Virgin Festival
Encyclopedia
The Virgin Fest is a rock festival
held in the United States
and Canada
, a spin-off from the V Festival
held in the UK. In North America the Virgin
name, and recently the Virgin Mobile
brand, is used in full to increase brand association, compared with the UK
and Australian
festivals, where association is simply implied through the use of the V. As of 2010 it is known as Virgin Mobile Fest
Like the other variants of the V Festival, the events are sponsored by Virgin Mobile
, in this case, either the US
or Canadian
versions.
On June 30, 2006, Virgin Group
chief Richard Branson
announced the inaugural shows. The first, which took place September 9 and 10, 2006 at Toronto Islands Park
, Toronto
, Canada
, featured over 40 artists. A single-day show also took place in Baltimore, Maryland, United States
, on September 23, 2006, at the Pimlico Race Course
with the Red Hot Chili Peppers
and The Who
.
Virgin Festival 2007 took place in Vancouver
on May 20 and 21, as well as a return to Baltimore
for an expanded two-day event on August 4 and 5 and Toronto
on September 8 and 9. On October 16, 2007, an event was announced to take place in Calgary, Alberta on June 21 and 22, 2008. The festival also returned to Baltimore on August 9 and 10, 2008.
The shows in Baltimore have been put on by Seth Hurwitz's I.M.P. Productions, owner/operator of the 9:30 Club
in Washington, D.C. and the former producer of the HFStival
.
In 2007, Richard Branson was encouraged by Daryl Hannah to green the Baltimore festival by bringing in zero waste event producers The Spitfire Agency.
The 2009 Virgin Mobile Festival, dubbed the Virgin Mobile FreeFest, was held on August 30, 2009 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion
in Columbia, Maryland
. The festival returned to Merriweather on Saturday, September 25, 2010, and was once again a free event.. The Virgin Mobile FreeFest is also returning to Merriweather Post Pavilion
on September 10th, 2011. The tickets were reported to have "Freed out" in just over five minutes after being available. The Headliners for the 2011 Virgin Mobile FreeFest were Deadmau5
(House), Cee Lo Green (Hip-Hop/Pop), and The Black Keys
(Indie).
Artist T.I.
canceled his performance due to ongoing legal issues.
The Virgin Mobile FREEFEST was held at the Merriweather Post Pavilion
in Columbia, MD. In an official statement released by Virgin Mobile, it was stated that due to the current economic status, admission to the festival would be free of charge for all concert goers. The sponsor hoped that concert goers would donate $5 to youth homelessness through its charitable initiative known as "The ReGeneration". Concert goers could also purchase special packages that came with a t-shirt, as well as tickets and the donation.http://www.virginmobilefestival.com/#/whyfree/http://www.virginmobilefestival.com/#/tickets/karma/
The venue is the Citadel Hill concert site, adjacent to the Halifax Common
.
Massive Attack
were originally scheduled to headline but three days before the concert, it was announced that they had to postpone the first four concerts of their North American tour, including the Virgin Festival appearance, due to delays in receiving U.S. visas. They were replaced by Broken Social Scene
.
Rock festival
A rock festival, or a rock fest, is a large-scale rock music concert, featuring multiple acts.The first rock festivals were put on in the late 1960s and were important socio-cultural milestones. In the 1980s a minor resurgence of festivals occurred with charity as the goal.Today, they are often...
held in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, a spin-off from the V Festival
V Festival
The V Festival is an annual music festival held in England during the penultimate weekend in August. The event is held at two parks simultaneously which share the same bill; artists perform at one location on Saturday and then swap on Sunday. The sites are located at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and...
held in the UK. In North America the Virgin
Virgin Group
Virgin Group Limited is a British branded venture capital conglomerate organisation founded by business tycoon Richard Branson. The core business areas are travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by Companies House, who class it as a holding...
name, and recently the Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile USA
Virgin Mobile USA, Inc. is a wireless communications services provider based in Warren, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 2001 as a mobile virtual network operator, Virgin Mobile USA, Inc. commenced operations under the Virgin Mobile brand in June, 2002...
brand, is used in full to increase brand association, compared with the UK
V Festival
The V Festival is an annual music festival held in England during the penultimate weekend in August. The event is held at two parks simultaneously which share the same bill; artists perform at one location on Saturday and then swap on Sunday. The sites are located at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and...
and Australian
V Festival (Australia)
The Australian V Festival was an Australian music festival, and a spin-off of the British V Festival. Like all V Festivals, the event was primarily sponsored by Virgin Mobile. In Australia the event was also sponsored by airline Virgin Blue. The V Festival was televised exclusively in Australia by...
festivals, where association is simply implied through the use of the V. As of 2010 it is known as Virgin Mobile Fest
Like the other variants of the V Festival, the events are sponsored by Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile is a brand used by many mobile phone service providers across the globe; its headquarters are based in the United Kingdom. Virgin Mobile has local operations in Australia, Canada, France, India, South Africa, Greece, United Kingdom and the United States. It briefly also had operations...
