Massive Attack reveal why they turned down playing Coachella 2025

Over the past few years, Massive Attack have been working on a series of climate-friendly shows to set new standards for the decarbonisation of live music. Building on the methods first trialled in Bristol, and continuing their partnership with clean energy provider Ecotricity, their forthcoming event ‘Act 1.5 presents…’ will test, operate & adapt a range of measures to dramatically reduce the level of carbon emissions & air pollution that would usually be produced at an event of a large scale.

These include an event site powered entirely by 100% renewable energy; a public transport incentive, including allowing the show to finish at 10pm so that audiences can get home via public transport; a meat free arena; and 100% zero to landfill waste removal system.

Well my dreams of seeing Massive Attack at Coachella have been shattered pic.twitter.com/32gg9AaaCu

— moore (@moorecreative_) December 17, 2024

With setting standards of the decarbonisation of live music in mind, Nel Naja revealed that they won't perform at specific places due to its hypocrisy. "We said no to Coachella for next year because again, we’ve been there once, and once was enough. It’s in Palm Springs. It’s a golf resort built on a desert, run on a sprinkler system, using public water supplies. Mental. If you want to see something that’s the most ludicrous bit of human behaviour – it’s right there."

Similarly, the new Sphere venue in Las Vegas is off the cards. "Of course I’d love to get my hands on that much LED! Acres of spherical LED to play with," he said. "You’re not going to go to Vegas to do that are you? What a brilliant bit of infrastructure in the worst possible place it could be – in the worst setting in the world."

As for the future, they have some new music in the bank, and will be looking at ways to release and tour it, in an eco-conscious way. "We’ve set a standard for ourselves now [with Act 1.5], and we’re going to stick with it. To get given that Race to Zero artist recognition. We’ll stick with it," he offers.