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Courtesy of Tim Reese Photography
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For one night in July for the last four years, the Red Rocks amphitheatre has gone green onstage and off. eTown, a show we already love for combining music with activism, brought music legends Lyle Lovett and Taj Mahal to the stage, along with politics and media focused on the environment.
Red Rocks is already a greener venue than most, with composting and recycling services, low-flush toilets, energy efficiency measures (and the fact that no A/C is needed—or possible—at the outdoor venue) and the use of mostly green cleaning products, but this year's Green Rocks show was powered with 100 percent renewable energy, encouraged carpooling and brought some audience members to the show on biodiesel buses, and honored High Country News, one of the country's best magazines for environmental reporting, with an e-chievement award.
The publisher of High Country News was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the magazine's founder, who for health reasons was unable to attend, and was followed by John Hickenlooper, the mayor of Denver, who spoke the praises of renewable energy.
Hickenlooper also talked about the change that has come even to the Red Rocks venue in just the last few years, and the role that eTown has played in generating that change and in raising awareness generally of green issues. Building on a quote he'd heard from Lyle Lovett about how the hardest part in getting something done is getting it started, he said, "eTown has given this city and this state an incredible boost."
The music was great: stellar performances from both Lyle Lovett and Taj Mahal—and for a few precious moments, both at the same time. Lovett's performance ranged from his slower, more pensive music to his humorous style on the Road to Ensenada album to full-on rocking-out from Lovett and his Large Band (it really is large!). Four dancers and guest vocalists also brought some extra energy to the stage.
The finale brought everyone back out on stage, including eTown hosts Nick and Helen Forster. A truly great show—and will soon be available as a podcast.
Image courtesy of Tim Reese Photography
More about eTown:
Nick and Helen Forster, Bring Music and Activism Together on National Airwaves (Interview)
Moby on Stage: Wanna Talk About Climate Change But Ignore Meat? It's Like Talking About Lung Cancer But Ignoring Cigarettes
Tori Amos and Loudon Wainwright Take the Stage as Etown Honors Solar One and Community Environmental Center Founder Richard Cherry
