This month, AY Young will return to Times Square for his Music for Impact Concert, kicking off New York Climate Week with an innovative twist. Last year’s event made history as the first-ever battery-powered concert in Times Square’s 100-year existence, reaching more than half a million people. This year’s performance promises to be even bigger, amplifying the synergy between music and clean energy.
But what drives AY Young to combine these two seemingly different worlds—music and sustainability? According to him, it all started with a challenge familiar to many entrepreneurs: finding a way to turn a passion into a scalable venture.
“After competing on The X Factor, I wanted to share my music with the world,” he said. “But like many artists, I faced countless rejections. Big-name venues and artists wouldn’t give me a chance, so I thought, ‘What if I could bring my own power source and hold concerts anywhere?’ That’s where my idea for a battery-powered tour came from.“
Young’s concept hinges on harnessing solar energy to power his performances. But how does this technology work, and how has he turned it into a viable business model?
“We capture solar energy and store it in batteries. Using inverters, we convert the energy from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), making it possible to power everything from my concerts to my recording equipment,“ Young explains. “With this setup, I can produce, perform, and power shows anywhere—entirely off-grid.”
The Battery Tour isn’t just an artistic endeavor; it’s a blueprint for a sustainable business model. Young’s ability to overcome the obstacles of financing, logistics, and technology has been key to his success. Merging music with sustainability presents its own unique challenges, but Young’s approach has been simple: persistence and adaptability.
“Challenges are part of the process. Whether it’s being turned down by venues or lacking a traditional music industry support system, I’ve learned to push through,“ says Young. “I often talk about how everyone is an ‘outlet for change.‘ If we connect our passions with action, we can create something bigger than ourselves. For me, that’s been one step at a time—proving that you don’t need fame or millions of followers to make a real impact.”
That impact has been significant. Since launching Battery Tour in 2012, Young has powered more than 950 concerts with 100% clean energy. Beyond the music, his initiative has helped provide essential resources—energy, water, and food—to communities in 19 countries. His work culminated in a landmark performance last year in Times Square, and his message continues to gain traction globally.
“The global response has been incredible,“ Young says. “But what’s really important is the impact. Whether it’s powering concerts or bringing energy to underserved communities, we’ve been able to make a real difference. Recently, I performed at Rock in Rio, opening for Ed Sheeran in front of 80,000 people in Lisbon, using that platform to raise awareness about sustainability and regenerative practices.”
As for the future, Young is focused on scaling his efforts through a new initiative, Project 17. This project aligns with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leveraging music to fund solutions for global issues like food security, energy access, and clean water.
“I’ve written one song for each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals,“ Young explains. “The idea is to use the proceeds from this music to fund organizations working directly on these issues. Project 17 is my vision for how music can drive global impact, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem where the art itself powers the solutions.”
For AY Young, the intersection of business, music, and sustainability is more than a trend—it’s a movement. As he continues to build partnerships with companies and leaders in the sustainability space, he’s laying the groundwork for a model where creative passion fuels real-world change.
“We need more support from leaders across industries to scale this,“ he says. “The vision is to reach millions—bringing food, water, and energy to people who need it, all through the power of music and clean energy.“
Young’s Battery Tour and Project 17 represent a unique convergence of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and cultural influence. His work demonstrates that the future of sustainability doesn’t just lie in policy or infrastructure—it can also be powered by creativity, passion, and a bold vision for change.
