Virgin Mobile FreeFest returns to Merriweather

The Virgin Mobile Free Fest returned to the grounds of the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD. Unlike last year, which featured the popular rock sounds of The Bravery, Jet, Weezer, Franz Ferdinand and Blink 182, the line up this year had artists and bands for the masses. Mixed between the rock of Jimmy Eat World and LCD Soundsystem were DC native Theivery Corporation, Maryland homegirl, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and hip hop sensation, Ludacris.

The festival featured another round of FREE with kids decked out in everything Converse, as well a plethora of prizes from Kyocera. The fest also saw new attractions this year with a ferris wheel, moto x riders, and a Playstation game zone.

The one thing we missed this year was Mr. Virgin himself, Sir Richard Branson. He seemed to hyped up the fest last year with his Red Bull skydying team and famed champaign toast. Why the blow off this time around? Who knows.

While the sea of masses was deterred this year buy $150 pavilion tickets and a GA floor that was ushered out after every set, it seems as though fans of FreeFest still enjoyed themselves.

photos by Amy Willard

Virgin Mobile FreeFest Announce Set Times

Headed to Columbia, MD this weekend for the second year of the Virgin Mobile Free Fest, well you'll want to make note of this year's set times so you can plan accordingly. Much to our surprise, Jimmy Eat World goes on very early in the day. Gates to Merriweather Post Pavilion open at 11 AM. Get ready to get your FREE on.

Pavilion Stage
12:00 - 12:45: Brite Lite Brite
1:15 - 2:30: Jimmy Eat World
3:00 - 4:00: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
4:45 - 5:45: Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
6:15 - 7:15: Matt & Kim
7:40 - 8:55: Pavement
9:30 - 11:00: LCD Soundsystem

West Stage
12:30 - 1:30: Temper Trap
2:00 - 3:00: Trombone Shorty
3:45 - 4:45: Yeasayer
5:15 - 6:45: Thievery Corporation
7:15 - 8:15: Ludacris
9:00 - 10:00: M.I.A.

Dance Forest
1:00 - 2:00: Will Eastman
2:00 - 3:30: Wolfgang Gartner
3:45 - 4:45: Neon Indian
5:00 - 6:00: Maximum Balloon
6:30 - 7:30: Chromeo
8:00 - 8:30: Sleigh Bells
8:45 - 9:45: Modeselektor
10:00 - 11:00: Sharam

Maryland revives HFStival for 2010

photos by Amy Willard

Maryland's Merriweather Post Pavilion relived the 1990's with the return of the famed music festival, HFStival. Now in digital broadcast, HFS Radio treated long time listeners to past festival favorites including: Third Eye Blind, Everclear, Fuel, Ed Kowalczyk of LIVE, Presidents of the United States of America, and Naughty By Nature. Other highlights from the event included the full house of fist pumping and chants for "more, more, more" from Billy Idol.

The event also hosted a second stage of local favorites which included performances by Honor By August, Lionize, Jimmie's Chicken Shack, and Middle Distance Runner.

See some the photos from the event:

Break Out: Middle Class Rut

Just discovered these dudes. Love their modern alternative rock sound. New album No Name No Color drops October 5, 2010.

Check out Middle Class Rut's video for "New Low"


New Low

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