Photo via Rothbury

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the greenest music festival of them all? This year I’m placing my bets on Rothbury. Now in its second year, the music festival – which just wrapped up its four-day stint yesterday in Rothbury, Michigan – calls itself a “party with a purpose.”

True to its tagline, Rothbury does all the important green event stuff like reducing waste, recycling, composting, using clean energy, promoting carpooling, and more. But what sets this music festival apart from its peers is the Think Tank, an event within the event that offers concert attendees the opportunity to discuss pressing environmental problems and potential solutions with scientists, scholars, writers, politicians, corporate leaders, activists, and artists. This year’s theme? Joining the new green economy.

It’s not all talk either. In addition to panel discussions, Rothbury features how-to workshops that covers topics like finding a green job, making your home and office energy efficient, growing your own organic food, and becoming an eco-fashionista.

For those of you interested in the  music – and why wouldn’t you be with superstars like the Dead, Bob Dylan, and Willie Nelson topping the bill- you can view photos and watch videos of the festival’s highlights here.

Photo via Bonnaroo

I am looking at the schedule for Bonnaroo and lamenting just a ‘lil bit that I’m glued to this computer rather than enjoying the likes of MGMT, Band of Horses, Elvis Perkins in Dearland… Shall I go on? Of Montreal, Neko Case, Okkervil River…

Besides boasting an amazing lineup, the four-day festival – which runs from June 11 to June 14 in Manchester, TN – is one of the greenest festivals around. Last year’s eco efforts earned Bonnaroo an Outstanding Greener Festival award, making them one of only six festivals in the world to receive this highest honor bestowed by the Greener Festival Awards.

Here are a few ways Bonnaroo is aiming to lead by example again this year:

Empowering Staff & Volunteers. All staff are issued a Greening Manual – electronically, of course – full of tips to make their jobs greener. Bonnaroo’s volunteer team of Green Ambassadors are also on hand at the event to answer questions about the festival’s green initiatives.

Buying Sustainable Stuff. All kinds of green products are used to construct and prettify the site – from VOC-free paints to FSC-certified lumber to reusable decorations and second-hand furniture. 

Keeping It Waste-Free. Food scraps and biodegradeable serviceware will be composted, diverting over 10 tons of waste from the landfill. At the Clean Vibes Trading Post, Roo’ers can exchange empty cans and bottles for prizes like autographed merchandise, eco-friendly goodies, and even tickets to next year’s festival.

Powering Up Locally. This year, 80% of electricity will be sourced directly through the local grid, significantly reducing the amount of biodiesel needed to run generators. Additionally, the festival will purchase green power offsets from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Kicking the Bottled Water Habit. Thanks to a partnership with Stanley ninteen13, Bonnaroo will launch its new Less-Bottled Water Program this year. They’ll be selling nifty reusable bottles with Bonnaroo’s logo and offering free water stations throughout the site where thirsty folks can fill up.

Reducing Carbon Footprints. Carbon Shredders, a group that urges people to think about how their everyday actions affect climate change, will be enlisting willing patrons to pledge to reduce their carbon footprint by 10% in the next year.

Bringing the Message Home (Literally). Roo’ers can catch a show at the solar-powered performance stage and learn more about environmental and social activism at Planet Roo, the festival’s green village. The green pod will be back again as well, offering info about how to go green once the festival’s over.