Greenpeace’s Star-Studded Fleetwood Mac Cover Is a Rallying Cry for Young Climate Activists

Greenpeace has commissioned a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s hit song “Don’t Stop” as an anthem to galvanize a new generation of climate activists. 

The campaign, developed by agency Mother London, reimagines a classic for a younger audience. The new “Don’t Stop” is a fable about being young in a world facing climate change and a rallying cry for those who dream of a better future. 

Grammy-winning producer Fraser T. Smith (aka Future Utopia)—who has collaborated with artists including rapper Stormzy, Adele and Sam Smith—produced the song. Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen was an executive producer on the music video, and his protege, Samona Olanipekun, directed it through production company Lammas Park.

Rapper Avelino performs fresh lyrics alongside instrumentation from jazz talent development organization Tomorrow’s Warriors and vocals from the House Gospel Choir. Actor Will Poulter appears in the film. 

The video takes place at a lavish party overflowing with Champagne and raucous guests. Over the course of the night, the celebration grows increasingly out of control, while a few people watch on in growing dismay.

It’s a slightly heavy-handed metaphor for corporations and political leaders who are “partying like there’s no tomorrow” and disregarding the threat of climate change.

Fleetwood Mac’s lyrics (originally composed by Christine McVie) are a fitting call to action for environmental activists: “Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow / Don’t stop, it’ll soon be here.”

At the end of Greenpeace’s film, the organization warns viewers, “It’s not too late to stop the fossil fuel party,” while urging them to sign a petition standing up to oil and gas companies. 

The video will air on main stage screens at Glastonbury Festival, which takes place June 21-26 in Somerset, England. The song will also play on radio stations and streaming platforms in the U.K.

“This short film is an arresting look at the state of a world hurtling out of control,” McQueen said in a statement. “It captures the unease at seeing corporations (especially those of oil and gas) and their enablers do damage to the environment on our behalf, acting like there’s no tomorrow and driving the climate crisis solely for their profit.

“But we have collective power to realize a different future. It’s imperative that people don’t forget, tomorrow is promised to no one.”

Greenpeace UK executive director Areeba Hamid added that while many people are worried or overwhelmed about the future of the planet, “they hold enormous power.”

“This film is a message of hope: that demanding a better future is not only possible, but critical,” said Hamid.

CREDITS:

Client: Greenpeace
Campaign: Don’t Stop 
Creative agency: Mother
Track by: Christine McVie / Universal Music Publishing Group
Produced by: Fraser T. Smith
Original rap verses: Avelino
Performed by: Future Utopia X Avelino X Tomorrrow’s Warriors
Mixed by: Scott Barnett
Mastered by: Stuart Hawkes at Metropolis
Engineered by: Scott Barnett and Isabel Gracefield
Drum programming by: Fraser T. Smith
Bass programming by: Fraser T. Smith
Assisted by: Gili Portal and Liam Hebb
Distributed by: 70Hz Recordings Ltd via. The Orchard. 
With thanks to: Lucy Cunningham, Sarah Thorneycroft-Smith, Holly Sheppard, Jack Blurton and Jordan Lolomari.
Recorded at: RAK Studios and Utopia Studios
Music Supervision and Consultancy: Ed Bailie and Seb Whyte / Leland Music
Music Marketing: Olivia Hobbs, Breyner Baptista and Clare Sanders-Wright / Blackstar Agency
Lead Vocals: Avelino, Molly J & Fraser T. Smith , Bass Guitar – Ben Epstein, Drums: Anthony ‘Sweetstix’ Lewis , Keys: Emily Tran , Tenor Sax: Denys Baptiste, Trumpets: Becca Toft & Sheila Maurice-Grey, Trombones: Anoushka Nanguy & Chris-Stephane Boizi , Bass Trombone: Nathaniel Cross, Tuba: Hanna Mbuya
House Gospel Choir: Natalie Maddix (Choir Director), Lizzie Jennings, Monique Meade, Cartell Green Brown, CJ Idos, Harrsn Atlee, ZaZa Lewis-Wright, Roslyn Adonteng]
With thanks to: Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, Janine Irons, Fish Krish, Gabriel Starkey and Patricia Pascal
Film Production: Lammas Park
Director: Samona Olanipekun
Executive Producers: Steve McQueen, Bona Orakwue, Anna Smith Tenser
Producer: George Telfer
Production Manager: Chanel Parkinson
DOP: Annika Summerson
Production Designer: Jade Adeyemi
Costume Designer: Verity May Lane
Make-Up Designer: Maya Man
Hair Designer: Kreszend Sackey
Choreographer: Liara Barussi
Casting: Coralie Rose / Road Casting
Editor: Jack Williams / The Assembly Rooms, produced by Phoebe Armstrong-Beaver
Sound Designer: Jack Sedgwick / King Lear, produced by Suzy Macgregor
Colorist and VFX: George Kyraicou and Mark Stannard / Black Kite Studios, produced by Jade Denne
Tomorrow’s Warriors Music Video Cast: Cassius Cobbson – Drums, Emily Tran – Keyboard, Tami Adebanjo – Bass, Shanise Hall – Trumpet, David Kayode – Saxophone, Kyle Osborne – Vocals and Introductory speech
Epilogue: Written by Scroobius Pip in collaboration with Greenpeace, performed by Lilli Chin
Special Featured Performance: Will Poulter