Cree McCree
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Sun and moon converged by the Mississippi River at Project 30-90, where Ghostland Observatory rocked the crowd with solar-powered laser lights and electro-dance sound under a full moon. Held in New Orleans over Labor Day weekend, the one-day greenapalooza had an ambitious goal: to leave a net-zero carbon footprint.
The first-year fest fell short of that ideal mark. Thanks in part to a morning downpour, the solar trailer in the eco-friendly crafts area went on the fritz, forcing vendors to plug into the grid. But Project 30-90 did raise the green bar by powering the main stage solely with renewable energy (produced by Bonnaroo vets Sustainable Waves). It also greened the overall experience with everything from recycling-composting stations to bicycle-rickshaw transport for artists to locally-grown food served in biodegradable containers . And it ensured that future festivals would get closer to net-zero by hiring GT Environmental Finance to monitor the event, calculate carbon offsets and suggest ways to remedy problems next time out.
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| Grace Potter channels Grace Slick on the solar-powered stage. |
| Photo Credit: Cree McCree |
A few days before the festival, which also featured eco-diva Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and other top local and national acts, I spoke with Project 30-90 founder Don Kelly. Our conversation proved surprisingly prescient. On the down side, one of the smaller solar trailers did indeed conk out. But in the best-case-scenario department, Ghostland Observatory rocked the crowd exactly as Kelly predicted: "They're amazing live and I think it's going to be awesome to see them play on a completely solar-powered stage. I think people are going to say wow, that was loud and bright, just like when I saw them at wherever. And it was solar."
How did Project 30-90 evolve?
It was about a 16- or 18-month process. I had somewhere in the back of my mind that I wanted to do a music festival. I've lived in New Orleans since I was 5, and we have some monster music festivals here, like Jazzfest and Voodoo Fest. Then one day, my 5-year-old started giving me the third degree about recycling, because she was learning all about it in kindergarten. And she kept asking why everyone doesn't recycle, and I said, that's a really good question: why not? And then I thought, why not do a music festival that way? So that led to some research on my part.
You set out to be the first carbon-neutral music festival, which is a pretty ambitious goal. How does Project 30-90 compare to other music festivals that are committed to sustainability, like Bumbershoot and Rothbury in Michigan?
I read everything I could find on Rothbury, because I think they do a great job. Everything from using solar panels and then donating them to a local school. They jumped out in front, in terms of really taking on a full slate of sustainable initiatives, and did it on the grand scale of a monster festival.
This is our first year out and there's no way we compare. But it's also an advantage. Other festivals have done one stage here, or a smaller side stage there, with solar. But I don't think anyone's ever had the big main stage run completely on renewable energy. Because we're smaller, and because we're starting out with this mindset, we get to think of everything from step one with this goal in mind. As opposed to being 10 years in with a successful model and saying OK, now we have to change the model to incorporate this sustainable effort we want to push. So in that way, we're lucky. To be small and to be starting at this time, when this technology is available.
Rothbury invested in a windfarm to the offset the carbon footprint of band members flying in. Did Project 30-90 do anything similar?
We did not factor in the band's travel on this first round of it. We were a bit concerned about how large that could get, particularly at a new festival where we have no idea how many people are going to show up. What we have in place as far as dealing with the carbon, we have a great company, GT Environmental Finance, that will be on site with us, monitoring everything we do, to sort of keep a running tally of what we might need to offset after this event. And I'm sure something's going to go haywire at some point in this festival.
What are you most concerned about in the what-can-go-wrong department?
My hope is that we won't have a big catastrophe, where one of the solar trailers blows up or something and we have to plug into the grid. What's more likely to happen, is that we do have some smaller solar trailers out there and if one of the vendors draws too much current, one of those solar trailers might run down. And if it does, we're gonna have to deal with it.
The turnout is the gamble in this whole thing. A week ago I would have thought we're probably not a destination event. But this last week, one gal sent a Twitter message and said she was coming from Philadelphia. Another guy said he was coming from Houston. So who knows?
Your Green Room VIP program is pretty unique. People pay $500 for all the perks and privileges, but it's a one-time investment. It's a lifetime pass for all future Project 30-90 festivals.
Yeah, we have had a good bit of takers on that and we did get a few out of state Green Room VIP buyers. We're rewarding people in essence for believing in what we're doing. The first year is a gamble, so why not give these folks who are taking a risk with us a real reward? It's $500, which is a lot of money, but that's the only ticket they'll ever have to buy. Imagine if you were still going to Jazzfest right now with a ticket you bought in the early '70s.
What part of Project 30-90 are you most excited about?
I'm really excited to see Ghostland Observatory play on a completely solar-powered stage. They're amazing live and I think it's going to be awesome. I think people are going to say wow, that was loud and bright, just like when I saw them at wherever. And it was solar.
More on green live music:
Rothbury Rock Fest Raises Green Bar
Green Your Music Festival Experience at Eco Chic Bumbershoot
10 Ways Bonnaroo Is Going Green, Show Some Love!
Lollapalooza Is Helping Chicago Go Green
Alter Eco Episode: Coachella
Support Green Live Music: Radiohead
Hard-Rocking Korn Goes Mellow Green
