Coldplay Explains How Their Tour Will Be More Environmentally Sustainable, Doesn’t Mind Backlash

As the globe slowly begins to reopen after two years of being engulfed in the COVID-19 epidemic, one thing that people are eager to return to is live music.

Most musicians and fans love going to concerts, therefore the return to live music is a chance that many would not want to pass up.

With all of this, there is one reoccurring concern that some artists have been addressing: the harmful environmental effect of live music.

Lesser carbon footprint plan by Coldplay

(Photo : ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The next Coldplay tour will be powered in part by a dancefloor that creates electricity as fans jump up and down, as well as pedal power at the venues.

It's part of a 12-point strategy to reduce the band's carbon impact, which comes two years after they committed not to tour unless they could do so in a more environmentally friendly way.

Fans will be on "kinetic flooring," singer Chris Martin said in his first interview with BBC about the plans.

The live entertainment industry is well-known for its environmental impact.

The carbon footprint of a tour is substantial enough to be an ongoing concern that musicians should address for a better future in touring, whether it be the venue itself, traveling, plastic trash, or other aspects of a tour.

Audience travel accounts for a third of the carbon footprint, which includes car travel, emissions from idle cars, and taking trains or flying to various locations to watch their favorite musicians, as per Hypebot.

An additional third of the footprints derives from venue-related pollution, such as high-carbon fireworks or comparable pyrotechnics, or some such smaller but still significant aspects, such as the necessity of paper tickets rather than depending only on e-ticketing systems.

Read more: What is Environmental Sustainability in the Workplace

How the band's plans be sustainable?

Coldplay announced in 2019 that they will take a break from touring in order to focus on becoming more ecologically conscious and sustainable.

In November of 2019, frontman Chris Martin informed the BBC News that the band will not travel again until their concerts could be made more viable.

Coldplay revealed in October 2021 that their upcoming tour for their album Music of the Spheres will be more sustainable, two years after their first remark.

The band's upcoming tour will be powered in part by a dancefloor that creates electricity as people jump up and down and pedal power at the venues, according to a BBC News piece.

They don't mind the backlashes from fans

The artist acknowledged that some of their actions, such as continuing to fly on private aircraft, would draw criticism.

He stated, "I don't mind any reaction at all."

The band is doing their best, but they're not quite there yet.

"And those who criticize us for doing things like that, for flying, are correct, so they don't have any objections to it."

"We could stay at home, which could be preferable. However, we want to explore and meet people, therefore aim to do it in the most environmentally friendly manner possible."

Related article: The Role of Businesses in Environmental Sustainability