Massive Attack’s eco-impact concerns led the band to decline Coachella 2025, citing water use and air travel emissions.
Massive Attack has turned down an invitation to perform at Coachella 2025, citing environmental concerns linked to the festival’s location and impact. Band member Robert “3D” Del Naja said the group is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and won’t participate in events they see as environmentally irresponsible.
This decision is part of a broader stance on climate action. The band’s concerns include excessive water use in desert areas and the carbon emissions from air travel. The move adds to the growing conversation about how artists and festivals address climate change. The Massive Attack eco impact message is clear: music should not come at the planet’s expense.
Speaking to NME in a recent interview, Del Naja said the band had no interest in returning to Coachella. “We said no to Coachella for next year,” he stated. “We’ve been there once, and once was enough.”
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival takes place in Indio, California, near Palm Springs. It’s a desert region that has faced ongoing droughts. Del Naja criticized the setting, saying, “It’s a golf resort built on a desert, run on a sprinkler system, using public water supplies. Mental.”
Massive Attack’s eco-impact concerns focus on how unsustainable it is to host large-scale events in resource-scarce regions. Coachella attracts around 250,000 people over two weekends. The spike in visitors increases local demand for water, energy, and waste disposal.
Coachella isn’t the only event under fire. Del Naja also mentioned the Las Vegas Sphere, a massive new venue designed for immersive live performances. He criticized it as “an aviation destination,” explaining that most people have to fly to get there.
“You can’t get to Vegas [without flying],” he said. “What a brilliant bit of infrastructure in the worst possible place it could be—in the worst setting in the world.”
Air travel is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, a round-trip flight from New York to Los Angeles emits roughly one metric ton of carbon dioxide per passenger. Multiply that by tens of thousands of attendees, and the environmental toll becomes clearer.
Massive Attack’s eco-impact concerns reflect this data, pointing out that flying thousands of people to isolated venues makes the entertainment industry’s footprint hard to ignore.
Massive Attack has a long history of addressing climate change. In 2019, they partnered with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research to measure and reduce the emissions caused by touring. The band’s goal: create a model for sustainable music performance.
Since then, they’ve adopted eco-friendly practices like reducing air freight, choosing venues with green certifications, and optimizing tour schedules to cut unnecessary travel. Del Naja said the band is also preparing to release new music in 2025, but only in ways that support its environmental values.
The band’s criticism may push festivals like Coachella to do more. Coachella has made some environmental claims, such as promoting recycling and offering shuttles to reduce car use. However, critics argue these efforts don’t go far enough.
Large events in remote or desert locations may face increasing pressure to prove they are worth the environmental cost. The conversation is shifting: it’s no longer just about entertaining fans, but about doing so responsibly.
See also: Billie Eilish’s Sustainable Music Tour is a Hit for the Planet
For fans, this might mean fewer chances to see some artists at major festivals. It could also signal a shift toward regional, low-impact performances. Those who care about climate change might favor events that align with their values.
Massive Attack’s eco-impact message clearly signals to fans and organizers that sustainable music is possible—but only with serious changes.
