Summer Concerts Give the Planet a Break

It's been a long-standing feud with my inner self. As I get older I feel that it's time to settle down and grow up, if you will. But at the same time I find no greater pleasure than spending those hot summer nights beneath the starry skies indulging in the tunes of an outdoor concert. So while it might be time to cease staying out until the wee hours sucking down cheap keg beer and crowding dingy dive bars, I am not ready to give up the summer concert circuit. And thanks to some eco-chic musicians, I can have my green cake and eat it too. This summer a number of touring musicians are doing their part to give the planet a break. Support musicians that support your green values this summer.

Bonnaroo: June 11 to 14 I went to school at the University of Georgia and as we were rather close to this Tennessee festival, it drew a huge crowd from my school. Little did we know back then that the Bonnaroo festival was taking major steps to reduce its impact. A company called Clean Vibes handles trash and recycling management. Clean Vibes has recycled 56 percent of waste at the past five festivals. That's an absolute ton when you think about the amount of waste that a multi-day festival like Bonnaroo can generate.

Outside Lands Music And Arts Festival: August 28 to 30 The Outside Lands Festival has taken huge steps to tread lightly. Take for example their Solar Stage — the solar panels on the roof of the stage will collect energy and use it to power all the equipment on stage. The stage itself carries a 4-kilowatt solar system, and by using solar power rather than a diesel generator or grid power, they will avoid emitting approximately 3,000 pounds per day (1.5 metric tons) of CO2 into the atmosphere. And if you're hungry, you've got tons of green choices at the on-site farmers' market, loaded with organic, locally-grown food for you all day long.

Bumbershoot Festival: September 5 to 7 With organic cotton band T-shirts and tons of recycling and compost stations, this festival makes every effort to reduce waste and minimize the use of pesticides. The festival also encourages the use of non-disposable water bottles with free water stations and alternative transportation.

Let us know at Tonic as you hear of more green and rocking summer festivals!