Sam Fender Pioneers Sustainable Touring With All-Electric Trucks

Sam Fender leads the way in eco-friendly tours, becoming the first artist to travel with all electric trucks on a major live music run.

Setting the Stage for Green Touring Innovation

Imagine packing up the gear, hitting the road, and doing it all without a drop of diesel fuel. That’s exactly what Sam Fender achieved this summer on his ‘People Watching’ tour. The UK singer-songwriter made history as the first artist to complete a live tour powered entirely by electric transport, a bold step towards sustainable music events.

His final run zipped from Manchester to Edinburgh, then Belfast, and across to Stradbally in Ireland, covering over 900 miles with zero emissions. Four Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric trucks lugged the entire stage setup and equipment nightly, charging as they rolled along.

Driving Home the Message of Sustainability

Richard Burnett of KB Event, the team behind this trailblazing effort, summed it up nicely: “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.”

This isn’t just talk—Fender’s use of electric trucks is a practical proof-of-concept for the future of touring. It’s a giant leap away from diesel-powered vehicles that have long dominated the road.

A Nod to the Pioneers Before Him

In his own words, Fender expressed gratitude and hope:

“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 on board too. Big thanks to everyone involved, and to Massive Attack for pioneering the way with more sustainable touring.”

It’s a touching moment when a rising star acknowledges those who paved the way, nodding to Massive Attack’s early adoption of greener touring methods. Fender’s gesture highlights a growing movement in the music world—artists not just entertaining fans but also taking responsibility for the environment.

Tour Impact Beyond the Stage

It wasn’t just the trucks that made this tour remarkable. Funds raised from Sam’s UK dates in late 2024 helped save grassroots music venues across England, Scotland, and Wales. The Music Venue Trust announced a package of over $120,000 (converted roughly from £100,000) was directed to support nearly 48 independent venues—a lifeline for the local music scenes.

Fender’s commitment to community and sustainability makes him not just a star on stage but a force for good off it.

Where Sam Is Now and What’s Next

Currently, Sam Fender is lighting up stages across North America and is slated for shows in Australia this November. His third album, People Watching (released in February), is already gaining accolades and was recently shortlisted for the Mercury Prize 2025, alongside other big names like CMAT, Fontaines D.C., and Wolf Alice.

This is no stranger to Fender, as it’s his second Mercury nod, following up his 2021 breakthrough Seventeen Going Under. At a massive gig at Wythenshawe Park in August, Fender teased fans with a promise of new tunes:

“I’m gonna go away at the end of this lot of shows and sort my shit out and get my voice as good as possible and make another album and fuck loads of new tunes next year.”

Fans, get your ears ready!

The Soundtrack of Reflection: People Watching

On Apple Music 1’s The Zane Lowe Show, Fender opened up about the creative momentum behind his next album. “Now I’m ready to do another one,” he said. “I just want to get back in the studio, if I’m honest. I’ve got a load of new songs already.”

Critics have praised People Watching as a deeply reflective and vulnerable album. The title says it all—Fender takes stock of friends, family, and himself, delivering a panoramic view of the people who shaped him and pondering what lies ahead.

“Reflective, analytical and vulnerable, ‘People Watching’ does exactly what the title may suggest: takes stock of the characters, friends and loved ones who have made Fender the person he is today. He approaches each track with sensitivity as he looks back on his life so far – perhaps even with an inkling of guilt – and contemplates who he may be next.”

— Music review excerpt

Leading the Charge Toward Eco-Friendly Music Tours

Sam Fender’s all-electric truck tour is a landmark moment for live music logistics. It proves that sustainability and ambitious touring schedules can go hand-in-hand. With every mile driven silently and cleanly by those eActros 600 trucks, Fender sets a blueprint for artists worldwide aiming to reduce their carbon footprints.

Will more musicians embrace electric transport and greener touring models? With pioneers like Sam Fender blazing the trail, the future looks bright—and electric.

FAQ

• How many electric trucks did Sam Fender use on his tour?
  Four fully electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks were used to transport stage equipment between cities.
• What was the total distance covered using electric vehicles?
  The tour covered over 900 miles across the UK and Ireland using the electric trucks.
• Which other artists have promoted sustainable touring?
  Massive Attack is notable for pioneering greener touring methods, which Sam Fender acknowledged.
• Did the tour support any charitable causes?
  Yes, funds raised helped provide over $120,000 to support 48 grassroots music venues across the UK.
• Is Sam Fender working on new music?
  Absolutely! He’s currently preparing new songs and plans to release another album next year.

If this story of eco-conscious touring and heartfelt music inspires you, why not bring a piece of the vibe home? Shop your favorite album cover poster and celebrate Sam Fender’s journey in style at our store. It’s a tasteful way to keep the music and message alive in your space.