The piece, commissioned by Oxford Contemporary Music and supported by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, seeks to highlight declining biodiversity in the UK. Based on moth activity data gathered largely at Natural England’s Parsonage Down National Nature Reserve near Salisbury, Wilson’s composition will turn data into music, tracking moth behaviour through the night. Wilson says the idea came to her over breakfast one morning. 

A summary of the project from her website reads: “‘Moth X Human’ is a sonic journey into the world as it comes alive after dark. Moth data collected by scientists at UKCEH has been sonified into immersive soundscapes, with each moth assigned a different sound. The ebb and flow of different species activity throughout the night is ‘performed’ alongside acoustic instruments, field recordings, electronics, and visuals, creating a unique interspecies experience.” 

Stuart Hales, Natural England’s Senior Reserve Manager for National Nature Reserves in Wiltshire, chimed in on the importance of the project: “National Nature Reserves are our most important places for nature, so it’s exciting to see Parsonage Down providing inspiration for the arts, in addition to being crucial for conservation. 

“We hope that this fabulous project helps connect people with nature through the power of music to bring it to a whole new audience.” 

The data was recorded last summer, and the final composition was based on two data sets from two different environments. One set from Parsonage Down recorded 80 different moth species across a 4-hour window. Another set, from monoculture farmland, which uses pesticides, recorded just 19 different species.  

Wilson says: “At some points the moths create short melodic fragments and these can be heard later in the piece as repeating motifs in the cello and piano. 

“By contrast, the end of the piece uses data from a poor habitat, audibly demonstrating declining biodiversity due to human interference.” 

Using UKCEH’s AMI system, a relatively new automated system used to monitor insects, Wilson converted this data into MIDI, a digital language used to store musical information. Using MIDI, she assigned different notes to each moth species, resulting in a 12-minute long composition. The accompanying visuals were created by students at the Northern School of Art.

‘Moth X Human’ will feature as part of Bradford’s 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations, and as part of this year’s New Music Biennial, a three-day festival showcasing new music from the country’s most exciting composers. 

The piece will be performed by a live band, written for “2 violins, cello, tenor trombone, piano, synths, electronics … and moths.” 

‘Moth X Human’ will run in Bradford from 6 June to Sunday 8 June, and London from 4 July to 6 July. The tickets are free. While all London shows have sold out, tickets for the Bradford venue are available here.  

In 2021, they commissioned a report from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research to assess the carbon footprint of live music and provide recommendations for reducing emissions. In August 2024, they organized a show in Bristol named ‘Act 1.5’ implementing 25 measures to minimize carbon emissions, including promoting local attendance, utilizing renewable energy, and serving plant-based foods.

In line with their environmental advocacy, Massive Attack recently declined an invitation to perform at Coachella 2025. Frontman Robert Del Naja criticized the festival’s location in Palm Springs, highlighting the excessive use of public water supplies in a desert area and its basis in a golf resort. He described the situation as “ludicrous” and indicative of irresponsible human behaviour.

Trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack have revealed that they rejected an offer to play Coachella 2025 on environmental grounds.

“A brilliant bit of infrastructure in the worst possible place it could be — in the worst setting in the world.”

More belowpic.twitter.com/Rnfz33Xl1A

— Far Out Magazine (@FarOutMag) December 18, 2024

Looking ahead to 2025, Massive Attack plan to release new music that has been ready since 2020 but was delayed due to record label disputes. Additionally, they are collaborating with artists like Billie Eilish to promote sustainable touring practices, such as encouraging the use of rail travel for concert attendees.  Billie Eilish has also been a prominent advocate for environmental sustainability within the music industry. The American singer criticised practices such as producing multiple vinyl editions for albums, highlighting the associated resource wastage. Eilish has also expressed her disdain for lengthy concerts, referring to them as “psychotic”, which some interpreted as a critique of industry norms. For her ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour’, Eilish has introduced several eco-friendly measures: Fans are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles to concerts, the tour provides information on sustainable travel methods to venues, such as biking, walking, or public transportation, to minimize carbon emissions, plan-based food is offered, and merchandise associated with the tour is produced using environmentally friendly materials, such as recycled cotton and plant-based inks, to lessen environmental impact.

