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Soundcheck

Tuesday, June 03, 2008
  • Green Concert
    (rex libris/flickr)

    Eco-Rock or Eco-Crock?

    This summer is promising to be another big one for eco-friendly music events. Many tours and festivals are adding biodiesel-fueled buses, solar-powered stages, green merchandise and recycling. But can it make any impact? And do artists always practice what they preach? In this week’s Soundcheck Smackdown we debate the value of "green" music events Also: live music from singer-songwriter and violinist Joan Wasser, a.k.a. Joan as Police Woman.

How Green is Your Concert?

Concerts aren't typically what you would consider environmentally friendly. But Festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo, and the inaugural Rothbury Festival are all are trying to adapt green practices, from solar-powered stages to recycling and biodegradable concession products. Today, we debate the effectiveness of these changes, and ask whether artists practice what they preach. Joining us is Bill Connelly, the Marketing Director for NativeEnergy; and Nicholas Wapshott, a reporter with the New York Sun.

Our blog: John Schaefer on eco-friendly concerts

Weigh in: Do you plan to attend a "green" concert this summer? How beneficial do you feel these are?

NativeEnergy's Web site

Joan As Police Woman

In the '90s, the singer-songwriter and violinist Joan Wasser played in art-rock acts like the Dambuilders and Those Bastard Souls. Since then, she's collaborated with Antony and the Johnsons, Lou Reed and a long list of others. A few years ago, she reinvented herself in the solo act Joan as Police Woman and earned raves for a debut LP of soulful punk, or perhaps punk soul. Before next week's release of her second album, "To Survive," Wasser joins us for a live performance in our studio.

Joan As Policewoman's Website
Video: "To Be Loved"

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

Soundcheck

Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

Soundcheck

Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.