LIVE pushes artists to use green booking clauses
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The UK’s live music body has published an open letter, encouraging artists to drive sustainability with adaptable green clauses.
LIVE urges artists to adopt green booking clauses
The UK’s live music industry body, LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment), is stepping up its sustainability efforts. In an open letter, LIVE is urging artists to integrate green sustainability clauses into their booking agreements. These clauses, first introduced in October 2024, aim to encourage green practices without compromising on the quality of live performances.
What are LIVE’s green sustainability clauses?
LIVE’s green clauses offer an adaptable framework for artists, promoters, and venues to incorporate sustainable practices into their contracts. These clauses encourage more green considerations across key areas like waste, energy, water, food, merchandise, and audience travel, while maintaining flexibility for different event scales and circumstances.
Rather than enforcing rigid rules, the clauses serve as a customisable starting point which make it easier for all parties to implement greener initiatives in live music events. By doing so, LIVE hopes to make it easier to drive meaningful industry-wide change.
LIVE’s open letter to artists
Fast forward to February 2025, nearly half a year since the launch of the green clauses, and LIVE is amplifying its message. The organisation has published an open letter to artists, emphasising their role in shaping a more sustainable future for live music. Alongside this, LIVE has also launched a petition to rally further support for the initiative.
The letter begins with a powerful quote from Fela Kuti: “Music is a weapon of the future.” It highlights the historical influence of musicians in driving social change, referencing Bob Marley’s anthems for peace, as well as Elton John and Freddie Mercury’s efforts in AIDS awareness.
LIVE acknowledges modern artists already using their platforms to advocate for sustainability, including Billie Eilish, Bring Me The Horizon, Nile Rodgers, Coldplay, and more. These artists are actively raising awareness about the music industry’s environmental impact, inspiring the broader community to help make live music more sustainable.
A call for change
LIVE is inviting artists to add their voices to a “growing chorus” that are demanding a more sustainable live music industry. By signing the petition, LIVE aims to send a powerful message:
“A more sustainable and ethical music industry is not an option; it’s a necessity, and is within our grasp.”
For those wanting to take further action, LIVE offers opt-in opportunities for artists who want to be featured in press releases and media coverage.
Get involved
Artists and industry professionals interested in adopting green clauses or learning more about LIVE’s sustainability initiatives can find clause information here, with further guidance here.
By taking small but meaningful steps, the live music industry can help shape a more sustainable future.
Want to take your own steps towards sustainability in your music career. Check out our guide: