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Sarāb - Green Pilot Tour
Sarāb’s Green Pilot Tour was a landmark initiative that explored a sustainable and efficient model for international touring. The tour featured six concerts, multiple additional activities, and significant efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the tour while fostering collaboration and inclusion.
Tour Schedule
- 18/05/2024: De Doelen Concert Hall, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- 19/05/2024: Music Meeting Festival, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- 25/05/2024: Band on the Wall, Manchester Jazz Festival, United Kingdom
- 26/05/2024: The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead, United Kingdom
- 27/05/2024: Ronnie Scott’s, London, United Kingdom
- 28/05/2024: Howard Assembly Rooms, Leeds Jazz Festival, United Kingdom
Sustainability in Practice
Sustainability was at the core of this tour, reflected in both logistical and operational practices:
Green Mobility:
- Train travel was prioritised over flights, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the tour.
- Venues provided backstage water points to minimise single-use plastic.
- Local, plant-based meal options were encouraged.
- Accommodation was booked within walking distance of venues to reduce transportation needs.
Sustainable Audiences:
- Audiences were encouraged to use public transport, cycle, or car-share to attend concerts.
- Plastic water bottles and straws were banned in venues.
Additional Activities
- Panel Discussions: At Music Meeting Festival, Sarāb participated in a public debate on green touring, alongside other speakers, to raise awareness of the environmental impact of the music industry.
- Workshops: Sarāb hosted a workshop at The Glasshouse for young jazz ensembles, Jambone and Jazz Attack, introducing Arabic and non-Western scales, as well as improvisation techniques.
- New Music Collaboration: A new partnership, D’Accord, was formed between Manchester Jazz Festival and The Glasshouse, supported by CNM in Paris. This project brought together artists from Paris, Manchester, and Newcastle to create and perform a new collaboration as part of the tour.
Communication and Engagement
The tour aimed to actively involve audiences in its sustainability goals through:
Digital Content:
- Interviews, such as one with Daniel Erdmann, were shared to encourage sustainable behaviours like reducing single-use plastics.
- The Glasshouse and Newcastle Gateshead Initiative shared content promoting the tour and its sustainability efforts.
Audience Incentives:
- Encouraged public transport use through potential ticket offers and discounts.
- Highlighted the role of audiences in supporting diverse artists and contributing to sustainable live music touring.
Outcomes and Lessons Learned
The Sarāb Green Pilot Tour successfully demonstrated that international tours can embrace sustainability without compromising on artistic quality.
Key Achievements:
- Inspired venues like The Glasshouse to create a green rider, outlining sustainable practices and net-zero goals for all visiting artists.
- Strengthened international relationships, including partnerships with Manchester Jazz Festival, Music Meeting Festival, and European institutions.
- Advanced conversations on sustainability, diversity, and inclusion within the music industry.
Challenges:
- Costs: Sustainable touring remains more expensive due to train travel, extra seating for instruments, and higher fees for European artists.
- Logistics: Managing large ensembles like Sarāb added complexity to budgeting and travel arrangements.
- Entry Requirements: Confusion around UK entry requirements for artists created additional administrative work.
Lessons for the Future:
- Consider smaller ensembles to simplify logistics and reduce costs.
- Book train seats including the ones for instruments well in advance.
- Ensure clear understanding of visa and entry requirements for international artists.
The Sarāb Green Pilot Tour was a valuable initiative, enabling the exploration of sustainable touring practices while fostering collaboration and inclusion. By reducing emissions through train travel and promoting sustainable practices, the tour set a new benchmark for environmentally conscious touring. The enthusiasm of the artists, partners, and audiences reinforced the potential for more sustainable practices in the future, and Sarāb’s efforts provided an inspiring model for the global music industry.
