Billie Eilish and Radiohead among stars backing Southwell man's Music Declares Emergency project
A man is working to prevent the course of climate change through the power of music. Nigel Adams is the co-founder of Music Declares Emergency — a group of artists, industry professionals and organisations that believe in the power of music to raise the issue of the climate crisis.
The project has attracted the attention of famous faces such as Billie Eilish, Radiohead, Annie Lennox and Peter Saville who are using their cultural influence to support the fight against climate change.
Alongside his activism, which includes work with Extinction Rebellion, Nigel has 25 years of experience in the music industry and has founded two successful record labels — Full Time Hobby and Hassle.
Nigel, originally from Southwell, claims the Nottinghamshire countryside was the reason he fell in love with nature .
He said: “It felt like the right thing to do, to tie together my interest in both music and the environment.
“So many people love music and musicians — they’ve got a lot of power.”
Launched in 2019, Music Declares Emergency calls for an immediate governmental response to reverse biodiversity loss and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The initiative has already seen support from more than 6,000 individuals and organisations for the project and its aims.
Now, it is inviting singers across the UK to join in the Sing The Change campaign.
On Saturday, Music Declares Emergency will host a national musical event in support of action to save the climate.
Choirs are set to gather in venues and spaces and take over social media to perform a new version of What A Wonderful World arranged by Mark De-Lisser — who also arranged Stand By Me for the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
There will be events in Liverpool, Bristol, Glasgow, and London where everyone is welcome to Sing The Change ahead of the start of the COP26 conference on Monday.
Nigel urges people to get involved and help draw attention to the issue.
He said: “Make as big a noise as possible.”
Music Declares Emergency hopes that by joining together to Sing The Change a message will be sent to world leaders to stick to their promises about climate action.
A representative from the group said: “If you can’t make it to those events, we are encouraging everyone to come together and create their own moment.
“Whether it’s in the town square, the church hall, the skate park, or your own front room, we are inviting everyone to join in for a moment of national unity.”
