Yesterday in a press conference at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, former Vice President Al Gore introduced an ambitious concert event will take place this summer. The goal of “Save Our Selves -- the Campaign for a Climate in Crisis" is to alert the world to the global climate crisis. Gore revealed his plans for “seven concerts on seven continents on July Seventh” which will aim to attract 2 billion viewers, though via television, radio and the Web. 

Live Earth will feature more than 100 musicians who will appear on all of the world’s continents, including Antarctica. The host cities will be Sydney, Australia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Shanghai, China; London, England; Kyoto, Japan and Johannesburg, South Africa. In addition, one of the Live Earth events will take place on U.S. soil but the locale has yet to be determined. 

Pharrell, who appeared at the pres conference along with Gore, actress, Cameron Diaz and the event’s producer, Kevin Wall, will be one of the Live Earth participants. Other confirmed artists include: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Snoop Dogg, Lenny Kravitz, John Mayer, Damien Rice, Ray LaMontagne, Sheryl Crow, Bon Jovi, Paolo Nutini, AFI, Melissa Etheridge, Corrine Bailey Rae, Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, John Legend, Black Eyed Peas, Akon, Enrique Iglesias, Fall Out Boy, Mana, Keane, Kelly Clarkson, Korn, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Robin Thicke, and Kenna. 

Additional details about the concerts as well as suggestions for individual actions that can ease global warming are available at the Live Earth website- http://liveearth.msn.com/. 

Jack Johnson has once again assembled an eclectic mix of musicians for his annual Earth Day celebration, the Kokua Festival. The multi-band gathering will take place April 21 and 22 at Honolulu, HI's Waikiki Shell featuring Johnson, Eddie Vedder and Boom Gaspar, and Matt Costa, as well as local favorites Ernie Cruz Jr., and the Girlas. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Jack and Kim Johnson to support environmental education programs in Hawaii. The funds raised from the Kokua Festival will be used to further support school recycling on Oahu, sponsor field trips and curriculum, and develop the new farm-to-school program 'AINA in Schools. Vedder and Johnson first bonded over their shared love of surfing and both appear on the soundtrack to the surfing documentary A Brokedown Melody.

The Kokua Festival aspires to reduce its environmental impact by offsetting the festival's emissions, running generators and festival vehicles on bio-diesel, recycling, using biodegradable concession ware, and offering eco-friendly merchandise including reusable totes, bottles, and organic cotton clothing.  In addition to the festival's live music, the Kokua Festival's Kokua Village lets fans experience eco-friendly clothing from Patagonia, sustainable shoes from Simple Shoes, and organic yogurt from Stonyfield Farm. Many other local food and beverages, products and services from green companies, alternative energy demonstrations, interactive games and crafts for the kids, and information from environmentally active groups from around the islands will also be featured. Fans are also encouraged to make an "Earth Day Resolution" to reduce their environmental impact leading up to the festival and throughout the year.

According to The Burlington Free Press, Trey Anastasio has been indicted on seven counts: three felonies, three misdemeanors and a traffic violation. The report states that the three felony charges arise from illegal possession of prescription painkillers and driving while impaired. The Washington County grand jury also filed misdemeanor counts accusing Anastasio of possession of heroin and an anti-anxiety medication that had been prescribed to someone else.

Anastasio's indictment was signed Friday and the former Phish guitarist can be arraigned as early as tomorrow. If convicted, he faces up to 14 years in prison. As previously reported, Anastasio was arrested December 15 while driving in Whitehall, NY. Later that day he released the following statement to Relix: "I feel terrible about what happened last night, and I am deeply sorry for any embarrassment I have caused my friends, family and fans."

Anastasio spoke openly about his addictions with Relix contributor Anthony DeCurtis last Wednesday at New York's 92nd Street Y. For a recap please click here.

Roger Waters will return to the states for another round of dates this spring. Similar to his outing last summer, Waters will offer a complete rendition of The Dark Side of the Moon during his second set.  The bassist also promises a mix of material drawn from throughout his career, from early Pink Floyd songs to material off his solo CD Amused To Death. In addition to Waters, the touring band will feature Andy Fairweather-Low (guitar and vocals), Snowy White (guitar), Dave Kilminster (guitar and vocals), Jon Carin (keyboards and vocals), Graham Broad (drums), Harry Waters (Hammond organ), and Ian Ritchie (saxophone) and Katie Kissoon, PP Arnold and Carol Kenyon (vocals). Last year Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason also appeared with Waters on select dates.  Before 2006 Waters had not performed Dark Side of the Moon for over 30 years.  

The bassist’s North American tour will kick off May 18 at West Palm Beach, FL’s Sound Advice, before making stops in Tampa, FL, Atlanta, East Rutherford, NJ, New York, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal, Chicago, Hollywood, Irvine, CA, Las Vegas, Oakland, CA, Vancouver,  Calgary, Edmonton,  Winnipeg,  Omaha, NE, St. Paul, MN,  Milwaukee, Boston, and Hartford. As of press time Waters’ tour is scheduled to conclude July 14 at Toronto’s aptly titled Roger's Center.  For more on Pink Floyd be sure to download guitarist David Gilmour’s episode of Relix’s Cold Turkey.  

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