By Derek Hawkins
The Charles River Esplanade was transformed into an eco-friendly bazaar last Saturday, when thousands of spectators gathered around the Hatch Shell for WBOS radio’s 14th annual EarthFest concert.
Billed by its organizers as a carbon-neutral “celebration for the Earth,” EarthFest combined the popular appeal of alternative rock outfits like Boston’s Guster and singer-songwriter KT Tunstall with the growing trend in environmental awareness.
All of EarthFest’s bands have publicly committed themselves to environmental causes – Guster, for example, has toured with biodiesel buses – but on stage few were overt about their positions.
John Butler, of the John Butler Trio, expressed his views.
“A lot of people want to politicize the environment and clean air and water, but to me it’s common sense,” he said. “People want to turn on their tap and have clean water. They want to go outside and breathe clean air. To me today is a celebration of common sense.”
Tom Clingan, 47, drove from Marlborough to see Vega4, a four-piece alternative rock band from London, and stayed through Guster’s performance. Although he said he considers himself environmentally conscious, Clingan said he believed there were several “disconnects” at EarthFest.
“I just wonder what the long term effects are going to be,” Clingan said. “There’s a good message, but you’re not tasked to do anything while you’re here.”
Jennifer Fahey, a middler neuroscience major, said she was discouraged by the high volume of trash at the show.
“I think an event with this many people makes a big statement,” she said. “But seeing people throw bottles and other stuff on the ground bothers me.”
For others, EarthFest was more about music than the underlying environmental message.
Chris Warne, a 15-year-old Andover High School freshman, described himself as politically conservative and said he denies the existence of global warming. But his political leanings, he said, didn’t stop him from attending EarthFest.
“I’m here to watch some good bands, hang out with my friends and for the free stuff,” he said.
The concert began at 11:30 a.m. with Vega4, followed by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, the John Butler Trio, Mat Kearney, KT Tunstall and Guster on the main stage.
Berklee College of Music graduate Tim Blane, singer-songwriter Jake Brennan and other local talent performed on the smaller “Boston Music Stage.”
Guster, whose roots at Tufts University have made the band a local legend since its 1994 debut, headlined the concert and drew the day’s biggest crowd. They played an hour-long set of songs that ranged from funky to folkish to pop, and included cuts from the band’s latest full-length album, Ganging Up on the Sun.
“Amsterdam,” a single from Guster’s 2003 release, Keep It Together, proved to be a crowd favorite, as audience members chanted along with the upbeat, guitar-driven chorus: “I’m gonna write you a letter/I’m gonna write you a book/I wanna see your reaction, I wanna see how it looks.”
Although Guster received the highest turnout, the John Butler Trio received the largest crowd reaction.
The trio, which consisted of upright bassist Shannon Birchall, drummer Michael Barker and lead singer and guitarist John Butler, played a mix of funk, alternative folk and bluegrass. But the climax came in the middle of the set when Butler performed the solo instrumental, “Ocean,” on his 12-string acoustic guitar.
A departure from most of the day’s music, “Ocean” showcased Butler’s innovative songwriting and technical skills as a guitarist. When he strummed the song’s final chords the audience erupted in applause and cheers.
Raya Borinski, an employee at Earth Source Energy Solutions, Inc., a company that manufactures geothermal heat pumps, said she thought EarthFest was an effective way to promote “green issues.”
“It’s good when something like this is promoted by the musicians and a big radio station because it appeals to pop culture,” Borinski said. “People are angry and they fight for these issues, but they often forget to have fun.”