Some of the things Billie Eilish has done for the environment — a thread pic.twitter.com/zTRsdlny83 — (@theprfctpony) March 28, 2024

The British band Coldplay has planned residencies, such as a 10-night stint at Wembley Stadium, instead of traditional tours to minimize carbon emissions. Additionally, for their album ‘Moon Music’ (2024), they have produced vinyl records made from recycled plastic bottles, further supporting their eco-friendly initiatives. During their ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour, which will continue into 2025, Coldplay committed to reducing direct CO₂ emissions by over 50% compared to their previous tour in 2016/17. They achieved a 59% reduction, surpassing their initial goal. This accomplishment was verified by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative.

Other artists such as Missy Higgins, the Australian singer-songwriter, has equally aimed for her tours to be carbon neutral and was named one of Billboard magazine’s Top 10 Green Artists in 2007.

The environmental pressure group, Music Declares Emergency, launched in July 2019, comprises musicians and music industry professionals advocating for climate action. Signatories include artists across various genres and organizations such as Abbey Road Studios and major record labels. Their aims include encouraging the music industry to innovate practices to reduce carbon footprints and engaging communities in climate discussions. These artists and organizations exemplify the growing movement within the music industry to address environmental concerns and promote sustainable practices.

Attention was drawn to the topic of musicians’ touring methods during the summer, with Beyoncé supposedly opting for a private jet to reach her concert in Cardiff, while Coldplay’s Chris Martin chose a more environmentally friendly approach by taking the train to the same city a few weeks later.

Chris Roberts, from Cardiff, said, “We’re not at all suggesting that everyone should give up driving and walk to all their gigs because it has completely taken over our lives, but things like choosing more sustainable routes (should be considered).”

The guitar player said the 27-year-olds had discovered “how little stuff” they need to gig, each carrying a 15kg (33lb) bag. Seth, from Gloucestershire, said, “I’ve got kind of a medium-sized backpack and using an elaborate system of carabiners, my fiddle is strapped to the back of a bag, and I’ve also got the mic. Chris has got his sort of massive guitar, which has got various bag straps on the outside of it and clothes stuffed in with the guitar.”

In the diverse city of Birmingham, Seth and Chris convene to create harmonious melodies inspired by the rich folklore of their respective origins, Wales and Gloucestershire. Operating under the name Filkin’s Drift, this musical duo seamlessly merges traditional and modern elements, skillfully intertwining the sounds of the fiddle and guitar with their captivating vocal harmonies.

Their intricate interplay on the fretted instruments evokes a sense of ornate beauty reminiscent of the Baroque era, while their lively fiddle and guitar tunes ignite the passion of audiences throughout the United Kingdom.

In addition to performing alongside Filkin’s Drift, Chris Roberts embarks on tours alongside pop singer Tanita Tikaram, collaborates on composing lullabies with new parents, and conducts workshops in SEND schools.

Seth Bye, an accomplished violinist, composer, and educator, has graced the stages of prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Cecil Sharpe House. He has also been a part of renowned festivals like Boomtown, Greenman, and Shambala. In addition to his solo performances, Seth is a member of the highly acclaimed Balkan band, The Destroyers, who were recently featured on BBC 1 for their performance at the Commonwealth Games. He has also toured with Giffords Circus, showcasing his skills on the fiddle, banjo, and accordion.

The 02 Arena are teaming up with carbon removal company CUR8 to explore and test options to create a ‘carbon-removed’ event, which include direct air capture, a process in which air is blown through machines that remove CO2 and store it underground.

The band will be taking part in a pilot scheme during their London shows next February, in which the organisers will use various methods to extract carbon from the show and remove said carbon from the atmosphere.

