Linecheck launches ESG Protocol for sustainable events

28 November 2022 - Press release

MUSIC IS SOCIAL CHANGE 

LINECHECK LAUNCHES ESG PROTOCOL FOR SUSTAINABLE EVENTS

THE FUTURE OF MUSIC TECH AND INNOVATION AT LINECHECK

 

TICKETS FOR LINECHECK 2023 EDITION WILL BE ON SALE FROM WWW.LINECHECK.IT

 

Global forward-thinking annual music conference and festival Linecheck has kicked off its eighth edition, offering three packed days with an innovative program focused on sustainability, music for social change and music tech innovation. This year, Linecheck launches the first ESG Protocol for sustainable events, the protocol's aim is to align climate change and sustainable development goals with an innovation system roadmap for the events industry.

An incubator for new ideas and dialogues between music, creative, technology and cultural industries, bridging the gaps between Italy, other European countries, the UK and the rest of the world, Linecheck takes place last week of November at Milan's hybrid centre for culture and creativity BASE. Tickets for its 2023 edition will be on sale from WWW.LINECHECK.IT.

Developed by Music Innovation Hub - the first social enterprise in Italy dedicated to music, through promotion, training, and international networking programs - alongside RP Legal & Tax and Triadi (spin-off of The Polytechnic University of Milan), the Protocol for the realisation of sustainable events aims to create a reference model for entertainment professionals to achieve sustainability at different levels, based on the ESG principles. Because sustainability is no longer a choice, but a necessity, it is vital to understand where the music supply chain currently stands and where we need to go.

The protocol will create a global reference model  for live and entertainment agencies to evaluate the level of sustainability of a musical event and compare it with the best practices on the market. A blueprint made available to operators, artists and public administrations. Triadi, RPLegal and Music Innovation Hub will promote the protocol within the Italian music supply chain, supporting its application. The protocol is a collection of actions aimed at mitigating negative effects and creating shared value. The protocol is built in a modular way so that each organisation can define the general principles of strategic positioning and identify the guidelines to follow. It gives an indication of environmental and social sustainability practices to be adopted during the planning, organisation and management of the event. The practices refer to internal sustainability, the choice of venue, respect for the host territory and the relationship with sponsors, partners, suppliers, contractors, the public and the community. 

The evaluation model will make it possible to accurately identify the major global challenges selected based on the formulation of impact objectives made by the organiser, to align the environmental and social goals with the UN objectives for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The formulation of the KPIs is done on the basis of the main international tools, such as the European green and social taxonomy, the targets underlying the UN sustainable development goals of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), the United Nations Global Compact, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the IRIS+ guidelines (the generally accepted system for measuring, managing, and optimising impact), the EU directive on non-financial reporting and the ESG principles.

With an entire day dedicated to sustainability, with panels such as 'The Protocol For Sustainability And The Back To The Future Tour', focusing on Italian multi-platinum artist Elisa's tour, which has achieved groundbreaking results in fighting climate change through music thanks to the guidelines outlined by the Protocol For Sustainable Events. The conference also includes international panels on sustainability, such as 'Green Deal, Now For Rel!' During this, Daniel Antal, co-founder of Reprex presented Eviota, a simplified, connected financial and sustainability reporting tool. They also demonstrated how to eradicate packaging waste from music events by making the packaging edible and during the event and with Thermowatt and the Green Deal Data Observatory, they explained how energy is - literally - going down the drain.  While a workshop with GSE - a government-sponsored enterprise - will help attendees to understand the best practices to engage in a dialogue with government institutions to create real social impact. 

Music Innovation Hub has also recently launched MusicTech Europe the first pan-European independent network of non-profit organizations working in the field of music innovation and technology. MusicTech Europe's mission is to create a unique ecosystem in Europe  where music meets technology, focused on the development of innovative programs aimed at improving European competitiveness. 

