Today: 24 hour stream #ListenParis2015, page 1

Quote: #ListenParis2015: Beatport to Promote UN Climate Summit With Worldwide Dance Party

12/4/2015 by Lindsey Sullivan

While climate change negotiations continue in Paris, electronic music’s digital mecca Beatport will provide the beats for #ListenParis2015.

This weekend, this global, 24-hour dance party and silent disco will encourage participants to tune into a worldwide livestream with music provided by some of the world’s top DJs, including Above and Beyond, Oliver Heldens, UMEK, Gui Boratto, Sian, Michael Calfan and more international hitmakers. Conceptualized by the Ocean Recovery Alliance’s Doug Woodring, Above & Beyond manager James Grant and Beatport CEO Greg Consiglio at the International Music Summit in October, the worldwide movement intends to drive global awareness for the environment.

“Doug Woodring approached us some time ago with the idea of mobilizing the dance music community in support of climate issues and the Paris Cop21 talks,” Grant tells Billboard. “We met in Shanghai, and I connected him with various industry friends, including Beatport CEO Greg Consiglio. Together, they formulated the #ListenParis2015 initiative, which we were only too happy to participate in.”

Beginning Saturday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. Paris time (11 a.m. ET) and continuing for 24 hours, Beatport will provide a live stream of music uniting the world through a common music experience, where participants will tune into the same music, at the same time, in support of the same message.

“Climate change affects everyone, regardless of what industry you’re in or what kind of work you do. The reality is DJs and festival organizers are very much aware of the environmental impact everything we do has, whether it’s the footprint in terms of travel or what happens in terms of renewable energy that we might use at festivals,” Consiglio tells Billboard.

Whether in Paris or anywhere else, participants can listen to (and share) the collection of playlists assembled by the participating DJs. Those tuning into the livestream can post images and support for the cause on Dec. 5 and 6, using the tags #ListenParis2015, #EarthToParis and #Go100Percent. And of course, dance fans can organize or join an epic silent disco near them.

“Electronic music has become a global phenomenon over the last couple years, and it just seems like a real good fit for this cause,” says Consiglio. “If you’re thinking about celebrating the environment and celebrating what could come out of Paris, what better way to do it than a dance party?”

For more information, visit www.listenparis2015.com and check out the complete DJ list