Green Island Festival x Play It Green: Introduction
We’re thrilled to welcome Green Island Festival, Manchester’s community-driven festival, to the Play It Green community!
Green Island Festival is an independent, grassroots event held in Hulme, Manchester, celebrating diverse music, art, and community. With a mission to create an inclusive space where people can connect and enjoy culture, the festival also recognises its responsibility to the planet. Now, they are going even further by planting trees , mangroves and sea kelp with every ticket sold and ensuring their team receives sustainability education to make an even bigger impact.
Even better, 10% of all revenue generated from the trees, mangroves and sea kelp ordered as part of ticket sales will be regiven to their nominated charity,
We are also providing Green Island Festival with ongoing sustainability education, helping them reduce their footprint and operate in a more environmentally responsible way. This partnership marks an exciting step towards making festivals greener and more sustainable.
We recently caught up with George McGirr & Stephan Agbogbe, who run this fantastic event, to hear more about their journey and commitment to sustainability.
Please, tell us a little about Green Island Festival.
Green Island Festival started as a small, grassroots event with just 100 people, born out of a post-Covid idea to showcase the incredible talent the North of the UK has to offer. We saw how so many festival lineups were dominated by London-based acts, and we wanted to create a platform that truly reflected the diverse and thriving music scene outside of the capital.
Since then, we’ve grown organically, now selling over 1,500 tickets and building a loyal community of music lovers. What makes Green Island special is its emphasis on emerging artists, particularly those under 30, and its commitment to diversity, not just in music but also in the people behind the scenes. It’s a festival rooted in community, culture, and sustainability, and as we continue to grow, we remain focused on keeping that spirit alive.
Why is sustainability important to Green Island Festival?
Sustainability has been at the heart of Green Island Festival from the very beginning. We started from Hulme Community Garden Centre, a space built on community, sustainability, and environmental responsibility. Those values have shaped everything we do, from the way we curate our lineups to the way we run our events.
As a festival, we recognise that the industry has a significant environmental impact, and we believe it’s our responsibility to do better. Sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste or offsetting carbon, it’s about creating a culture of care, where our community, artists, and audiences are all part of a movement towards a greener future. By embedding sustainable practices into Green Island, we’re not only protecting the environment but also ensuring that the festival can continue to grow in a way that aligns with our core values.
Why did Green Island Festival decide to collaborate with Play It Green?
Green Island Festival has always been about more than just music, it’s about creating a positive impact. Festivals, by nature, have a huge environmental footprint, and as we continue to grow, we recognise the responsibility we have to do things differently. That’s why partnering with Play it Green made perfect sense.
By working together, we can challenge the way festivals are traditionally run and push for more sustainable practices across the industry. Play it Green’s expertise in sustainability will help us take tangible steps to reduce our environmental impact, from lowering our carbon footprint to making greener choices in how we operate. Beyond just this year’s festival, this collaboration is also a step toward embedding sustainability into Green Island as a company, ensuring that we’re not only supporting emerging artists and diverse talent but also protecting the planet for future generations.
What does the future hold for Green Island Festival?
This year we want to focus on our 5th Anniversary and provide the best possible experience for everyone involved! Each year we keep trying to level up and perfect what we are doing so I am sure the next 5 years will be another amazing journey!
Quote from George McGirr, Green Island Festival:
“We are so happy to be partnering with Play It Green this year, and we are excited to see where the partnership progresses!” – George McGirr, Co-Founder, Green Island Festival
Quote from Play It Green:
“Green Island Festival is a brilliant example of a community-driven event using its platform to make a difference. Their commitment to sustainability is inspiring, and we’re excited to support them on their journey to becoming a more sustainable festival.” – Richard Dickson, CEO, Play It Green
Join Us and Green Island Festival in Taking Sustainable Action
By partnering with Play It Green, you can integrate sustainable action, education, tree planting, mangrove restoration, seaforestation and social impact into your life and business operations. Whether it’s adding nature repair to your sales process, education on sustainability, or strengthening your environmental credentials, the tools and support are there to make it simple.
Every action contributes to restoring the planet.
Want more info before deciding? Click here.