“We’re incredibly proud to be hosting the world’s first carbon-removed events here at The O2.,” says the AEG Europe Director of Sustainability, Sam Booth

“The perfect large-scale carbon-free event does not currently exist, but while the industry continues to innovate and improve to reduce emissions to their lowest possible level, carbon removals will remain an important piece of the puzzle.”

The organisers have said: “Using this data, the cost of removing the carbon associated with the events can be folded into the existing business model.”

Mark Stevenson, Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer at CUR8 also said: “What’s great about these shows is that we can demonstrate that it is now possible to fold the cost of removing the residual CO2 into the existing business model, such that fans won’t notice any difference in the gig experience. It’s a complete win-win-win – for artists and their fans who care about the climate crisis.”

It is said that these pilot events will help create a practice model for venues across the globe in how to approach the carbon issue and to pull together the live entertainment in the same direction.

Carbon at live events is typically born from stage lights and props as well as actions from the crowd such as travel.

The band has also previously teamed up with climate change group organisation, Music Declares Emergency in 2021 via launching t-shirts and hoodies with sustainable materials that helped raise money for charity.

The band is also touring the UK and Europe in 2024, playing shows in Manchester, Birmingham, Paris and many more. Tickets can be found here

UK Dates

09/02/2024 – OVO Hydro – Glasgow, UK

12/02 – 02 Arena – London, UK

13/02 – 02 Arena – London, UK

18/02 – AO Arena – Manchester, UK

21/02 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham, UK

EU Dates

26/02 – Campo Pequeno – Lisbon, Portugal

27/02 – WiZink Center – Madrid, Spain

01/03 – La Zenith – Paris, France

02/03 – AFAS Live – Amsterdam, Netherlands

03/03 – Forest National – Brussels, Belgium

05/03 – Barclays Arena – Hamburg, Germany

07/03 – Oslo Spektrum – Oslo, Norway

08/03 – Annexet – Stockholm, Sweden

10/03 – KB Hallen – Copenhagen, Denmark

12/03 – Verti Music Hall – Berlin, Germany

13/03 – Torwar Hall – Warsaw, Poland

14/03 – Fortuna Hall – Prague, Czech Republic

16/03 – Hallenstadion Zurich – Zurich, Switzerland

18/03 – Zenith – Munich, Germany

19/03 – Mediolanum Forum – Milan, Italy

21/03 – Jahrhunderthalle – Frankfurt, Germany

22/03 – Palladium – Cologne, Germany

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It’s an admirable move and one that will likely cause a domino effect amongst other like minded festivals that haven’t caught on yet. In a statement on their website they say “We have signed up to the Drastic on Plastic pledge and will no longer be using single use plastic on our festival site. Due to being a single use plastic, and in-line with our sustainability policy and Love Saves Tomorrow ethos, glitter (including bioglitter) is now banned on site.” Say goodbye to any hopes of turning heads with that 70’s sparkle and shine then folks, it’s doubtful Ziggy Stardust would pass security with this mission statement.

Proudly presenting our 2022 lineup! Join us to celebrate a decade of love. Tickets on sale now! Secure your place at Ashton Court for the biggest Loves Saves The Day festival yet! pic.twitter.com/p86IXQjTmp

— Love Saves The Day (@LSTDBristol) January 27, 2022

The predominantly EDM led lineup will this year see the likes of Bicep, Chase & Status, Mura Masa, Korupt FM, and Caroline Polachek perform, with Arlo Parks and Easy Life also due to grace the stage for those after a slightly more organic touch. It will mark the festival’s 10 year anniversary and the first time they’ve based themselves in the iconic grounds of Ashton Court Estate. The festival will also be teaming up with Big Green Coach to help transport patrons to the grounds with as little carbon footprint as possible. There’s no intel currently on whether or not David Attenborough will be showing up at Love Saves The Day like he did when he surprised thousands getting up on the Pyramid Stage to praise Glastonbury’s green efforts in 2019, however if he doesn’t show I’m sure they’ll be doing the big man proud in his absence.

Well done Love Saves The Day! You can get your tickets here.