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‘Big artists’ refused to work with Greta Thunberg on climate change track, says The 1975 manager

‘Other artists didn’t want to do it – it’s madness,’ said Jamie Oborne

Ellie Harrison
Monday 12 August 2019 09:47 BST
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Greta Thunberg makes powerful climate change speech at the French parliament

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The 1975 manager has claimed that numerous big artists refused to work with climate activist Greta Thunberg on a track.

An essay recorded by Thunberg is the first song of The 1975’s new album Notes on a Conditional Form.

The Swedish teenager, 16, has become a leading voice in the fight against climate change. She became famous last year after she protested every day for three weeks during school hours by sitting outside the Riksdag (the Swedish parliament), calling on the government to reduce carbon emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Speaking to the BBC, The 1975’s manager Jamie Oborne said: "Other artists didn't want to do it – it's madness. Bigger artists than The 1975."

In her essay, which is recited over ambient instrumentation provided by the band, Thunberg calls for “civil disobedience” and announces: “It is time to rebel.”

Proceeds from the song, which was released in July, will go to the environmental campaign group Extinction Rebellion.

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