, in this case, either the US
Virgin Mobile USA
Virgin Mobile USA, Inc. is a wireless communications services provider based in Warren, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 2001 as a mobile virtual network operator, Virgin Mobile USA, Inc. commenced operations under the Virgin Mobile brand in June, 2002...
or Canadian
Virgin Mobile Canada
Virgin Mobile Canada is a cellular telephone company that was launched on March 1, 2005 as a joint venture between Virgin Group and Bell Canada. Since May 7, 2009, it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Mobility. - Pre-launch :...
versions.
On June 30, 2006, Virgin Group
Virgin Group
Virgin Group Limited is a British branded venture capital conglomerate organisation founded by business tycoon Richard Branson. The core business areas are travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by Companies House, who class it as a holding...
chief Richard Branson
Richard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
announced the inaugural shows. The first, which took place September 9 and 10, 2006 at Toronto Islands Park
Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands in the city of Toronto, Ontario. Comprising the only group of islands in the western part of Lake Ontario, the Toronto Islands are located just offshore from the city centre, and provide shelter for Toronto Harbour...
, Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, featured over 40 artists. A single-day show also took place in Baltimore, Maryland, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, on September 23, 2006, at the Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
with the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
and The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
.
Virgin Festival 2007 took place in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
on May 20 and 21, as well as a return to Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
for an expanded two-day event on August 4 and 5 and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
on September 8 and 9. On October 16, 2007, an event was announced to take place in Calgary, Alberta on June 21 and 22, 2008. The festival also returned to Baltimore on August 9 and 10, 2008.
The shows in Baltimore have been put on by Seth Hurwitz's I.M.P. Productions, owner/operator of the 9:30 Club
9:30 Club
Foo Fighters Promise to come back to D.C. and play the 9:30 ClubNightclub 9:30 is a nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C. Originally located at 930 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C., in the 1970s it was called the "Atlantis Club", and hosted primarily rock, New Wave, and punk bands...
in Washington, D.C. and the former producer of the HFStival
HFStival
The HFStival is an annual Washington, D.C. / Baltimore, Maryland rock festival. Held every summer from 1990 through 2006 by radio station WHFS, and annually since 2010 in commemoration of the now-defunct station's legacy, the HFStival was at its peak the largest yearly music festival on the East...
.
In 2007, Richard Branson was encouraged by Daryl Hannah to green the Baltimore festival by bringing in zero waste event producers The Spitfire Agency.
The 2009 Virgin Mobile Festival, dubbed the Virgin Mobile FreeFest, was held on August 30, 2009 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion is an outdoor concert venue located within Symphony Woods, a 40-acre lot of preserved land in the heart of the planned community of Columbia, Maryland. It was named for the American Post Foods heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post...
in Columbia, Maryland
Columbia, Maryland
Columbia is a planned community that consists of ten self-contained villages, located in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It began with the idea that a city could enhance its residents' quality of life. Creator and developer James W. Rouse saw the new community in terms of human values, not...
. The festival returned to Merriweather on Saturday, September 25, 2010, and was once again a free event.. The Virgin Mobile FreeFest is also returning to Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion is an outdoor concert venue located within Symphony Woods, a 40-acre lot of preserved land in the heart of the planned community of Columbia, Maryland. It was named for the American Post Foods heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post...
on September 10th, 2011. The tickets were reported to have "Freed out" in just over five minutes after being available. The Headliners for the 2011 Virgin Mobile FreeFest were Deadmau5
Deadmau5
Joel Thomas Zimmerman , better known by his stage name deadmau5 , is a Canadian progressive, electro, and house producer based in Toronto...
(House), Cee Lo Green (Hip-Hop/Pop), and The Black Keys
The Black Keys
The Black Keys are an American rock duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney. The band was formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. As of October 2011, the band has sold over 2 million albums in the U.S....
(Indie).
Virgin Mobile FreeFest (Saturday September 10th)
Acts Start at 11A.M.Pavilion Stage | West Stage | Dance Forest |
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Virgin Mobile FreeFest (September 25th)
The Virgin Mobile Freefest line-up was announced at 11AM on July 20, 2010.Pavilion Stage | West Stage | Dance Forest |
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Artist T.I.
T.I.
Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....
canceled his performance due to ongoing legal issues.
Virgin Mobile FREEFEST (August 30th)
As per official site.The Virgin Mobile FREEFEST was held at the Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion is an outdoor concert venue located within Symphony Woods, a 40-acre lot of preserved land in the heart of the planned community of Columbia, Maryland. It was named for the American Post Foods heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post...
in Columbia, MD. In an official statement released by Virgin Mobile, it was stated that due to the current economic status, admission to the festival would be free of charge for all concert goers. The sponsor hoped that concert goers would donate $5 to youth homelessness through its charitable initiative known as "The ReGeneration". Concert goers could also purchase special packages that came with a t-shirt, as well as tickets and the donation.http://www.virginmobilefestival.com/#/whyfree/http://www.virginmobilefestival.com/#/tickets/karma/
Sunday, August 30 |
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Virgin Festival Montreal (June 19 & 20)
As per official site.Friday, June 19 | Saturday, June 20 |
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Virgin Festival Nova Scotia (July 4)
As per official site.The venue is the Citadel Hill concert site, adjacent to the Halifax Common
Halifax Common
The Halifax Common, in local popular usage more often referred to as the Commons, is a Canadian urban park in the community of Halifax in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality...
.
Saturday, July 4 |
Tragically Hip cancelled due to family medical issues and the concert is being provided free of charge, ticket-holders get their money refunded and concert capacity is now limited only by space, Citadel Hill above the concert site allows for viewing in case the site fills up. |
Virgin Festival British Columbia (July 25 & July 26)
As per official site.Saturday, July 25 | Sunday, July 26 |
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Virgin Festival Alberta (August 8th & 9th)
As per official site.Saturday, August 8 | Sunday, August 9 |
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Virgin Festival Ontario (August 29th & 30th)
As per official site.Saturday, August 29 | ||
Virgin Mobile Stage | Virgin Radio Stage | Boardwalk Stage |
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Sunday, August 30 | ||
Virgin Mobile Stage | Virgin Radio Stage | Boardwalk Stage |
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Virgin Festival Calgary (June 21 & 22)
Saturday, June 21 | Sunday, June 22 | ||
Virgin Mobile Stage | TD Music Stage | Virgin Mobile Stage | TD Music Stage |
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Virgin Mobile Festival Baltimore Day 1 (August 9)
South Stage | North Stage | Dance Tent |
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Virgin Mobile Festival Baltimore Day 2 (August 10)
South Stage | North Stage | Dance Tent |
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Virgin Festival Toronto Day 1 (September 6)
Virgin Mobile Stage | TD Music Stage |
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Oh Henry! Stage | Bacardi B-Live Stage |
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Switch Switch (DJ) Switch is a UK-based DJ, songwriter, sound engineer and record producer. He is best known for his work with M.I.A. and Santigold.In the fidget house genre, Switch runs his own music label "Dubsided", as well as the label Counterfeet, established in 2006 with fellow producer Sinden... and SebastiAn were replaced by MSTRKRFT due to delayed flights. |
Virgin Festival Toronto Day 2 (September 7)
Virgin Mobile Stage | TD Music Stage |
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Oh Henry! Stage | Bacardi B-Live Stage |
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Virgin Festival (Vancouver) Day 1
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Virgin Festival (Vancouver) Day 2
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Virgin Festival (Baltimore) Day 1
North (Main) Stage | South (Side) Stage | Dance Tent |
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Virgin Festival (Baltimore) Day 2
North (Main) Stage | South (Side) Stage | Dance Tent |
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Virgin Festival (Toronto) Day 1
Virgin Mobile Stage | Future Shop Stage |
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Budweiser Stage | B-Live Stage |
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Virgin Festival (Toronto) Day 2
Virgin Mobile Stage | Future Shop Stage |
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Budweiser Stage | B-Live Stage |
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Virgin Festival (Toronto) Day 1
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Virgin Festival (Toronto) Day 2
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Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
were originally scheduled to headline but three days before the concert, it was announced that they had to postpone the first four concerts of their North American tour, including the Virgin Festival appearance, due to delays in receiving U.S. visas. They were replaced by Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
.
Virgin Festival (Baltimore)
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