Green Live: Hong Kong's first eco-concert aims to shake up a world record

Hong Kong is taking aim at another prestigious record -- holding the world's biggest 'unplugged' concert.

The Guinness Book of World Records is likely to be shaken during Green Live -- Hong Kong's first environmentally-friendly concert on August 22 and 23 -- when around 8,000 audience members and 100 musicians will make sweet percussion music by shaking plastic bottles filled with dried beans -- like homemade maracas. 

Skeptics say it sounds more like a world record for the largest, dorkiest concert ever.

Aside from the record attempt, the gig will host 30 of Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China's biggest pop acts, including songbird Mavis Fan, boy band Fahrenheit and pop queen Karen Mok.

The show's eco features include swapping paper confetti for fallen leaves, giving discounts on food and drink to concert-goers who bring their own utensils and recycling trash left behind after the show.

We do wonder how the performers are getting to the show, since the carbon footprint from their flights must be quite substantial.

While horseback arrivals are unlikely, it's the good intentions that count. Oh, and that effort for a Guinness Book of World Records entry.

If the record is achieved, we question whether it will outshine these other quirky records that Hong Kong claims:

• Lantau Island's Big Buddha: The world’s largest, seated, outdoor, bronze Buddha. 
• Central to Mid-levels escalator: The world’s largest covered outdoor continual escalator. 
• Causeway Bay: World's busiest pedestrian crossing. (Tokyo also lays claim to this unofficial record) 
• Symphony of Lights: Guinness Book of World Records' largest permanent light and sound show. 8pm each night if you are wondering.
  
  

Green Live concert details

August 22, 23. West Kowloon Cultural District. 3-9pm. HK$480 seated, HK$280 standing
Tickets available at HK Ticketing