Anna Zò, Operations Manager at Linecheck, in charge of Innovation, Music/Tech-related activities and European programs says; "Linecheck aims to facilitate new, unexpected conversations, meetings and activities, and the technological and social innovation driving today's European society". Her guest column for Music Ally last year about the state of music and tech innovation in Italy, highlighted the pioneering revolution happening in the 'Bel Paese'. "This year the focus is on cutting-edge music and tech platforms such as Metaverse, Web3, immersive sound, NFT," Anna explains. Panels such as 'Synch The Cyberspace Copyright Adventures In The Metaverse And Web3','2022 The Year That Live Music Met NFT' dissect the challenging and evolving shifts in copyright and royalty policies related to blockchain, Web3, Metaverse, and the opportunities NFT open up for the live events industry

Linecheck has also been at the forefront of the sensorial experience of music, focusing on Immersive Sound through panels and music residencies in the core of their musicROOMS,  La Capsula, a box with clear walls and cutting-edge immersive 3D sound within Linecheck's HQ BASE. A cosy performing room, equipped with soundproof walls, a control room, a 60 MQ auditorium and an innovative 3D sound system. This year Linecheck has launched Immersive Music Makers, an open call to find promising artists and sound designers whose work explores the interaction between space and sound and addresses the theme of sound spatialization through the production of live and non-live performances; the three  winners will host a residency in La Capsula to present their works.

Linecheck X, the area dedicated to music tech exhibitions and startups includes Music Tech Deep Dive, a session dedicated to the latest trends and the future of the music and tech industry with new start-ups presenting their latest innovations thanks to HEMI - The Hub for the Exchange of Music Innovation (HEMI), co-funded by the Creative Europe programme, an initiative aiming to support Artists and Music Professionals from Central and South Eastern Europe (CSEE) which is presenting 12 startups chosen by Music Innovation Hub to pitch their innovative solutions in front of music and tech experts. These are Onlymusix, Fairmus Technologies, Stageball, AR Market, Wicket, PLX, BaBash GateMe, Brots, CoDe RTD, Indiy and  ComeTogether.

Linecheck is not just a window for music and tech innovations but also a real workshop and a place to test those innovative ideas; Brots will present an NFT musical world through multimedia and set design. Three different zones are created by the surrounding architecture, each featuring a different artist from the forward-thinking Italian record label Asian Fake: GINEVRA, Deriansky, and ADA. Through repetition of regular elements, musical choices, multimedia elements, and materials that give the space a lightness and paint, the space immerses the visitor in both an individual and collective experience.

This year's partners include DICE, Ticketswap, Pioneer DJ (presenting 'Tune The Body' in partnership with Garmin, Official Technology Partner: three different workouts with live DJ, as well as 'Start From Scratch' a workshop for amateur DJs and beginners), Keychange, Equaly (a community dedicated to achieving gender equality in the music business), Creative Europe (the European support programme for the cultural and creative sectors), Ar Market (which develops immersive, interactive and engaging experiences for every industry). The latest topics and trends circulating within the music ecosystem are also discussed during workshops and masterclasses in which speakers and moderators are invited to interact to find solutions. This year's hosts include Europe in Synch, TikTok, The Orchard, Fuga, Intorno Labs, GSE, Spotify, SoundCloud, Sony Music Italy, Audacia Innovations, TuneCore, Dutchband, MMF Italy and Onlymusix.

Linecheck is produced by Music Innovation Hub, the first social enterprise in Italy dedicated to music, and is being co-funded by the Italian Ministry of Culture as a platform for generational renewal of the Italian music industry. Linecheck will once again be the main content partner of Milano Music Week, the annual festival dedicated to music and its key figures, and promoted by The Municipality of Milan – Department of Culture, SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers) FIMI (Federation of the Italian Music Industry), NUOVOIMAIE (New Mutualist Institute for Performing Artists) and Assomusica (Association of live music shows producers and organisers), will see top industry players coming together to look at the future and discuss plans to help the music industry return to growth.