Thom Yorke, Massive Attack, Robert Smith and Brian Eno pressure Andy Burnham over controversial oil field plan

Radiohead ’s Thom Yorke , members of Massive Attack , and Robert Smith of The Cure are among the 200 major artists calling on the UK government to block the proposed development of the controversial new Rosebank oil field in the North Sea.

See the details first exclusively on NME below.

An open letter , written by Brian Eno and addressed to Andy Burnham – himself a huge and vocal music fan – calls on the recently installed UK Prime Minister to reject the fossil-fuel project, cautioning him: “While the impacts of the climate crisis are already hurting us all, this is what you will be remembered for.” Other major artists backing the call include Paris Paloma , Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien and drummer Philip Selway , Jacob Collier , Anna Calvi , The XX ‘s Romy Croft , Olly Alexander of Years & Years , and Imogen Heap .

Radiohead, live in Madrid, 2025.

Credit: Alex Lake Shared publicly on Monday August 17, the letter was coordinated by campaign organisation Uplift and published by Earth/Percent , the climate change and music foundation co-founded by the iconic musician and producer Brian Eno.

It calls on Burnham and his government explicitly to “stop Rosebank”, adding: “Like you, we’ve seen the enormous harm the recent heatwaves have already had on people’s health, children’s education, businesses, and the whole economy — including music.

“The science is clear: the world already has far more oil and gas than can be safely burned to avert the worst impacts of climate change.” Industry bodies have argued that the project would create local jobs and increase UK access to energy supplies disrupted by recent global conflicts.

The letter responds to these claims directly, stating: “The majority of Rosebank’s oil would be for export, meaning it would not lower bills or make any meaningful impact to UK energy security.

Nor would it stem the decline in North Sea jobs, which have more than halved in the past decade, despite new field approvals.

“We ask you to act in the interests of the public, the majority of whom are anxious about our warming world and are asking for the government to act.” The letter also reminds Burnham that he appeared alongside Massive Attack in 2025 and signed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty on behalf of Greater Manchester, calling it a “lifeline”.

Andy Burnham makes a speech at the launch of his campaign as Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images) Commenting on the letter, signatory Brian Eno additionally said: “At this point, continuing to expand fossil fuel production isn’t pragmatism — it’s a failure to face reality.

Let us hope he shows that same leadership now.