In a significant step towards sustainable entertainment, Massive Attack will host their only UK arena performance of 2025 at Manchester's Co-op Live on 5 June 2025, accompanied by a fully vegan menu across the venue. This initiative marks a pioneering effort, as it will be the first time that the UK’s largest indoor arena tailors its entire food and drink offerings to align with an artist’s environmental ethos. The concert is set against a backdrop of sustainability-focused features incorporated into Co-op Live, including local sourcing of materials, zero waste to landfill, and an impressive array of solar panels that spans the size of a football pitch.

Massive Attack, innovative architects of the trip-hop genre, have long been advocates for environmental consciousness in their live performances. This event will see the arena serve a diverse selection of plant-based options, from burgers and pizzas to masala fries and hot dogs. A notable addition to the menu is the collaborations with Big Chicken, the plant-based fast-food venture spearheaded by NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. The band's vocalist, Robert “3D” Del Naja, announced the partnership with Co-op Live, emphasising their commitment to minimise emissions. He articulated their vision, stating, “We’re then acting in unity to create smarter, cleaner events without avoidable pollution, which has to be the future.”

The environmentally conscious ethos of Co-op Live extends beyond the concert itself. The arena promotes concert-goers to utilise low-emission travel options, including train journeys. This initiative echoes the band’s previous efforts in climate-led performances, such as a show that was entirely battery-powered and vegan, further demonstrating their commitment to reducing the environmental impact of their tours.

Co-op Live is built on a meaningful narrative of transformation, constructed on the site of a former coalmine, a symbolic reminder of the UK's shift from traditional industrial practices to more sustainable ones. Boasting features like air source heat pumps and intelligent building controls, the venue operates primarily on renewable energy and aims to use 50% less energy than similar-sized venues. Additionally, the arena's efforts to increase biodiversity by planting trees and flowers enhances the landscape while reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

The appeal of this concert is enhanced by the variety of food and drink options available, catering to diverse dietary preferences while maintaining a fully plant-based offering for this event. From the new festive brioche burgers to curry-loaded fries, Co-op Live is setting a benchmark for future concert experiences—ones that not only entertain but actively contribute to environmental stewardship.

With Massive Attack’s concert serving as a catalyst for such a comprehensive sustainability approach, it is clear that the relationship between musicians and eco-conscious initiatives can pave the way for a greener future in the entertainment industry. As fans prepare to gather in Manchester for this unique experience, the convergence of music and climate action reaffirms the power of collective responsibility in confronting environmental challenges.