Antarctica – the coolest Live Earth gig in the world
British Antarctic Survey press release no: 11/2007. 12 Jun 2007

What must surely be the coolest gig in this summer’s Live Earth concerts takes place at the British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station. On 7 July the science team’s indie-rock house band, Nunatak will debut in the global event that features over 100 of the world’s top musical acts. Concerts from all 7 continents will raise awareness of climate change world-wide.

Darkness and freezing temperatures isolate the Antarctic continent during the Southern Hemisphere winter so the only people who can actually go to the Antarctic concert will be Nunatak’s 17 over-wintering colleagues. But an astounding 2 billion people worldwide will get to enjoy the 5-piece combo through broadcasts on TV, film, radio and the internet.

Nunatak’s lead singer Matt Balmer said,

“I can’t believe we’ve been invited to do this – it’s a fantastic opportunity to encourage people of the world to deal with climate change. We expected to spend our Antarctic winter here at Rothera quietly getting on with our work and maybe performing at the occasional Saturday night party. We could never have imagined taking part in a global concert!

Director of BAS, Professor Chris Rapley, CBE said,

“The need to reduce our carbon emissions to avoid serious climate change is one of the greatest challenges humans have had to confront – is a complex issue that will only be solved by us all working together – scientists, politicians and society. Right now, Antarctic scientists and our colleagues in the Arctic are taking part in International Polar Year – the biggest ever globally co-ordinated research effort – to help find the way forward. Hopefully, Live Earth will make a real difference in public awareness and attract talented young people to become scientists – it’s a cool job with a real purpose. I am looking forward to Nunatak’s appearance in the Live Earth concert inspiring young people the world over.”

About the Band

Nunatak (a Greenlandic word): An exposed summit of a ridge mountain or peak (not covered with snow) within an ice field or glacier. These stunning features occur in the most remote beautiful yet fragile and threatened environments on our planet.

Nunatak is the British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station’s house band. The five person indie rock band is part of a science team investigating climate change and evolutional biology on the Antarctic Peninsula – a region where temperatures have risen by nearly 3°C during the last 50 years.

From April to October – the Antarctic winter – planes can’t fly in because of the cold – the frozen sea keeps ships out. Physically isolated from the rest of the world, the 22 wintering team share their talent and creativity with one another. But now Nunatak will play what must surely be the planet’s coolest gig.

Matt Balmer – electronics engineer with the physics and meteorology team

The 22-year old who cites Led Zeppelin, Oasis, The Verve and Britpop as his musical influence is no stranger to performing. As singer songwriter he played rhythm guitar with Lancaster band ‘Think of Anything’ – a euphoric live act, who in November 2005 recorded the limited edition Bonfire sessions EP released on white label. Matt gets back to UK sometime in 2009.

Tris Thorne – communications engineer

Tris, who manages the satellite technology and IT ensures that Rothera Research Station stays connected to the outside world. The 28-year old from the Orkney island of Sanday loves the sound of long-stroke diesel engines and live mackerel – presumably from his days as a fishing-boat deckhand. He plays his fiddle like a lead guitar and has performed with various bands including Finn Macleod & Kris Drever, Ugly as Sin” with Dom Tucker, “Remedy” with Dan Burgess. Tris leaves Rothera in Spring 2008.

Ali (Alison) Massey – marine biologist

For the next two years going to work everyday for Ali, 28, means kitting-up in dive gear, cutting holes in the sea-ice with a chain saw and plunging into the chilly water to investigate how the rich marine life around the Antarctic Peninsula is responding to rapid climate change. Ali has been playing the saxophone since she was at school. Nunatak is her first band and Live Earth will be her first large audience. Ali gets back to UK in May 2009.

Rob Webster – meteorologist

Former voluntary maths and English teacher Rob, 24, was based in Nepal before taking up the challenge to work in the world’s most exciting place making meteorological observations that will help scientists world-wide understand climate change. A folk and techno music fan he packed his guitar and fiddle when he left for Rothera five months ago. He is Nunatak’s drummer. He returns to UK late 2009.

Roger Stilwell – Field General Assistant (polar guide)

When Roger, 24, is not out using his mountaineering skills to keep science field parties safe he’s listening to Shakira, Britney Spears, The ‘Hoff’, The Village People, Metallica. Nunatak’s bass guitarist played trombone in youth orchestras and University dance bands. During the last six months at Rothera he’s missed cats – non-native animals are banned from Antarctica – but jamming with band, riding his unicycle and socialising with the science team help ease his pain. Roger is due home in May 2008.