In which Wilco goes green?

[Good Old Neon]

From Treehugger.com

 

Rock Band Encourages Carpooling

Facebook already has an application that lets users arrange carpools, and now rock bands are getting in on the action as well. First, Live Earth encouraged concert goers to carpool to the event. Building on the idea that bands can not only promote environmental issues with their music and activism but also by reducing the impacts of their own concerts, Wilco, a rock band, has "launched a special tab on its website that lets fans register as drivers or passengers. A feature then connects would-be carpoolers to each other based on where they live and which show they are attending."

 

While the application is new and features are being added, it has great potential. For one, the hope is to eventually allow other groups to use the program as well. What's more, the application links "the band's fans with each other" in a way that is good for the band and good for the climate.

 

A Great Way to Get People to Car Pool

The band's manager explained the impetus for creating the software: "The thing we were trying to look at is: What is the thing in any given show that probably has the biggest environmental impact?. . .That's the thousands of people driving in their cars from their homes to the venue." What better way to reach people than through music? And by making it fun and easy to car pool, more people are likely to do it. Finally, it doesn't hurt that instead of car pooling with strangers, at least in this case the participants all share a common interest: the music.

 

Via: ::Boston.com and Wilco

 

The linky poo - http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/ro...to-concerts.php

 

While I certainly (politely) applaud the effort, my applause would be a little more robust had they not jumped in bed with Volkswagen, a car manufacturer.

[Analogman]

That news was announced in an email from Wilco HQ - July 28th.

[Good Old Neon]

That news was announced in an email from Wilco HQ - July 28th.

 

Doh, yeah and so well ummmm

[EL the Famous]

While I certainly (politely) applaud the effort, my applause would be a little more robust had they not jumped in bed with Volkswagen, a car manufacturer.

 

Son Volt already had a deal with the top rickshaw company, it would have looked like they were copying.

[mpolak21]

Son Volt already had a deal with the top rickshaw company, it would have looked like they were copying.

 

[Good Old Neon]

Son Volt already had a deal with the top rickshaw company, it would have looked like they were copying.

 

Yeah, well, they could have at least checked with Camco

[mfwahl]

Yeah, well, they could have at least checked with Camco

[Good Old Neon]

Aren't camel farts the leading cause of global warming?

 

Surprisingly, on average, an urban, metro camel

[mountain bed]

Surprisingly, on average, an urban, metro camel

[jc4prez]

While I certainly (politely) applaud the effort, my applause would be a little more robust had they not jumped in bed with Volkswagen, a car manufacturer.

 

 

ahhhhh, the irony.

 

 

This is a decent effort, but i wonder how effective it will actually be. I suspect americans are too scared of each other to actually take part.

 

 

If wilco or other bands could offer free parking in exchange for filled cars, I think there would be a greater incentive and in turn make it a hell of a lot more effective.

 

If you haven't checked out what Radiohead have been doing on there latest tour you should read this. There are several entries on how Radiohead is making their sound and lighting system more environmentally friendly. I've herd no plastic bottles are not allowed on the tour and all band and crew members must use re-usable flasks for water. Hopefully this tour sets a precedent for how future rock concerts are run.

 

Sadly though I doubt most are willing to sacrifice enough of the profits to make these kinds of changes. As with all things that involve "greening" the corporations will force the cost of being environmentally friendly onto the ticket buyer.