Dutch agencies develop green artist rider
UIMA (United Independent Music Agencies), the association of Dutch booking agencies, has released a green rider for artists wishing to tour sustainably.
The rider, which follows the launch of the first green artist rider at GEI in 2019, focuses on eating in a more eco-friendly way, cutting down on flying, reducing waste and using renewable energy. For example, by eliminating the 7,500 short-haul flights UIMA artists take a year in favour of trains, they can reduce carbon emissions from transport up to 80%, the rider explains.
UIMA members, which include Blip Agency, Octopus Agents, Good Music Company, Earth Beat and Sedate Bookings, represent more than 500 acts who play over 15,000 shows annually. The association was formed in April 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The rider focuses on food, transport, waste and energy
In addition to looking at what artists can do to reduce their footprint, the rider also advises how venues and festivals can make a difference, for example eliminating single-use products and using only green energy.
In a statement, the association says it hopes “more artists and agencies at home and abroad will embrace this initiative and help develop it so that we can collectively move towards a cleaner future”.
Download UIMA’s green rider (in English) by clicking here.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.
Coda Agency and AGF launch Green Artist Rider
In response to a growing number of requests from their acts, Coda Agency has launched an environmentally friendly artist rider in partnership with A Greener Festival (AGF).
The Green Artist Rider, which aims to assist artists and encourage stronger collaboration between promoters and venues, was launched today by Coda’s Alex Hardee during the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) at ILMC in London.
The initiative will align live music events and tours with the need to:
- Reduce single-use plastics
- Source food with low environmental impact and high social benefit
- Reduce and balance emissions and to eliminate waste
AGF – which has worked with more than 500 festivals, shows and events to improve their green credentials, in areas including waste, travel, water, food, procurements and social engagement – says the rider is designed to match the needs of the artists with the movement for venues and promoters to reduce waste and instil ethical purchasing choices in their productions, operations and communications.
AGF co-founder Claire O’Neill comments: “AGF have regularly seen promoters’ ‘green’ actions stop at the dressing room door. We believe this isn’t always the will of the artist, nor the failure of the promoter, but simply a lack of communication. The work with Coda on the Green Artist Rider serves as a bridge between artists, promoters and venues, and a part of the puzzle helping to change old practices into better new ways.
“The work with Coda on the Green Artist Rider serves as a bridge between artists, promoters and venues”
“The purpose is to spark action where it’s lacking, foster a ‘circular resources’ culture and rapidly push things forward.”
The Green Rider, a voluntary opt-in service for Coda artists, provides participating acts with a list of aims and objectives to be incorporated into their current rider. Support is available from AGF for promoters and venues that are seeking to implement requirements from the rider if they don’t already do so, or who wish to contribute or develop their own actions to make the live industry greener.
According to Coda and AGF, the rider will serve as a “catalyst for a collaborative creative process”. The next step is to monitor the progress and impact of the rider, and work together with the broader industry to develop it.
“The Green Artist Rider is intended to be open source,” continues O’Neill, “and AGF and Coda welcome all feedback and use of this rider for other agents, artists and anyone who can find it useful to achieve the purpose of a greener live industry.”
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free digest of essential live music industry news, via email or Messenger.