Sam Fender has become the first artist to have completed a series of live dates using all-electric transportation.
The final run of Fender’s People Watching Tour travelled from Manchester to Edinburgh, and Stradbally to Belfast, using four fully electric vehicles in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Trucks. The dates covered over 900 miles, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in live music.
Sam Fender said: “We’ve just finished our summer tour where we used some Mercedes-Benz electric trucks with help from KB Event. Hopefully this will show what can be achieved on future tours, and other artists will jump onboard too. Big thanks to everyone involved, and to Massive Attack for pioneering the way with more sustainable touring.”
Partnering with Mercedes-Benz Trucks, the sell-out run of shows was supported by four eActros 600. Each night, the trucks carried stage sets and equipment hundreds of miles between venues, charging on the road using the existing UK and Irish HGV infrastructure.
Richard Burnett of KB Event, who staged the concerts, said: “Transport is a key part of any live music tour, but we wanted to make the People Watching Tour as green and sustainable as possible. Until now, electric trucks weren’t seen as viable for big tours, but the eActros 600 has shown they can deliver the performance, the range, and the reliability.”
“We only needed a maximum 90-minute stop to recharge, which slotted neatly into the schedule,” added Burnett. “It will be even easier when venues start adding their own charging hubs.”
For Daimler Truck UK, the tour represents a landmark moment for both logistics and live entertainment.
Heiko Selzam, managing director of Daimler Truck UK, said: “Concerts bring joy to millions, and now they can also help drive a more sustainable future. The eActros 600 shows that electrification works, even in one of the most demanding industries – live touring.”
Earlier this month, the Music Venue Trust confirmed that funds raised from Fender’s UK arena tour in late 2025 provided a package of more than £100,000 to support 38 independent music venues across England, Scotland and Wales.
Last week, Fender’s People Watching album was nominated for 2025’s Mercury Music Prize.
PHOTO: Niall Lea
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