Archived press release

Top musicians play sell out climate change gig

28 April 2006

Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead are topping the bill at `The Big Ask Live' in London today (1 May). The sell out concert is being held in support of The Big Ask, Friends of the Earths climate campaign, and has attracted the support of music fans, celebrities, and politicians.

The show, which is being hosted by comedian and former Channel 4 Popworld presenter Simon Amstell, also stars Gruff Rhys, lead singer of the Super Furry Animals and top UK folk singer Kate Rusby who has recently recorded a duet with Ronan Keating for his new album.

The London gig is the highlight of a series of concerts being held across the country in support of `The Big Ask,' a Friends of the Earth campaign that is calling on the UK Government to take action to combat climate change. Friends of the Earth is calling for the introduction of a new climate change law which would force the Government to cut emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, by three per cent every year. For more information go to www.thebigask.com.

Climate change has topped the political agenda for much of the year yet carbon dioxide emissions in the UK continue to rise.

Friends of the Earth Director, Tony Juniper said:

"Like Thom Yorke and the other artists playing The Big Ask Live, the vast majority of people want to see the Government take action to tackle climate change. This means a new climate change law that would commit the Government to make annual reductions in the UK's carbon emissions."

Thom Yorke from Radiohead who helped launch The Big Ask campaign in May 2005 said:

"The best thing about `The Big Ask' for me is the fact that there's no longer this sense of powerlessness, which is what I had for so long about climate change."

Gruff Rhys said:

"Climate change is going to affect us all so we all need to do something about it. That's why I am supporting The Big Ask - Friends of the Earths Climate Campaign."

Kate Rusby said:

"I am totally delighted to be performing at The Big Ask Live. Not only will it be a great night of music - it's an opportunity for me to help highlight that there is something people can do about climate change by supporting Friends of the Earth's climate campaign - The Big Ask."

Notes

The Big Ask Line Up includes:

Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood: A long time Friends of the Earth supporter, Radiohead's Thom Yorke has been active in the fight for justice for the world's poor. But it was during the recording of fourth album, Kid A, in 2000 when climate change registered on his radar. His presence at The Big Ask launch in May 2005 - a frenzied day of media interviews and head to heads with Government ministers - helped spread this positive message to millions around the world. Jonny Greenwood hooked up with Thom and fellow band members - Jonny's older brother Colin, Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway - in Oxford back in the 80s. Many years and six Radiohead albums later, Thom and Jonny are performing an exclusive and intimate set for The Big Ask Live.

Gruff Rhys: Gruff's band Super Furry Animals have consistently blended classic song writing with breathtaking experimentation - fusing disparate musical genres including power pop, punk rock, techno, and progressive rock. Since forming in Cardiff during the early 90s, Super Furry Animals have released seven albums, in English and Welsh, to critical acclaim. Their creativity doesn't stop at making music. From early festival tours with their blue techno tank, the band gained a legendary reputation for pushing the boundaries. Whether performing in a space-man suit or simply with his guitar, Gruff and Super Furry Animals never fail to put on a show.

Kate Rusby: Voted Best Live Act in this year's BBC Folk Awards and with six albums to her name, the "Barnsley nightingale" has been gathering friends across Britain's musical battle lines for over a decade. Kate recorded her first solo album, Hourglass, in 1997 and has since gone on to receive plaudits in the UK and abroad, including a Mercury nomination for her 1999 album, Sleepless. Kate didn't think twice when invited to get involved with The Big Ask. Accompanying Kate at The Big Ask Live is her acclaimed band, featuring John McCusker, Andy Cutting and Andy Seward.

Simon Amstell: Since 2000, Simon Amstell has been the presenter of Popworld - Channel 4's weekly pop programme - with Miquita Oliver. In his youth, Amstell was the youngest finalist of the BBC New Comedy Awards. Simon performs regularly on the stand-up circuit and hosted his own show at the Pleasance during 2005's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He regularly appears on Xfm, standing in for Adam and Joe on Saturday afternoons, and in 2005 he co-hosted an Xfm show with Lauren Laverne. In 2005 he hosted Channel 4's coverage of the Wireless Festival, and in 2004 co-hosted cove rage of the V Festival. Simon left Popworld in April to pursue his stand-up career.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust