Virgin Mobile Fest Was Franz-Tastic

Recommended beverage: Starr Hill Wheat

(by far the best beer option there)

This year, a few distinct features set Virgin Mobile Fest apart from ones in recent years. First, it was free, absent even of those dreaded service fees, apparently a gift to us from the Virgin and Ticketbastard folks for years of loyalty. And, it took place at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, as opposed to Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore. Third, it was a single day instead of a whole weekend.

This was the first Virgin Fest that cooperated with my schedule, and so I spent the late afternoon and evening there. As with any free, and surprisingly well organized, event, the place was mobbed, though any potential troublemakers were already passed out on the lawn, no doubt from a Miller Lite/nicotine overdose. There were two stages: the main pavilion stage, snaked by two massive and unmoving lines on either end of people hoping to get into the pavilion, and a west stage, set up on the site of what’s usually a parking lot. Plus a dance tent seemed to be hopping, but noise levels exceeded what's acceptable for my old ears so I steered clear.

The bands I primarily came to see both performed at the west stage, but I did lounge on the lawn a bit too to catch a couple of main stage acts. Arrived just in time for Australian rockers Jet. Don’t let their preppy, clean-cut appearances deceive you. These guys rock hard. If you close your eyes, in your mind they'd have long hair and massive tattoos. The blokes alluded to their last appearance there, opening for Oasis a couple years ago. Sounded fantastic and their new stuff sounds equally intriguing.

Weezer was a ton of fun too. There’s something special about geeky guys rocking out with all their hearts, and doing it well. Their set showcased their ever-changing styles: from mellow to hard, pop to indie. The crowd sang loud and lovingly to such radio hits as “Island in the Sun” and “Buddy Holly,” and frat boys emerged from their drunken slumber for “Beverly Hills.”

One act I sampled for the first time was The Bravery. The music was solid rock, and the lead vocalist sounded uncannily like the Cure’s Robert Smith. It was a fantastic sound and I will keep an eye on those guys. Then, Blink-182 proved to me, in less than a minute, why I just don’t like them. Grossly off-key vocals, however, seemed to excite some folks there. But off I roamed to the west stage.

The National played the west stage with a set that was emotive and well-done. They're from Brooklyn but sound as though they could have easily come straight from any British club. There’s a touch of Joy Division in their sound, accented by a couple of horns. Excellent and creative stuff.

The highlight, as I just knew it would be, was the Glasgow quartet Franz Ferdinand. They played a 70-minute set of danceable goodies from their three albums, including a healthy sampling from their first album. They’re tight, blending dance and rock. Alt-indie at its finest. “Take Me Out” naturally got the biggest response, though the crowd seemed transfixed by the rest of the set, which undoubtedly generated a few thousand new fans. Was thrilled to hear "Darts of Pleasure" which they skipped when I saw them back in May at New York's Roseland Ballroom.

The catch to the “Free Fest” was charitable giving. Donations were encouraged toward a group that works to combat youth homelessness. Folks left with their ears ringing from good music, and a satisfied feeling that their presence helped the larger community.