RAC has been up to a lot lately. They have just released their first original single with vocals from the masterful Penguin Prison. The track is a perfect debut for the duo and is sure to be a summer jam. Listen & download the track below.

What was the first festival you ever attended? The first festival I attended as a patron was probably the Grateful Dead back in the late 80′s.

What have been your favorite festival memories as a music fan? Jumping into the VW bus and hitting the road for an epic journey with my best friends, popping in a cassette tape (CDs were a thing of the future). The anticipation of seeing great music and being surrounded by tons of people with the same interest is pretty cool.

Now that you’re an operator, what is your favorite part about a festival? Seeing my staff build a city of concessions and kitchens in complete raw space is amazing. As these festivals have grown, the amount of staff necessary to operate is quite impressive – some of them require up to 500 people! It’s extremely gratifying as an owner to see all of the hard work and planning come together. Let’s be honest, when you read the blogs months later, how can you not be happy while reliving the vibe?  Aside from doing a good job I demand everyone have fun!

How have festivals changed since your first experience?  Festivals have changed in so many ways. Before it was about just coming and seeing the music, now they’re much bigger and there are endless opportunities for guests to have interactions with brands through exhibits that are constructed, games, rides, even ferris wheels!

How has Charm City Hospitality kept up? Charm City Hospitality is staying ahead of the curve by focusing on what can be done to make sure the patron has the best overall experience as possible.  While the promoters focus on the talent and interactive component, CCH wants the food and beverage to fit the mix as well.  It’s always important to give the customer good products and value for the money spent by making sure items are fresh, hot, and tasty and that beverages are ice cold. We stay a cut above by providing not just hot dogs, burgers and chicken tenders, but also sushi, hummus platters, falafel, crab cakes, steamed crabs and shrimp.

This is your second year involved in the Sweetlife Festival – what did you like the most this time around? I love the concept of bringing music and food together. Creating healthier options through the concessions really allows the fans to feel comfortable and excited about what they are eating.  Together we are showing that the festival experience is changing –  certainly for the better! When you have the opportunity to work with an group that has the same vision – especially like the Sweetlife team – the Sky’s the limit. As one of the pioneers in green festivals, we’re excited to help reach that goal of zero overall waste.

Lastly, how do you define the sweetlife? The sweetlife is the ultimate music and food experience. To come to an event, eat organic food options, listen to incredible music and while walking out realize you didn’t leave a mark because the products used were environmentally friendly…  That puts smiles on people’s faces.

All photos by Christi Demnowicz

We’re talking grilled asparagus baguette sandwiches with salada blue goat cheese, arugula, and toasted pistachios, as well as a vegan Creamy Carrot Coconut Soup.  The cold strawberry/mint soup was not to be missed and as for the peaches and cream refreshment… I mean, the name says it all.

To savor the memory, diners had a choice of one of the three temporary tattoos shown in the picture below… which one did you pick?

The gates opened at noon and fans started exploring Merriweather Post Pavilion, staking out a spot on the lawn by the mainstage, wandering through the food forest, and venturing up to the treehouse stage where Ben Browning started the day off. Fun opened the main stage with a bang, and A$AP Rocky kept the energy going soon after. Up by the treehouse stage, fans were snacking on Shake Shack burgers, Luke’s Lobsters, Taim Falafel sandwiches and so much more while listening to Action Bronson, Haim, Yuna, and LP.

Not surprisingly, our amazing sponsors were up to some crazy things… among them, Applegate had mural (and face) painting, TRASHed was helping people recycle and keep MPP clean, Unison had a tech-saavy table that linked to phones, and Global Inheritance let everyone take a turn on their giant swing.

Back on the main stage, Fitz and the Tantrums had fans grooving, and Explosions in the Sky were so great that they successfully distracted from the drizzle. Meanwhile, The Knocks, U.S. Royalty, and RAC had a dance party going at the treehouse stage that had even the food forest vendors dancing. Delta Spirit, Zola Jesus, and Twin Shadow closed out that stage perfectly.

The Shins ramped up the energy on the main stage while the crowd danced and snacked on Pleasant Pops and Toki Underground (and those of age sipped on some Peak Organic beer). The sun went down just as Kid Cudi took the stage, playing music from his entire discography and satisfying fans of all ages. After Cudi’s set, the crowd grabbed giant foam #sweetlife glow sticks — the best accessory for the final act of the night: Avicii. Between “Blessed” and a “Levels” remix that sampled Gotye, it’s safe to say that everyone in attendance danced like they never had before.

To everyone that came out – whether you were a fan, a vendor, a sponsor, an artist, or a volunteer – THANK YOU for living the sweetlife with us. Sweetlife Festival 2012 was unforgettable.

Want more? Check out www.sweetlife.splashthat.com for a continually updated stream of photos, quotes, and reviews from Sweetlife Festival 2012.