Though many high profile bands have openly used alternatives to fossil fuels for their stadium tours, Radiohead is the first to ask fans to consider their transportation methods, and offer incentives to fans who try to reduce their carbon footprints.
Radiohead is one of the first high profile bands to commission a study from Best Foot Forward to definitively determine what the greater pollutants of touring might be. Best Foot Forward analyzed transportation methods both Radiohead and their fans for their stadium and theater tours in 2003 and 2006 (view a copy of the report here).
So, what is the biggest kick to the earth when it comes to stadium shows–those giant buses? The price of beer? Radiohead weren’t afraid to ask. Sadly, fans, it’s you. The 36 page report shows that fans’ travel to and from the shows accounted for the greatest proportion of the CO2 generated during each tour.
Following the report’s recommendations, Radiohead are encouraging fans to consider public transport where available, or to carpool. They don’t want you to stay home…just to think and consider reducing CO2 emissions where possible. Some of the venues have also helped by offering incentives to fans coming by public transport or in a car filled with fellow fans.
After the next Radiohead tour, the band will invite ticket holders to submit information on their methods of travel so further research can be done on carbon emissions and methods to reduce them–the ultimate in nerdy fan fun. Radiohead’s production team also plans to post news updates on how the band is trying to reduce their own carbon emissions on tour without losing any of the sound and fury that stadium shows typically demand.
Radiohead’s upcoming North American tour is sold out in many cities. For more info and ticket availability, check
www.radiohead.com/tourdates.
May 5th - Cruzan Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, FL
May 6th - Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa, FL
May 8th - Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA (Sold Out)
May 9th - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte, NC (Sold Out)
May 11th - Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge, Bristow, VA Sold Out(Sold Out)
May 14th - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, St Louis, MO
May 17th - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Houston, TX (Sold Out)
May 18th - Superpages.com Center, Dallas, TX Sold Out
August 1st - Lollapalooza Festival, Chicago, IL
August 3rd - Verizon Wireless Music Center, Indianapolis, IN
August 4th - Blossom Music Center, Cleveland, OH
August 6th - Parc Jean Drapeau, Montreal, Quebec
August 8th - All Points West Festival Liberty State Park, New York
August 9th - All Points West Festival Liberty State Park, New York
August 12th - Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden NJ
August 13th - Tweeter Center, Mansfield, MA
August 15th - Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, Ontario (Sold Out)
August 19th - Thunderbird Stadium, Vancouver, BC (Sold Out)
August 20th - White River Amphitheatre, Auburn, WA (Sold Out)
August 22nd - Outside Lands Festival, San Francisco, CA
August 24th - Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California (Sold Out)
August 25th - Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California (Sold Out)
August 27th - Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA
August 28th - Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA (Sold Out)