The concept of a "Green Concert" has been a hot end of summer buzz word.  A few weeks ago Piedmont Park hosted the Allman Brothers and Dave Matthews as a massive, and might I add, brilliant, fund-raising effort for continued park rennovations.  Whether because of the $45/person going towards the greenspace or the campaign to get concert goers to take MARTA, bike or walk to the venue, the event got tagged as a "Green Concert".  However, overhearing some conversations when the 50,000 plus crowd was exiting the concert, it seemed that not all people got the "Green Concert" concept.  For them, just another occasion to get plastered.


Photo Credit: Frank Mullen.

 So now, take two, the Echo Project (in conjunction with Sustainable Waves and Rivers Alive) is going to be giving its shot for the "Green Concert" title.  A three day music and optional camping event October 12-14, the Echo Project is reminiscent of Music Midtown days, but instead of cranking tunes in the 'hood, there's going to be clamoring on the Chattahoochee.  Hosted at a privately-owned farm on the River, the event will feature performances by The Killers, Phil Lesh & Friends and The Flaming Lips, along with numerous other bands.  The Green factor comes into play with the environmental awareness information at the festival along with volunteer opportunities to help clean up the infamous Chattohoochee.  Plus, the whole event itself will be powered by alternative energy. 

 Tickets are a little pricey though.  The three-day package is currently going for $155 and will increase as more tickets are sold.  One and two day tickets are now on sale as of today, but speaking of going for green, you can't just buy a Saturday ticket, only a Saturday/Sunday combination for $135 and Sunday only for $85.  With their top-marketed band The Killers performing Saturday evening, you basically don't pay much less than a    three-day ticket if you want to hear them perform. For a $4 upgrade you can also purchase 500 kWh of renewable energy to offset carbon pollution.

Unfortunately, unlike Piedmont Park, you can't just stand around the outskirts of the venue or perhaps if you are lucky, your Midtown backyard, and hear the show for free.  Environmental clean up and volunteering are available year-round, whether you take part in this event or not.  Hopefully the prices of these festivals don't exclude too many people now or in the future, as some green movements, mostly by cost, have done in the past.