Massive Attack tell us about tackling the climate crisis and new music incoming for 2025

nme.com:

Massive Attack frontman Robert Del Naja has spoken to NME about how live music can tackle the climate crisis, and the band’s plans to release new music next year.The release of fresh material from the Bristol pioneers has been sporadic – their most offering was 2020 EP ‘Eutopia’.“We do have some new music which we’ve been sitting on for four years,” Del Naja confirmed to NME. “Hopefully we’re going to be able to release it next year and do some gigs.”The frontman, speaking to NME alongside long-term collaborator Mark Donne, also said the band turned down the opportunity to play Coachella 2025 and are making plans to collaborate on Billie Eilish’s 2025 European tour.After a period of upheaval for the group – including the death of guitarist Angelo Bruschini in 2023 – this year marked a return to major activity for Massive Attack, hitting the stage for the first time five years back in June.Del Naja sat down with NME before Massive Attack headlined the recent Act 1.5 “climate action accelerator” event in in Liverpool, after it was anointed by the UN as the world’s first ‘Accelerator City for Climate Action’.

The gathering marked the launch of eight year-long experiments focussed on “rapid decarbonisation across live music, film and TV production in the city”.They were joined by IDLES and Nile Rodgers, who also played shows that utilised groundbreaking approaches, such as using clean renewable energy to power gigs and offering free public transport to many fans as part of the cost of their ticket.This is a continuation to Massive Attack’s commitment action on climate.

In August, they headlined a trailblazing hometown show for 30,000 fans at Clifton Downs, Bristol, which was also notable for its pioneering approach.NME sat.