
Thom Yorke & Robert Smith Lead 200 Artists In UK Oil Protest
Brian Eno, Massive Attack, and Radiohead icons demand leaders block the Rosebank North Sea drilling project.
By Rae MitchellPublished Updated 2 min read
A heavyweight coalition of British rock legends and contemporary pop creators is stepping up to demand immediate action against a massive energy venture in the United Kingdom. Frontmen and instrumentalists from Radiohead, The Cure, and Massive Attack are leading a movement of over two hundred prominent figures calling on government authorities to scrap the controversial Rosebank oil field planned for the North Sea. The high-profile intervention was orchestrated by climate organisation Uplift in partnership with Earth/Percent, an environmental initiative launched by iconic record producer Brian Eno. Unveiled publicly on Monday, August 17, the collective appeal targets politician Andy Burnham alongside top UK leadership, pressing officials to reject the pending fossil-fuel enterprise before it gains final approval.
Which musicians signed the Rosebank oil field protest letter?

The petition features a star-studded list of legendary alternative acts and modern chart-toppers pushing for environmental accountability. Radiohead singer Thom Yorke signed the petition alongside his long-time bandmates, guitarist Ed O’Brien and drummer Philip Selway. The Cure icon Robert Smith and members of trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack also put their names on the document to amplify the ecological warning. The massive coalition spans multiple generations of British talent. Pop singer Olly Alexander of Years & Years, multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier, and electronic innovator Imogen Heap joined the effort, alongside Paris Paloma and acclaimed guitarist Anna Calvi. Primal Scream leader Bobby Gillespie and Romy Croft from indie outfit The XX also added their support, creating a unified front across the UK music scene.

What does the open letter to Andy Burnham say about the climate crisis?

In the blunt document, Eno and his fellow artists issue a direct warning regarding the long-term political legacy of approving new offshore drilling operations. The signees explicitly tell government leadership that future generations will judge their leadership based on this specific ecological crossroad. The message cautions decision-makers that the consequences of extreme weather events are already inflicting serious harm on the public. It stresses that granting permission to extract fossil fuels from the North Sea location will become the primary defining hallmark of their administration. The massive group of creators hopes their combined star power will force a shift toward renewable energy commitments.
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People also ask
- Why are musicians protesting the Rosebank oil field?
- Over 200 artists claim opening a new North Sea oil field will worsen the climate crisis and urge UK leaders to pivot toward renewable energy.
- Who signed Brian Eno's climate open letter?
- Signees include Thom Yorke, Robert Smith, Massive Attack, Olly Alexander, Imogen Heap, Jacob Collier, and Bobby Gillespie, among others.
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