Links:
https://www.ngi.org.uk/resources/news/major-jazz-tour-of-the-north-pilots-new-model-for-sustainable-touring/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3P2PFZKPKR/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7RCe97tGl1/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7wBOrLvspy/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7FDAv5qNLf/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7UcVOMqJmM/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7UcVOMqJmM/
Tour Schedule
- 18/05/2024: De Doelen Concert Hall, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- 19/05/2024: Music Meeting Festival, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- 25/05/2024: Band on the Wall, Manchester Jazz Festival, United Kingdom
- 26/05/2024: The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead, United Kingdom
- 27/05/2024: Ronnie Scott’s, London, United Kingdom
- 28/05/2024: Howard Assembly Rooms, Leeds Jazz Festival, United Kingdom
Sustainability in Practice
Sustainability was at the core of this tour, reflected in both logistical and operational practices:
Green Mobility:
- Train travel was prioritised over flights, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the tour.
- Venues provided backstage water points to minimise single-use plastic.
- Local, plant-based meal options were encouraged.
- Accommodation was booked within walking distance of venues to reduce transportation needs.
Sustainable Audiences:
- Audiences were encouraged to use public transport, cycle, or car-share to attend concerts.
- Plastic water bottles and straws were banned in venues.
Additional Activities
- Panel Discussions: At Music Meeting Festival, Sarāb participated in a public debate on green touring, alongside other speakers, to raise awareness of the environmental impact of the music industry.
- Workshops: Sarāb hosted a workshop at The Glasshouse for young jazz ensembles, Jambone and Jazz Attack, introducing Arabic and non-Western scales, as well as improvisation techniques.
- New Music Collaboration: A new partnership, D’Accord, was formed between Manchester Jazz Festival and The Glasshouse, supported by CNM in Paris. This project brought together artists from Paris, Manchester, and Newcastle to create and perform a new collaboration as part of the tour.
Communication and Engagement
The tour aimed to actively involve audiences in its sustainability goals through:
Digital Content:
- Interviews, such as one with Daniel Erdmann, were shared to encourage sustainable behaviours like reducing single-use plastics.
- The Glasshouse and Newcastle Gateshead Initiative shared content promoting the tour and its sustainability efforts.
Audience Incentives:
- Encouraged public transport use through potential ticket offers and discounts.
- Highlighted the role of audiences in supporting diverse artists and contributing to sustainable live music touring.
Outcomes and Lessons Learned
The Sarāb Green Pilot Tour successfully demonstrated that international tours can embrace sustainability without compromising on artistic quality.
Key Achievements:
- Inspired venues like The Glasshouse to create a green rider, outlining sustainable practices and net-zero goals for all visiting artists.
- Strengthened international relationships, including partnerships with Manchester Jazz Festival, Music Meeting Festival, and European institutions.
- Advanced conversations on sustainability, diversity, and inclusion within the music industry.
Challenges:
- Costs: Sustainable touring remains more expensive due to train travel, extra seating for instruments, and higher fees for European artists.
- Logistics: Managing large ensembles like Sarāb added complexity to budgeting and travel arrangements.
- Entry Requirements: Confusion around UK entry requirements for artists created additional administrative work.
Lessons for the Future:
- Consider smaller ensembles to simplify logistics and reduce costs.
- Book train seats including the ones for instruments well in advance.
- Ensure clear understanding of visa and entry requirements for international artists.
The Sarāb Green Pilot Tour was a valuable initiative, enabling the exploration of sustainable touring practices while fostering collaboration and inclusion. By reducing emissions through train travel and promoting sustainable practices, the tour set a new benchmark for environmentally conscious touring. The enthusiasm of the artists, partners, and audiences reinforced the potential for more sustainable practices in the future, and Sarāb’s efforts provided an inspiring model for the global music industry.
Links:
https://www.ngi.org.uk/resources/news/major-jazz-tour-of-the-north-pilots-new-model-for-sustainable-touring/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3P2PFZKPKR/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7RCe97tGl1/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7wBOrLvspy/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7FDAv5qNLf/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7UcVOMqJmM/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7UcVOMqJmM/
