Acclaimed filmmaker and musician Nick Kelly announces fundraiser for his documentary The Song Cycle

Acclaimed writer/director and The Fat Lady Sings frontman Nick Kelly has announced a Kickstarter campaign for his film The Song Cycle.

Last year, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker decided to cycle from his home in Ireland to the Glastonbury festival. Playing shows in towns along the way, he aimed to prove that it was possible to tour without driving.

By doing so, Kelly hoped to start conversations on more sustainable ways to play and enjoy live music.

“I'd become increasingly aware of other musical artists - people like Coldplay, Massive Attack and Billie Eilish - grappling to reconcile their artistic and economic need to perform live with the harmful impact of that activity on a global environment under existential threat,” said Kelly on his fundraiser page.

“I'd heard the pretty terrifying statistic that 80% of the carbon footprint of a typical major live music event is directly related to travel.”

We're rolling! Our @Kickstarter appeal to fund post-production for my film about #TheSongCycle to @Glastonbury officially launches today. Go on, give us a push...#TheSongCycle #Kickstarter #TheSongCycleKickstarterhttps://t.co/m5RU2smvQt

— nick kelly (@nickgestation) October 1, 2023

The singer was accompanied by his friend and musical partner in Dogs, Sean Millar, as well as cameraman Céin, who cycled alongside Kelly and filmed the adventure.

“Travelling on bikes rules out heavy cameras and lights - but the amazing filming technology now available allowed us to create a cinematic experience with minimalist equipment,” added Kelly.

Rather than seeking funding from official sources, he has decided to stay in-tune with the DIY nature of the project- launching a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds needed for the film's post production.

“I'm incredibly proud of and excited by what we’ve shot – and can’t wait to delve into the important questions that I think our journey throws up: How can we preserve the magical communal experience of live music into the future? How can we learn to adapt and grow through our own lives as artists and human beings?” said Kelly.

To find out more about The Song Cycle, icluding how to donate to the project, visit Nick Kelly’s Kickstarter campaign here.