On a sunny Thursday evening at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, the enthusiasm surrounding the Dave Matthews Band’s concert extended far beyond the music. A significant crowd gathered at the “eco-village” organized by Reverb, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability within the live music industry. Attendees learned how to minimize their carbon footprints and contribute to the clean energy transition through various initiatives.
At the eco-village, attendees were particularly drawn to Reverb’s flagship tent, where they could purchase limited-edition blue-and-yellow Nalgene bottles with a $20 donation. This donation entered them into a raffle for a signed guitar by Matthews, while also providing access to a filtered water station for refills. This initiative, “RockNRefill,” has successfully raised $5 million for climate and conservation projects and has eliminated millions of single-use plastic bottles from concerts.
Dan Hutnik, Reverb’s onsite coordinator, expressed the hope that these efforts encourage concertgoers to adopt reusable habits whenever possible, stating, “We’re trying to help save the planet — I like to say, one water bottle at a time.”
Sustainability in live music has gained traction over the years, with several artists like Billie Eilish and Coldplay leading the charge. Since its establishment in 2004 by Lauren Sullivan and Adam Gardner, a member of the band Guster, Reverb has worked alongside various musicians to scale sustainability initiatives. These collaborations allow for a unified approach to environmentally-friendly concert practices.
Significant strides have been made in reducing waste; for example, Reverb’s partnership with venues has led to enhanced recycling facilities, such as Live Nation’s sorting system at Jones Beach, which has diverted substantial waste from landfills. A recent report indicated that 90% of concertgoers are concerned about climate change, illustrating a growing demand for artists and venues to adopt sustainable measures.
Coldplay has also set notable benchmarks in eco-friendly touring practices, pledging to reduce CO2 emissions and committing to transparent reporting. Their innovative green initiatives include developing mobile show batteries powered by renewable energy and incorporating solar panels and other clean energy sources into their tours.
Reverb’s engagement with emerging artists further indicates a shift towards sustainability in the industry. Billie Eilish’s recent tours have eliminated hundreds of thousands of single-use plastic bottles and encouraged eco-friendly practices by partnering with Reverb from the outset of her stardom.
Concertgoers are increasingly eager to support environmental initiatives associated with live music, with about 70% of fans expressing support for artists addressing climate change. As the live music industry continues to evolve, there’s a growing sense of community and action toward sustainability, prompted by artists and fans alike.
As the concert at Jones Beach concluded, Matthews offered a hopeful message, reminding the crowd to take care of one another during these turbulent times. The efforts made towards sustainability, even when leaving with new reusable bottles, signify a collective advancement toward a more environmentally conscious future in live music.