Blue Rider
The music rider for plastic-free shows



oceanic.global/project/music-for-the-ocean

introduction
The Blue Rider

Every show leaves a mark on the crowd, on the culture, on the planet. This rider is how I make sure mine leaves the right one.

Over 11 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the Ocean every year. My music will not contribute to that.

Reach out to [email protected] if your venue team needs support.

VENUE ACTIONS — For the venue team
Eliminate Single-Use Plastic Backstage
Catering & Green Room
Bags, Packaging & Event Essentials

Not all venues can remove every item immediately — start where you can, every swap counts. Questions or need help sourcing alternatives? [email protected]

TOUR-WIDE ACTIONS — For the artist, tour team and/or production
Adopt Low Impact Travel
This section is for teams responsible for booking travel.
Electric or hybrid

For all ground transfers

EV or shared shuttle

Where private vehicles are needed

Rail over flights

Wherever feasible

Shared vehicles

Rather than individual private cars

Carbon Offsets

Where flights are unavoidable, please carbon offset all air and ground travel. We recommend choosing Blue Carbon solutions — projects that sequester carbon via Ocean and coastal ecosystems, directly protecting the environments most threatened by climate change.

Recommended providers: SeaTrees, The Ocean Foundation

EXTENDED ACTIONS — Venue + tour + audience
Extend Sustainability Actions throughout Events
Unlike the rider above, these actions span multiple stakeholders. Each item below is broken down per responsibility.
For Venues
  • Front-of-house: serve drinks in reusable or compostable cups; eliminate plastic packaging at bars and concessions.
  • Provide accessible water refill points for front-of-house and backstage
  • Eliminate disposable stage materials (confetti, balloons, single-use props)
  • Use reclaimed and sustainable materials for all building / set needs including signage and banners on-site
  • Provide clearly labeled waste sorting (landfill, recycling, compost where available)
For Artists & Tour Teams
  • Use plastic-free / minimal packaging for all tour merchandise
  • Eliminate polybags
  • Promote sustainable travel options to the event through your own channels


Oceanic Global can support with guidance and sourcing — [email protected]


VERIFICATION — For tour managers + sustainability leads
Take it further: Get Verified

For venues

Blue Verify your operations across every show you host.

Assessment covers single-use plastics across front-of-house and back-of-house areas, waste management, and broader sustainability actions.

For artists & tours

Blue Verify your tour across the venues you play.

Assessment covers tour-wide sustainability actions and rider implementation at each stop.


Learn more or apply: bluestandard.com/get-verified

Blue Verified Partners Receive:

Clear framework & resources to eliminate single-use plastics

Verified sustainability leadership through third-party verification

On-site signage & digital marketing assets to bring sustainability to life and engage fans

Alignment with leading venues, festivals, and partners demonstrating industry leadership




Bring This Into Your Shows.
Implement This Rider + Build Towards Verification.


Adopt This Blue Rider


For Questions or Support:

[email protected]

To Start Your Verification:

bluestandard.com/get-verified


www.oceanic.global