Manchester’s Co-op Live, the UK’s biggest indoor concert venue, will go fully plant-based for the first time next month, when trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack headline the venue.
Massive Attack are committed to environmental action, and Co-op Live, which is fully electric, also leads in sustainability, with solar panels, rainwater harvesting and a zero-waste-to-landfill policy. But for the first time, the venue will also offer gig-goers a fully plant-based food menu, including burgers, bao, masala fries and vegan pizza.
Earlier this year, the Bristol-based band broke records with a homecoming gig that generated 98% less power emissions than comparable outdoor music events.
“The Co-op Live gig allows another iteration of the show to materialise and for us to underpin that production with the lowest emissions measures possible,” said Robert “3D” Del Naja of Massive Attack.
“We’re pleased that this event will be the first ever 100% plant-based major show in Manchester with an extensive, curated menu, and that the arena is powered by renewables.
“We’ll also be taking the train on part of this tour leg, and if fans can do the same, we’re then acting in unity to create smarter, cleaner events without avoidable pollution, which has to be the future.”
The gig, on 5 June, is the band’s only UK arena show on a tour which will also include shows in Victoria Park in London, as well as Paris and Mallorca.
“We built Co-op Live not just to be the biggest, but to be one of the most sustainable live entertainment arenas in the UK,” Sara Tomkins, sustainability & community director at Co-op Live, said.
“Hosting Massive Attack with a completely plant-based food menu for the first time demonstrates how we can collaborate with artists to go further – creatively and sustainably.
“It’s a powerful example of the venue’s flexibility and how committed we are to supporting artist’s values and encouraging fans to consider sustainable choices.”
