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Thursday, 28 February 2008, 14:12 GMT

Green Radiohead avoid Glastonbury

Thom Yorke Radiohead say they will not play at Glastonbury this summer because poor public transport to the festival has a negative impact on the environment.

Writing in The Sun, lead singer Thom Yorke said the band were trying to do "everything we can to minimise our impact on the environment".

"What we're trying to do now is only play in areas that have a public transport infrastructure in place.

"So that rules out Glastonbury for this year," he said.

"Maybe we can work out a plan for the future. They're probably sick of the sight of us anyway. "

Yorke said the band was particularly concerned because people tend drive to big shows and festivals "with one or two people in a car".

"That's an ecological disaster," he added.

His comments may raise a few eyebrows, as Glastonbury has a reputation for tackling environmental issues.

Its Green Fields area uses renewable electricity and solar-heated showers, while festivalgoers are encouraged to catch coaches to the annual music jamboree.

Extra instruments

The Radiohead frontman said he had also taken personal action to reduce his carbon footprint.

"I am trying to build a system under my house that heats it naturally from the ground," he wrote.

His band has also invested in two sets of instruments to avoid the need to fly their gear around the world.

Yorke was in Brussels on Wednesday urging politicians to introduce sweeping measures to cut carbon emissions by 2020.

"If we don't get stuck in now, in 20 years' time it will be worse and things will be more extreme," he said.

The rock musician has been part of Friends Of The Earth's Big Ask campaign - which is calling for tougher measures to tackle climate change - since its UK launch in 2005.




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Related to this story:
Radiohead singer urges climate action (27 Feb 08 |  Music )
Yorke paid nothing for own album (20 Nov 07 |  Entertainment )
Radiohead abandon record shop gig (17 Jan 08 |  Entertainment )
Radiohead album set free on web (10 Oct 07 |  Entertainment )
Press views: New Radiohead album (11 Oct 07 |  Entertainment )
Radiohead's Yorke in climate call (25 May 05 |  UK Politics )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
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The Big Ask
Glastonbury Festival
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