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

Middle Class Rut | MySpace Music Videos

new video from VANILLA SKY

check it out: "On Fire" by Vanilla Sky

Civil Twilight at the 9:30 Club

photos by Amy Willard

Neon Trees at the 9:30 Club

photos by Amy Willard

Carnival of Madness takes over Merriweather on July 28

The Carnival of Maddness tour featuring Shinedown, Chevelle, Puddle of Mudd, Sevendust, and 10 Years will be taking over Columbia, MD's Merriweather Post Pavilion on Wednesday July 28. Don't miss out this summer's hottest alternative rock tour! Tickets are available at www.merriweathermusic.com

Tweet AND WIN!

Follow us on Twitter for your chance to win a pair of tickets to this show!

M 7/12 at the 9:30 Club

Civil Twilight ‧ Neon Trees ‧ Paper Tongues

w/ Me Talk Pretty

7:00 PM Doors

Only $10!

Vans Warped Tour returns to Maryland

Don't forget you can catch the Van's Warped Tour at the Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 20th. Tickets are available at www.merriweathermusic.com

Bands Playing:

After Midnight Project
Alesana
Alkaline Trio
AM Taxi
American Sixgun
Anarbor
Andrew W.K.
Artist Vs Poet
Attack Attack
Automatic Loveletter
Beachers Madhouse
Breathe Carolina
Breathe Electric
Bring Me The Horizon
Closure in Moscow
Conditions
Confide
Dirty Little Rabbits
Disco Curtis
Emarosa
Emmure
Every Time I Die
Eyes Set To Kill
Face To Face
Fake Problems
Far From Finished
Fight Fair
Flatfoot 56
Four Year Strong
Gardening Not Architecture
Grind Time Now
Haste The Day
Hey Monday
His Name Was Iron
Hot Chelle Rae
I Can Make A Mess Like Nobodys Business
In Fear and Faith
iwrestledabearonce
Kelsey And The Chaos
Left Alone
Mayday Parade
Middle Finger Salute
Mike Posner
Natural High
NeverShoutNever
Of Mice and Men
Parkway Drive
Pennywise
Pierce The Veil
Reel Big Fish
Riverboat Gamblers
Set Your Goals
Shorelines End
Suicide Silence
Sum 41
The Cab
The Casualties
The Dillinger Escape Plan
The Mighty Regis
The Pretty Reckless
The Reverend Peytons Big Damn Band
The Rocket Summer
The Sparring
The Summer Set
The Upwelling
The Word Alive
Tip The Van
vanna
VersaEmerge
We Are The In Crowd
We The Kings
Whitechapel
You Me At Six