Toward a Green Future with a Green Anniversary

Two sold-out shows, 18,000 attendees, and a powerful statement in support of sustainable live music: The Beatsteaks’ anniversary concerts on June 13 and 14, 2025, at the Max-Schmeling-Halle combined 30 years of the band’s history with climate and resource conservation. Velomax Berlin Hallenbetriebs GmbH and Loft Concerts GmbH jointly demonstrated how large-scale events can be organized responsibly.
At the same time, a new operating phase begins for Velomax in July 2025: Following an EU-wide bidding process, the company will remain the operator of the Max-Schmeling-Halle and the Velodrom.
A mobility survey of approximately 450 guests revealed that nearly 50% traveled by public transit, and about 16% walked or rode a bicycle. Only 18% arrived by gasoline-powered car. 34% used the integrated public transit ticket, while 55% relied on existing pass tickets such as the Deutschlandticket. Although 11% were unfamiliar with the integrated ticket, the figures prove: Sustainable mobility works—when it’s simple, visible, and understandable. All concert tickets included an integrated public transit ticket, enabling climate-friendly travel via local transit.
Culinary Responsibility On and Behind the Stage
The food offerings were also consistently sustainable: Of the more than 3,000 meals sold, about one-third were vegetarian or vegan—vegan currywurst and vegan schnitzel were particularly popular. Crew catering consisted exclusively of plant-based options.
“The feedback clearly shows: Sustainable offerings are well-received—when they’re well-communicated and consistently implemented,” said Sybil Franke, managing director of Velomax. “Whether it’s travel or food choices—awareness of climate-friendly alternatives is there. For us, this is both confirmation and motivation.”
In addition to environmental considerations, Mobile Awareness teams fostered an inclusive atmosphere on both evenings. An information booth run by Berlin Recycling provided on-site information about waste prevention and recycling, while an analysis of the residual waste from the spectator area yielded important insights for future improvements.
A Pilot Project That Sets an Example
Since 2010, Velomax has been pursuing the goal of operating the venue with the lowest possible emissions—using 100% green electricity and consistently reducing consumption.
These two evenings were more than just concerts—they demonstrated how a climate-friendly, inclusive, and sustainable live music culture can succeed.