On Saturday September 25th Merriwether Post Pavilion was alive with the sounds and cheers of 20,000 people all seeing 18 bands for absolutely free. The fifth annual Virgin Mobile Festival was held this year under the slogan, "let free ring" and by making the festival free, it meant there were going to be some fantastic sponsors. Of course there were Virgin Mobile phones you could test out as well as a "text to get your fortune" throne, complete with fortune teller. Personally my favorite sponsor was the Skatepark of Baltimore ramp and tent. If you made a small donation you'd get ice cold water and avoid the $4 water sold by the venue but you could also watch skateboarders in action, displaying their talent for 20,000 people who passed by.
The real reason everyone was there though was not for the sponsors, it was for the music. At Free Fest there was something for everyone. Rappers, Rockers, Techno, Easy Listening, it was there and all spread out during the ongoing festival.
Since the line-up was first announced I knew that I had to see Joan Jett live, because who knows when I'd ever get this chance again. During her performance some people criticized her entrance, or lack there of. A few people were turned off by the fact that at the beginning of her set, all she did was run on stage and tune her guitar before she began to play. This moment however was one of my favorite parts because it showed how down to earth she really is. I was a little concerned about how Joan would sound due to her age, but all worry vanished when she began to sing her first song, Bad Reputation. If I got anything out of the day it was seeing Joan Jett for a set that only comes around once in a lifetime.
So, that was my take on the fantastic day at the Virgin Mobile Free Festival. Stay tuned and you'll hear dad's take on the day.
Spoiler Alert: He's going to talk about Chromeo A LOT