Call the COPs: Music, people power and climate change

As we reach the tail end of the first quarter of a new century, it’s useful to take stock. Has much improved over the past 25 years, since fireworks danced over The Millennium Dome? It would take a very rose-tinted observer to say we are in a better place. Even narrowing it down to a mere four horsemen of the apocalypse might be a challenge. And while the world seems to be meandering downhill, where are the voices of dissent? Where are the Dylans, the Woody Guthries, the protest singers? So far, the 21st century may not have been a golden age for radical rock, but there are glimmers of hope.

When it comes to the biggest issue of our age – climate change – there are signs that a new generation of artists, emboldened by those who have gone before them, are starting to become more strident in their approach to political action. Music Declares Emergency is probably the most high-profile vehicle for this, with acts such as Billie Eilish, Massive Attack and Jarvis Cocker all signing up to the declaration.   

There are a number of Scottish names on the list too, from Annie Lennox to Mogwai and Honeyblood. And there are surprises. Nineties indie crossover stars The Soup Dragons may feel like unlikely climate activists, but anyone who witnessed their blistering performance at this year’s Glas-Goes Pop festival will know that they're not going through the motions. Having won over the crowd with their early hits, from indie disco classics like Hang-Ten!, through to Top of the Pops favourites like I’m Free, the band chose a curveball with which to close the show. A new song, called No Music on a Dead Planet. As the band's bassist, Sushil K. Dade, writes so eloquently below, this is an issue that's moving the band forward, creatively and musically.

Perhaps it’s the thought of a new generation coming through the ranks? Sushil’s daughter, Radhika, has already been enjoying BBC 6Music airplay for her newest track, Starry Eyes, but her back catalogue includes tracks like Future Me, which she describes as "an eco anthem for my generation".

Ultimately, does any of this make a difference? Will politicians in Belém, Brazil, for the COP30 Climate Change Conference really pay any attention to a bunch of indie kids rocking the boat? Does Ed Miliband even know who The Soup Dragons are? Keir Starmer, lest we forget, is on record as being a big Orange Juice fan, so who knows?

History would suggest that no matter how insignificant individual action may seem, it is actually the only thing that ever changes everything. People have the power, as Patti Smith sang, and while things often seem to take an age to change, they can shift over time. Improvements have been made on emissions – perhaps a sign that the COP process does work? Arguably the biggest problem for musicians is that acts who begin to make small changes are often derided for the things that remain out of their control. So perhaps a good starting point might be to pause the purity tests and focus on the positive stories that can shine a light towards a better future for all of us.  

On their website, Music Declares Emergency have a number of suggestions for what you can do to enact positive change, offering advice on how to be a responsible gig-goer. Here's our top three tips: 1) Take public transport where you can. Parking is a nightmare for most city centre shows anyway, so catching a bus or a train can take a lot of the stress out of a gig. 2) Choose the veggie option for your pre-show snack. Meat and dairy are huge contributors to climate change and making a small switch can make a big difference. 3) Speak out and show your support on climate issues. Governments have to respond to public campaigns and your voice could be a vital tool to make change happen.

Finally, a message from The Soup Dragons’ Sushil K. Dade: "As custodians of the beautiful countries we all live in on planet Earth, we all have the shared responsibility of looking after Mother Universe, especially in these ever changing times. In Scotland we have our beautiful parks, glens and lochs for us all to enjoy, which attract millions to our country each year. No matter how small a change you make to your lifestyle choices, these tiny changes really matter. When The Soup Dragons reformed a few years ago we promised we would not only look back on past glories but to create new music and to also use the power of music to highlight other issues. We named our first new song after a slogan, No Music on a Dead Planet, which we saw on a t-shirt by the climate action group Music Declares Emergency. The Soup Dragons would urge you to visit their website below and join us alongside fellow artists, fans and music professionals to demand urgent government action on the climate crisis."

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Find more information about Music Declares Emergency at musicdeclares.net
Follow The Soup Dragons and Radhika on Instagram at @thesoupdragonsofficial and @radh__1ka__