We checked out a local SF band Big Light early today – 1) to check out a local band and 2) because they played at the Solar Stage (completely powered by solar like last year). Wouldn’t it be nice to have all of the stages powered by solar? They actually used solar on a larger scale for OL uno but they had power issues which apparently turned into economic issues this year.

Behind the scenes, most people think that a lot of drinking and eating goes on, which is true but people like Ice Cream Man sits in his ice cream van and just gives out ice cream – free. Why does he do it? He wants to just give something simple like ice cream (we downed a few Cherry Garcias while we talked with him) just to promote community and show people that you can simply give stuff away without expecting anything in return. Ice Cream Man hits the festival circuit but we’re more impressed when he hits various childrens’ hospitals and gives out free ice cream to sick kids. Now that’s a wonderful dessert.

Tucked in the corner of the EcoLands section, we checked out the Yellow Bird Project – a Montreal-based nonprofit that works with an eclectic array of indie rock musicians to create unique t-shirt designs that benefit an array of charities, each chosen by the musicians. We’re not sure what charities Joseph Arthur supports but we like his shirt design (along with his tunes).

It’s not easy to stuff thousands of people into a festival venue and be totally sustainable. It just ain’t gonna happen. There is too much electricity being generated, too many things trucked around, too much litter being created but we all want to see and experience the great music. OL continues to make strides in various aspects that other festivals or venues don’t. It’s far from a perfect sustainable setup. Perfection takes a lot of work. As far as sustainability, OL lands is still a work in progress. But hey, aren’t we all?