Mercedes-Benz Trucks in collaboration with AEG and KB Events have assisted The LIDO Festival achieve its ambition of running entirely on green energy.
Massive Attack headlined the first night of the nine-day East London festival with a set that was achieved with 100% battery electric power.
Power for lighting, sound and all the equipment required to put on the show for thousands of festival goers came from batteries.
Jamal Chalabi, Tour Manager for Massive Attack and Head of Touring for A Greener Future delivered the vision to create a net-zero live event.
Chalabi has previously used renewable energy at other events, including Massive Attack’s show at Clifton Downs, Bristol, which was the first fully battery-electric concert.
The three Mercedes-Benz eActros 600s, which have a range of at least 500km on a single charge, provided the “logistical backbone” to the entire event, the company said.
The Massive Attack Production Team, headed up by James Baseley, also used one of the eActros 600 trucks to transport production from depot to supplier to the arena and finally to the festival, illustrating that recharging infrastructure is available for such events.
Chalabi said:
“Electrification and the elimination of fossil fuels must become top priorities for the music and all industries.
“We’re running out of time. We must go where we need to be — not just meet people where they are. Change is uncomfortable, but essential.
“The green economy is real, and ‘business as usual’ is no longer an option.”
“The music industry has global influence. It’s a microcosm of society with a voice people listen to. Artists must align their sustainability messaging with real backstage practices. We’ve shown it can be done — and the eActros 600 trucks are central to this new philosophy.”
Stuart Jeggo, Sales & Marketing Director of Daimler Truck UK Limited, commented:
“Live music relies heavily on the transportation and logistics sector to make these events possible in different locations. We are very pleased that the performance and range of the all-electric eActros has helped to significantly reduce the environmental impact of The LIDO Festival. This is only the start of the work we are doing with the music industry as a whole, and an exciting step forward for the future of sustainable live music events, which is good news for everyone – and the planet.”
“Daimler Truck UK is very grateful to its dealer partners — Euro Commercials, Mertrux Truck & Van, Northside Truck & Van, and Rygor Auto — for providing the eActros 600 trucks. Their support played a key role in shaping the LIDO Festival’s green logistics efforts and advancing our shared commitment to sustainable transport.”
