TAKE THE GREEN TRAIN: A SEMINAR ON SUSTAINABILITY IN MUSIC

(Press Release)

One of the world’s major concert halls and a Europe-wide network of over 100 members from 30 countries are using the context of the 2015 Gateshead International Jazz Festival to explore environmental issues that concern both the music and cultural industries and how the sector can respond as part of a global movement stepping up the urgency around addressing climate change. On Friday April 10, to launch this year’s Gateshead International Jazz Festival, Sage Gateshead and Europe Jazz Network will be presenting a fascinating seminar examining how jazz and music promoters, festivals and venues across Europe can develop their green policies and transform their practices to meet both the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing environment.

This free event is part of Europe Jazz Network’s 3-year programme of activities funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme, and has been organised in association with one of the world’s leading organisations looking at issues around environmental sustainability for the cultural sector, Julie’s Bicycle.

This seminar will look at how the different parts of the jazz ecosystem from artists to venues to promoters can collaborate to create a greener sector, aiming to both inspire ambition and provide practical insight. The day will include case studies from jazz promoters and festivals in the UK and Europe as well as speakers from other areas of music, including Laura Pando, Sustainability Coordinator at Festival Republic, who run Leeds, Reading, Latitude and other major festivals, and also Tony Wadsworth, chair of Julie’s Bicycle and until recently Chair of the BPI (British Phonographic Industry), which represents the recording industry in the UK.

Sage Gateshead staff will give a presentation on how the venue has itself addressed these issues since its opening ten years ago, working with the Creative Industry Green tools developed by Julie’s Bicycle, and also how they will be addressing their impacts during Gateshead International Jazz Festival itself in a number of practical ways, including trying to reduce reliance on bottled water, use of locally sourced food, and more. Alison Tickell, CEO of Julie’s Bicycle will also talk about the charity’s work with the cultural and creative industries across the UK and internationally. Further guest speakers are to be announced.

Take The Green Train: A seminar on sustainability in music presented by the Europe Jazz Network and Julie’s Bicycle takes place on Friday 10th April, 11am-5pm at Sage Gateshead. Tickets are free but should be booked in advance either by calling 0191 443 4661, online at sagegateshead.com or in person from Sage Gateshead’s Ticket Office.

A schedule for the day follows below.

SCHEDULE Friday 10 April 2015, 11am-5pm, Northern Rock Foundation Hall, Sage Gateshead

11:00 Welcome and Introduction to the Project - Ros Rigby, Sage Gateshead 11.10 Overview of the Day - Alison Tickell, Julie's Bicycle

11.15 Participant Introductions

11.25 The Big Picture - Alison Tickell, Julie's Bicycle Outline of recent climate science and the creative and cultural response to date: why are we here?

11.40 The Music Industry Response -Tony Wadsworth, Chair Julie’s Bicycle, and of the BPI Overview of existing music industry initiatives and action from other genres and sector areas: what does this movement look like?

11.55 What's happening where you are? Discussion and illustrations from jazz festivals/promoters from the UK and beyond

12.30 Raising the Bar - Leadership in Action Case study presentations from: • Laura Pando, Sustainability Coordinator, Festival Republic • Green Team, Sage Gateshead Followed by discussion. Lunch (provided):

13:00-13:30 13.30 Green Touring Masterclass (Julie’s Bicycle, guest speaker TBC) Workshop led by Julie's Bicycle on the process of planning and delivering sustainable touring practices, and the tools, resources and guidance available. Guest speaker TBC

15.00 - Break

15.15 Trend-spotting (Julie’s Bicycle, guest speaker TBC) How new models born from the sharing economy and new digital platforms are reshaping touring models and democratising the touring and music production process by turning fans into co-producers and co-investors in touring and performance – and how these changes are translated and interpreted in the context of environmental sustainability. Guest speaker TBC

16.00 The Green Train Pledge What will we commit to doing? Where do we want to be in five years, both individually and as a network? How will we get there?