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Before Phish split up in 2004, the band and many of their fans were certainly environmentally conscious in a friendly hippie sort of a way. But it wasn't always clear whether that concern by the band translated into any concrete actions, as those of us who remember the mess left after Coventry and other festivals can attest. In the intervening years, thankfully, the music scene has gotten a lot greener - putting out a couple of recycling bins is no longer considered cutting edge.
So it's refreshing to see that the band is keeping up with the changing times and their own long-standing environmental ethic and trying to do the green thing in a more organized manner. To help out, the band's non-profit Waterwheel Foundation has teamed up with Reverb to get the band's tour and fans up to speed with the new and improved green music scene that rules the land in 2009. The band now has a dedicated green website, including a guide for fans that might just be a first-of-its-kind in the industry. The guide, called “Traveling Light," covers Food, Lodging, Volunteering, Transport, and a section of “Inspired Readings" to keep folks motivated.
Speaking of transport, the group has also jumped on board with industry leading PickUpPal to form what is sure to become one of the most-used carpooling websites around. Fans with extra space in their car can advertise rides at the rideshare site to find fans who need a ride; the riders are expected to help out with gas money and perhaps trade a tape or two. To promote carpooling, the band is giving 20 random Phish Ride Share fans a free download of the show after each night of the summer tour. (GreenBase interviewed PickUpPal founder Eric DeWhirst about a year ago.) The band is also urging fans to take Boston's public transportation system to the upcoming Fenway Park show.
If you're lucky enough to have tickets to one or more of the band's shows this summer, take a minute to check out the guide, and have a great green time.
Phish tour dates available here.
