Winds of Change

Even Radiohead has begun to send their gear via ship instead of airfreight in their effort to reduce their carbon footprint. What more? Their buses run on biofuel, they use water flasks instead of disposable plastic cups, and the rock band is even encouraging their fans to take public transportation to their shows!
If World Music Day is not enough reason to celebrate, then what is it?

Enriching experience
“As a band, we are excited to bring alive a concert experience that is friendlier to the earth. The experience of co-creating this vision with our sustainability and engineering partners has been very enriching,” says Jishnu Dasgupta, a member of Swarathma.
He says it is almost as much fun as planning the set lists and the concert itself. “The teams have collaborated to design a revolutionary clean energy power unit that will run the concerts across the country. By partnering with these industry frontrunners, Swarathma aims to set a new standard for environmentally conscious entertainment and promote the adoption of sustainable practices within the music industry,” adds Jishnu, the band’s bassist.

Positive change

Yegor Svysokikhgor, a key member of the Russian rock band Ciolkowska, is a happy man this World Music Day. “It’s wonderful to see how music bands are going eco-friendly. Their concern about the environment and the use of environmentally friendly technologies in their activities will go a long way in bringing about a positive change,” smiles Yegor.

Speaking to the Hyderabad Chronicle from St. Petersburg, the Ciolkowska frontman, who is a regular visitor to the holy city of Varanasi, says he and his band members try to be economical and do not use plastic bags and bottles. “We try to be as environmentally friendly as possible in our everyday lives,” informs Yegor, who launched Ciolkowska in 2012. The band released their debut EP Pistolet Buduschego in 2015, their second album Avtomat Proshlogo in 2016, and went on to release their third album Psychedelia years later. “Since music binds people across the world, such moves by music bands will drive their fans to become eco-friendly,” adds Yegor.

Coldplay album

Each vinyl copy of the Coldplay album will be pressed onto discs made from nine plastic bottles recovered from consumer waste, while a special “notebook” edition will also be comprised of 70% river plastic, taken from the Rio Las Vacas in Guatemala. The band says this will reduce carbon emissions by 85%.

Remarkable Indian singer Jashan Bhumkar describes it as a fantastic move by music bands.

“Swarathma’s solar-powered concert tour and Coldplay's eco-friendly album are truly remarkable examples of music bands getting eco-friendly. It’s fantastic to see music bands taking such proactive steps towards environmental sustainability,” says Jashan.

He says using recycled materials like plastic bottles and river plastic not only reduces carbon emissions significantly but also helps combat plastic pollution. “These initiatives not only promote eco-consciousness but also inspire fans and other artists worldwide to consider the environmental impact of their activities,” adds the singer. “It’s great that music bands are becoming more eco-friendly. In the past, the music that came from the flute, violin, or sitar were good for the environment. Getting back to the roots of music is the only way to make it more enjoyable to listen to,” said actor and musician Aushim Khetarpal.

Irish rock band U2 worked with Greenpeace in the early 90s to protest the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing site in England. Later, they worked with Greenpeace to protest the destruction of the Khimki forest in Russia. They have been involved in environmental activism, working with UNICEF and Amnesty International.

Electrifying performances

Swarathma, a renowned folk-rock band from Bengaluru, is poised to transform the live concert experience by utilising solar and clean energy to power their sound systems. They are embarking on a nationwide tour in support of their fourth studio album, titled Raushan, due this year. Renowned for their electrifying performances and eclectic sound, Swarathma will bring their unique blend of music and activism to audiences across the nation, powered by a portable clean energy system that will replace the diesel generators that are the norm across concerts today.