Sat. May 19

 We've sat in rainstorms watching Earth Day concerts. (Indigo Girls, Foxboro, a long time ago). We've basked in the sunshine (previous years, the Lemonheads. Gin Blossoms and Soul Asylum). We prefer the latter, but we know from experience that Mother Earth can sure throw some curve balls at you on the day that we're honoring her like we're supposed to do all year long. Mmmm, maybe that's the problem. We don't honor her all year long. Well, Mother has been rather nasty and capricious over the past few years with the hurricanes, tornados, volcanos and the like. Maybe it has something to do with her being pissed at us for melting the ice caps. Maybe, it's just fate, luck of the draw. But good weather should be there Saturday May 19, the day WBOS-FM (92.9) (now Boston's only commercial, albeit DJ-free, rock station, with WFNX's demise) holds its free EarthFest - this is year 19, Earth Day itself turned 42 this year - portends a crowd of 100,000 or so on the Hatch Shell esplanade. It is shaping up to be swell: 73 degrees and sunny. Maybe Mother Earth is playing the carrot-stick game and Saturday's carrot day.
The lineup, as usual, is weighted toward B-level acts of the '90s - Third Eye Blind (on at 3:45, in photo), The Spin Doctors (2:30), Switchfoot (1:15), Eve 6 (noon) and local guys, Twin Berlin (11:30). There's a Kids Planet Family Stage too with Zumix (at 10) and then mister G, RhymeZwell, Sara Wheeler and Little Groove, Mister G and  Vanessa Trien. Because this is an especially green day - no not the way Green Day meant it (that was a pot joke they made way back when they formed) - there's a big environmental component. WBOS is implementing a host of environmental programs designed to minimize any negative impact. A comprehensive recycling program will be managed by Casella Waste Systems and a carbon offset initiative will be undertaken by the radio station. The MBTA will shocase a hybrid bus. There will be an Eco Pavilion, where local environmental groups will hold court. In addition, Mass Bike and International Bike Center will be onsite, staffing a free bike-valet program, offering concertgoers an alternative to driving to the festival. And, really, you don't want to drive anywhere near here. Bike, take the T, walk. Do not bring your car - hybrid or no - anywhere near Copley Square. You will not only waste gas and time; you will be stuck for way longer than you want to be.

Hatch Shell, www.earthfest.com