanged for fixed power connections with green electricity if long-term usage contracts were in place.

Beyond these core areas, there are many other starting points to make the ecstasy more sustainable. They range from catering that is as regional as possible - partly in organic quality and with many vegetarian or vegan options - to composting toilets and central garbage collection stations to deposit machines at larger events.

Food waste is also an issue, as is the large complex of plastics, of course.

“Since the start of our 'Grün Rockt!' Campaign a few years ago, various single-use plastic products such as cutlery, straws or bowls have been banned at our festivals.

This applies to all dealers and sponsors.

The latter are also no longer allowed to distribute non-sustainable giveaways or the like, "says Thanscheidt, referring to another point:" In the backstage, we are increasingly installing water dispensers and distributing personalized bottles to bands and crews. "

"It's about making people attractive offers"

The garbage deposit is now a classic at many festivals.

Visitors are hired as garbage collectors and receive part of the ticket price in exchange for a full garbage bag.

However, this also has its negative side, "because it often leads to" that people throw away things for the 5 or 10 euros that can actually still be used - and waste separation is sometimes difficult, "notes Fine Stammnitz.

The artist manager co-founded the German branch of the “Music Declares” campaign and advises artists, venues and festivals with the Green Touring Network.